Naval forces and warfare Books
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Pearl Harbors Revenge
Book SynopsisExplores the events of 7 December 1941, and how the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor affected the US Navy's battleships Bay in 1945.
£21.25
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Spectre of Invasion
Book SynopsisBy 1900, the British government and public had become gripped by a new and growing fear of invasion, not from traditional enemies such as France, but from Germany. Such terror was driven by lurid books and fanned by newspapers. These anxieties sparked off a fight between those who wanted a defence based on a larger standing army, with conscription to support it, and those who believed the Royal Navy was sufficient to defend the coast and deprecated the expense and role of a standing land force. With war declared in 1914, Britain's coastline came under attack. Major German raids created terror, and the fear of invasion drove naval and military planning and dispositions to protect Britain's littoral. Coastal towns such as Scarborough, Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft, Southwold and even the Outer Hebrides came under attack and landings by German troops were feared daily. Running battles were fought with these attacking forces and both ships and lives ashore were lost. Spectre of Invasion exam
£21.25
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Churchills Last Wartime Secret
Book SynopsisIts been a State secret for more than seventy years. The official line in the UK has always been that it never happened but this new work challenges the assertion that no German force set foot on British soil during the Second World War (the Channel Islands excepted), on active military service.Churchills Last Wartime Secret reveals the remarkable story of a mid-war seaborne enemy raid on an Isle of Wight radar station. It describes the purpose and scope of the attack, the composition of the raiding German force and how it was immediately, and understandably, hushed-up by Winston Churchills wartime administration, in order to safeguard public morale.Circumventing the almost complete lack of official British archival documentation, the author relies on compelling and previously undisclosed first-hand evidence from Germany to underpin the books narrative and claims; thus distinguishing it from other tales of rumoured seaborne enemy assaults on British soil during the 1939-45 conflict.Aft
£13.49
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Diary of a Wartime Naval Constructor
Book SynopsisA prominent insider's view of British naval shipbuilding in World War 2.
£21.25
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Aircraft of the Royal Navy
Book SynopsisThis is a comprehensive study of every aircraft type ordered for the Royal Navy since 1908. It includes fixed and rotary-wing aircraft, rigid and non-rigid airships, unmanned aircraft and pilotless target aircraft together with many designs that were ordered but not built so that the importance placed on them by the Naval Staff or their potential technological impact on carrier design and operations can be explained. Every type even unsuccessful single prototypes is described; the majority are illustrated by photographs, many of which come from the author's own collection, and the fifty most significant aircraft have detailed drawings. The Australian and Canadian Fleet Air Arms operated RN aircraft types for many years after their formation and these are included together with other types they have operated subsequently to give a more complete overview. The book describes over 400 different types of aircraft built by over 100 different manufacturers to offer the most detailed coverag
£40.00
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Japanese Submarines in World War Two
Book Synopsis The Imperial Japanese Navy developed the submarine faster than any other country in the world. But because of rivalries between the two military hierarchies, the Army and the Navy, they never utilized the submarine to its full extent. Nevertheless, during World War II, Japan deployed a number of unique submarines. These included the Type B1 which carried a Yokosuka E14Y1 reconnaissance seaplane in a watertight capsule attached to the deck of the submarine. One of these aircraft carried out two bomb attacks on a forest in Oregon by dropping six incendiary bombs, taking the war to the American mainland. The use of aircraft from submarines as scout planes proved not to be as successful as hoped, mainly because of the difficulty after launching the aircraft of it finding the submarine again in the vast Pacific and Indian Oceans. The Japanese also developed the giant I-400 class of aircraft carrier submarines, that could launch three Seiran attack floatplanes. There were other notable actions involving IJN submarines. This included I-17 that attempted to shell, unsuccessfully, an oil refinery off the coast of Santa Barbara, causing a major panic along the West Coast of America. Also memorable are the midget submarines that attempted to attack Pearl Harbor, and the one-man human torpedo submarines (Kaiten). The submarine losses suffered by the Japanese Navy as the war progressed, when Allied, and in particular U.S. destroyers and aircraft hunted them down are all recorded in this comprehensive account of a fascinating element of the war at sea.
£19.00
Pen & Sword Books Ltd The Kaiser's Cruisers, 1871-1918
While bookshelves groan with works on the capital ships of the German Third Reich, there is little in English devoted to their predecessors of the Second Reich, so this new book will fill a clear gap in its study of German cruisers of the period, from wooden-hulled corvettes, through the fusion of 'overseas' and 'home' vessels into the modern small cruisers that evolved and fought in the First World War. The book covers the full range of cruising vessels operated or ordered by the Imperial German Navy between 1871 and 1918, excluding the large cruisers, previously covered by the author's companion volume _The Kaiser's Battlefleet_. These include corvettes, avisos, sloops, torpedo cruisers, III- and IV-class cruisers and small cruisers, and are described and arranged in a chronological narrative. This includes both design and operational histories, the latter continuing down to the end of ships' service after the fall of Imperial Germany, and it is accompanied by an extensive selection of many rare photographs. The ships' technical details are tabulated in the second half of the book which also includes sketches of ships' internal layouts and armour and changes in appearance over time. The authors have made extensive use of archival material, particularly relating to the political and technical background to design and procurement, and present a developmental history of this ship class which is unique in the English language. It will have huge appeal to all those with an interest in the German navy and to those who have been waiting avidly for the sequel to _The Kaiser's Battlefleet_.
