Books by Angus Konstam

Book SynopsisWorld War I was Britain's last moment as the world's naval superpower, and its Grand Fleet was then the most powerful ever seen. Fully illustrated, this explores its fighting power. At the start of World War I, the Royal Navy's forces were amalgamated into a single entity, the Grand Fleet, and stationed in Scapa Flow, Orkney. The Grand Fleet was the largest amalgamation of modern naval power the world had seen, with over 30 dreadnought battleships or battlecruisers, and a plethora of cruisers and destroyers. In 1917 it was reinforced further by a powerful American squadron. In this book, based on extensive primary source research, naval expert Angus Konstam assesses the Grand Fleet's ships, technology, organization, command and intelligence, and how it fought. While ship-for-ship its German counterparts were better designed, as a combined fleet Admiral Jellicoe's armada was unstoppable. It took part in several clashes with its German foe during the war, but it was only at the Bat

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Book SynopsisA superbly illustrated history of the Royal Navy's World War II monitors gunboats armed with a single, large-calibre gun turret and their roles and battles around the world. When World War II broke out, the Royal Navy possessed a sizeable fleet of battleships and battlecruisers. However, these formed the core of the battle fleets, and were rarely free to perform an equally vital mission the naval bombardment of targets ashore. In the first book to focus on the subject, naval expert Angus Konstam explains how the monitor, an unusual warship extensively used in World War I, found a new purpose. Although neither fast nor very well-protected, the monitors had a fearsome armament two 15in guns, the same calibre as many of Britain's battleships. Designed to outrange shore batteries, the monitors could supply flexible, deadly gunfire support to Allied forces ashore. The World War I-era Erebus and Terror were refitted and sent to war, while a new class, the Roberts class, joined them in 1941 and 1943. These warships saw action with the Eastern Fleet and were particularly useful in the Mediterranean, from supporting the campaign in North Africa to providing anti-aircraft defence in besieged Malta and Crete. They then joined the Allied landings from Sicily to Normandy. Illustrated with profiles, battlescenes and a cutaway of Roberts, this book also explains how naval gunfire support was conducted during the war.

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Book SynopsisThis title explores the ships and history of the enterprising American patriots who fought the Royal Navy as privateers, and played a major part in winning the Revolutionary War at sea. During the American War of Independence (177583), Congress issued almost 800 letters of marque as a way of combating Britain''s overwhelming naval and mercantile superiority. At first, it was only fishermen and the skippers of small merchant ships who turned to privateering, with mixed results. Eventually though, American shipyards began to turn out specially-converted ships, while later still, the first purpose-built privateers entered the fray. These American privateers seized more than 600 British merchant ships over the course of the war, capturing thousands of British seamen. Indeed, Jeremiah O''Brien''s privateer Unity successfully fought the first sea engagement of the Revolutionary War in the Battle of Machias of 1775. With just 40 men, their guns, axes, and pitcTable of ContentsIntroduction Background Design & Development The Business of Privateering Life on Board Privateers in Action Further Reading Index

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Book SynopsisThis detailed study of the naval Spanish Civil War describes how the Spanish Navy, torn in two and comprising a Republican and Nationalist part, fought a civil war at sea involving both Hitler''s and Mussolini''s navies.In July 1936, a pro-fascist coup orchestrated by General Franco tore Spain apart and plunged the country into a bitter civil war. Like Spain itself, the Spanish Navy was torn in two: crews and most ships remained loyal to the Republican government but many of the Navy's officers joined Franco''s rebels, and warships under repair or ''mothballed'' in southern ports soon fell to the rebel advance. These formed the basis of Franco's ''Nationalist fleet,'' and with both Italian and German help, the rebels were able to contest the Republic''s control of Spanish waters. Overall the Republican Navy held its own, despite mounting losses, until the collapse of the Republican Army led to the fleet seeking internment in French North Africa. Packed with contemporary photogrTable of ContentsINTRODUCTION THE PRE-WAR SPANISH NAVY THE NAVY DURING THE RISING COMMAND AND MANPOWER THE NAVAL WAR The Opening Moves Control of the Strait The Northern Theatre The Mediterranean Theatre An Ignominious End SPECIFICATIONS Battleships Cruisers Destroyers Submarines Gunboats Smaller Warships FURTHER READING INDEX

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Book SynopsisA detailed account of the war-winning role that a handful of Harrier squadrons played in the Falklands War.On 5 April 1982, the British aircraft carriers Hermes and Invincible sailed for the South Atlantic at the heart of the task force that would retake the Falkland Islands, known to Argentina as the Islas Malvinas. Air power was essential to the operation, and some analysts considered the contest unwinnable. The British had just 42 fighter jets available (28 Sea Harriers and 14 RAF Harrier GR.3s), and were outnumbered three-to-one by the Argentinian Air Force. Naval expert Angus Konstam offers a focused history of naval aviation in the Falklands War. The superbly manoeuvrable Harriers provided air cover during the ferociously contested landings, and later a Harrier Forward Operating Base on the islands was also made available. He explains how the British forces achieved their impressive Falklands air-to-air record, shooting down 21 Argentinian jets for no losses, while suffering more to anti-aircraft fire. He also looks into the Harriers' ground-attack campaign, and explains the roles played by weapons technology, radar, electronic warfare, aerial reconnaissance, and support helicopters.Illustrated throughout with spectacular new artwork, 3D diagrams and maps, this book explains how the brutal test of the Falklands War showed the way forward for naval aviation and fleet air defence for decades to come.

