A SHIP that could have changed the outcome of the war is the subject of one Old Hall man’s first literary work.

Steve Burke, aged 34, of Morton Close, has been interested in history and the Second World War throughout his life but it was only when he received an encyclopaedia of ships for Christmas one year that he heard of the Nazi aircraft carrier the Graf Zeppelin.

The colossal ship was only 90 per cent finished when war broke out and was cast aside in favour of other vessesls that were faster to build.

It should have sailed with the Bismarck and together the two would have made a formidable team.

“Potentially the Graf Zeppelin would have altered the outcome of the war,” said Steve.

The ship is virtually unheard of – even a distant German relative who was in the Navy had not come across it.

For years its whereabouts were a mystery, but two years ago it was discovered at the bottom of the Baltic Sea, sunk by the Russians.

It is believed they were testing out the best ways to sink an aircraft carrier in anticipation of World War Three.

“They carried out a series of static trials with it where they detonated explosives to establish exactly how to sink one,” said Steve.

Steve is trying to secure funds and permission to film a documentary about the Graf Zeppelin next April and his travels have taken him to Poland, a country that fascinates him.

“My friend Adam Olejnik asked me what English people knew about the Polish involvement in the Second World Two,” said Steve.

“I must confess to being a little embarrassed to have to tell him that many people knew nothing. Some even thought they were the enemy.”

Together, Steve and Adam wrote Freedom of the Seas, the story of the Graf Zeppelin. Pre-orders can be taken at withoutwingsonline.co.uk.