£28.00
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Battleship Duke of York: An Anatomy from Building
Book SynopsisUnlike the United States, which has preserved a number of battleships as museums or memorials, not a single British dreadnought survives in the country that invented them. This book is an ambitious attempt to achieve the next best thing - a level of documentation in plans, photographs and words that portrays every aspect of the ship, albeit in two dimensions. Although the ship was chosen primarily because of the wealth of source material, _Duke of York_ enjoyed a distinguished wartime career that included sinking the German battleship _Scharnhorst_ in 1943 and serving as the flagship of the British Pacific Fleet in 1945, so is a fitting subject for such in-depth treatment. The core of the book is the reproduction in full colour of a complete set of as-fitted plans of the ship, including many details and close-ups. These are complemented by an unusually thorough set drawn after the ship's major refit in March 1945, showing all the modifications undertaken to prepare the ship for service alongside the US Navy in the Pacific. Photographic coverage begins with the stunning views taken by the builder's professional cameraman during every stage of construction, and concludes with an illustrated chronology of the breaking up. This last is included not just for completeness but because photos of the ship at various stages of demolition demonstrate many aspects of the interior structure, compartments and their fittings that are otherwise invisible. While the emphasis may be primarily visual, the accompanying narrative and captions display the expertise and in-depth knowledge of the authors, making the text as enlightening as the illustration. The result is a uniquely comprehensive portrait of a great ship in all its complexity, and a book that no warship enthusiast will want to miss.
£36.00
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Special Forces Hero: Anders Lassen VC MC*
Book SynopsisUntil the German occupation of his native Denmark in April 1940 Anders Lassen had no interest in the War. Yet over the next five years he became a highly decorated Special Forces legend and the only non-Commonwealth recipient of the Victoria Cross. After taking part in a mutiny on board a Danish ship, he made his way to Scotland. He first joined the Special Operations Executive before serving with the Small Scale Raiding Force, Special Air Service and Special Boat Service. He took part in the daring Operation Postmaster, off West Africa, and raided the Channel Islands and the Normandy coast. He saw most action in Eastern Mediterranean, fighting in Crete, the Dodecanese, Yugoslavia, mainland Greece and finally Italy. In April 1945, now a major aged 24, he was killed at Lake Comacchio, where his gallantry earned him his posthumous VC. This superb biography is not just a worthy tribute to an outstanding soldier, but a superb account of the numerous special force operations Anders was involved in.
£24.00
Amber Books Ltd Ships
Book SynopsisFrom the dawn of civilization man has held a fascination with the sea, and over the centuries has built myriad ships and sailing craft for an equally diverse range of purposes. Ships: Visual Encyclopedia provides a fascinating at-a-glance guide to more than 1200 of the most important ships from the earliest times to the present day. From the Viking longship through the 16th century galleon to the super carriers and nuclear submarines of the 21st century, Ships: Visual Encyclopedia includes every conceivable type of ship in which man has gone to sea. As well as warships from every century, this book also examines those vessels that have explored the globe, conducted trade, and afforded great adventure, luxury and entertainment. From the smallest coastal traders up to the vast oil tankers of today, from the graceful clippers of the 19th century to the modern passenger liners, Ships: Visual Encyclopedia is the comprehensive guide to all the world's ships, both
£23.99
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Early Pacific Raids 1942
Book SynopsisA fascinating exploration of how between February 1 and March 10, 1942, three small US task forces launched several unexpected raids across the Japanese defensive perimeter in the Central and South Pacific. After the devastating Japanese blows of December 1941, the Allies found themselves reeling with defeat everywhere in the Pacific. Although stripped of his battleships and outnumbered 10:3 in carriers, the US Navy commander-in-chief Admiral Ernest J. King decided to hit back at Japan''s rapidly expanding Pacific empire immediately, in an effort to keep the Japanese off-balance. On February 1, 1942, Vice Admiral Bill Halsey led the US Pacific Fleet carriers on their first raid, using high-speed hit-and-run tactics to strike at the Japanese, at a time when most of the Japanese carrier fleet was in the Indian Ocean. Halsey''s aggressive commitment inspired its American participants to invent the mythical Haul Ass With Halsey club. The last of the 1942 US carrieTrade ReviewAn enjoyable read that covers a lot of action. -- Neil Smith * Wargames Illustrated *Table of ContentsORIGINS OF THE CAMPAIGN Pearl Harbor and aftermath, December 7–10, 1941 Failed Wake Island relief, December 14–23 Yamamoto’s Submarine Offensive against Hawaii and the US West Coast, December 1941 Reforming the US Pacific Fleet 1941–42 Reinforcing the Central and South Pacific CHRONOLOGY OPPOSING COMMANDERS Japanese United States OPPOSING FORCES Japanese United States Marshalls–Gilberts raid orders of battle, February 1, 1942 OPPOSING PLANS Japanese United States THE CAMPAIGN Commander Michimune Inaba’s I-6 torpedoes Saratoga, January 11, 1942 US Pacific Fleet carrier plans, January 1942 Operation R: the Japanese invasion of Rabaul and Kavieng, January 20–23, 1942 Brown’s aborted Task Force 11 raid against Wake, January 23, 1942 Halsey and Fletcher raid the Marshalls and Gilberts, February 1, 1942 US Pacific Fleet strategy, February 1942 Japanese carrier actions, February 1–19, 1942 Action off Bougainville, February 20, 1942 Halsey’s Task Force 16 raids Wake Island, February 24, 1942 Halsey strikes Marcus Island, March 4, 1942 Shokaku and Zuikaku redeploy to defend the Home Islands The Japanese invasion of Lae and Salamaua, March 8, 1942 Brown and Fletcher strike Lae and Salamaua, March 10, 1942 AFTERMATH THE BATTLEFIELDS TODAY SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY INDEX
£15.29
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Ansons Navy
Book SynopsisPrequel to the author's 40,000-copy bestseller Nelson's Navy
£32.00
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Operation Pedestal 1942
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
£15.29
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Italian Assault Craft 19401945
Book SynopsisThe first complete history of these famous Italian miniature assault boats. Superbly illustrated with many previously unpublished photos. Soundly researched from primary sources.