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Book SynopsisThe first history of how the aircraft of the British Pacific Fleet shattered Japanese oilfields in Sumatra, starving Japan of oil and proving how Anglo-American navies could fight together.With the war in Europe in its final stages, by 1944 the Royal Navy was able to put together a major force to join the campaign against Japan. The British Pacific Fleet was arguably the most powerful fleet the Royal Navy has ever sent into action. In this book, renowned naval historian Angus Konstam explores how the first target of British naval power in the Pacific would be the strategically vital oil fields in Japanese-occupied Sumatra, part of the Dutch East Indies. Between April 1944 and January 1945, the task force struck oil fields and production centres, Japanese airfields, naval facilities and troop concentrations. Initially working alongside US Navy carriers, and learning their ruthlessly effective fast carrier doctrine, the British would end the Sumatra campaign wit

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Book SynopsisA fascinating story of a key turning point in the War in the Mediterranean, as the island of Malta was thrown a vital lifeline. Since 1940, the island of Malta had been a thorn in the Axis'' side. It sat astride the direct sea route between Italy and its North African colonies, and from 1941 the Royal Navy had used the island as a base for its attacks on Axis convoys. The island, though, relied on convoys to survive, and from early 1941 these came under increasingly heavy air and submarine attack. As the situation became critical in 1942, the decision was made to send through a heavily protected convoy, carrying fuel and supplies, in an effort to save the island. This mission was codenamed Operation Pedestal. This fascinating work describes how, after leaving Britain on 2 August 1942, the convoy was repeatedly pummeled by Axis air and submarine attacks as it ground its way towards Malta, with most of the merchant ships sunk during the passage, along with an aircraft carriTable of ContentsINTRODUCTION CHRONOLOGY ORIGINS OF THE CAMPAIGN OPPOSING COMMANDERS Allies Axis OPPOSING FORCES Allies Axis Orders of Battle OPPOSING PLANS Allies Axis OPERATION PEDESTAL The first leg Through the Western Mediterranean, 10–11 August The secondary operations, 10–12 August The Western Mediterranean, 12 August The night action, 12/13 August Da Zara’s sortie The last air attacks, 13 August The stragglers AFTERMATH THE LEGACY OF PEDESTAL FURTHER READING INDEX

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Book SynopsisThe first ever illustrated study of the largest and most significant clash between the Royal Navy and the Italian Regia Marina.The Battle of Matapan witnessed the first use of decisive new technologies to bring about a stunning British victory over the Italian Navy. The Allies had tapped into the Ultra coded messages sent by the Axis powers, and the battle witnessed the use of radar and carrier-based air strikes to bring about a critical night action. The result was the most decisive engagement of the Mediterranean naval war.Written by renowned naval historian Angus Konstam, this book offers for the first time a unique and fully illustrated exploration of the battle. It also examines why, despite the emphatic and decisive Royal Navy victory, the Allies failed to capitalize on the strategic advantage earned in the months that followed. Battlescene artworks bring to life the cruiser clashes early on 28 March off Gavdos, the Fleet Air Arm attacks on the Italian fTable of ContentsINTRODUCTION Origins of the campaign CHRONOLOGY OPPOSING COMMANDERS Regia Marina Royal Navy OPPOSING FORCES Regia Marina Royal Navy Orders of Battle OPPOSING PLANS Regia Marina Royal Navy THE BATTLE OF CAPE MATAPAN First contact Pursuits and ambushes The first air strikes The general chase The afternoon air strikes The dusk strike Cattaneo’s mission The night action AFTERMATH COMMEMORATING THE BATTLE FURTHER READING INDEX

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Book SynopsisAs World War I ended, the victors were developing a powerful new generation of ''hyper-dreadnoughts'' and battlecruisers. Fully illustrated, this studies the big-gun warships that never were.1918 was a moment of great naval change. Britain still had the largest fleet in the world, but its ships were ageing, and many of them were markedly inferior to the latest American and Japanese battleships. An arms race loomed between the war's victors. In this book naval expert Angus Konstam studies and compares the battleships being designed between 1918 and 1922, which drew on the lessons of World War I. Britain was designing four G3-class 15in-gun battlecruisers, plus four N3 hyper-dreadnoughts' mounting colossal 18in guns. The US Navy was planning six new South Dakota battleships, carrying an incredible 12 16in guns, plus six Lexington-class battlecruisers. Japan was working on a similar project, and in 1920 the first of four Amagi-class battlecruisers were laid down.However, in 1922 this costly arms race was averted by the Washington Naval Treaty, which halted new battleship construction, and limited the major fleets. These battleships and battlecruisers were mostly cancelled and scrapped, with a few, such as Lexington and Akagi, converted into aircraft carriers. With new colour reconstructions of the G3, H3, South Dakota, Lexington and Amagi classes, this is the first book to study these never-built monster warships.

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Book SynopsisAn illustrated history of the American-built destroyers and frigates supplied to the Royal Navy under Lend-Lease, which played a crucial role in Britain''s war in the Atlantic.As U-boat attacks on Britain's vital sea lanes increased in ferocity, and Royal Navy warship losses mounted, the United States passed the Lend-Lease Act, the cornerstone of America's wartime role as armourer to the Allies.Naval historian Angus Konstam here offers an account of the Royal Navy's Lend-Lease destroyers and escorts. The first batch were 50 World War I-era ''four-stacker'' destroyers, in a deal sealed by the transfer of several global British bases to the USA. These warships were immediately recrewed, refitted and pressed into service in the Battle of the Atlantic. These ageing destroyers were followed by over a hundred more Lend-Lease warships, many of which were built especially for British service in American shipyards. Their arrival helped tip the balance in the hard-fough

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Book SynopsisA strategically important natural harbor in the Orkney Islands, Scapa Flow served as Britain''s main fleet anchorage during World Wars I and II. It held Jellicoe''s Grand Fleet from 1914-18, and it was from here that it sailed out to do battle with the Germans at Jutland in 1916. In 1914 the British began building a comprehensive defensive network by fortifying the entrances to Scapa Flow and then extending these defenses to cover most of Orkney. These static defenses were augmented with boom nets, naval patrols and minefields, creating the largest fortified naval base in the world.With the outbreak of the Second World War, Scapa Flow again proved ideally situated to counter the German naval threat and served as the base for Britain''s Home Fleet. Despite constant attacks from aircraft and U-boats, one of which managed to sink the British battleship Royal Oak, the defenses of Scapa Flow were again augmented and improved. By 1940, Orkney had become an island fortress, the lar

