The Milk Cows

“A comprehensive look at the German submarine tanker program during World War II . . . engaging.” —The NYMAS Review 

During the Second World War the Germans developed a specially adapted U-boat oil tanker with two aims. First, by refueling the attack U-boat fleet their range of operations and duration of patrol could be significantly increased. Secondly, these underwater tankers were far more likely to avoid detection than surface support ships.

The submarine tankers, affectionately known as “Milk Cows,” were regarded by both the Germans and the Allies as the most important element of the U-boat fleet. Allied forces had orders to attack the tankers first whenever a choice was presented.

Until late 1942 the German Milk Cows operated with great success and few losses. But from 1943 onwards the German rendezvous ciphers were repeatedly broken by the Allies and losses mounted rapidly. The Milk Cows were highly vulnerable during the lengthy refueling procedure as they lay stationary on the surface, hatches open. By the end of the war virtually every tanker had been sunk with severe loss of life.

The story of this critical campaign has been thoroughly researched by the author and is told against the background of changing U-boat fortunes.

“The author is to be congratulated on his research and writing such a thorough and readable account of such an interesting subject.” —Windscreen Magazine, Military Vehicles Trust

“Readers will be fascinated not just by the mainstream replenishment work but also by the book’s accounts of German submarine operations far afield.” —Navy News