£28.00
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Philippines Naval Campaign 194445
Book SynopsisThe forgotten story of the major naval operations conducted in the Philippines by the US and Japanese navies after Leyte Gulf up to the US invasion of Luzon in January 1945. The events that took place in the aftermath of the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October 1944 are often overlooked by military historians. An impressive array of naval operations continued in the Philippines up to January 1945, which included (on the Japanese side) the largest convoys to a contested island during the war, the first kamikaze campaign, and the second largest Imperial Japanese Navy surface operation during the last nine months of the conflict. On the American side, US forces were involved in efforts to cut off Leyte from enemy reinforcement, a massive amphibious invasion off Luzon, and large-scale operations by the Fast Carrier Task Force (TF 38).Expert naval historian Mark Stille throws new light on this often forgotten phase of the Pacific naval war. Among the actions covered areTable of ContentsORIGINS OF THE CAMPAIGN CHRONOLOGY OPPOSING COMMANDERS United States Navy Imperial Japanese Navy JAPANESE COMMANDERS AND FORCES United States Navy Imperial Japanese Navy Orders of Battle OPPOSING PLANS United States Japanese THE CAMPAIGN TF 38 operations, October–November 25, 1944 The Japanese TA Operation The battles for Ormoc Bay The landing at Ormoc November 1944 TF 38 operations The invasion of Mindoro The San Jose Intrusion Force TF 38 operations, December 10, 1944–January 10, 1945 The invasion of Luzon Halsey’s rampage AFTERMATH AND ANALYSIS Analysis BIBLIOGRAPHY INDEX
£15.29
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Scapa Flow
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
£14.24
Faber & Faber Admirals
Book SynopsisThe true story of how Britain''s maritime power helped gain this country unparalleled dominance of the world''s economy, Admirals celebrates the rare talents of the men who shaped the most successful fighting force in world history. Told through the lives and battles of eleven of our most remarkable admirals - men such as James II and Robert Blake - Andrew Lambert''s book stretches from the Spanish Armada to the Second World War, culminating with the spirit which led Andrew Browne Cunningham famously to declare, when the army feared he would lose too many ships, ''it takes three years to build a ship; it takes three centuries to build a tradition.''
£13.49
Faber & Faber The Challenge Britain Against America in the
Book SynopsisIn the summer of 1812 Britain stood alone, fighting for her very survival against a vast European Empire. Only the Royal Navy stood between Napoleon''s legions and ultimate victory. In that dark hour America saw its chance to challenge British dominance: her troops invaded Canada and American frigates attacked British merchant shipping, the lifeblood of British defence.War polarised America. The south and west wanted land, the north wanted peace and trade. But America had to choose between the oceans and the continent. Within weeks the land invasion had stalled, but American warships and privateers did rather better, and astonished the world by besting the Royal Navy in a series of battles.Then in three titanic single ship actions the challenge was decisively met. British frigates closed with the Chesapeake, the Essex and the President, flagship of American naval ambition. Both sides found new heroes but none could equal Captain Phili
£12.34
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Naval Battle of Crete 1941
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
£15.29
Boydell & Brewer Ltd Fighting at Sea in the Eighteenth Century: The
Book SynopsisNaval warfare is vividly brought to life, from first contact through how battles were won and lost to damage repair. Our understanding of warfare at sea in the eighteenth century has always been divorced from the practical realities of fighting at sea under sail; our knowledge of tactics is largely based upon the ideas of contemporary theorists[rather than practitioners] who knew little of the realities of sailing warfare, and our knowledge of command is similarly flawed. In this book the author presents new evidence from contemporary sources that overturns many old assumptions and introduces a host of new ideas. In a series of thematic chapters, following the rough chronology of a sea fight from initial contact to damage repair, the author offers a dramatic interpretation of fighting at sea inthe eighteenth century, and explains in greater depth than ever before how and why sea battles (including Trafalgar) were won and lost in the great Age of Sail. He explains in detail how two ships or fleets identified each other to be enemies; how and why they manoeuvred for battle; how a commander communicated his ideas, and how and why his subordinates acted in the way that they did.Trade ReviewWhen it comes to discussing shiphandling Willis is peerless. Not a page is wasted and virtually everything he writes is fascinating and provocative. This is indeed a wonderful book. Anyone interested in warships should have it on his or her bookshelf for frequent consultation. * NORTHERN MARINER *Will become widely read by students and academics of the subject, in addition to those who are fascinated by the literary world of Hornblower or Aubrey. * INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NAUTICAL ARCHAEOLOGY *A very valuable addition to the extensive literature on naval warfare in the age of sail, looking at a neglected topic. The events of individual battles have been extensively discussed, as have the technical aspects of ship construction, but this book fills the crucial gap between those two, and greatly expands our knowledge of the practicalities of naval warfare in this period. * HISTORY OF WAR.ORG *Is sure to become the standard reference on naval tactics in the Napoleonic era [and] is enthusiastically recommended to anyone with even a passing interest in this aspect of naval history. * INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MARITIME HISTORY *As a reference work for what these ships were like, how they handled at sea, and how naval officers sought to capitalize on these material constraints for both offensive and defensive purposes, Fighting at Sea is not likely to be surpassed any time soon. * JOURNAL OF BRITISH STUDIES *[A] superbly researched book [which] contains high-quality maps, many excellent illustrations, and an essential glossary, all of which give a better understanding of Willis's argument. * UNITED STATES NAVAL INSTITUTE *An excellent historical handbook with much to tell modern readers about military command. Highly recommended. * CHOICE *A detailed historical study based on extensive research. * . *A clear and well-documented account. * SEA HISTORY *By emphasising the critical role of practical seamanship and unwritten rules, this book offers students of the subject a new angle on an old subject. * MILITARY HISTORY *An insightful analysis of the practical realities of sailing warfare that probes deeply into the technical skills, written and unwritten rules, command and control necessary for the Royal Navy's century of unrivalled success in naval combat. * NAUTICAL RESEARCH JOURNAL *An illuminating read. * SKIRMISH, October 2008 *Table of ContentsIntroduction Contact Chase and Escape I: Speed and Performance Chase and Escape II: The Tactics of Chasing Station Keeping Communication Unwritten Rules Command The Weather Gage Fleet Tactics Fighting Tactics Damage Conclusion Bibliography Index
