Naval forces and warfare Books

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.

Read more less

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.

Read more less

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

Read more less

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.

Read more less

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.

Read more less

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

Read more less

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

Read more less

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 *

Read more less

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

Read more less

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

Read more less

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.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe origins of 1/1250 and 1/200 scale models can be traced back to the first years of the twentieth century and their use as identification aids by the military during the First World War. When peace came the manufacturers aimed their increasingly sophisticated products at collectors, and ever since then acquiring, enhancing, modifying or scratch-building miniature ship models has been an avidly pursued hobby around the world. This new book focusses on models of the ships of the Second World War, probably the most popular subject for miniature model collectors, and the author, a well-known modeller himself, addresses all the practical issues that might confront those many collectors who like to enhance, convert, and modify their models, or even scratch-build models of ships not commercially available. The book covers both Allied and Axis warships, naval airplanes, merchant conversions and even an Italian armed schooner, and provides historic and technical information on the ships represented as well as practical advice on modelling them. The latter is extensive with twenty-five chapters covering everything from initial production techniques such as spin casting, silicon mould casting, resin casting, die-casting, plastic mould injection, and 3D printing through techniques for enhancing and modifying models to eventually researching and scratch-building an uncommon ship or type. The focus is always on particular vessels and the vast array covered by the author builds into a fascinating panorama of the vessels that fought across the world's oceans in that era. The combination of intriguing background and historical information, combined with detailed practical information and more than 300 stunning photographs will make this book irresistible to any collector or modeller and, indeed, to anyone with an interest in the navies of the Second World War.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFor the first time, this book tells the story of how naval air operations evolved into a vital element of the Royal Navy's ability to fight a three-dimensional war against both the Kriegsmarine and Luftwaffe. An integral part of RN, the Fleet Air Arm was not a large organisation, with only 406 pilots and 232 front-line aircraft available for operations in September 1939\. Nevertheless, its impact far outweighed its numbers -it was an RN fighter that shot down the first enemy aircraft of the war, and an RN pilot was the first British fighter 'ace' with 5 or more kills. The Fleet Air Arm's rollcall of achievements in northern waters went on to include the Norwegian Campaign, the crippling of _Bismarck_, the gallant sortie against _Scharnhorst_ and _Gneisenau_ as they passed through the Channel, air attacks on enemy E-boats in the narrow seas, air cover for the Russian convoys, air attacks that disabled _Tirpitz_, and strikes and minelaying operations against German shipping in the Norwegian littoral that continued until May 1945\. By the end of the war in Europe the FAA had grown to 3243 pilots and 1336 aircraft. This book sets all these varied actions within their proper naval context and both technical and tactical aspects are explained with 'thumb-nail' descriptions of aircraft, their weapons and avionics. Cross reference with the Fleet Air Arm Roll of Honour has been made for the first time to put names to those aircrew killed in action wherever possible as a mark of respect for their determination against enemy forces on, above and below the sea surface which more often than not outnumbered them. The Fleet Air Arm and the War in Europe completes David Hobbs' much-praised six-volume series chronicling the operational history of British naval aviation from the earliest days to the present.

