Naval forces and warfare Books

Book SynopsisThis concise guide to naval history and naval records is essential reading and reference for anyone researching the fascinating story of Britain's Navy and the men and women who served in it. Whether you are interested in the career of an individual seaman, finding out about a medal winner or just want to know more about a particular ship, campaign or operation, this book will point you in the right direction.Simon Fowler assumes the reader has little prior knowledge of the Navy and its history. His book shows you how to trace an officer, petty officer or rating from the seventeenth century up to the 1960s using records at the National Archives and elsewhere.The book also covers the specialist and auxiliary services associated with the Navy - among them the Royal Marines, the Fleet Air Arm, the naval dockyards, the WRNS and the Fleet Auxiliary. In each section he explains which records survive, where they can be found and how they can be used for research. He also recommends resources available online as well as books and memoirs.His handbook is a valuable research tool for anyone who is keen to find out about the career of an ancestor who served in the Royal Navy or was connected with it. Simon Fowler is a leading authority on military and family history and a prolific writer on these subjects. He once edited the National Archives' family history magazine Ancestors. For nearly 20 years he was an archivist at the Public Record Office (now The National Archives). As well as publishing many articles in magazines and journals, he has written several well-known books on military and family history, including: Tracing Your Army Ancestors, A Guide to Military Historyon the Internet and Tracing Your Ancestors. He is also a professional researcher - find out more at www.history-man.co.uk.

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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 SynopsisThe surrender of the German U-boat fleet at the end of World War II was perhaps the principal event in the war's endgame which signified to the British people that peace really had arrived. This revised, updated and expanded new edition gives career details of not only the 33 commanders who accompanied their boats to Loch Eriboll but also of a further 23 previous commanders of those U-boats, including four who might be considered 'Aces' because of the damage they inflicted, sinking and disabling Allied shipping. The book also features an analysis of the Allied naval operation under which the surrendering U-boats were assembled in Scotland and Northern Ireland; asks who first contacted those U-boats after the capitulation - armed British trawlers, frigates of the Allied navies or aircraft of the Royal Air Force; and discloses how U-boats spared destruction were distributed to the navies of the USA, France, USSR and the Royal Navy. Also revealed are more unpublished recollections of British and German naval personnel present at the Loch Eriboll surrenders and how 116 surviving U-boats came to be sunk in the waters of the Western Approaches in the winter of 1945/46.The Grey Wolves of Eriboll includes a wealth of historical insights including the German Surrender Document; detailed descriptions of the construction, service careers and circumstances of each surrendered U-boat; details of the frigates that supervised the surrenders, contemporary newspaper reports and descriptions of the naval Operations Pledge, Commonwealth, Cabal, Thankful and Deadlight, each of which involved Eriboll U-boats. The mysteries surrounding Hitler's yacht and the alleged 'Norwegian Royal Yacht' (which did not exist at the time) are also explored. The pivotal role played by Loch Eriboll in ending the U-boat menace is little-known and lesser celebrated - this book rights that wrong.Trade Review`...a wealth of historical insights and personal memories of those who witnessed the events...a remarkably interesting read. A definitive account of a secret mass surrended of interest to all students of naval history’. Julian Stockwin -------------------- `...Mr Hird has told the story of the secret mass surrender with new insights, including many personal memories of those who witnessed the events as well as the career histories of the U-Boat commanders'. The Northern Times -------------------- `David Hird's success is bringing these stories together and adding to them with extracts from official documents and newspaper reports... The result is a fascinating account of a little known operation and a treasure trove of vignettes that are as attractive for the general reader as they are for the specialist. ...this book deserves to be on staff officers' reading lists as much as it does on that of anyone interested in naval history'. Headmark, The Australian Naval Institute -------------------- `Truly definitive books are very rare, but "The Grey Wolves of Eriboll" by David M. Hird is certainly one of them. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in the naval history of World War Two, or in the history of northern Scotland. ...David M. Hird has done a simply magnificent job in covering the surrender of the U-boats from every conceivable angle. Perhaps most fascinatingly of all, he looks at some of the myths and legends that have built up around the surrender of the U-boats, and convincingly separates fact from the British propaganda that sometimes muddied the waters'. Undiscovered Scotland ---------------------------------------- Reviews for the 1st edition... ---------------------------------------- 'This is a book for the U-boat war aficionado. There are inclusions throughout of unusual detail, such as the actual messages exchanged between Donitz and his vanquished boats... ...The Grey Wolves of Eriboll offers an interesting view of a brief moment at the end of a long struggle...' The Northern Mariner/Le marin du nord -------------------- '...a specialist book for enthusiasts who wish to follow the story of the German submarine fleet to its end in May 1945. In particular, it gives the details of the 33 U-boats that surrendered at Loch Eriboll...' The Nautical Magazine -------------------- '... Containing a wealth of information, the author has clearly meticulously researched his work. Historical insights are littered throughout and include the German Surrender Document; detailed descriptions of the construction, service careers and circumstances of each surrendered U-boat... A fascinating read.' Sea Breezes -------------------- '...covers the surrender of some 160 German U-boats on active patrol in the North Atlantic in May 1945. ...lists and details of each U-boat there are however, diary extracts which underline the extreme bravery and privation endured by the U-boat crews.' The Little Ship v 'The author has assembled a fascinating amount of 'personal recollections' from both German and Allied people, he looks at the naval escorts involved - 21st Escort Group and the 9th Canadian Escort Group and details every U-boat that visited Loch Eriboll. Most fascinating is the author's selection of 'contemporary information' in the form of extracts from how 'The Scotsman' newspaper saw it. An excellent book covering a significant naval event in the immediate days following the ending of combat against Nazi Germany.' Warships -------------------- '...well researched book... ...this fascinating book describes how the surrender of the U boat fleet was put in place...' Ships Monthly -------------------- '...well researched, fact filled and eminently readable account of this mass surrender... David Hird's excellent book highlights a little known period at the end of the war when the "Grey Wolves" were temporary visitors. It comes highly recommended.' The Northern Times -------------------- '...a highly readable narrative. ... Hird is proving to be an excellent chronicler of modern history of Sutherland and this book is a welcome addition to the literature of the area.' Am Bratach