£23.39
Canongate Books The Pacific The Official HBOSky TV TieIn
Book Synopsis- Private Sidney Phillips- First Lieutenant Austin Shofner- Ensign Vernon Micheel- Private Eugene Sledge- Sergeant John BasiloneThrough the eyes of these five fearless and devoted men, Hugh Ambrose tells the epic story of the war in the Pacific. It is an intimate, personal history of a brutal, unforgiving conflict.Trade ReviewA brutal account . . . for those who want more of the nightmare of those foxholes after ten hours of The Pacific, this book is for you * * The Times * *Extremely good . . . he lets his soldiers tell the story. Through those young men we are given an uncompromising picture of the war, which, after the attack on Pearl Harbor, most Americans believed to be their most important engagement. The TV series might offer us a glimpse of that distant conflict in the Pacific. Hugh Ambrose's book gives us the greatest generation in the round * * Scotsman * *A compelling book which affords Pacific veterans the testament they deserve -- Julian Fleming * * Sunday Business Post * *
£12.34
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Ships of the Royal Navy: The Complete Record of
Book SynopsisThis is the fifth fully revised edition of a book first published in 1970\. This longevity is testimony to its enduring value as a reference work - indeed, 'Colledge' (as it is universally known) is still the first stop for anyone wanting more information on any British warship from the fifteenth century to the present day when only the name is known. Each entry gives concise details of dimensions, armament and service dates, and its alphabetical and chronological arrangement makes it easy to track down the right ship (otherwise the Royal Navy's tradition of re-using the same names can be misleading). This new 5th edition contains some 200 new entries and revisions to many older entries. These reflect the demise of the post-Cold War ships as the Royal Navy was shrunk down as part of the peace dividend, and successive defence reviews saw the loss of significant ships classes such as the Type 42 destroyers, Type 22 frigates and the _Illustrious_ class carriers. It is now being re-equipped in the face of new global challenges and has seen the introduction of the _Queen Elizabeth_ class carriers, the largest ships ever built for the RN; the Type 45 destroyers; and Type 26 frigates and new patrol ships which will take on more global policing roles. Submarines should not be forgotten and the Cold War S class and T class are being replaced by the _Astute_ class submarines, and the deterrent role, presently undertaken by the _Vanguard_ class, is to be carried forward by the _Dreadnought_ class submarines. Also included are the new RFAs which are increasingly taking on frontline operations to release the small number of escorts to more combative roles. In addition, there are updates to the Royal Australian, Canadian and New Zealand navies which have programmes to introduce new destroyers, Arctic patrol vessels, submarines and support ships. Since the death of Jim Colledge, who was widely respected for his pioneering research on the technical details of warships, his _magnum opus_ has been updated, corrected and expanded with similar enthusiasm and attention to detail by Ben Warlow, a retired naval officer and author of a number of books in the field. Some press comments: "A unique reference book which is the automatic starting point of research on Royal Navy ships." - _Lloyd's List_ "This quite invaluable reference tool ... " - _The Mariner's Mirror_ "The book is absolutely essential in every naval historian's library." - _Warship World_
£21.25
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Spoils of War: The Fate of Enemy Fleets after the
Book SynopsisWhile a large number of books have dealt with the navies and war at sea during the World Wars, the immediate aftermaths have generally received only minimal coverage. However, the fates of defeated navies are of enormous interest from a number of perspectives. These include the relative priorities of the victorious powers, acquisition and testing of ex-enemy materiel and the intended future capabilities of those ex-enemy navies that were to be allowed to continue to exist. This new book traces the histories of navies and ships of the defeated powers from the months leading up to the relevant armistices or surrenders through to the final execution of the appropriate post-war settlements. In doing so, it discusses the way in which the victorious powers reached their final demands, how these were implemented, and to what effect. The later histories of ships that saw subsequent service, either in their original navies or in those navies which acquired them, are also described. In doing this, much use is made of material drawn from archival, and in some cases archaeological, sources, some of which has never previously been used. Through these, a wide range of long-standing myths are busted, and some badly distorted modern views and assessments of events in the wake of the conflicts put right. The fascinating narrative will be accompanied by tabulated lists of all major navy-built (and certain significant ex-mercantile) enemy ships in commission at the relevant date of the armistice or surrender, or whose hulks were specifically listed for attention in post-Second World War allied agreements. These will include key dates in their careers and their ultimate fates. This highly original book, drawing on archaeological evidence as well as archival sources, and including numerous photographs will become an essential reference tool for all those interested in the naval history of the two World Wars.