Read more less

Book SynopsisCaptain James Carlin is a biography of a shadowy nineteenth-century British Confederate, James Carlin (1833–1921), who was among the most successful captains running the U.S. Navy’s blockade of Southern ports during the Civil War. Written by his descendent Colin Carlin, Captain James Carlin ventures behind the scenes of this perilous trade that transported vital supplies to the Confederate forces.An Englishman trained in the British merchant marine, Carlin was recruited into the U.S. Coastal and Geodetic Survey Department in 1856, spending four years charting the U.S. Atlantic seaboard. Married and settled in Charleston, South Carolina, he resigned from the survey in 1860 to resume his maritime career. His blockade-running started with early runs into Charleston under sail. These came to a lively conclusion under gunfire off the Stono River mouth. More blockade-running followed until his capture on the SS Memphis. Documents in London reveal the politics of securing Carlin’s release from Fort Lafayette.On his return to Charleston, General P. G. T. Beauregard gave him command of the spar torpedo launch Torch for an attack on the USS New Ironsides. After more successful trips though the blockade, he was appointed superintending captain of the South Carolina Importing and Exporting Company and moved to Scotland to commission six new steam runners.After the war Carlin returned to the southern states to secure his assets before embarking on a gun-running expedition to the northern coast of Cuba for the Cuban Liberation Junta fighting to free the island from Spanish control and plantation slavery.In researching his forebear, the author gathered a wealth of private and public records from England, Scotland, Ireland, Greenland, the Bahamas, and the United States. The use of fresh sources from British Foreign Office and U.S. Prize Court documents and surviving business papers make this volume distinctive.Trade Review"Colin Carlin has produced a groundbreaking work that lifts the veil off the all-important ship captains who supplied the Confederacy with the necessary supplies to sustain its fight for independence. The author does a superb job in relating the story of his relative, James Carlin, a key member of the cadre of captains who sustained the Confederacy by running supplies through the Northern blockade on specialized vessels. James Carlin's career not only included operating blockade runners, but also a Charleston-based torpedo boat, and after the war he served as a gunrunner to Cuban rebels. A sweeping story from England to Charleston, Florida, and Cuba. This book is a must for anyone interested in Southern/ Confederate maritime history." STEPHEN R. WISE, author of Lifeline of the Confederacy: Blockade Running during the Civil War "Captain James Carlin's fascinating adventures come to life in this superbly researched biog¬raphy. As a British captain, commodore, and ship owner, Carlin ran vessels into Confeder¬ate ports from North Carolina to Texas; Civil War and naval scholars and enthusiasts alike will welcome Colin Carlin's fresh insights into this shadowy world." WALTER E. WILSON, captain, U.S. Navy (ret.), author of The Bulloch Belle: Three First Ladies, a Spy, a President’s Mother and Other Women of a 19th Century Georgia Family

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn November 1921 the first purpose-built carrier was launched by the Japanese, followed a year later by the British launch of the Hermes. After WWI, battlecruisers were readily converted into aircraft carriers, with questions on how to handle the aircraft on the flight deck beginning to be raised and techniques of how to attack enemy ships beginning to develop. How Carriers Fought focuses on the HOW, not the what, when, or the by whom. It begins by examining the tools and the building blocks of carrier operations, looking at what life was really like in the cockpit for the pilots alongside the technicalities of navigation and communication. A world of tactical dehydration, amphetamine pills, and illegal smoking is explored, as well as the measures they put in place to reduce their risk of death on being hit.This book goes on to examine the major carrier battles of WWII, from the Battle of the Coral Sea to the Battle of Leyte Gulf, with a focus on how the tools of carrier operations were employed during these battles. At the Battle of the Midway the debate of concentration vs. dispersion became relevant, as the Japanese decided to divide their forces while the Americans concentrated theirs. How Carriers Fought questions these tactics, exploring which worked best in theory and in practice. How were searches made, how many planes were used, what was the range and coverage of the search, and how many hits were scored and losses suffered?The final section of the book looks at how carrier operations changed in major ways during the course of the war, as better technology and a better understanding of this new type of warfare allowed for quick advances in how operations were carried out. For example, the balance between fighter and bomber planes changed dramatically, with the US beginning the war with 20% fighters and ending it with 80% fighters. This book gives a comprehensive insight into carrier operations in WWII, with a focus on the Pacific War between the US Navy and the Imperial Japanese Navy. A series of appendices expands on topics such as radar, landing on a carrier, radios and even carrier pigeons.Trade ReviewAfter a few pages, it is obviously a much different and well-considered treatment by an author who wants to give us a unique view of what went into designing, building and outfitting the new capital ship, replacing battleships as the centrepiece of the fleet during the pivotal years before World War II. * Aviation News 29/07/2019 *For the readers who are fascinated by the subject, I can recommend this work warmly. * Neptunus 07/02/2019 *[I] never stopped being interested in what the author had to say. * Army Rumour Service *

Read more less

Book SynopsisMany think of the United States Marine Corps as a second land army, and while it has been employed in that capacity, it is foremost a naval expeditionary force able to seize, secure, and defend advanced naval bases in support of major campaigns.The Corps dates back to the Revolutionary War, but while they served in the conflicts of the 19th century, they are famed for their part in the wars of the 20th century. On the Western Front in World War I they were blooded at Belleau Wood. Between the wars the Corps developed amphibious tactics which were employed to great effect during the Pacific island campaigns during World War II including the infamous battles of Peleliu, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. The names of the Corps is forever entwined with the battles of Inchon and Chosin Reservoir in Korea, and Hue and Khe Sanh in Vietnam. The US Marines have continued their expeditionary role to this day, undertaking not only combat operations but also peacekeeping, peace enforcement, humanitarian relief, and short-notification/limited-duration contingency operations.This concise history charts the evolution of the Corps as it has adapted to changing combat over two centuries.

