Spoils of War: The Fate of Enemy Fleets after the Two World Wars

By Aidan Dodson and Serena Cant

An extensive history of enemy fleets following both World Wars, featuring never-before-seen archival and archaeological materials.

Spoils of War traces the histories of navies and ships of the defeated powers from the months leading up to the relevant armistices or surrenders to the final execution of the appropriate 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, either in their original navies or in those navies which acquired them, are also described. Much use is made of archival materials, and in some cases archaeological, sources, some of which have never previously been used. Ultimately, a wide range of long-standing myths are busted, and some badly distorted modern views are set right.

The fascinating narrative is accompanied by lists of all major navy-built (and certain significant ex-mercantile) enemy ships in commission at the relevant date of the armistice or surrender, or whose hulks were specifically listed for attention in post-Second World War allied agreements. These include key dates in their careers and their ultimate fates.

This original book, featuring numerous photographs, is sure to become an essential reference tool for all those interested in the naval history of the two World Wars.

Praise for Spoils of War

“Most highly recommended.” —Firetrench

“For those who need to finally know the ultimate fate of the often gallant ships that strove against the Allies in both world wars, this is the book.” —Julian Stockwin, author of the Thomas Kydd series

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Mar 30, 2020
• ISBN: 9781526741998

Aidan Dodson

Aidan Dodson is Hon. Professor of Egyptology in the Department of Anthropology and Archaeology at the University of Bristol, UK, was Simpson Professor of Egyptology at the American University in Cairo in 2013, and Chair of the Egypt Exploration Society during 2011–16. Awarded his PhD by the University of Cambridge in 2003, he was elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London in 2003. He is the author of over twenty books, most recently a new edition of Amarna Sunset (AUC Press, 2018) and Sethy I, King of Egypt (AUC Press, 2019).

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Reviews for Spoils of War

[shrike58 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

For the typical reader of naval history this work probably counts as being in the weeds, but, building off his previous work, Dodson offers a final accounting of the fates of the ships of the navies of the defeated powers of the world wars. There was apparently a considerable amount of bad information in circulation about their disposition; particularly in regards to submarines and minor warships. From the narrative perspective, Dodson & Cant examine the diplomatic details of how these ships were actually distributed, and the stresses and agendas involved in that. The hope of the authors was to provide a last word on the topic and one is inclined to agree.