£28.00
Transworld Publishers Ltd Phoenix Squadron
Book SynopsisRowland White is the author of five critically acclaimed works of aviation history: Vulcan 607, Phoenix Squadron, Storm Front, Into the Black, and most recently Harrier 809, as well as a compendium of aviation, The Big Book of Flight. Born and brought up in Cambridge, he studied Modern History at Liverpool University. In 2014 he launched Project Cancelled to produce apparel inspired by the best in aviation, space and other cool stuff. Find it at projectcancelled.comFor more information on Rowland White and his books visit his website at rowlandwhite.com or find him on Twitter at @rowlandwhiteTrade ReviewAircraft carriers, jet fighters and a crisis on the other side of the world. Who could ask for more? It takes an obscure corner of British military history and weaves a story as gripping as any Tom Clancy thriller. It's completely riveting -- Jeremy ClarksonFrom the cockpit of a fighter jet to the violently pitching deck of an aircraft carrier at night, Rowland White combines pulse-pounding tension with riveting detail. If only all military history was written like this... -- Andy McNab[A] page-turning thriller of a book... White's obvious passion infuses every page and is highly infectious, while the level of detail should send any budding Tom Clancy rushing to the bookshops -- James Holland * Daily Telegraph *Reads like a Patrick Robinson or Tom Clancy novel...This is a cracking read * Navy News *A gutsy, you-are-there true story that throbs with the sound and fury of carrier operations. Military history as it ought to be told -- Robert Gant
£11.69
The History Press Ltd Horatio Nelson pocket GIANTS
Book Synopsis
£6.99
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Japanese Carriers and Victory in the Pacific
Book SynopsisOne of the first books to focus on the pre-war controversy between building more big battleships or converting to aircraft carriers as the capital ships' of the future.
£21.25
Pen & Sword Books Ltd The Harwich Striking Force
Book SynopsisThe first ever detailed account of the operations of this famous force.
£21.25
Pen & Sword Books Ltd The EBoat Threat
Book SynopsisOut of print for 30 years and highly sought afterUnique study of this vital part of the Naval War in WW2Very few books on this subject
£13.49
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Seaforth World Naval Review
Book SynopsisValuable to enthusiasts and defence professionals alike.
£28.00
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Arms for Russia The Naval War in the Arctic
Book SynopsisThis major new work fundamentally reassesses the operations by the Western allies to deliver war supplies to Russia via the Arctic sea route between 1941 and 1945. It explores the motives underpinning Western aid, its real impact on the Soviet war effort, and its influence on wider Allied and German strategy as the war developed. It brings to life key participants, political and military, describes the interaction of intelligence with high policy and tactics, and brings a fresh perspective to key events, including the notorious convoy PQ 17. The book disputes the long-standing view that aid to Russia was essentially discretionary, lacking military rationale and undertaken primarily to meet political objectives, with only a minor impact on Soviet war potential. It shows that aid was always grounded in strategic necessity, with the Arctic supply route a constant preoccupation of British and American leaders, absorbing perhaps twenty per cent of Royal Navy resources after 1941 and a sig
£28.00
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Survivors of Enemy Action
Book SynopsisNumerous thrilling personal accounts by survivors of enemy action. Written by highly experienced naval author and former Merchant Navy Captain.
£17.00
Pen & Sword Books Ltd German UBoat Losses During World War II
Book SynopsisWritten by a renowned expert on the subject, this book details the fate of every German U-boat lost in the Second World War.
