THE SINKING OF THE BLÜCHER

THE SINKING OF THE BLÜCHER

By Haarr & Melien.

I have read many excellent books on the battles for Norway in 1940. The majority of them do a great job to package the sea, air and land campaigns together, but they are mostly told from a British or Allied point of view. This book has proven to be the perfect companion to those.

This highly researched account concentrates on the reasons behind Germany's invasion of Norway and not forgetting, Denmark. With the aid of many first-hand accounts from government officials and high ranking officers from all sides, the book builds a fascinating picture of what was often thought and discussed by those at the very top, including Hitler. 

We follow the planning and eventual launch of the German invasion of Norway, codenamed 'Operation Weserübung' and the circumstances that led to the sinking of the Blücher, which was enroute to Oslo. The narrative continues with the initial aftermath in the following hours and days.

As this book concentrates on these points and mostly from a German and Naval point of view, this book has time and space to provide a greater level of detail that other books have only space to gloss over.

Readers are introduced to a mass of new information that I'm sure will prove to be of great interest to both general readers and researchers. 

It is a fascinating and highly readable account and I'm delighted to add it to my growing collection on this particular campaign of the second world war.

I'm now looking forward to reading even more from Geirr Haarr via his other books, in the near future.

A highly recommended read.

The hardback book is available now and published by Greenhill Books, an imprint of Pen and Sword Books.