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Book SynopsisA fascinating account of an often overlooked naval action of World War II, and one of the bloodiest chapters in the history of the Royal Navy. In April 1941, following the Axis invasion of Greece, the British Mediterranean Fleet was ordered to evacuate Allied survivors, many of which were taken to Crete. The Luftwaffe established itself in airfields on the Greek mainland, and formed plans to invade Crete by air and sea, under the cover of 500 fighters and bombers of the Luftwaffe''s Fliegerkorps VIII. Facing them were a small and scattered garrison on the island, a handful of under-strength RAF squadrons and the hard-pressed warships of the Mediterranean Fleet. What happened next was a costly, but ultimately inspiring, naval battle, in which Royal Navy crews were placed under intense strain.Using period photographs, stunning battlescene artworks, detailed maps and an authoritative narrative, world-leading maritime historian Angus Konstam tells the fascinating Trade ReviewA gripping story. -- Duncan Evans * The Armourer Magazine *This eloquent campaign analysis of an eventually unsuccessful Royal Navy defence of Crete contains a host of well-illustrated lessons relevant to many studies of maritime warfare * The Naval Review *Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION Origins of the campaign CHRONOLOGY OPPOSING COMMANDERS Allied Axis OPPOSING FORCES Allied Allied order of battle Axis Axis order of battle OPPOSING PLANS Allied Axis THE CAMPAIGN The prelude The fleet deploys The invasion The first clashes The Luftwaffe strikes Black Thursday Mountbatten’s sortie Keeping up the pressure The evacuation AFTERMATH THE BATTLEFIELD TODAY FURTHER READING INDEX

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Book SynopsisA compact guide to 40 of the most iconic ships that have shaped warfare from the Ancient world to today.Since the days of the Ancient Greeks, naval ships of all sizes have revolutionized warfare. From the Viking longship, pirate ships and super dreadnoughts to today's nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers, naval warfare has proved to be an essential component of military forces across the world.The Ship Spotter's Guide provides essential information on 40 iconic ships, using detailed profile artwork to illustrate and aid recognition, as well as specification boxes to provide all the technical details.Table of ContentsIntroduction/ Ancient Warships/ The Norse Longship/ Warships of the Far East/ Tudor Warships/ The Spanish Galleon/ Warships of the Anglo-Dutch War/ Pirate Ships/ Warships of the War of Independence/ Napoleonic Ship-of-the-Line/ Ironclads/ Union Monitors/ River Gunboats/ Commerce Raiders/ British Dreadnoughts/ German Dreadnoughts/ Super Dreadnoughts/ Austro-Hungarian Battleships/ Battlecruisers/ Destroyers/ Submarines/ Kriegsmarine U-boats/ German Battleships/ British Coastal Forces/ German Cruisers/ German Destroyers/ Japanese Carriers/ American Carriers/ Allied Submarines/ Japanese Battleships/ British Battleships/ American Destroyers/ American Fast Battleships/ Japanese Heavy Cruisers/ Italian Battleships/ British Cruisers/ Japanese Destoyers/ Vietnam Riverine Craft/ American Cold War Carriers/ Nuclear Submarines/ American Modern Super Carriers

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Book SynopsisWith Hitler''s army rampaging across Europe, Winston Churchill ordered the creation of a special fighting force-- the Commandos. These valiant men were volunteers drawn from the ranks of the British Army, formed into a Special Service Brigade, and put through a rigorous but highly effective training program. Over the course of World War II they would see action in every major theater of operation, and are credited with numerous feats of gallantry during the D-Day landings. Although many units were disbanded after the war, the Royal Marine Commandos have maintained the standards of this elite fighting formation to the present day.Angus Konstam explores the history of the Commandos during their formative years, providing detailed descriptions of their training, weapons, and equipment. Battle reports are accompanied by specially commissioned Osprey artwork and historical photographs, offering readers an in-depth analysis of some of the most famous fighting units in the British Table of ContentsIntroduction /Chronology /Recruitment and Enlistment /Training /Appearance and Equipment /Belief and Belonging /Conditions of Service /Experience of Battle /After the Battle /Collections and Museums/Glossary

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Book SynopsisThis is the fully-illustrated story of the Royal Navy''s escort carriers which battled against deadly U-Boats during the Battle of the Atlantic, giving vital air cover to the convoys that kept Britain alive in World War II.In 1941, as the Battle of the Atlantic raged and ship losses mounted, the British Admiralty desperately tried to find ways to defeat the U-Boat threat to Britain''s maritime lifeline. Facing a shortage of traditional aircraft carriers and shore-based aircraft, the Royal Navy, as a stopgap measure, converted merchant ships into small escort carriers. These were later joined by a growing number of American-built escort carriers, sent as part of the Lend-Lease agreement. The typical Escort Carrier was small, slow and vulnerable, but it could carry about 18 aircraft, which gave the convoys a real chance to detect and sink dangerous U-Boats. Collectively, their contribution to an Allied victory was immense, particularly in the long and grueling Table of ContentsIntroduction /Design & Development /Operational History /Escort Carrier Roles /Camouflage /Life on Board /Escorts in Action /Specifications

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Book SynopsisA beautifully illustrated study of the dramatic British/German clash in the North Sea that resulted in the sinking of the German battleship Scharnhorst.The German battleship Scharnhorst had a reputation for being a lucky ship. Early in the war she fought off a British battlecruiser and sunk a carrier, before carrying out two successful forays into the Atlantic. In the spring of 1943, the Scharnhorst was redeployed to Norway. There, working in concert with other German warships such as the battleship Tirpitz, she posed a major threat to the Arctic convoys the Allied sea lifeline to Russia. Her presence, alongside Tirpitz, forced the British to tie down ships in Arctic waters.When Tirpitz was put out of action, and Hitler demanded naval support for the war in Russia, the crew of the Scharnhorst under Rear-Admiral Bey, had to act. In late December 1943, she put to sea, her target an Allied convoy passing through the Barents Sea on its way Table of ContentsOrigins of the campaign Chronology Opposing commanders Opposing forces Opposing plans The campaign Aftermath The Wreck of the Scharnhorst Further reading Index

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Book SynopsisA history and analysis of one of the most dramatic moments in both air power and naval history. With the sinking of HMS Prince of Wales and Repulse, no battleship was safe on the open ocean, and the aircraft took its crown as the most powerful maritime weaponIn late 1941, war was looming with Japan, and Britain''s empire in southeast Asia was at risk. The British government decided to send Force Z, which included the state-of-the-art battleship Prince of Wales and the battlecruiser Repulse, to bolster the naval defences of Singapore, and provide a mighty naval deterrent to Japanese aggression. These two powerful ships arrived in Singapore on 2 December - five days before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. But crucially, they lacked air cover. On 9 December Japanese scout planes detected Force Z''s approach in the Gulf of Thailand. Unlike at Pearl Harbor, battleships at sea could manoeuvre, and their anti-aircraft defences were ready. But it did no gTable of ContentsINTRODUCTION CHRONOLOGY ATTACKER'S CAPABILITIES The new rulers of the sea DEFENDER'S CAPABILITIES The Royal Navy’s mission to Singapore CAMPAIGN OBJECTIVES The imperial rivals THE CAMPAIGN The last day of the big-gun battleship ANALYSIS FURTHER READING INDEX