£15.29
Amberley Publishing Cockleshell Heroes
Book SynopsisThe definitive book on the Cockleshell Heroes, and one of the most famous Marine raids of World War Two.Trade ReviewThere is no-one better to write a major new work on the famous "Cockleshell Heroes" raid Professor Eric Grove Extensive research and thoughtful analysis reveals many new insights about the most outstanding commando raid of the War Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope GCB OBE ADC, First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff
£12.34
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Master Shipwrights Secrets
Book SynopsisAWARDED THE ANDERSON MEDAL 2020''This splendid book will appeal to maritime historians, archaeologists, model-makers and nautical enthusiasts across the board.'' - Colin Martin, The Nautical Archaeology Society''A remarkable piece of work.''- J D Davies, Historian and AuthorInspired by the recent discovery of mathematically calculated digital plans for a fourth-rate ship by the Deptford master shipwright, John Shish, The Master Shipwright's Secrets is an illustrated history of Restoration shipbuilding focused on the Tyger, one of the smaller but powerful two-deck warships of the period. It examines the proceedings of King Charles II in deciding the types of ship he wanted and his relationship with his master shipwrights.This fascinating book reveals the many secrets of Charles II's shipwrights through an analysis of John Shish's plans for the Tyger, revealing innovative practical calculations whiTrade ReviewA remarkable piece of work. -- J D Davies, Historian and AuthorThis splendid book will appeal to maritime historians, archaeologists, model-makers and nautical enthusiasts across the board. -- Colin Martin * The Nautical Archaeology Society *Table of ContentsForeword: Charles Berkeley Introduction: The Master Shipwright’s Secrets in Relation to the Tyger 1: The Master Shipwright’s Considerations 2: Inventions and Innovations 3: No Such Thing as the Tyger 4: Planning a New Tyger 5: John Shish’s Account of the Dimensions of a Ship 6: The Draught of the New Tyger 7: Building the New Tyger 8: The New Tyger Commissioned 9: The Tyger’s Guns 10: Contemporary Shipbuilding Contracts Unveiled Appendix 1: The Medway Warrant Appendix 2: The Mordaunt Survey Endnotes Index
£52.00
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Sinking Force Z 1941
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
£13.49
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The US Marine Corps 17751859
Book SynopsisFeaturing specially commissioned artwork and archive illustrations, this engrossing study describes the US Marine Corps'' early operations and illustrates its evolving uniforms and personal equipment. The US Marine Corps'' uniforms, personal equipment, insignia, and weaponry are all described and illustrated in this book, complemented by a succinct history of the Marines'' military record from their beginnings to the eve of the American Civil War, by which time the US Marine Corps had established itself as a small but vitally important part of the United States'' armed forces. Organized in 1775, the first American Marines distinguished themselves throughout the American Revolutionary War, and even raided mainland Britain before being disbanded in 1783. Reestablished in 1798, the US Marine Corps fought in the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812, both at sea and on land. The years after 1815 saw the Corps involved in a wide variety of conflicts, from the Seminole WTable of ContentsThe American Revolutionary War The Birth of the US Marine Corps The First Barbary War The War of 1812 New Challenges 1815-35 The Second Seminole War The Mexican–American War Expanding Empire Harpers Ferry Select Bibliography Index
£13.49
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Soviet Motor Gunboats of World War II
Book SynopsisA compelling account of the heavily armed and highly mobile Soviet river gunboats which took on the Germans during World War II.Russia''s enormous river system has long been its highway and, as early as 1908, the Tsar''s armies were developing armoured riverboats that brought tank-like mobility, firepower and survivability to Russian battlefields.This book, the first history of these vessels in English, explains how this concept led to one of the most remarkable naval weapons of World War II, the Soviet ''river tank'', or Armoured Motor Gun Boat (AMGB). Highly mobile, capable of carrying up to 20 infantrymen directly into action and providing immediate firepower from their tank turrets, machine guns or Katyusha rockets, their military value was widely recognized. They were versatile enough to be used in naval landing operations off the Gulf of Finland, the Azov Sea and the Black Sea, and their capabilities were prized by local commanders.Using meticulously researched new Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION The river gunboat in Imperial Russia DEVELOPMENT Planning Project 1124 Organization Project 1125 RIVER TANKS AT WAR Shoulder to shoulder with Nazi Germany, 1939–41 The German invasion of 1941 The German advance, 1942 Turning point, 1943 The Soviet takeover of Eastern Europe, 1944–45 The Amur Flotilla, 1945 AFTERMATH River gunboats in The Cold War Projects of the 190 series Project 1204 End of an era CONCLUSION FURTHER READING INDEX
£11.69
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Convoy
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
£21.25
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC British Frigates and Escort Destroyers 193945
Book SynopsisA history of the small, mass-produced warships that defended the Atlantic convoys from U-boats and secured Britain''s lifeline to the United States.As the Battle of the Atlantic grew fiercer, Britain and the Commonwealth needed large quantities of new warships to defend their shipping which could be produced cheaply. The two largest type of ship produced were the escort destroyer and the frigate. Escort destroyers were essentially small destroyers optimized for anti-submarine warfare, with speed and anti-surface weaponry sacrificed, while frigates were simpler, designed so they could be built quickly in civilian shipyards. Nearly 200 were built.These warships were key to protecting convoys in the Atlantic Ocean where their range and seagoing qualities made them well-suited for operations. They were also used to form hunting groups, and collectively accounted for the destruction of scores of German U-boats. Their arrival came at a critical time for the Royal NTable of ContentsINTRODUCTION DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT - Escort vessels - The escort destroyer - The frigate CAPABILITIES - General capabilities - Weaponry and sensors ESCORTS IN ACTION THE WARSHIPS - Hunt Class Escort Destroyers (Type 1) - Hunt Class Escort Destroyers (Type 2) - Hunt Class Escort Destroyers (Type 3) - Hunt Class Escort Destroyers (Type 4) - River Class Frigates (Group 1) - River Class Frigates (Group 2) - Loch Class Frigates - Bay Class Frigates SPECIFICATIONS FURTHER READING INDEX
£12.34
Pen & Sword Books Ltd U-Boats at War in 100 Objects, 1939-1945
Book Synopsis'The only thing that ever really frightened me during the war was the U-boat peril,' wrote Winston Churchill in his history of the Second World War. 'I was even more anxious about this battle than I had been about the glorious air fight called the Battle of Britain." In reality, the Kriegsmarine had been woefully unprepared for the war into which it was thrown. The Command-in-Chief of submarines, Karl Donitz, himself a verteran U-boat captain from the First World War, felt that he could bring Britain to its knees with a fleet of 300 U-Boats. But when war broke out, he had just twenty-four available for operational use. Despite this, the U-Boat arm scored some incredible successes in the early part of the war, raising the status of the submarine commanders and crews to that of national heroes in the eyes of the German people. The 'Grey Wolves' had become super-stars. Small wonder then that the U-Boat war has fascinated students of military history ever since. This book, using a carefully selected range of both wartime images and colour images of surviving U-boat memorabilia from private collections, describes 100 iconic elements of the U-Boat service and its campaigns. The array of objects include important individuals and the major U-Boat types, through to the uniforms and insignias the men wore. The weapons, equipment and technology used are explored, as are the conditions in which the U-boat crews served, from cooking facilities and general hygiene down to the crude toilet facilities. Importantly, the enemy that they faced is also covered, examining the ship-borne and airborne anti-submarine weaponry utilised against the U-boats. The U-Boats began the war, though small in number, more than a match for the Allies and created carnage amongst merchant shipping as well as sinking several major warships. The pace of technological development, however, failed to match that of Allied anti-submarine warfare weaponry and the U-Bootwaffe was ultimately doomed to defeat but not before, at one point, coming close to bringing Britain to its knees.