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Book SynopsisRecounted with his usual level of meticulous historical research, Rod weaves an easily readable account of the build-up to and implementation of Operation Desecrate 1 - the raid undertaken to destroy Japanese ships and aircraft in the lagoons of Palau. He uses his intimate knowledge of shipwrecks to reveal in glorious detail each of the 20 major Japanese WWII shipwrecks lying at the bottom of the Palauan lagoons today. On 30th March, 1944 Grumman F6F Hellcat fighters made an Initial fighter sweep of the lagoon to destroy Japanese air cover. Simultaneously Grumman Avenger torpedo-bombers dropped mines and successive group strikes of torpedo bombers and dive-bombers sank the shipping and destroyed the airfields. Palau was neutralised as a Japanese naval and air base in a repeat of the same Task Force 58 raid, Operation Hailstone, on Truk Lagoon 1,000 miles to the east just six weeks earlier. A number of long-lost wrecks have recently been relocated including a Japanese freighter filled with depth charges and Army helmets. This was found in 1989 but remained unidentified until now - after painstaking research Rod reveals her identify for the first time in the book. Each wreck is covered in detail and is supported by underwater photography and by fabulous illustrations by renowned artist Rob Ward. The shipwrecks of Palau are now revealed.Trade Review'Each of the main wrecks is supported by carefully researched recording of the vessel's history and final demise, together with excellent colour photographs, artist's illustrations and the essential details needed to support a dive. So if you are heading for a dive holiday there, lucky you, and you will need to take this book with you'. Warship World -------------------- 'Rod Macdonald's books are always eagerly awaited, and it is the level of detail that wreck-dive enthusiasts relish. His latest offering Dive Palau: The Shipwrecks, is no exception. ...sits perfectly alongside Dive Truk Lagoon. ...I enjoyed this easy-to-read book from cover to cover, but it would work equally well to dip into for reference'. Diver -------------------- '...a rather magnificent coverage of an action taken on 30 March 1944 in WWII on the island of Palau. ... He has managed in such books to admirably blend a combination of historical research, capable writing, and excellent illustrations. These works add a new dimension to understanding their subject matter, and should be considered well beyond the concepts of "dive books." Highly recommended'. Australian Naval Institute -------------------- 'Indispensable guide to wreck diving in this remote Pacific atoll. ...this is as near a definitive wreck diving guide as you'll ever read. ...the level of technical research in this book is breathtaking. Details such as when an attack was launched, the weight of explosive charge used or the exact power output of a Zero fighter. It's dizzying. ...a phenomenal record. ...brings an almost forgotten piece of war history firmly to life, and knowing exactly what happened in Palau - and why - would add an important new dimension to diving there. If you have an expedition planned, read Rod's book before you go'. British Diver -------------------- 'Diver Rod Macdonald became intrigued by the ship [Helmet Wreck] while researching his latest book Dive Palau - The Shipwrecks, which catalogues a series of wrecks found in the waters around the small Micronesian nation and the history of how they got there'. The Herald -------------------- '...the ideal resource for wreck divers to discover Palau in a different way. ...well-written, so you do not have to struggle through difficult texts and you will be glued to the text until the minute'. Duiken -------------------- `…displays his breadth of knowledge of the numerous ship and plane wrecks scattered around the theatre of the Pacific. … this is a well-researched and readable volume, which present a soundly considered introduction for those interested in World War II history. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in increasing their knowledge of Palau’s history and the Pacific conflict, or the archaeology of deep-water warship sites’. International Journal of Maritime History

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Book SynopsisThis is a very British story from more than 50 years ago. It is a story of remarkable technological ambition from a different country than is seen today. It was an era in which the country adjusted to decolonisation and a dangerous nuclear arms race close to home. The maturing Cold War engineers of the British aviation industry sought to outdo the nationally-celebrated and frankly propagandised achievements of their fathers' generation. Meanwhile, black and white post-war austerity was being replaced by the colour and rhythms of the swinging sixties. For everyone, engineers or otherwise, the country was changing fast. Britain and the Bomb tells one of the great British stories from the Cold War - the transition of the nuclear deterrent from the Royal Air Force to the Royal Navy. The author draws upon insights from the laboratories, the military, popular culture and from politicians to make sense of a complex time and to challenge some widely-held perceptions that Britain in the 1960s lost her technical ambition and ability. Rather than industrial chaos and short-termist leadership, there is instead a story of shrewd, but pragmatic, moves in the chess game that was the Cold War. The author looks at how Britain saw the role of nuclear weapons, providing insights for the decisions that now lie ahead for Britain in the twenty-first century. The story pivots around a single day in April 1965. The recently-established Labour government very publicly cancelled the much-vaunted TSR2 nuclear strike bomber, causing dismay among aviation enthusiasts. The passing decades have done little to diminish the controversy and a pervasive sense of nostalgic melancholy about a lost Britain. What really happened to the TSR2 and more importantly what happened in the years that followed? By taking a wider view, the merit of the 1965 decision is apparent, providing better understanding of the even bolder and more ambitious decisions that were needed into the 1970s. Those bold actions were once highly secret and are still not widely-known or understood. While Britain very publicly cancelled her strike bomber ambitions she very secretly pursued a different nuclear weapons project: the `Chevaline' upgrade of the submarine-based nuclear deterrent. That engineering success deserves to be remembered. This is a fascinating book that takes us back to a time of British boffins, supersonic test pilots, mods, rockers and Cold War spies.Trade Review'This is a good, readable volume...' Aeroplane -------------------- '...does a good job of providing a detailed account of the development of the TRS2 and its cancellation... If you're interested in the TSR2 project this book is for you'. The Naval Review -------------------- 'W.J. Nuttall's fascinating account of technology and culture surrounding one often overlooked aspect of the Cold War: the nuclear strike bomber TSR2, which in April 1965 was cancelled by the Labour government. ... Where Nuttall excels is by placing the Cold War in a social and technological context that invites the reader to come to a closer understanding of why this complex aspect of recent history...is so important. It's also a vital parable for our time'. E&T, Engineering and Technology -------------------- '...this is an interesting read...' The Aviation Historian------------------‘For those of us who haven’t thought too deeply about nuclear warfare recently it is a timely reminder…It is a very good book, well written and well researched, covering a wide range of topics. It is timely and I suggest that you buy a copy for the young people in your lives’. Army Rumour Service, ARRSE

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Book SynopsisWritten originally in 1936–38 by Admiral Cumberlege as a record of his life, Salt Horse was never published. The original manuscript has been expertly edited and made readable in terms of language to a modern audience. It now comprises chapters on Cumberlege’s naval career in the RN and Royal Australian Navy and also on the 1922–38 period when he lived year-round on two large sailing craft, cruising the coasts of France and Spain. Cumberlege writes with some verve. He has strong views, made numerous friends wherever he and his second wife Nora went, and lived a spirited, irreverent and fortunate existence in peace and war. Some of his stories (for instance, about WW1 in New Guinea, or about his 1905 lunch in Gibraltar as a young officer with Kaiser Wilhelm II) are historic and eye-catching. In many ways, the book describes a world, and a way of life, that has disappeared for ever. Salt Horse is complemented with a timeline, family tree and Introduction which trace Cumberlege’s background. An Afterword takes his life story from 1938–63 when he died. The numerous black-and-white images and short footnotes bring many of the people mentioned in the text to life.