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Book SynopsisThe Convoy represents a fresh approach to the story of the Battle of the Atlantic. It is also the first to deal with the more spectacular story of HG-76, a major turning point in the naval war.HG-76 sailed from Gibraltar to Britain in December 1941 and was specially targeted by the Germans. A wolfpack of U-boats was sent against it, and the Luftwaffe was heavily committed too in a rare example of German inter-service cooperation. German intelligence agents in Gibraltar and Spain also knew every detail of HG-76 before it had even sailed, seemingly stacking the odds in favour of the Kriegsmarine. Despite this the convoy fought its way through. Improved radar and sonar gave the convoy''s escorts a slight edge over their opponents, while the escort group was led by Commander Walker, an anti-submarine expert who had developed new, aggressive U-boat hunting tactics. Previous Gibraltar convoys had been mauled by Luftwaffe bombers opTrade ReviewThis gripping story of a vitally important wartime convoy battle is long overdue. * Dan Snow, historian and broadcaster *Brilliant – one of the most dramatic stories of the Second World War at sea brought meticulously to life. * Dr. Sam Willis, historian and broadcaster *With his detailed research from many sources, Angus Konstam brings to life the story of the battle around convoy HG76, escorted by the brilliant Commander Johnnie Walker RN. * Vice Admiral Mike Gretton CB CVO, son of escort commander Sir Peter Gretton *Angus Konstam brings a multi-perspective approach to this highly readable and engrossing account of Convoy HG76. * Captain Patrick Walker CBE RN, grandson of Johnnie Walker RN *A work of real integrity, his portrayal of this epic struggle brilliantly captures the intensity and drama of this key episode in the Battle of the Atlantic. Simply gripping! * Captain Bill Oliphant RN, CEO Royal Naval Association *Table of Contents(Subject to confirmation) Prologue Introduction Chapter 1: A Dark Time Chapter 2: The Gibraltar Run Chapter 3: Assembling the Convoy Chapter 4: The Audacity Chapter 5: Wolfpack Seeräuber Chapter 6: Leaving the Rock Chapter 7: First Blood to Nestor Chapter 8: Home for Christmas Chapter 9: Good Hunting Chapter 10: Red, Black and Yellow Flights Chapter 11: Gengelbach’s Revenge Chapter 12: Operation Buttercup Chapter 13: Winkle’s First Kill Chapter 14: Lit up by Snowflakes Chapter 15: The Loss of Audacity Chapter 16: The Western Approaches Chapter 17: Home Run Chapter 18: Taking Stock Epilogue Notes Bibliography Appendix I: The Merchant Ships of Convoy HG-76 Appendix II: The Convoy Escorts Appendix III. U-boats Involved Index

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Book SynopsisA superbly illustrated new account of how Germany''s High Seas Fleet was built, operated and fought, as it challenged the world''s most powerful navy in World War I.Seven years before the outbreak of World War I, the Imperial German Navy rebranded its Home Fleet as the Hochseeflotte, or High Seas Fleet. It was a force designed to take on the Royal Navy, then the world's most powerful, and for the next four years the North Sea would be their battleground.Drawing on extensive research, Angus Konstam offers the reader a concise, fully illustrated account of how the entire High Seas Fleet was designed and built, how it operated, and how it fought. The fleet was a modern, balanced force of dreadnought battleships, battlecruisers, cruisers and torpedo boats, using Zeppelins and U-boats for reconnaissance. The ultimate test between them came in May 1916, when they clashed at Jutland.Packed with spectacular original artwork, maps, 3D diagrams and archive photos, it Table of ContentsTHE FLEET'S PURPOSE The Kaiser's 'Luxury Fleet' The Risk Theory Force Balancing FLEET FIGHTING POWER The Ships Technology Light Forces HOW THE FLEET OPERATED Organization Command and Control Communications and Intelligence Bases and Logistics COMBAT AND ANALYSIS The Fleet in Combat Analysis FURTHER READING

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Book SynopsisFrom the Mediterranean to the Black Sea, from the Balkans to Mesopotamia, gunboats played an influential part in the story of World War I. This detailed technical guide to the gunboats of all the major navies of the war means that, for the first time, the story can be told. Naval action in World War I conjures up images of enormous dreadnoughts slugging it out in vast oceans. Yet the truth is that more sailors were killed serving on gunboats and monitors operating far from the naval epicentre of the war than were ever killed at Jutland. Gunboat engagements during this war were bloody and hard fought, if small in scale. Austrian gunboats on the Danube fired the first shots of the war, whilst German, British and Belgian gunboats fought one of the strangest, most intriguing naval campaigns in history in far-flung Lake Tanganyika.Table of ContentsIntroduction /Chronology /Design & Development /Operational History /Armament /Operation /Gunboats in Action /Bibliography