Read more less

Book SynopsisRichard Edward Carey came from a broken home. Enlisting in the Corps in 1945 he later earned a commission, fighting at Inchon and Chosin in Korea before becoming a pilot – flying every aircraft in the Marine arsenal. During his 38-year military career, he witnessed and participated in major historical events, though a high school wrestling injury would eliminate him from the Mercury-7 space program.As a second lieutenant, he tackled General Douglas MacArthur on the way to Seoul in 1950. Carey would provide critical intelligence decisions enabling the successful defense of the Chinese attack on Hagaru-ri at the Chosin Reservoir. In 189 days of combat, he escaped death seven times, and was awarded the Silver Star and Bronze Star Medals. In Vietnam he flew 204 combat sorties, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross and 16 Air Medals. In 1975, from Saigon, Carey led history’s largest helicopter evacuation of refugees.Subordinates praised his leadership and courage. Never afraid to stand up for his principles, Carey faced down an Air Force general in Vietnam, and organized air defense for supply helicopters at Khe Sahn; he countermanded a senior Naval officer’s order during the 1975 Saigon evacuation, refusing to cease air operations and forcing a reluctant ambassador onto a flight.In retirement, Carey served as a cabinet member for the governor of Ohio and ran the airport in his native home of Columbus. When the Careys moved to Texas, Carey continued supporting veterans, advocating for veterans’ health care, aiding the drive to build accommodation for families of hospitalised veterans, and was a leader in the effort to build a veterans’ cemetery in Dallas. He would lead the drive to build two Chosin Few memorials even as he cared for his ailing wife.This biography is based upon hours of interviews with the general, capturing an exceptional and inspiring life.Trade ReviewThis well written and researched book is replete with personal recollections and anecdotes faithfully recalled and recorded. * The Journal of the Air Force Historical Foundation *The chapters dealing with the evacuation of Saigon are especially enlightening. Carey and Mesches offer arguments for readers to reach personal conclusions about the rights and wrongs of the withdrawal procedures. * The VVA Veteran *Table of Contentshapter 1 The Early Years Chapter 2 On to Korea Chapter 3 A New Role—Chosin Reservoir Campaign Chapter 4 Reflections on Chosin Reservoir Chapter 5 After Chosin Reservoir Chapter 6 Aviation Career Begins Chapter 7 Mid 1950s to 1960s Chapter 8 Fighter Pilot in Vietnam Chapter 9 Vietnam Media Coverage Chapter 10 Post-Vietnam War Chapter 11 Evacuation from Vietnam Chapter 12 General Carey’s Supplement to the Command Chronology on Frequent Wind Chapter 13 Mayaguez Rescue Chapter 14 Back to Headquarters Marine Corps (HMC) Chapter 15 Atlantic Command Chapter 16 Final Assignment Quantico Chapter 17 A Brief Entry into Politics Chapter 18 Aiding the Dallas District Courts Chapter 19 General Carey Continues to Serve in Retirement Chapter 20 The Chosin Few Monument Project Chapter 21 Family Epilogue Glossary Endnotes Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Brooklyn-class light cruiser USS Boise (CL-47) was one of the most famous US combat ships of World War II, already internationally renowned following her participation in the naval battles in the Solomons in 1942. After repairs and modifications, in 1943 the Boise was sent to the Mediterranean theatre, there to participate in the invasions of Sicily, Taranto, and Salerno, and enhancing her fame by destroying enemy tanks during armoured counterattacks in both Sicily and Salerno.From the Mediterranean, Boise was sent to the Southwest Pacific theatre to join the US 7th Fleet for the campaign in New Guinea in 1943–44 and then the invasion of the Philippines. She fought in the battle of Leyte Gulf, notably in the night engagement in the Surigao Strait, where battleships faced off against each other for the last time in maritime history. Boise was credited with helping to sink a Japanese battleship. She also fought off the suicide planes known as kamikazes at Leyte and later at Lingayen Gulf during the invasion of Luzon. MacArthur used her as his flagship for the Luzon attack, thereby adding to her already considerable fame, then after helping retake Corregidor and other islands in the Philippines, Boise carried the general on a triumphant tour of the islands. This tour was interrupted for the invasion of Borneo, but completed when the beach was secured. After MacArthur left the ship in June 1945, she returned to the US for overhaul which was just complete as the war ended, by which time she had been awarded 11 battle stars, more than any other light cruiser in her class.This full account of USS Boise’s war not only gives us an insight into how one ship navigated a global conflict, but also an insight into the experiences of the men who served on her, and a new perspective on the naval campaigns of the war.Table of ContentsPart I: A Sea Story: A Georgia “cracker” meets the USS Boise 1. Prologue. 2. The USS Boise, 1938–1942 Part II: Through the Gates of Hercules: The Mediterranean Theater 1943 3. Operation Husky: The Invasion of Sicily 4. Operation Avalanche: The Invasion of Salerno Part III: With MacArthur’s Navy in the Southwest Pacific, 1943–45 5. Playing Leapfrog with the Japanese in New Guinea, 1943–44 6. Return to the Philippines: The Battle of Leyte Gulf 7. Kamikaze: The Divine Wind sweeps across the Philippines 8. The Invasion of Luzon: The Battle of Lingayen Gulf, January 1945 9. The Battle of Corregidor and Manila Part IV: Wrapping it Up in the Southwest Pacific 10. Wrapping it Up: Mindanao, Borneo, and California, March–June 1945 11. Farewell to a Navy Legend Appendices Glossary & Acronyms Photographs Sources: Documents and Bibliography

