Luis de la Sierra

Luis de la Sierra Fernández (Santander, 1920 – Palma de Mallorca, 11 October 2014) was a Spanish writer, historian and sailor mostly known for his naval military history and travelling books.

His first book was the renowned "Buques suicidas. Historia de los submarinos de bolsillo, torpedos humanos y botes explosivos en el siglo XX" published by the Spanish Navy and winner of a Virgen del Carmen prize in 1963. Its success paved the way for his writing career, mainly made of naval history books, particularly the naval engagements of both world wars, traveling books and guides along with a few translations to Spanish of international authors. During his writing career he frequently moved between Almería, Barcelona, Cádiz, Cartagena, Madrid, Palma de Mallorca and Santander to complete his research.

When he was 17 years old, during the Spanish Civil War, he enrolled as a sailor on the National Navy serving in the light cruiser Almirante Cervera. When the war was over, he was accepted in the Escuela Naval Militar (Military Navy School) of San Fernando (Cádiz), where, in 1943, he obtained the rank of alférez de navío (ensign). He specialized in submarine warfare and Torpedoes. During his long career he served in several minelayers, cruisers and the schoolships Galatea and Juan Sebastián Elcano. He finished his military career teaching at the Escuela de Armas Submarinas (Submarine Arms School) until 1982.