Warships of the Soviet Fleets 1939–1945

The history of the USSR's auxiliary navy ships in service during World War II.

More than seven decades after the end of the Second World War, the details of Soviet ships, their activities and fates remain an enigma to the West. In wartime such information was classified and after a brief period of glasnost (“openness”) the Russian state has again restricted access to historical archives. Warships of the Soviet Fleets 1939–1945: Volume III: Naval Auxiliaries presents reliable data on both the seagoing fleets and riverine flotillas of the Soviet Navy, listing over 6200 vessels from battleships to river gunboats, and mercantile conversions as well as purpose-built warships.

This third and final part of the series includes all the ships in naval service that were not frontline fighting vessels. Apart from the obvious fleet support types—oilers, tugs and depot ships—this volume also covers unsung heroes like the salvage fleet, highly significant in the 1930s for generating much-needed foreign currency and later essential to the war effort, allowing so many sunken Soviet warships to be returned to service. Another major feature of this volume is the first clear and comprehensive listing of ex-mercantile transport ships, their periods of service and ultimate fates.

This is undoubtedly one of the most important naval reference works of recent years and will be welcomed by anyone with an interest in warships, the Soviet Navy or wider maritime aspects of the Second World War. Furthermore, as recent Russian actions appear to revive Soviet-era aspirations, this book offers both new insights and valuable background of contemporary relevance.