This study examines the secret world of elite naval units - frogmen, commandos, midget submarines and demolition squads - and their daring operations in wartime. With a blend of fact and narrative the book describes the growth and history of underwater units, from their introduction in the 1890s; their use by Italy and Austria in World War I; Japanese navy raids including Pearl Harbour and Sydney; the creation of the British Royal Navy's X-craft; Mediterranean spy operations; the German navy and their efforts to impede the Allies; the invention of suicide weapons by Japan; the planned Italian raid on New York; the rise of the post-war midget submarine; and the current Soviet use of underwater surveillance.
- ISBN10 1854092286
- ISBN13 9781854092281
- Publish Date 23 May 1996
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 6 September 1999
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher Orion Publishing Co
- Imprint Weidenfeld Military
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 288
- Language English