Spoils of war : the fate of enemy fleets after the two World Wars /Aidan Dodson, Serena Cant.

"The fates of defeated navies offer fascinating insights into both the intent of victorious powers and the plight of conquered nations. This book traces the histories of navies and ships of defeated powers in two World Wars, from the months leading up to the relevant armistices or surrenders through to the final execution of the post-war settlements. In doing so, it discusses the way in which the victorious powers reached their final demands, how these were implemented, and to what effect. The later histories of ships that saw subsequent service are also described. The authors have drawn on material from archival and in some cases archaeological sources, many never previously published, and in doing so a wide range of long-standing myths are busted, many of them deriving from numerous errors and misunderstandings that have passed into the 'standard sources'. The fascinating and highly original narrative is accompanied by lists of all navy-built enemy ships, and some significant ex-mercantile vessels, in service at the end of the various hostilities and includes key dates in their careers and their ultimate fates, the latter checked as far as possible in archival sources. This story, completely overlooked until now, offers a new and compelling insight for all those interested in the naval history of the two World Wars."--Provided by the publisher.