Read more less

Book SynopsisAs naval officers transition to rewarding and challenging jobs ashore, the Naval Officer's Guide to the Pentagon offers a valuable helping hand along the journey. This practical guide advises officers of all paygrades, experience levels, and warfare communities on life and work in Washington, D.C., and in the Pentagon, in particular. The book is a user-friendly "one-stop shop" for information, offering insights from successful officers from a variety of warfare communities who have served in the Pentagon and in Washington in a range of staff roles. Tailored to naval officers but useful to civilians interested in better understanding the demands and lifestyle of working at the Pentagon, the Naval Officer's Guide to the Pentagon will be a positive addition to the professional libraries of naval leaders past, present, and future.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis'There is only one colour that matters, one that unites us all. And that colour is green.'The Royal Marine Commandos have become a byword for elite raiding skills and cutting-edge military operations. They are globally renowned, yet shrouded in mystery. With unique insight and authority, Commando captures the essence and heart of this revered military unit then and now, exploring their role patrolling the high seas and policing coastlines around the globe, and revealing their rich history and what it means to win and wear the legendary green beret.With full and exclusive access to every level of the organisation, author and former Royal Marine Monty Halls tells the real stories of extraordinary individuals through a period of historic global unrest: from Future Commando forces on high-profile drug busts to Mountain Leaders training across glaciers north of the Arctic Circle; from medics who serve as global first responders in conflict to wounded veterans raising vast sums to support their brethren in the Corps Family. These are the modern vanguard of a legendary unit, descendants of the misfits and eccentrics who were so effective and feared in WW2 that Hitler famously ordered them to be shot on sight.Commando is an unforgettable glimpse into a rarified world of danger, drama, and valour.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisBased on extensive research, The Naval History of Wales tells a compelling story that spans nearly 2,000 years, from the Romans to the present.Many Welsh men and women have served in the Royal Navy and the navies of other countries. Welshmen played major parts in voyages of exploration, in the navy’s suppression of the slave trade, and in naval warfare from the Viking era to the Spanish Armada, in the American Civil War, both world wars and the Falklands War.Comprehensive, enlightening, and provocative, The Naval History of Wales also explodes many myths about Welsh history, naval historian J.D. Davies arguing that most Welshmen in the sailing navy were volunteers and that, relative to the size of national populations, proportionately more Welsh seamen than English fought at Trafalgar.Written in vivid detail, this volume is one that no maritime or Welsh historian can do without.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisA young lad, brought up in a working-class area of Liverpool. Early family tragedies contributed to mischievous teenage years and confrontation with the law courts. Escape came in the form of joining the Royal Navy, which led to a life of love, humour and adventure. Finding the love of his life at an early age he treasured his family, especially after experiencing the horrors of war. An amusing, compelling story of achievement and fulfilment told straight from the heart.Table of ContentsTHE EARLY YEARS 1 LIFE AT SEA 30 TRAINING 30 HMS ROOKE 44 HMS PENELOPE 51 HMS CORUNNA 68 HMS HAMPSHIRE 80 FLEET MAINTENANCE GROUP (FMG) ROSYTH 105 HMS NUBIAN 109 ASSOUTH NAPLES 141 HMS NUBIAN (2nd time round) 172 HMS SIRIUS 174 HMS ARGONAUT - THE TRUTH 190 HMS CAMPERDOWN 230 HMS GUERNSEY 233 SHORESIDE 252 FULL CIRCLE 318 THE TWILIGHT YEARS 325 ANNEX 339 POEMS & THOUGHTS 339

