False Flags

“This is a fascinating book. The story is well supported by historic photographs, maps and the use of eyewitness reports.” * Military Books Australia *“Few writers have attempted to present a balanced, strategic overview of (the German raider) operations, but in False Flags, Stephen Robinson has written a thoroughly researched account of the auxiliary cruisers’ war,” * Royal United Services Institution Victoria *“Deception, violence and waste are the ingredients of war…Stephen Robinson’s handsome, well documented book is full of events that illustrate this… Raiders were fighting ships disguised as merchantmen, crewed by trained naval seaman deeply committed to serving the German war effort. Like Caribbean pirates from the days of sail in some Boy’s Own world, they masked their evil intent by sailing under assumed flags… before hoisting aloft the German Navy flag, like a modern day Skull and Cross Bones, and savaging an unwary prey.” - Outstanding 2 page review Click here to read the review. * The White Ensign - The Journal of the Naval Association of Australia. *“False Flags does one important thing — it demonstrates just how omnipresent German vessels were in Australian waters” * The Weekly Times *“Stephen Robinson undertook extensive research for this book in the German, British, Australian and NZ naval records. He uncovered never-before-accessed eyewitness accounts and declassified intelligence reports. Many of the crews and passengers of the ships targeted by the raiders ended up as prisoners of war, while others were set adrift in life rafts.” * Australian Defence Magazine *“extensive archival research of German, British, Australian and New Zealand naval records uncovering never before accessed eyewitness accounts and declassified intelligence reports. Beautifully written” * Have a Go News *“A meticulously researched and fascinating history of a now largely forgotten aspect of World War II.” * Australian National Maritime Associantion Newsletter *“False Flags is the epic story of German commerce raiders that sailed into the South Seas during the early years of the Second World War … an excellent addition for all book collectors.” * Australian Warship *“an excellent history.” * Australian New Zealand Defender Magazine *“anyone with an interest in naval history will find this book well worth a read.”

Stephen Robinson studied Asian history and politics before working at the Department of Veterans’ Affairs researching British atomic weapons tests and as a policy officer in the Defence Department. An officer in the Australian Army Reserve, he has also instructed at the Royal Military College.