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Book SynopsisPublished months before the Battle of Jutland, W. M. James'' book was originally published as New Battleship Organisations. It was considered the ultimate guide to command and organization of every aspect of a modern First World War capital ship. Now republished as The Royal Navy Officer''s Jutland Pocket-Manual 1916, this reprint marks the centenary of the First World War''s most famous and deadly naval encounter. This small, but infinitely interesting manual provides a unique and highly revealing insight into life aboard ship: the mechanics of command and seamanship, the issuing of orders, and the broad expectations placed upon British naval officers. Specific sections are dedicated to the organization of watches; the division of work; naval routine; parades; anchor and cable work; coaling; the organization of chapel; on-board shops; cleaning; and even the ship''s barbers. A series of detailed tables, diagrams, and humorous cartons accompany the lucid, period language of the First World War Senior Service and provide a further glimpse below-deck that will appeal to social and family historians as well as anyone with an interest in naval history.

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Book SynopsisGalley is a unique new cookbook that will resonate with anyone who has a connection to the Royal Navy, as well as keen cooks who enjoy entertaining and cooking restaurant-quality food. It shines a light on the incredible skill and talent found within this demanding industry, thanks to the contributions of 20 professional chefs - all with a connection to the Royal Navy - who have shared their recipes and career journeys. The book also features a foreword by The Princess Royal, patron of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity, and a recipe by Michel Roux Jr. It's pages are packed with insights into Navy life and traditions, from the strictly observed toasts of Trafalgar Night, commemorating Lord Admiral Nelson's victory in battle, to the story of how a handwritten recipe book by a naval chef in World War II came to light. Galley offers inspiration and information in a book like no other that supports a highly deserving cause.

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Book SynopsisHelicopters have been going to sea with the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm for over 70 years. Initially used for search and rescue (SAR) duties from aircraft carriers, the rapid development of both the helicopters and service experience resulted in them taking on the vital anti-submarine (and later anti-ship) attack roles. The 1956 Suez campaign saw the first operational use of Whirlwind helicopters for the insertion of troops by air into a battle zone, a capability which was expanded with more helicopters such as the Wessex, Sea King and today's Merlin. Through their vital role in the 1960s Indonesian Confrontation, the Commando helicopter force became universally referred to as the 'Junglies', by which name they are still known today. It is often said that if either of the 1982 Task Force aircraft carriers had been lost the Falklands War could not have been won. The same would surely have been true without helicopters. Their vital tasks, including inserting Special Forces behind enemy lines, protecting the Task Force from Exocet missile attack and recovering wounded troops whilst under enemy fire, are rightly hailed as being instrumental. At home, the essential SAR effort by both the Royal Navy and their RAF counterparts has resulted in incredible stories of saving lives against the odds. Royal Navy destroyers and frigates have also long since benefitted from having their own helicopter Flight aboard. Frequently operating in extremes of weather, flying a Wasp, Lynx or today's Wildcat from and back to a heaving deck is every bit as risky as flying fixed-wing aircraft off the carriers of old using the cat and trap system. Once dismissed as a novelty, the helicopter has more than proved itself. Indeed, for ten years until the arrival of the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers, the Fleet Air Arm's operational force was entirely rotary-wing. Today's Merlins and Wildcats, with their dedicated aircrew, maintenance and support staff continue to demonstrate just how vital an asset the helicopter has become. Here are the words of the men and women themselves, skilfully brought to life by Steve Bond and profusely illustrated in colour and b/w.

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Book SynopsisThe RAF's continuing role in the projection of air power in the defence of the United Kingdom and its overseas interests since the end of the Second World War is well known. However, the same cannot always be said about the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm (FAA), in part due to the ten-year gap between the retirement of the Harrier and the arrival of the F-35B and the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers. Flying high performance aircraft off a carrier demands not only a high level of skill, but also a considerable amount of courage and determination, not least to land back on a very small piece of real estate bobbing about in a rough sea, often at night, with no possibility of diversion. The nature of these operations has meant that the accident rate and aircrew losses were very high - and accepted as part of the job. With the arrival of the Queen Elizabeth and the Prince of Wales, it is time to redress the balance and bring the FAA's extraordinary story to the audience it so richly deserves through the words of those air and ground crews who have been part of it since 1945. What emerges is an amazing close-knit esprit de corps, often accompanied by a long-standing and still simmering rivalry between the RAF and the Royal Navy over who should project air power overseas. Enormous respect is shown by the aviators and ships' senior officers for the aircraft handlers and maintainers, who work long hours in a highly dangerous environment on the flight deck. This first volume looks chronologically at every aircraft type flown in an air defence role since 1945. Involvement in conflicts including Korea, Suez, the Falklands, Bosnia and elsewhere is included, and perforce the cost in human lives, even in everyday operations, frequently emerges. Balancing this are the everyday grind, the good times, the humour, the 'runs ashore' and the sense of pride in a job well done. All delivered in the words of the men themselves.Trade ReviewPraise for Fleet Air Arm Boys Volume One "A kaleidoscopic collection of photographs, mainly from personal archives, help to make this book a 'thriller' in its own right." Pennant, Spring 2021 "Well up to the excellent Grub Street standard, this is a worthy addition to the series." Flypast, Product of the Month - April 2020

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Book SynopsisSteve Bond is back with the final volume in this popular series. Unlike his previous three tomes, with their focus on air/rotorcraft, this book is uniquely dedicated to the personnel of the Fleet Air Arm (FAA) themselves. Each chapter will concentrate on the memories of contributors who served in a range of roles, including those below the flight deck. Accounts will focus on the everyday life upon an aircraft carrier as well as the extraordinary challenges faced during operations. There is a fascinating chapter covering exchange services with the RAF and other navies including the French and US; and also insight into the Indian navy’s experience with the Sea Hawk and Sea Harrier. Within the previous volumes, we met some remarkable characters and there is a chapter devoted to people’s memories of them. The closing section entitled ‘Thoughts’ sees contributors reflect on their FAA career with many deeply moving responses and discourses on the future of the service. The book is heavily illustrated throughout in colour and black and white with personal photographs from the contributors, artwork and tongue-in-cheek cartoons for which the FAA is famous. Volume Four is the perfect conclusion to the ongoing post-war story of a truly astounding branch of the armed forces.