£21.25
Pen & Sword Books Ltd British Naval Weapons of World War Two: The John
Book SynopsisJohn Lambert was a renowned naval draughtsman, whose plans were highly valued for their accuracy and detail by modelmakers and enthusiasts. By the time of his death in 2016 he had produced over 850 sheets of drawings, many of which have never been published. These have now been acquired by Seaforth and this is the third of a planned series of albums on selected themes, reproducing complete sheets at a large page size, with an expert commentary and captioning. The initial volumes concentrate on British naval weaponry used in the Second World War, thus completing the project John Lambert was working on when he died. His interest was always focused on smaller warships and his weapons drawings tend to be of open mountings - the kind that present a real challenge to modelmakers - rather than enclosed turret guns, but he also produced drawings of torpedo tubes, underwater weapons, fire-control directors and even some specific armament-related deck fittings. Following the earlier volumes on destroyer and escort armament, this one covers the multitude of weapons carried by Coastal Forces, many of which were improvised, ad hoc or obsolescent, but eventually leading to powerful purpose-designed weaponry. An appendix covers the main deck guns carried by British submarines of this era. The drawings are backed by introductory essays by Norman Friedman, an acknowledged authority on naval ordnance, while a selection of photographs adds to the value of the book as visual reference. Over time, the series will be expanded to make this unique technical archive available in published form, a move certain to be welcomed by warship modellers, enthusiasts and the many fans of John Lambert's work.
£32.00
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Eagles over the Sea, 1943-45: A History of
Book SynopsisThis is the second volume of Lawrence Paterson's detailed account of all the Luftwaffe's naval operations during World War II. The first volume took the story up to 1942, and by the end of that year Hermann G ring's Reich Air Ministry had subsumed nearly every aspect of Wehrmacht maritime aviation. Kriegsmarine attempts to develop an independent Fleet Air Arm had been perpetually frustrated, reflecting the chaotic nature of the Third Reich's internal military and political mechanics. Driven more by vanity than operational prudence, the Luftwaffe had continually thwarted the advancement of maritime aviation, and by 1942 began to reap the whirlwind it had created. The U-boat war hung precariously in the balance, the lack of well trained and properly equipped aerial reconnaissance suddenly assuming greater importance than ever before. During 1943 the nature of Germany's war mutated and by its close the Allies were on the offensive in nearly all theatres. This volume resumes the story with Operation Torch in November 1942, when Germany faced an Allied seaborne invasion of North Africa that it was ill-equipped to counter by land, sea or air; and the spectre of even greater invasion armadas loomed on both the southern and western fronts during the months that followed. Facing the Russians, maritime air units were stripped to the bone, those precious few formations available shunted rapidly between military crisis points until barely able to function. The rise of Luftwaffe maritime operations described in the author's first volume now became, from 1942 onwards, a fall of catastrophic proportions as frequently undertrained crews flew increasingly obsolete aircraft against odds that had become overwhelming. The Luftwaffe was paying the price for its pre-war lack of cohesive strategic planning, none more so than its beleaguered maritime specialists. The author covers this story across all the theatres of the war and in doing so gives the reader a complete and coherent picture of all the Luftwaffe's naval operations. Heavily illustrated throughout, this detailed and exciting narrative will be of huge appeal to both naval and aviation historians and enthusiasts.
£24.00
Casemate Publishers Midget Submarines 193945
Book SynopsisA fully illustrated comprehensive catalog of midget submarines deployed during World War II.
£31.99
Pen & Sword Books Ltd Battles of Coronel and the Falklands, 1914
Book SynopsisThe defeat that Rear-Admiral Sir Christopher Cradock suffered at Coronel in 1914 at the hands of Maximilian Graf von Spee, one of Germany's most brilliant naval commanders, was the most humiliating blow to British naval prestige since the eighteenth century and a defeat that had to be avenged immediately. On 8 December 1914, the German squadron steamed towards Port Stanley, unaware that in the harbour lay two great British battle-cruisers, the 'Invincible' and 'Inflexible'. Realizing this, Spee had no option but to turn and flee. Hour by hour during that long day, the British ships closed in until, eventually, Spee was forced to confront the enemy. With extraordinary courage, and against hopeless odds, the German cruisers fought to the bitter end. At five-thirty that afternoon, the last ship slowly turned and rolled to the bottom. Cradock and Britain had been avenged.
