Military Model Scene

Title: US Destroyers vs German U-Boats
Author: Mark Lardas
Publisher: Osprey
ISBN: 978-1-4728-5410-0

The Atlantic, 1941-45, number 127 in the Dual series from Osprey. An 80-page soft-cover book, with interesting text from author Mark Lardas and some great artwork by illustrator Ian Palmer.
The Battle of the Atlantic was already underway before the Americans officially joined the war in 1941, and the Royal Navy had learned to deal with the U-Boat threat in the Eastern Atlantic but the problem moved further west, so the coastal areas of America. After a scene setting introduction and chronology, the book gets into the meat of the topic, exploring the design and development stories of both the US Navy Destroyers and Destroyer Escorts as well as the U-Boats. This is followed by a look at the Strategic Situation, which in addition to a useful map has notes on both U-Boat tactics as well as those of the US Destroyers that were hunting them. Technical Specifications then take us through elements such as propulsion systems, weapon systems and electronics for both sides of the battle. This in turn is followed by a chapter on another key factor for both sides, the men who crewed the boats on the opposing sides. Their backgrounds, training etc. As for actual Combat situations, that is included by more detailed coverage of 4 different confrontations, the USS Kearny vs U-568; USS Roper vs U-85; USS Eugene E Elmore vs U-549: and USS Atherton vs U-853. Final sections on Analysis ad Aftermath round everything off.
With the artwork that will please many modellers, the archive photos which are used throughout the book all add 'life' to the story told in the book Lots happened and there were plenty of technical changes over the few years from 1941 to 1945.
Thanks to Osprey for the review copy.

Robin