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Book Synopsis"The place where the German U-boat sank the British battleship Royal Oak was none other than the middle of Scapa Flow, Britain's greatest naval base! It sounds incredible..." - William L Shirer, journalist, 18 October 1939 Sinking the battleship HMS Royal Oak in the Royal Navy’s home anchorage, with the loss of more than 800 of her crew, was Germany’s first shattering blow against Britain in the 1939-45 war. Within six weeks the long-standing German dream of breaching the defences of Scapa Flow had been achieved. After years of misinformation, propaganda and conspiracy theories, this meticulously researched book reveals what really happened.

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Book Synopsis"A WW2 heroine." - Dan Snow Love, duty and true-life adventure in the shadow of the Second World War Christian Lamb is one of the last surviving Wren Officers to have served throughout the Second World War, from Blitz ravaged London, to the important Radar and Operations rooms and undertaking a vital role in D Day. Escaping both the Spanish Flu pandemic when she was born and the pandemic we are emerging from today, she has reached the impressive age of 101. Now she leads us through the story of her extraordinary life and the wartime experiences of her fellow Wrens.Trade Review"An extraordinary life." -- Liz EarleEngaging, interesting and really well written, this book is a great read for anyone interested in the experiences of the young women who joined the WRNS during WW2. The author writes about her life but has also included the stories of others too. With fascinating details of daily life in the services, as well as stories of those she met along the journey. A really enjoyable and engaging book for anyone interested in this period. An important piece of our history. * Netgalley *"A WW2 heroine." * Dan Snow *"This was the best kind of memoir, as the author's writing style made me feel like we were friends just sitting and having a conversation about her many experiences. I prefer this warm and fuzzy type of memoir over the ones that are written more like a history book." * Netgalley *

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Book SynopsisThe Russian missile cruiser ''Moskva'', until 1995 called ''Slava'', was the first unit of a very interesting type of ship of the project 1164, characterized by, inter alia, 16 anti-ship missile launchers set inclined in the bow section. Project 1164 missile cruisers, which, apart from ''Moskva'', also include ''Varyag'' (ex-''Red Ukraine''), ''Marshal Ustinov'' (ex-''Admiral Lobov'') and ''Ukraine'' (ex-''Komsomolets'', ex-''Fleet Admiral Lobov''), when they entered service, were considered to be among the best in their class. They had enormous firepower, and thanks to their technologically advanced missiles, they were called ''aircraft carrier killers'', due to their primary purpose, which was to destroy American aircraft carriers.''Moskva'' gained its notoriety thanks to the spectacular sinking which took place during the hostilities during the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. After she fired on Snake Island on February 24, whose personnel refused to lay down their arms, on April 13, 2022, she was hit by two anti-ship missiles. At that time, approximately 60 nautical miles south of Odessa, the cruiser was badly damaged. A fire broke out and ammunition exploded.

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Book SynopsisThis series of books provides details of all USN warships from 1893 to the present day. Every class and individual ship has an entry providing details of its procurement, dimensions, and characteristics, and a summary of each ship's history and development. Profusely illustrated with photos. An essential manual for all US Navy enthusiasts and historians.

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Book SynopsisThis series of books provides details of all USN warships from 1893 to the present day. Every class and individual ship has an entry providing details of the procurement, dimensions and characteristics, and a summary of each ship's history and development. Profusely illustrated with photos. An essential manual for all US Navy enthusiasts and historians.This is volume four, part two - Destroyers (1918-1937).

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Book SynopsisThe American battleship USS “California” has almost thirty years of extraordinary history. Built in 1921, it was one of the most powerful battleships of the US Navy in the interwar period. It was characterised by an interesting and harmonious silhouette, which changed significantly several times. During the war, despite its age, the ship was still modern and heavily armed. The USS “California”, known among naval enthusiasts and often chosen by modellers, became the subject of another study by Witold Koszela, who in a series of precise drawings recreated the silhouette of this battleship from the Second World War. On 24 A4 pages and 2 folded sheets we can find a historical description, technical data and professional drawings showing the ship in the years 1944–1945, as well as drawings of superstructures, armaments and details, together with sectional views and color charts.Trade ReviewThe book would be very useful for the modeller and for readers who love this sort of scaled drawing and exploded view… * Miniature Wargames *

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Book SynopsisSuzutsuki (Japanese large World War II destroyer) Akizuki type, in service from 1943 to the end of the war. "Suzutsuki" was the third ship in a series of large Akizuki-type destroyers specifically designed as anti-aircraft defense ships, whose main armament consisted of 8 universal guns of 100 mm caliber, with excellent ballistic characteristics.

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Book SynopsisPrepare to embark on an extraordinary journey into the heart of naval warfare during World War II with Graphic War Navy. Following the success of Graphic War: The Secret Aviation Drawings and Illustrations of World War II, Donald Nijboer unveils a treasure trove of top-secret drawings that have remained unpublished.

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Book SynopsisThe story of the USS Missouri is told from her inception in 1940, through WWII kamikaze attacks, to her being the location of the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945

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Book SynopsisThe full visual history of the special forces combat diver from World War II to the present day.Combat divers are an elite within an elite. Every special forces combat diver is required to pass selection twice first into the elite military unit and then a combat diving qualification. The combat dive units themselves are tiny and the operations highly classified. The role of a military diver is inevitably a lonely and a dangerous one, whether clearing mines or striking from the sea against enemy-held targets. Fully illustrated with rare and unusual images, Combat Divers reveals their little-known yet fascinating operations, from Dutch Special Forces combat divers covertly operating against Somali pirates to the actions of Soviet Spetsnaz divers in Swedish territorial waters during the Cold War. It also examines how the most famous units, such as the US Navy SEALs and the Royal Navy''s SBS, are currently operating and adapting to threats in a multitude of theatres. CombTrade ReviewA wide ranging and well-presented look into the murky world of military divers. * The Armourer *Altogether a superb effort putting the spotlight on some of the world's toughest undersea operators. * Warships IFR *Well-crafted and stimulating read, this is a fitting tribute to some extraordinary people - highly recommended. * Navy Books *This is a positive addition to the library of combat diving, and should be of great interest to civilians who are intrigued by this clandestine genre of warfare, as well as useful to non-specialist officers and senior ratings who interface with the organisations who employ such personnel. * The Naval Review *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Acronyms and Abbreviations Introduction Chapter 1. Frogmen: The Beginning Chapter 2. Experimental Diving Chapter 3. Combined Operations Pilotage Parties Chapter 4. Far East Operations Chapter 5. Scandinavia Targeted Chapter 6. Special Forces Diver Units Chapter 7. Female Military Divers Chapter 8. Special Forces Diver Selection and Training Chapter 9. Combat Diver Infiltration Options Chapter 10. Anti-Terrorism and Piracy Chapter 11. Mine and Bomb Disposal Chapter 12. Swimmer Delivery Vehicles and Dry Deck Shelters Chapter 13. Mini-Submarines Chapter 14. Combat Divers’ Equipment Chapter 15. Weapons Underwater Chapter 16. Marine Mammals at War Chapter 17. Remote and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles Chapter 18. Undersea Spying and Sabotage Chapter 19. The Future Further Reading and Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisNaval operations and warfare were (and remain) a key element for mapping. This beautiful book looks at a series of key conflicts from the sixteenth century to the present day and explains how they were represented through mapping and how the maps produced helped naval commanders to plan their strategy. There are plentiful maps and a good story to tell, both about naval history and about mapping at sea. Conflicts covered include the the American Revolution, Spanish Armada, the Napoleonic Wars, the First and Second World Wars, and the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