£11.69
The History Press Ltd X3 to X54: The History of the British Midget
Book SynopsisThe X- and XE-Class submarines were conceived during the Second World War: around 51ft (16m) long, they were designed to be towed by a ‘mother’ submarine and use their small size to complete stealth missions, such as attacking harbours and performing reconnaissance. Although they would not begin active service until 1942, the submarine crews achieved quite the record, racking up 167 honours between them, including four Victoria Crosses.Written by ex-submariner Keith Hall, X3 to X54 is a look at the entire life and evolution of the British midget submarine, from its early prototypes to its final journeys. With a wealth of imagery, including archive X-craft photographs as well as up-to-date views of the X51 (HMS Stickleback) from the Scottish Submarine Centre, this is the fascinating, yet little-known, story of Britain’s midget submarines.
£16.19
Amber Books Ltd German Kriegsmarine in WWII
Book SynopsisThe German Navy – known as the Kriegsmarine – played a crucial role during World War II in disrupting Allied shipping, especially in the early years, when Britain stood alone against Nazi aggression following the fall of France. Broken down by campaign and key encounters within each theatre of war, German Kriegsmarine in World War II illustrates the strengths and organizational structures of the Third Reich’s naval forces, building into a detailed compendium of information. Full-colour order of battle tree diagrams at fleet and flotilla level help the reader quickly understand how and where the ships and U-boats of the German Navy were employed at any given time between 1939 and 1945. Reference tables provide fleet strengths while organizational diagrams show the types and numbers of ships involved in specific operations, such as the U-Boat wolfpacks that hunted Allied merchant shipping in the North Atlantic and the invasion fleet used for the assault on Crete. With extensive organizational diagrams and full-colour operations maps, German Kriegsmarine in World War II is an easy-to-use guide to German naval forces. The book is an essential reference for anyone with a serious interest in the naval warfare of World War II.Table of ContentsThe Pre-War Kriegsmarine Early Operations: 1939–40 Surface War in the West: 1941–43 The U-Boat War: 1939–41 The U-Boat War: 1942–45 The Mediterranean: 1941–45 Defeat in the North: 1942–45 Appendices Glossary of Key Abbreviations Acknowledgements Index
£21.24
Birlinn General Scapa: Britain's Famous Wartime Naval Base
Book SynopsisScapa Flow was one of the world's great naval bases and the scene of many of the major events of twentieth-century naval history. During both World Wars, the Royal Navy made Scapa the home for its capital ships, and thousands of servicemen and women were posted to Orkney. From here the Grand Fleet sailed for Jutland in 1916, from here the escorts for the Russian convoys set off, and it was in this beautiful, bleak anchorage that the German High Seas fleet committed the greatest act of suicide ever seen at sea – 'The Grand Scuttle' – before being later raised and scrapped in the most astonishing feat of maritime salvage in history. It was also in Scapa that the last photographs of Kitchener were taken as he boarded HMS Hampshire, shortly before she was sunk by mine off Marwick Head. Scapa is also the grave of many who fought for their country in both World Wars. In its silent waters lie the wrecks of the battleship Vanguard, blown apart by an explosion in 1917, and the Royal Oak, sunk by U-47 in a spectacular raid at the beginning of World War II . Here the first Luftwaffe raids on Britain occured, here too Italian prisoners-of-war built both the spectacular Churchill causeways and the exquisite chapel on the island of Lamb Holm. In this book, illustrated with over 130 archive photographs, James Miller traces the story of this remarkable place, weaving together history, eyewitness accounts and personal experience to capture the life and spirit of Scapa Flow when it was home to thousands of service personnel and the most powerful fleet in the world.Trade Review'a fascinating book, in which every reader will find something she/he never knew' * Scots Magazine * 'an interesting insight into life in a naval base during two world wars' * Broadly Boats *
£13.49
Atlantic Books Four Weeks in May: A Captain's Story of War at
Book SynopsisReissued for the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War.A Sunday Times Bestseller'Electric... Outstanding.' GuardianIn March 1982 the guided-missile destroyer HMS Coventry was one of a small squadron of ships on exercise off Gibraltar. By the end of April that year she was sailing south in the vanguard of the Task Force towards the front line of the Falklands War.On 25 May, Coventry was attacked by two Argentine Skyhawks, and hit by three bombs. The explosions tore out most of her port side and killed nineteen of the crew, leaving many others injured. Within twenty minutes she had capsized. In her final moments, after all the survivors had been evacuated, her Captain, David Hart Dyke, himself badly burned, climbed down her starboard side and into a life-raft. This is his compelling and moving story.Trade ReviewSuperbly frank and unsentimental... The literature of the Falklands War would be much the poorer without this pithy, well constructed and brutally honest account of the fighting at sea. -- Saul David * Daily Telegraph *Electric... Outstanding. -- John Shirley * Guardian *[An] honest, poignant and moving book. -- Hugh McManners * The Times *Lively, direct, human and engaging, this is one of the best personal memoirs of the bizarre and intense Falklands campaign. -- Robert Fox * BBC History Magazine *A down-to-earth, dramatic account of preparing for war and being plunged into the heart of it. * Glasgow Herald *A justifiably proud account of HMS Coventry's war... A vital but measured story. It will appeal not only to those who were there but to a new generation of readers who will be riveted by this insight into the life on board a Royal Navy ship at war, as well as the sheer drama of Coventry's story... Four Weeks in May is a page-turner, elegantly and tightly written... The tension between his determination to uphold morale, the upbeat letters home, private moments of honest reflection, the self-deprecating humour and what every reader knows will be the disastrous outcome of those four weeks, is compelling... Devastating... Dramatic images of bravery and presence of mind are brilliantly pieced together. -- Alan West * Naval Review *
£10.44
