This is a comprehensive study of the German Imperial Navy's battlecruisers that served in the First World War. The author details their design and construction, tracing the full service history of each ship and recounting their actions, largely from first-hand German sources and official documents, many previously unpublished in English. A wealth of contemporary photos support the text, showing the vessels at sea as well as in dock, showing details of damage sustained. A series of specially-commissioned computer graphics show full length profile and top-down views of each ship in great detail and full colour (a boon for modellers in particular). This stunning book is an absolute must-have for anyone interested in the navies of the First World War or warships in general. AUTHOR: Gary Staff, a retired airline pilot, has been studying the naval aspects of the Great War, and particularly the Imperial German Navy, for much of his life. He frequently travels to Germany and elsewhere to consult relevant archives, personally translating many documents and eyewitness accounts into English. He has an impressive personal collection of photographs from the period, many previously unpublished.

He is the author of Battle for the Baltic Islands 1917 and Battle on the Seven Seas. SELLING POINTS: Details design, construction and full operational history of all 8 ships of this class Highly illustrated with b/w photographs, many previously unpublished and full colour computer graphics Author draws on German first hand accounts and official documents 120 + b/w photographs and colour artworks.