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Book SynopsisIn the years between 1776 and 1815, grand square-rigged sailing ships dominated warfare on the high seas. Fighting Sail is a tabletop wargame of fleet battles in this age of canvas, cannon, and timbers. Players take on the roles of fleet admirals from one of eight different national fleets: America, Britain, France, Spain, The Netherlands, Portugal, Russia and Sweden in battles ranging from the American War of Independence to the Napoleonic Wars and the War of 1812. Each fleet has access to different ships, tactics, and command personalities - each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Offering a unique blend between detail and simplicity, the scenarios included enable the recreation of historic actions or ''what-if'' scenarios. Join the battle and experience the adventurous age of the fighting sail!Table of ContentsIntroduction/ Basic Rules/ Optional Rules/ Fleet Lists/ Scenarios/ Counters

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Book SynopsisA dramatic blow-by-blow account of the defeat of the Spanish Armada by the English fleet - a tale of daring and disaster on the high seas by one of our best narrative historians.After the accession of Elizabeth I in 1558, Protestant England was beset by the hostile Catholic powers of Europe - not least Spain. In October 1585 King Philip II of Spain declared his intention to destroy Protestant England and began preparing invasion plans, leading to an intense intelligence war between the two countries, culminating in the dramatic sea battles of 1588.Robert Hutchinson's tautly written book is the first to examine this battle for intelligence, and uses everything from contemporary eye-witness accounts to papers held by the national archives in Spain and the UK to recount the dramatic battle that raged up the English Channel. Contrary to popular theory, the Armada was not defeated by superior English forces - in fact, Elizabeth I's parsimony meant that her ships had no munitions left by the time the Armada had fought its way up to the south coast of England. In reality it was a combination of inclement weather and bad luck that landed the killer blow on the Spanish forces, and of the 125 Spanish ships that set sail against England, only 60 limped home - the rest sunk or wrecked with barely a shot fired.Trade ReviewThe victory of the English navy over the Spanish Armada in 1588 is one of those defining moments in our history, a shining example, so the story goes, of British pluck and determination to succeed against almost overwhelming odds. Well no, not really, says historian Robert Hutchinson in his revelatory new book. Instead he argues that the Spanish forces were defeated by a combination of bad weather, poor strategy and sheer ill fortune * CHOICE *Napoleon once called history "a fiction that men agree to believe". The Spanish Armada is a case in point, as Robert Hutchinson ably demonstrates in this cogent, readable account of the attempted invasion of England by the Spanish forces in 1588... Hutchinson tells this bloody, brilliant story authoritatively and without sentiment, revealing a real 'game of thrones' that shames the TV series for drama, ruthless ambition and grand enterprise * YOUR FAMILY TREE *The author does a magnificent job of describing the military campaign from Drake's daring raid on Cadiz to the critical battle of Gravelines, but he also shows what a close-run thing it was, and how Elizabeth was not supported unanimously by her own council and nobles. He also argues convincingly that, in terms of intelligence, and particularly the role played by her spymaster Francis Walsingham, this was a truly modern war * GOOD BOOK GUIDE *In a book which successfully weaves together the different elements of the dramatic story, Robert Hutchinson, making use of fresh research (not least his own), sets out to consider the background and the events themselves, using all the evidence now available to historians * THE TABLET *This is a well-written book by an accomplished author and its true strength lies in its skilful presentation of the period context. The account of the Spanish Armada and its unfortunate progress into battle and eventual ruin is well worth reading. Hutchinson places us in the centre of intrigue and action... This is history soaked in blood and bedecked with guts * WARSHIPS INTERNATIONAL FLEET REVIEW *

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Book SynopsisFour pipes and flush decks these ships were a distinctively American destroyer design. Devised immediately prior to and during the United States' involvement in World War I they dominated the US Navy's destroyer forces all the way through to World War II. They were deployed on North Atlantic and Norwegian Sea convoys, and virtually everywhere in the Pacific, from Alaska to Australia. Fifty were given to Great Britain in its hour of need in 1940, and many would serve in other navies, fighting under the Soviet, Canadian, Norwegian, and even the Imperial Japanese flags. They also served in a variety of roles becoming seaplane tenders, high-speed transports, minesweepers and minelayers. One was even used as a self-propelled mine during Operation Chariot, destroying the dry dock at St. Nazaire.Fully illustrated throughout with commissioned artwork and contemporary photographs, this volume reveals the operational history of these US Navy ships that fought with dist

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Book SynopsisUSS New Jersey saw combat during WWII and the Korean War and was the only battleship of any nation to see service during the Vietnam War.

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Book SynopsisThis volume refutes the notion that homosexuality is imcompatible with military service and that gay personnel would undermine order and discipline. Contributors seek to show that the ban on homosexual personnel could successfully be eliminated, and they set forth a programme for implementation.Table of ContentsPreface 1: Social Science, Sexual Orientation, and Military Personnel Policy Gregory M. Herek 2: Sexual Orientation and Proscribed Sexual Behaviors Janet Lever, David E. Kanouse. 3: Sexual Orientation and the Military: Some Legal Considerations Peter D. Jacobson 4: Integration of Women in the Military: Parallels to the Progress of Homosexuals? Patricia J. Thomas, Marie D. Thomas. 5: Applying Lessons Learned from Minority Integration in the Military Michael R. Kauth, Dan Landis. 6: The Experience of Foreign Militaries Paul A. Gade, David R. Segal, Edgar M. Johnson. 7: Lessons Learned from the Experience of Domestic Police and Fire Departments Paul Koegel 8: Sexual Orientation and Military Cohesion: A Critical Review of the Evidence Robert J. MacCoun 9: The Deconstruction of Stereotypes: Homosexuals and Military Policy Theodore R. Sarbin 10: Why Tell If You're Not Asked? Self-Disclosure, Intergroup Contact, and Heterosexuals' Attitudes Toward Lesbians and Gay Men Gregory M. Herek 11: Sexual Modesty, the Etiquette of Disregard, and the Question of Gays and Lesbians in the Military Lois Shawver 12: Issues of Confidentiality: Therapists, Chaplains, and Health Care Providers Jeffrey E. Barnett, Timothy B. Jeffrey. 13: Implementing Policy Changes in Large Organizations: The Case of Gays and Lesbians in the Military Gail L. Zellman 14: The President, the Congress, and the Pentagon: Obstacles to Implementing the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Policy Lawrence J. Korb Conclusion Gregory M. Herek, Jared B. Jobe, Ralph M. Carney. About the Contributors Index