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Book SynopsisHunt the Bismarck tells the story of Operation Rheinübung, the Atlantic sortie of Nazi Germany''s largest battleship, Bismarck, in May 1941 and her subsequent pursuit by the Royal Navy. Bismarck entered naval service in the summer of 1940. She was well-armed, with eight 15in guns as well as a powerful array of lighter weapons, while her armoured protection earned her the reputation of being unsinkable.This claim was put to the test in May 1941 when she sortied into the Atlantic and fought the legendary battle of the Denmark Strait, destroying HMS Hood, the pride of the Royal Navy. Bismarck was now loose in the North Atlantic. However, damage sustained in the battle limited her ability to roam at will, and the Royal Navy deployed the Home Fleet to avenge the sinking of the Hood. The stage was set for the greatest chase story in the history of naval warfare. Drawing on a wealth of first-hand accounts and iTable of ContentsPrologue Time, Speed, Distance and Bearing Preface Chapter 1: The Bismarck Chapter 2: Germany’s Atlantic Strategy Chapter 3: The Home Fleet Chapter 4: Preparations Chapter 5: Through the Baltic Chapter 6: Sojourn in Norway Chapter 7: Move and Countermove Chapter 8: The Denmark Strait Chapter 9: Duel at Dawn Chapter 10: Hood Has Blown Up Chapter 11: Breakout into the Atlantic Chapter 12: Hunting for the Bismarck Chapter 13: Air Strike Chapter 14: Destroyers in the Night Chapter 15: The Final Battle Epilogue Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisA fascinating look at the British naval intervention in the Baltic in 191820, and at the British, Soviet and Baltic nationalist fleets that fought.Following the Russian Revolution of October 1917, the Baltic states became a battleground between Russian Reds and Whites, German troops and emerging Baltic independence forces. In November 1918, the British government decided to intervene, to protect British interests and to support the emerging Baltic states. This initial small force of cruisers and destroyers was eventually augmented by other British warships, including aircraft carriers, a monitor, as well as a handful of submarines and torpedo boats. Opposing them was the far more powerful Russian Baltic Fleet, now controlled by the Bolsheviks. The campaign that followed involved naval clashes between the two sides, the most spectacular of which was an attack on the Soviet naval base of Kronstadt in June 1919 by a force of small British torpedo boats. They torpedoed and sunk theTrade ReviewKonstam provides a concise account of the complex geo-political background to the campaign, before giving a compelling description of the main activities and actions in which the British warships were involved. -- Paul Brown * Journal of the Britannia Naval Research Association *This title contributes nicely to the overall picture and should be recommended to readers who are interested in exactly this (perhaps) slightly overlooked part of the First World War's regional consequences. -- Simon Papousek * Danish Military History Society *...a highly readable introduction which tells the story well and deftly highlights many of the important issues. Recommended. -- Andrew Livsey * The Naval Review *Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION BACKGROUND THE CAMPAIGN British intervention Waiting for the thaw Sparring in the Gulf Operation RK After Kronstadt THE SOVIET BALTIC FLEET The warships THE ALLIED FLEET The warships FURTHER READING BIBLIOGRAPHY INDEX

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Book SynopsisA highly illustrated introduction to some of the greatest battles in world history, from the iconic encounters of the Ancient World such as Thermopylae and Cannae, through to the major clashes of the 20th century epitomized by Stalingrad and Khe Sanh.This concise study by renowned military historian Angus Konstam examines one hundred of the most famous battles from world history. It includes great naval engagements such as Salamis, Trafalgar, Jutland and Midway; pivotal land battles that decided the fate of nations, such as Hastings, Yorktown, Gettysburg and the Somme; and the impact of the new dimension of aerial warfare in the 20th century at Pearl Harbor, in the Battle of Britain and in the skies over Hiroshima.This highly illustrated book features 100 full-colour battlescene artworks from Osprey''s comprehensive archive and is the ideal introduction to the battles that changed the course of history.Trade ReviewAn enjoyable pocket-filler. * The Armourer *Table of ContentsIntroduction THE ANCIENT WORLD Marathon, 490 BC Thermopylae, 480 BC Salamis, 480 BC Plataea, 479 BC Leuctra, 371 BC The Granicus, 334 BC Cannae, 216 BC Zama, 202 BC Carrhae, 53 BC Alesia, 52 BC Pharsalus, 48 BC Actium, 31 BC The Teutoburgerwald, AD 9 Strasbourg, AD 357 Adrianople, AD 378 Châlons, AD 451 THE MEDIEVAL WORLD Constantinople, AD 718 Tours, AD 732 Hastings, 1066 Manzikert, 1071 Hattin, 1187 Lake Peipus, 1242 Hakata Bay, 1281 Bannockburn, 1314 Kulikovo, 1380 Tannenberg, 1410 Agincourt, 1415 Constantinople, 1453 Castillon, 1453 Bosworth, 1485 THE RENAISSANCE Tenochtitlan, 1521 Pavia, 1525 Cuzco, 1536–37 Malta, 1565 Lepanto, 1571 Gravelines, 1588 Sekigahara, 1600 Osaka, 1614–15 Lützen, 1632 Marston Moor, 1644 Vienna, 1683 The Boyne, 1690 THE AGE OF REASON Blenheim, 1704 Fontenoy, 1745 Rossbach, 1757 Leuthen, 1757 Ticonderoga, 1758 Quebec, 1759 Saratoga, 1777 Yorktown, 1781 THE NAPOLEONIC ERA Toulon, 1793 The Nile, 1798 Marengo, 1800 Trafalgar, 1805 Austerlitz, 1805 Wagram, 1809 Salamanca, 1812 Borodino, 1812 Leipzig, 1813 Waterloo, 1815 THE AGE OF EMPIRES The Alamo, 1836 Solferino, 1859 Volturno, 1860 First Bull Run, 1861 Vicksburg, 1863 Gettysburg, 1863 Isandlwana, 1879 San Juan Hill, 1898 Tsushima, 1905 WORLD WAR I Tannenberg, 1914 First Marne, 1914 Verdun, 1916 Jutland, 1916 The Somme, 1916 Cambrai, 1917 Amiens, 1918 Warsaw, 1920 WORLD WAR II Sedan, 1940 The Battle of Britain, 1940 Taranto, 1940 Moscow, 1941 Pearl Harbor, 1941 Singapore, 1941–42 Midway, 1942 El Alamein, 1942 Guadalcanal, 1942–43 Stalingrad, 1942–43 Kharkov, 1943 Kursk, 1943 Imphal and Kohima, 1944 Saint-Lô, 1944 Leyte Gulf, 1944 Hiroshima and Nagasaki, 1945 THE MODERN AGE Inchon, 1950 Dien Bien Phu, 1954 The Golan Heights, 1967 Khe Sanh, 1968 Hue, 1968 The Sinai, 1973 Desert Storm, 1991

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Book SynopsisThe deeds and personalities of famous pirates have received significant attention in recent years: however, no detailed depiction of their vessels has ever been produced. This title redresses the imbalance, conducting a detailed exploration of the wide variety of pirate vessels that sailed the high seas during the ''golden age'' of piracy (16901730), from gun-bristling warships to smaller craft such as sloops, brigantines and early schooners. It incorporates the latest archaeological evidence to produce a fascinating account of these vessels, detailing their origins, development and tactical engagement. Packed with contemporary illustrations and superbly detailed colour artwork, the ships of the ''golden age'' are brought vividly to life.

