The Phantom of Scapa Flow

Since the sinking of HMS Royal Oak in the early days of the last war there have been two 'phantoms' of Scapa Flow. The first was the U-47 herself: how could she have slipped through to the heart of the heavily defended lair of the British Home Fleet, torpedoed at least one battleship and escaped unscathed? But Prien, the legendary commander of U-47 always insisted that he hit two warships that night. The British Admiralty has steadfastly admitted only to Royal Oak. The second phantom then is the unknown ship, did it ever exist?

In The Phantom of Scapa Flow, Alexandre Korganoff investigates both phantoms. The first part presents a dramatic reconstruction of the German operation, from the preparations of U-47 for Scapa Flow to her triumphant return to Wilhelmshaven. The second part is the result of careful research in both Britain and Germany including much evidence gathered from surviving eyewitnesses on both sides. In a series of appendices, the various conflicting facts and opinions are laid before the reader, producing a remarkable picture of actual events. These pages recount one of the most extraordinary episodes in the history of World War II.

Alexandre Korganoff is a Frenchman of Russian origin, sailor, explorer and a specialist in modern submarine technology.