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Book SynopsisFrom the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Boys in the Boat comes the gripping untold story of one of the most heroic units that fought in World War IIOn December 7th 1941, the Japanese Navy bombed Pearl Harbor. For many Americans, the surprise attack was a call to arms - but for the soldier sons of Japanese-American immigrant parents, it brought prejudice and scrutiny over where their loyalties lay. In Facing the Mountain, Daniel James Brown tells the unforgettable story of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the Japanese-American heroes who displayed incredible courage on the brutal battlefields of Europe. Achieving the impossible in often near-suicidal missions, including rescuing a 'lost battalion' surrounded by Nazis in the French mountains, the 442nd went on to become one of the most decorated units in history. Yet at the same time, their parents were put in camps and stripped of their livelihoods, and an equally brave battle was being fought in the courtroom back home.Trade Review'My favourite kind of history book: grippingly written, full of incredible drama, and focussing on individuals rather than numbers and statistics. The 442nd Nisei Regiment who fought so brilliantly up through Italy really were forgotten heroes of a forgotten campaign, but through painstaking research and brilliant story-telling, Daniel James Brown has put the flesh back onto these men. Facing the Mountain is a terrific book' -- James HollandMasterful and beautifully written. Facing the Mountain is truly revelatory - secret history at its very best. Daniel James Brown's book tells of untold courage and sacrifice that should celebrated and never forgotten -- Damien Lewis'Extraordinary ... the author is to be congratulated for bringing to life the story of these "forgotten heroes" of the Second World War. I can see the movie already' -- Saul David * The Times *'This is the campaign diary of the one of the most forgotten, and important, minorities in the Allied Forces in the Second World War. Japanese-American soldiers and units fought across the Mediterranean, Western Europe and South East Asia, though more than 120,000 of their kin were detained as enemy aliens back home in the States. The book evokes the setting for desperate fighting with a terrific sense of location, and there are stories of heroism, danger, desperation and little deeds of common humanity - extraordinary actions by ordinary people, in the web of extraordinary times. The book is a wonderful testament to them all' -- Robert Fox, author of We Were There'A masterwork of American history that will change the way we look at World War II. You don't just read a Daniel James Brown story - you go there. Facing the Mountain is lump-in-the-throat territory, page after page' -- Adam Makos, author of A Higher Call'Daniel James Brown has done it again. A must-read contribution to the history of the 20th century. I'll never look at the World War II story in the same light' -- Timothy Egan'Facing the Mountain arrives at the perfect time, to remind us of the true meaning of patriotism. In Daniel James Brown's gifted hands, these overlooked American heroes are getting the glory they deserve. Read this book and know their stories' -- Mitchell Zukoff, author of Lost in Shangri-La'Riveting. Facing the Mountain is book that is as much about the present as it is about the past. In it are vital lessons about courage, truth, justice, and an abiding love of country. Drawing on impeccable historic research, the narrative movingly shines the light of history on prejudice and discrimination and the unfinished struggle for a more just future' -- Ann Burroughs, President & CEO, Japanese American National Museum'This virtuoso history weaves together the experiences of Japanese-American soldiers fighting in Europe and their interned families back in the U.S. to create an illuminating and spirited portrait of courage under fire' (Starred Review) * Publishers Weekly *'A must-read. You will not be able to put it down' -- Scott Oki'A deft and ambitious storyteller' * New York Times Book Review *'Daniel James Brown tackles this important story with the same impressive narrative talent and research that made The Boys in the Boat, an enduring bestseller ... The centerpieces of Facing the Mountain are the wrenching, on-the-ground descriptions of battles fought by the 442nd in Europe... every reader will admire the resilience that allowed these soldiers to create communities within the internment camps and to play such a pivotal role in the defeat of the Nazis' * BookPage *'Facing the Mountain is more than just the story of a group of young men whose valor helped save a country that spurned them, it's a fascinating, expertly written look at selfless heroes who emerged from one of the darkest periods of American history - soldiers the likes of which this country may never see again' * NPR *'Brown combines history with humanity in a tense, tender and well-researched study of the lives disrupted and disregarded by misperceptions and misinformation. Ain't no mountain high enough to keep young men such as Rudy Tokiwa of Salinas; 'Kats" Miho of Kahului, Hawaii; Fred Shiosaki of Spokane, Wash.; and Gordon Hirabayashi of Seattle from doing what is morally right' * San Francisco Chronicle *'Rich storytelling and deep historical research about the Japanese American experience are the essence of Facing the Mountain. Although the book graphically describes the horrors of battle, it spotlights stories of heroism and endurance' * Christian Science Monitor *

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Book SynopsisStarting in 1952, the United States Navy and Coast Guard actively recruited Filipino men to serve as stewards--domestic servants for officers. Oral histories and detailed archival research inform P. James Paligutan's story of the critical role played by Filipino sailors in putting an end to race-based military policies. Constrained by systemic exploitation, Filipino stewards responded with direct complaints to flag officers and chaplains, rating transfer requests that flooded the bureaucracy, and refusals to work. Their actions had a decisive impact on seagoing military's elimination of the antiquated steward position. Paligutan looks at these Filipino sailors as agents of change while examining the military system through the lens of white supremacy, racist perceptions of Asian males, and the motives of Filipinos who joined the armed forces of the power that had colonized their nation. Insightful and dramatic, Lured by the American Dream is the untold story of how Filipino servicepersTrade Review"I greatly enjoyed reading this well-crafted, sophisticated, and deeply moving oral history and enthusiastically endorse its engagement in courses in U.S. history, migration studies, and labor analysis." --Pacific Historical Review"Accessible and sophisticated. Paligutan’s exploration of the recruitment and experiences of Filipino navy men is an excellent illustration of how economic underdevelopment of the Philippines in the interests of US economic and political gain created the first of many pools of cheap Filipino migrant workers. Paligutan has done a fantastic job at weaving in an intersectional analysis of gender, particularly masculinity, throughout the book."--Valerie Francisco-Menchavez, author of The Labor of Care: Filipina Migrants and Transnational Families in the Digital Age