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Book SynopsisFrom the end of the 19th century through the first half of the 20th, most Western powers maintained a naval presence in China. These gunboats protected traders and missionaries, safeguarded national interests, and patrolled Chinese rivers in search of pirates. It was a wild, lawless time in China as ruthless warlords fought numerous small wars to increase their power and influence. This book covers the gunboats of all the major nations that stationed naval forces in China, including America, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Japan, and looks at such famous incidents as the Japanese bombing of the USS Patay and the dramatic escape of the HMS Amethyst from Communist forces in 1947, which marked the end of the gunboat era.Trade Review"This monograph presents the true story of the gunboats from the U.S. Navy and the navies of many European powers and Japan that patrolled the Yangtze River, protecting missionaries and trade and diplomatic outposts, as well as countering warlords and pirates. Each type of gunboat is described in detail, but even more valuable are the descriptions of life on the gunboats and the exotic political and cultural environment in which they operated." -Richard R. Burgess, "Seapower"(September 2011) "A worthy addition to the library and is thoroughly recommended for those with an interest in the era" -- Miniature WargamesTable of ContentsIntroduction Chronology Design & Development Construction & Operation Life on Board Gunboats in Action The Gunboats Bibliography

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Book SynopsisA gripping account of the most famous convoy operation of the war, which marked a high-water mark for the German naval campaign in the Arctic.The Arctic was a vital conduit for transporting supplies directly from Great Britain to Russia. The British Home Fleet was tasked with protecting these convoys, which passed within range of the German bases in Norway. By 1942, the Germans had reinforced their air and naval forces, stationing a powerful naval surface group there centred around the battleship Tirpitz. Convoy PQ-17 was set to be the last convoy to sail until the autumn of 1942, and was a particularly large one, involving 35 merchant ships, over half of which were American. When it departed Reykjavik on 27 June, bound for Archangel, the Germans were ready and waiting. The convoy was the first large joint Anglo-American naval operation under British command. Here, expert naval historian Angus Konstam documents the withdrawal of the Allied close escort to intercept the German raiders, and the devastating attacks on the scattered merchant ships by German aircraft and U-boats. Maps and diagrams plot the passage and fate of the convoy elements, and stunning artworks bring to life key moments of their efforts to escape. In the end, 24 Allied ships were sunk, and only ten merchant ships and four auxiliaries reached the port of Archangel. PQ-17 would prove to be the worst convoy loss of World War II, and the most controversial.

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Book SynopsisWith war against Germany looming, Britain pushed forward its carrier program in the late 1930s. In 1938, the Royal Navy launched the HMS Ark Royal, its first-ever purpose-built aircraft carrier. This was quickly followed by others, including the highly-successful Illustrious class. Smaller and tougher than their American cousins, the British carriers were designed to fight in the tight confines of the North Sea and the Mediterranean. Over the next six years, these carriers battled the Axis powers in every theatre, attacking Italian naval bases, hunting the Bismark, and even joining the fight in the Pacific. This book tells the story of the small, but resilient, carriers and the crucial role they played in the British war effort.Table of ContentsIntroduction 350 words Outlines the origins of naval aviation, and the growing importance of aircraft carriers in naval warfare. Design & Development 2,400 words Covers the chronological development of these Carriers, and covering modifications made during their operational lives. Operational History 2,250 words Follows the service history of each of the 14 Fleet Aircraft Carriers covered in this volume. Carrier Operation 2,150 words Describes the way aircraft were handled on a typical British wartime fleet aircraft carrier, including a description the wat launcing operations were conducted. Carrier Aircraft 2,000 words This section provides a brief description of the types of aircraft carried by these carriers, and their relative merits, and touches on the way they were used in action. Carriers in Action 2,400 words Provides a brief description of three actions involving British aircraft carriers; Taranto (1940), Matapan (1941) and the sinking of the Bismarck (1941) Bibiography 250 words

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Book SynopsisThe French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars encompassed a period when rival European fleets vied for naval supremacy, and naval tactics were evolving. The British Royal Navy emerged triumphant as the leading world sea power, and the epitome of Britannic naval strength was the Ship-of-the-Line. These ''wooden walls'' were more than merely floating gun batteries: they contained a crew of up to 800 men, and often had to remain at sea for extended periods. This book offers detailed coverage of the complex vessels that were the largest man-made structures produced in the pre-Industrial era.

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Book SynopsisOften romanticized in print and on the silver screen, real-life pirates were a brutal menace that plagued the high seas. In this book, Angus Konstam separates myth from reality, tracing the history of piracy through the centuries, from the pirates who plagued the Ancient Egyptians to the Viking raids and on to the era of privateers. He discusses the so-called Golden Age of Piracy and colorful characters such as Blackbeard and Captain Kidd, before examining the West''s initial encounters with Eastern pirates off the Chinese coast and the phenomenon of the modern pirate. Highly illustrated with color images and specially commissioned maps throughout, this is a unique exploration of the pirate world.Table of ContentsIntroduction /1.Pirates of the Ancient World /2. Medieval Pirates /3.The Sea Dogs of the Renaissance /4. Mediterranean Corsairs /5. The Buccaneers /6. The Golden Age of Piracy /7. The Pirate Round /8. The Last of the Pirates /9. The Chinese Pirates /10. Modern Piracy /11. Pirates in Fiction /Conclusion /Notes /Select Bibliography /Index

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Book SynopsisThis new account explores the most notorious pirates in history and how their rise and fall can be traced back to a single pirate haven, Nassau. Angus Konstam, one of the world''s leading pirate experts, has brought his 30 years of research to create the definitive book on the Golden Age of Piracy. Many of the privateers the British had used to prey on French and Spanish shipping during the War of the Spanish Succession turned to piracy. The pirates took over Nassau on the Bahamian island of New Providence and turned it into their own pirate haven, where shady merchants were happy to buy their plunder. It became the hub of a pirate network that included some of the most notorious pirates in history: Blackbeard, ''Calico Jack'' Rackam, Charles Vane and Bartholomew Roberts.The growth of piracy led to a major surge in attacks in the Caribbean and along North America's Atlantic seaboard. With the fragile maritime economy of the Americas threatened with collapse, m

