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US Liberty Ship vs German Surface Raider
The Battle of the Atlantic 1942
Series: Duel
Brief Description
Fully illustrated, this study examines World War II's most dramatic single-ship action, in which Stephen Hopkins fought a heavily armed German auxiliary cruiser, Stier. When the United States entered World War II, the Battle of the Atlantic was already raging. The so-called ‘Liberty Ships’, built at...
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See moreFully illustrated, this study examines World War II's most dramatic single-ship action, in which Stephen Hopkins fought a heavily armed German auxiliary cruiser, Stier.
Fully illustrated, this study examines World War II's most dramatic single-ship action, in which Stephen Hopkins fought a heavily armed German auxiliary cruiser, Stier.
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Description
Fully illustrated, this study examines World War II's most dramatic single-ship action, in which Stephen Hopkins fought a heavily armed German auxiliary cruiser, Stier.
When the United States entered World War II, the Battle of the Atlantic was already raging. The so-called ‘Liberty Ships’, built at breakneck speed and in huge numbers during 1941–45, were crucial to the Allied war effort. While the greatest successes of Germany’s auxiliary cruisers occurred in 1939–41, this book describes how one of these ingenious warships, Stier, confronted the Liberty Ship Stephen Hopkins in an epic single-ship duel on September 27, 1942.
Stephen Hopkins carried one 4in gun, two 37mm cannon, and six machine guns, all primarily intended for antisubmarine and antiaircraft purposes. Stier had six 150mm, one 75mm, one twin 37mm, four single 20mm, and four 533mm torpedo tubes. At the end of this grossly uneven fight, Stier had sunk Stephen Hopkins, but was so badly damaged it had to be scuttled.
While this battle has garnered much attention, Mark Lardas explores other clashes between the German surface raiders and their Liberty Ship quarry during 1942. Featuring specially commissioned artwork and mapping alongside archive photographs, this lively study investigates the important role both ship types played as the Battle of the Atlantic reached its climax.
Series: Duel
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Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781472868695
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 18 June 2026
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Osprey Publishing
Illustration: Colour illustrations throughout, including profiles, technical drawings, battlescene artworks, maps and photographs.
Contributors:
- Illustrated by Edouard A. Groult
Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 8.0mm
Width: 184.0mm
Height: 246.0mm
Weight: 260g
Pages: 80
About the Author
Mark Lardas, a former navigation engineer for NASA's Space Shuttle program, is the author of numerous books on military, naval, and maritime history, including many for Osprey.
Edouard A. Groult has worked as a concept artist in the videogame industry and also undertakes historical commissions while freelancing for historical publications.
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