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Book SynopsisA riveting exploration of the brilliant, combative, and controversial “Father of the Nuclear Navy”Trade Review“Marc Wortman delivers a 17-gun salute to this short, profane spitfire who pulled a reluctant Navy into the atomic era. . . . Wortman opens a window into the life of an intellectual titan disdainful of nearly everything except scientific honesty, his adopted nation, and the power of the atom.”—Jonathan W. Jordan, Wall Street JournalAwarded the John Lyman Book Award honorable mention in the category of Naval and Maritime Biography and Autobiography, sponsored by the North American Society for Oceanic HistoryWinner of the 2023 Captain Richard Lukaszewicz Memorial Book Award, sponsored by the U.S. Military History Group“A superb and even-handed treatment of a complex, brilliant, and driven admiral who inspired both awe and loathing across the Navy he fundamentally reshaped. Rickover’s raw accomplishments in delivering nuclear power afloat changed the US Navy forever and remain seminal today.”—Admiral James Stavridis, former supreme commander, NATO, and author of 2034“Hyman Rickover is justifiably known as the ‘Father of the Nuclear Navy.’ Marc Wortman provides a lively, deeply informed, and revealing portrait of this remarkable man, warts and all.”—David Holloway, author of Stalin and the Bomb

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisBuilt of plywood and measuring 115 feet long, powered by four supercharged petrol engines and armed to the teeth with heavy weapons, the ''D'' Class Motor Gun Boats (MGBs) and Motor Torpedo Boats (MTBs) were better known as Dog Boats and played havoc with enemy shipping in home and foreign waters. During three years of war they engaged the enemy on more than 350 occasions, sinking and damaging many ships. Dog Boats at War is the authoritative account of operations by the Royal Navy''s ''D'' Class MGBs and MTBs in the Second World War in Home, Mediterranean and Norwegian waters. As well as drawing on official records - both British and German - the author has contacted several hundred Dog Boat veterans whose eye witness accounts add drama to the unfolding story.

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Book SynopsisThis book examines the origins of the U.S. Navy's 2007 Maritime Strategy, the formation of the U.S. government's Pivot to Asia strategy, and the most recent revisions to this strategy that focus more specifically on China. The book also explores the internal and external repercussions on the U.S. Navy of the Pivot to Asia.

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Book SynopsisIn July 1936 a military revolt brought civil war to Spain; it erupted into a bitter political contest and a brutal land war which have been well covered by historians a less appreciated dimension of the conflict was the crucial role played by the navies of both sides. This new book describes and explores the naval operations that played out over thirty-eight months and spread well beyond the seas of Spain. Spanish guns thundered off the English coast and as far south as the Bay of Guinea. Submarines lurked in the Aegean, waiting to torpedo ships bringing supplies from the Black Sea. To the west, operations extended into the Atlantic as warships searched for blockade runners and moved between the Bay of Biscay and the Mediterranean. The book begins by describing of the Spanish navy pre-war, then covers the generals' revolt of July 1936 and its effect in the fleet. Subsequent chapters deal with the naval war as it unfolded. It describes Franco's attempts to move the battle-hardened Sp

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Book SynopsisIn contrast to the voluminous literature on trench warfare, few scholarly works have been written on how the First World War was experienced at sea. The conditions of war challenged the Royal Navy''s position within British national identity and its own service ethos. This challenge took the form of a dialogue, fuelled by fear of civil unrest, between the discourses of paternalism from above and democratism from below. Laura Rowe explores issues of morale and discipline, using the contemporary language of discipline to shed light on key questions of how the service was able to absorb indiscipline with marked success through a subtle web of loyalties, history, ethos, traditions and customs, which were rooted in older notions of service but moulded by the new conditions of total war. In so doing, she provides not only a new methodological framework for understanding morale, but also military discipline and leadership.Trade Review'Laura Rowe's book fills major gaps in the multidisciplinary study of military endurance and in the historiography of the First World War. A meticulously researched examination of the Royal Navy's resilience during the hard war years, this is among the first modern in-depth analyses of morale in maritime conflict. Essential reading.' Alexander Watson, author of Enduring the Great War. Combat, Morale and Collapse in the German and British Armies, 1914–1918'Laura Rowe's book makes us rethink the relationship between British society and the Royal Navy during the First World War. An important contribution to the 'new naval history'.' Jan Rüger, author of Heligoland: Britain, Germany, and the Struggle for the North Sea'This careful, eloquent study of morale and discipline shows how, and why, the Royal Navy had its own, effective ways of handling the stress of war in 1914–18. At last, we have a study that places British sailors where they belong – at the heart of the Great War.' John Horne, Emeritus Fellow, Trinity College Dublin'Morale and Discipline in the Royal Navy is an impressive, and in many ways, a seminal work … [it] is a thoroughly well researched and argued social history that presents a fresh view on the First World War and a new framework for examining concepts of morale.' Alexander Maavara, Canadian Military HistoryTable of ContentsAcknowledgements; Introduction; 1. Ethos on the eve of war: the foundations of paternalism and democratism; 2. The structure of discipline and the spectre of indiscipline; 3. 'Addressing' pay and conditions; 4. Lower-deck societies, trade unions, and representation; 5. Counting unrest; Conclusion; Bibliography.

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Book SynopsisThe U-Boat campaign has a huge following. The only book on this unusual and vital aspect of U-Boat operations. A considerably expanded and revised edition of an earlier book published in the UK, USA and Germany.