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Book SynopsisA fascinating account of the last major Allied operation in the South-West Pacific, and the largest Australian military operation of World War II.A week after Pearl Harbor in December 1941, Japanese troops landed near Brunei on the South-East Asian island of Borneo. Within eight weeks, the entire island had been overrun, and its Dutch and British Indian defenders had been ejected. By early April 1942, the entire Dutch East Indies were in Japanese hands, and remained under Japanese occupation for a further three years.The late-1944 US landings in the Philippines effectively cut oil- and resource-rich Borneo off from Japan. Now that it was considered a worthy strategic prize for the Allies, General Douglas MacArthur, commanding the South-West Pacific Theater, began planning for the recapture of the key island.This compelling work explores the planning and execution of Operation Oboe, which was spearheaded by Australian troops but involved naval an

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Book SynopsisThe history of the Royal Navy flagships that led the fleet through the Cold War, ensured victory in the Falklands War, and saw action in Iraq and the Balkans.In 1945, at the end of World War II, the Royal Navy''s carrier fleet proved essential to the post-war world. Royal Navy carriers fought in the Korean War with the UN fleet, in the debacle at Suez, and in British operations in the last days of Empire, in Malaya, Borneo and Aden. But most famously, they were the key to the Royal Navy''s victory in the Falklands campaign, and they went on to fight in the two Iraq wars.Illustrated throughout with new profiles of the key carriers and their development, as well as a cutaway of HMS Victorious and superb new illustrations of the carriers in action, this book explains how the Royal Navy''s air power changed throughout the Cold War and beyond. Renowned naval historian Angus Konstam explains how the World War II carriers were rebuilt in a pioneering modernizaTrade ReviewIt provides an interesting account covering an unusual story of maritime history. * Ships Monthly *Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT - The post-war carrier force - Conversions and cancellations - Jet-age problems - The carrier’s evolving role - Aircraft FLEET AIR ARM AIRCRAFT, 1945–2010 - Carriers in action SHIP SPECIFICATIONS - Wartime carriers - Post-war carriers FURTHER READING INDEX

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Book SynopsisThis illustrated history explores the cruiser forces of the Italian and British Royal navies, the jack-of-all trades warships of the Mediterranean Naval War.In 1940, when Italy entered World War II, the Royal Navy was badly overstretched, and its Mediterranean Fleet had to face both the Italian Navy and the German and Italian Air Forces in a battle for supremacy. Although the British and Italian battle fleets squared off against each other, they were both often held in reserve, in case the enemy fleet put to sea. So, it was left to the cruisers to wage their own naval war in the Mediterranean. This involved a range of missions, from escorting convoys and hunting enemy ones, to fighting for control of the sea around key locations such as the waters off Malta and Crete. This superbly illustrated study, written by renowned naval expert Angus Konstam, compares and contrasts the design, weapon technologies and combat performance of the opposing cruiser forces. It also documents severTable of ContentsIntroduction Chronology Design and Development Technical Specifications The Combatants The Strategic Situation Combat Statistics and Analysis Aftermath Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisThe Royal Navy entered World War II with a large but eclectic fleet of destroyers. Some of these were veterans of World War I, fit only for escort duties. Most though, had been built during the inter-war period, and were regarded as both reliable and versatile. Danger though lurked across the seas as new destroyers being built in Germany, Italy and Japan were larger and better armoured. So, until the new, larger Tribal-class destroyers could enter service, these vessels would have to hold the line. Used mainly to hunt submarines, protect convoys from aerial attack, and take out other destroyers, these ships served across the globe during the war. This fully illustrated study is the first in a two-part series on the real workhorses of the wartime Royal Navy, focusing on how these ageing ships took on the formidable navies of the Axis powers.

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Book SynopsisAs the possibility of war loomed in the 1930s, the British Admiralty looked to update their fleet of destroyers to compete with the new ships being built by Germany and Japan, resulting in the commissioning of the powerful Tribal-class. These were followed by the designing of the first of several slightly smaller ships, which carried fewer guns than the Tribals, but were armed with a greatly enlarged suite of torpedoes. The first of these, the J/K/M class was followed by a number of wartime variants, with slight changes to their weaponry to suit different wartime roles.Designed to combat enemy surface warships, aircraft and U-boats, the British built these destroyers to face off against anything the enemy could throw at them. Using a collection of contemporary photographs and beautiful color artwork, this is a fascinating new study of the ships that formed the backbone of the Royal Navy during World War II.Table of ContentsIntroduction /Design & Development /Operational History /Destroyer Roles /Camouflage /Life on Board /Destroyers in Action /Specifications /Bibliography

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Book SynopsisThis is the story of an air campaign in which each bomb could dramatically influence the course of the war.In January 1942, the powerful German battleship Tirpitz sailed into her new base in a Norwegian fjord, within easy reach of the Arctic Convoys. Her destruction suddenly became a top Allied priority. But sinking a modern and formidably armed battleship was no easy task, especially when she lay secure in a remote, mountainous fjord, protected by anti-torpedo nets, radar, flak guns and smoke generators.This book charts the full, complex story of the air war against Tirpitz, from the Fleet Air Arm's failed torpedo attack at sea, the RAF's early Halifax raids, and the carrier-borne Barracuda airstrikes of Operations Mascot, Tungsten and Goodwood, to the three Tallboy attacks that finally crippled and sank her. With detailed maps and diagrams, it explains the aircraft and ordnance the British had to work with, the evolving strategic Table of ContentsIntroduction /Campaign Objectives /Attacker's Capabilities /Defender's Capabilities /Order of Battle /The Campaign /Analysis and Conclusion /Bibliography /Index

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Book SynopsisA gripping examination of the Battle of the Barents Sea, fought in the near darkness and icy cold of the northern winter, in which the Kriegsmarine sought to sever the crucial Allied Arctic Convoy route once and for all.The Arctic convoys that passed through the cold, dangerous waters of the Barents Sea formed a vital lifeline a strategic link in tanks, supplies and above all goodwill between the Western Allies and the Soviet Union. In December 1942, under Operation Regenbogen (Rainbow), the German Kriegsmarine sought to strike a crippling blow on the Arctic convoys and finally sever this all-important sea route.In this fascinating work, renowned naval expert Angus Konstam documents the fate of the Allied Convoy JW 51B as it came under attack from some of the Kriegsmarine''s most powerful surface warships a pocket battleship, a heavy cruiser and six destroyers. Illustrated with stunning battlescene artworks, maps, 3D diagrams and photographs, it explores theTable of ContentsINTRODUCTION Origins of the campaign CHRONOLOGY OPPOSING COMMANDERS The Kriegsmarine The Royal Navy OPPOSING FORCES The Kriegsmarine The Royal Navy Orders of battle OPPOSING PLANS The Kriegsmarine The Royal Navy THE BATTLE OF THE BARENTS SEA JW-51A heads north The forces converge The northern pincer closes Captain Sherbrooke’s fight Kummetz springs his trap Burnett’s attack AFTERMATH REMEMBERING THE BATTLE FURTHER READING INDEX

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Book SynopsisA beautifully illustrated history of the iconic ocean-going gunboats of British ''gunboat diplomacy'', the hundreds of little warships that for 50 years demonstrated the power of the Royal Navy worldwide, and which maintained and enforced the rule of the British Empire at its peak.In recent years the phrase ''gunboat diplomacy'' has been used to describe the crude use of naval power to bully or coerce a weaker nation. During the reign of Queen Victoria, ''gunboat diplomacy'' was viewed very differently. It was the use of a very limited naval force to encourage global stability and to protect British overseas trade. This very subtle use of naval power was a vital cornerstone of the Pax Britannica. Between the Crimean War (185456) and 1904, when the gunboat era came to an abrupt end, the Royal Navy's ocean-going gunboats underpinned Britain's position as a global power and fulfilled the country's role as a ''global policeman''.Created during the Crimean War, these gunboats first sTrade ReviewThese engaging illustrated texts provide an overview of ships and activities that have come to define late 19th century imperialism. -- Andrew Lambert * The Naval Review *Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT AND FUNCTION -The Crimean gunboats -The gunvessels -From wood to iron -Changing roles -From gunvessel to sloop -The last Victorian gunboats GUNBOATS IN ACTION FURTHER READING INDEX

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Book SynopsisSuperbly illustrated with original artwork throughout, this book explores the ironclad warships that fought the little-known battles of South America''s War of the Pacific. In the late 19th century, a war erupted between Chile and Peru, the catalyst for which was control of guano-rich Chincha islands. Given the geography of the two countries, with a narrow, arid land border and long exposed coastlines, it was inevitable that the War of the Pacific would predominantly be a naval war. It was a unique episode of military history, fought by two newly emergent South American states, using the latest technology ironclad, steam-powered warships and involving more naval battles than in the American Civil War, including a blockade, the capture of key warships, and bombardments of ports. Chile''s navy was larger and more modern, while Peru''s trump card was the small but powerful ironclad Huáscar. In this book, naval expert Angus Konstam offers readers

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Book SynopsisDuring the middle decade of the 16th century a new type of sailing vessel emerged, designed to carry the wealth of the Americas to Spain. This was the galleon, and over the next century these vessels would serve Spain well as treasure ships and warships, becoming a symbol of Spanish power and wealth during the period. The development and construction of the Spanish galleon are discussed in this book, and the ordnance and crewing needed to produce and maintain these stately vessels is covered. The author also examines the role of the galleon as a treasure ship, and describes how these ships were manned and fought in action.

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Book SynopsisMotor Gun Boats were the Spitfires of the Seas of the Royal Navy. Bristling with small-calibre guns and machine guns, they served in a variety of roles during the War. In the early war period they battled against German E-boats in the English Channel, then went on the offensive, searching the enemy shore for targets of opportunity. At other times, they ran support for Motor Torpedo Boats and were used to deliver commandos on various raids. Naval Warfare expert, Angus Konstam, tells the story of these small, but destructive boats, beginning with their design and development and carrying through to their operational use in both the European and Mediterranean theatres of World War-II.Table of ContentsIntroduction 250 words Outlines the role of motor gun boats, and the way their importance increased as the war progressed Design & Development 4,500 words This major section covers pre-war development, British Power Boat designs, Fairmile designs, and MGB’s built by other companies, including lend-lease production. Construction & Operation 4,250 words This section covers details of construction, propulsion, armament, and outlines the way these vessels were manned and operated. MGB Specifications 1,200 words MGB Losses 600 words MGBs listed by Pennant Number 750 words Bibiography 250 words

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Book SynopsisFor more than 30 years, the Nile river gunboat was an indispensable tool of empire, policing the great river, and acting as floating symbols of British imperial power. They participated in every significant colonial campaign in the region, from the British invasion of Egypt in 1882, to the Battle of Omdurman in 1898, when Britain finally won control of the Sudan. After that, the gunboats helped maintain British control over both Egypt and the Sudan, and played a key role in safeguarding British interests around the headwaters of the Nile--a region hotly contested by several European powers. Featuring specially commissioned artwork, this comprehensive volume offers a detailed analysis of the Nile river gunboats'' entire career, from monitoring British colonial interests to defending Egypt against the Ottoman Turks in World War I.Table of ContentsIntroduction /Design and Development /Gunboat Histories /Firepower /Protection /Propulsion /Conditions on Board /Gunboats in Action /Bibliography /Index

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Book SynopsisPacked with illustrations, this is a new history and analysis of how the Royal Navy''s most important fleet operated and fought the German Navy in the crucial first years of World War II.Throughout its history, the Royal Navy''s most powerful fleet has been the one guarding home waters. In this book, naval historian Angus Konstam explores the fighting power, the roles, and the battles of the Home Fleet, in the crucial first years of World War II when it was Britain''s most powerful fighting force, anchored in the northern bastion of Scapa Flow. He explains the complex responsibilities of the fleet, charged simultaneously with preventing the powerful German Navy from breaking out into the Atlantic; preparing to challenge any cross-Channel invasion force; and attacking German naval operations in the North Sea. Home Fleet actions included the loss of HMS Hood, the sinking of the Bismarck and countering the invasion of Norway, Ge

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Book SynopsisFrom the launching of La Gloire to the emergence of modern turreted battleships in 1875, this book offers a fascinating insight into Continental Europe''s innovative and powerful ironclads. In November 1859, the French ironclad La Gloire was launched in Toulon. She was the world''s first seagoing ironclad--a warship built from wood, but whose hull was clad in a protective layer of iron plate. While history best remembers the ironclads of the American Civil War, these warships were mere toys compared to the iron-plated leviathans in contemporary European navies. Other European powers, not wanting to be outdone, launched their own ironclads, then the most powerful warships in the world. Together they embodied the startling technological advances of the late 19th century, and the spirit of this new age of steam, iron, and firepower.Table of ContentsIntroduction /Design & Development /Tactical Requirements /Armour /Ordnance /Propulsion /Life on Board /Ironclads in Action /Specifications /Bibliography

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