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Book SynopsisAt the start of the 20th century the Ottoman Navy was a shadow of its former might, a reflection of the empire as a whole - the Sick Man of Europe. Years of defeat, nepotism, and neglect had left the Ottoman Navy with a mix of obsolete vessels, whilst the list of prospective enemies was ever-growing. An increasing Russian naval presence in the Black Sea and the alarming emergence of Italy and Greece as regional Naval powers proved beyond all doubt that intensive modernization was essential, indeed, the fate of the Empire as a naval power depended on it. So the Ottoman Navy looked to the ultimate naval weapon of the age, the dreadnought, two of which were ordered from the British. But politics intervened, and a succession of events culminated in the Ottoman Navy fielding a modern German battlecruiser and state-of-the-art light cruiser instead - with dramatic consequences. In this meticulous study, Ryan Noppen presents a fresh appraisal of the technical aspects and operations of the warsTable of ContentsIntroduction/ Ottoman Warships/ Operations/ Conclusion

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Book SynopsisIn November 1859, the French warship La Gloire was launched. 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. Britain, not to be outdone, launched her own ironclad the following year - HMS Warrior - which, when she entered service, became the most powerful warship in the world. Just like the Dreadnought half a century later, this ship changed the nature of naval warfare forever, and sparked a frantic arms race. The elegant but powerful Warrior embodied the technological advances of the early Victorian era, and the spirit of this new age of steam, iron and firepower. Fully illustrated with detailed cutaway artwork, this book covers the British ironclad from its inception and emergence in 1860, to 1875, a watershed year, which saw the building of a new generation of recognisably modern turreted battleships.Table of ContentsIntroduction /Design & Development /Tactical Requirements /Armour /Ordnance /Propulsion /Life on Board /Ironclads in Action /Specifications /Bibliography

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Book SynopsisA unique guide to this famous warship, collating authentic period sources including design notes and information for sailors to provide a unique guide to this famous warship.A familiar sight on the Thames at London Bridge, HMS Belfast is a Royal Navy light cruiser, launched in March 1938. Belfast was part of the British naval blockade against Germany and from November 1942 escorted Arctic convoys to the Soviet Union and assisted in the destruction of the German warship Scharnhorst. In June 1944 Belfast supported the Normandy landings and in 1945 was redeployed to the British Pacific Fleet. After the war she saw action in the Korean War and a number of other overseas actions. She has been part of the Imperial War Museum since 1978, with 250,000 visitors annually. This fascinating book comprises a series of documents that give information on the building of the ship, her wartime service history and life on board in a handy pocket-sized format, ideal as Trade ReviewA book deserving a salute! * Warship World *This is a gem of a book for anyone with the slightest interest in naval history. * Fly Navy – Fleet Air Arm Officers’ Association magazine *By reading this nifty little book before, during or after your visit to the legendary WW2 and Cold War veteran cruiser – a world of fascinating facts enhance the experience you are about to have, are enjoying or have recently had. * Warships Magazine *

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Book SynopsisThe tiny new state of the United Provinces of the Netherlands won its independence from the mighty Spanish empire by fighting and winning the Eighty Years'' War, from 1568 and 1648. In this long conflict, warfare on water played a much bigger role in determining the ultimate victor. On the high seas the fleet carved out a new empire, growing national income to such levels that it could continue the costly war for independence. Yet it was in coastal and inland waters that the most decisive battles were fought. Arguably the most decisive Spanish siege (Leiden, 1574) was broken by a fleet sailing to the rescue across flooded polders and the battle of Nieuwpoort in 1600, the largest successful invasion fleet before World War II, was one of the most decisive battle in western history. Using detailed full color artwork, this book shows how the Dutch navies fought worldwide in their war of independence, from Brazil to Indonesia, and from the Low Countries to Angola.Table of ContentsIntroduction /Chronology /High Seas /Coastal Waters /Rivers and Transport /Bibliography /Index

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Book SynopsisA new illustrated history and analysis of Italy''s World War II destroyers, a formidable foe for Allied forces attempting to attack the sea lanes between Italy and North Africa.The Italian Royal Navy (Regia Marine or RM) began the Second World War with one of the largest fleets in the world. Included in it was a total of 59 fleet destroyers, with others added during the war. These were a diverse collection of ships dating back to the First World War with large destroyers built to counter ships of similar size introduced in the French Navy (the RM''s historical enemy), and medium-sized ships which constituted the bulk of the destroyer force. RM destroyers were built for high speed, not endurance since they were only expected to operate inside the Mediterranean. They were also well-armed, but lacked radar.During the war, RM destroyers fought well. With the exception of a small force based in Abyssinia which fought a series of battles in the Red Sea againstTrade Review...a succinct and engaging account of Italy’s destroyers during World War II. -- Rear Admiral RG Melley * The Naval Review *Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION RM DESTROYER DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT RM destroyer weapons RM destroyer radar RM DESTROYERS AT WAR The Battle of Calabria The Battle of Cape Spartivento (Battle of Cape Teulada to the RM) Debacle at Matapan Convoy battles First and Second Battles of Sirte The final phase The Red Sea RM DESTROYERS Mirabello class Leone class Sella class Sauro class Turbine class Navigatori class Freccia class Folgore class Maestrale class Oriani class Soldati class (1st and 2nd series) Comandanti class ANALYSIS AND CONCLUSION BIBLIOGRAPHY INDEX

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Book SynopsisAlthough the Royal Navy did not invent the submarine, Norman Friedman's new book demonstrates how innovative the service was, to an extent which few will recognise. Its submarines performed well in combat in both world wars, and often in unheralded ways. Few will be aware that in 1914 Britain had the largest submarine fleet in the world, and that at the end of World War I it had some of the largest and most unusual of all submarines - whose origins and design are all detailed. During the First World War they virtually closed the Baltic to German iron ore traffic, and they helped block supplies to the Turkish army fighting at Gallipoli. British submarines were a major element in the North Sea battles, and they helped fight the U-boat menace. These roles led on to British submarine operations in World War II. Readers will be aware of the role of US submarines in strangling Japan, but perhaps not how British submarines in the Mediterranean fought a parallel costly but successful battle to strangle the German army in North Africa. Like their US counterparts, interwar British submariners were designed largely with the demands of a possible Pacific War, although that was not the war they fought. And the author shows how the demands of such a war, which would be fought over vast distances, collided with interwar British Government attempts to limit costs by holding down the size (and numbers) of submarines. It says much about the ingenuity of British submarine designers that they managed to meet their requirements despite enormous pressure on submarine size. As in other books in this series, the author demonstrates how a combination of evolving strategic and tactical requirements and evolving technology produced successive types of design. The Royal Navy was always painfully aware of the threat enemy submarines posed, and British submariners contributed heavily to the development of British anti-submarine tactics and technology, beginning with largely unknown efforts before the outbreak of World War I. Between the Wars British submariners exploited the new technology of sonar (Asdic), both to find and attack enemies and to avoid being attacked themselves. As a result, they pioneered submarine silencing, with important advantages to the US Navy as it observed the British. And it was a British submarine that pioneered the vital postwar use of submarines as anti-submarine weapons, sinking a U-boat while both were submerged. This feat was unique. Heavily illustrated with photos and original plans, this new volume from Norman Friedman, incorporating so much original analysis, will be eagerly awaited by naval historians and enthusiasts everywhere.

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