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisItaly's navy, the Regia Marina was the fourth-largest naval force in the world at the outbreak of World War II, and yet is often overlooked and largely discounted as ineffective. In general the fleet was made up of obsolete vessels, lacked radar functionality, and had a reputation for indiscipline and poorly trained crews. The complex and bureaucratic command system imposed on the fleet further hampered its effectiveness. In this book, Mark Stille details why the Italian battleships were able to maintain a solid reputation, examining their impressive designs and the courage and determination of the fleet at Calabria, Sirte, Cape Spartiveto and Cape Matapan, all illustrated with stunning photographs from the Italian Navy's own archives.Table of ContentsIntroduction • Italian naval strategy and the role of the battleship • Italian naval tactics and the role of the battleship • Italian battleship design and development up until the First World War and the impact of the Washington and London Naval Treaties • Italian Battleship weapons • Italian Battleship • The Battleship classes (Cavour Class, Duilio Class, Vittorio Veneto Class) • Italian Battleships at War • Conclusion

Read more less

Book SynopsisVice Admiral Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson KB (1758 - 1805) was a British flag officer in the Royal Navy. Admired for his leadership, strategy and tactics, he led many decisive British naval victories, particularly during the Napoleonic Wars. Known for his bold actions, and sometimes disobeying his seniors, Nelson was taken into the hearts of the British people. This slightly built, battle-scarred, often vain man, of dubious private life and few known accomplishments beyond his profession, became a legendary figure in British history. When Admiral Horatio Nelson died, people who had never seen him wept because they felt they had lost someone special and irreplaceable. How that came about, this book describes. Nelson helped to capture Corsica and saw the battle of Calvi (where he lost the sight in his right eye). He later lost his right arm at the Battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 1797. Nelson destroyed Napoleon's fleet at the Battle of the Nile in 1798, and thus gained a direct trade route to India. Over the period 1794 to 1805, under Nelson's leadership, the Royal Navy proved its supremacy over the French. Nelson's most famous engagement, at Cape Trafalgar, saved Britain from threat of invasion by Napoleon, but it would be his last. Before the battle on 21 October 1805, Nelson sent out the famous signal to his fleet 'England expects that every man will do his duty'. Killed by a French sniper just a few hours later, while leading the attack on the combined French and Spanish fleet, Nelson's body was preserved in brandy and transported back to England where he was given a state funeral. He is buried in St Paul's Cathedral, London.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

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

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis Open Access book describes the history of the relationship between the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), the heir to the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN), and the United States Navy (US Navy), with a focus on the individuals who helped build it. Former enemies who fought fiercely on the seas and in the air during the Pacific War, the two navies came to respect each other in action. Soon after the war, when the Cold War turned hot, they began to work together as allies, driven by their respective national interests. With the generous assistance of the US Navy, the JMSDF was established as its counterpart. Over the years, these two navies have gradually built strong ties. Individual officers and sailors on both sides overcame mixed feelings about their erstwhile foes to feel respect for and trust in each other. This was made possible by conducting countless joint exercises and operations at sea. US Navy leaders began to realize that this small maritime force, notwithstanding domestic political, constitutional, and legal limitations, does its job well, is reliable, and can be fully trusted. The JMSDF realized that, sharing common interests and values, there was no better navy in the Asia-Pacific region to ally with. Over seventy years of accumulated shared experiences have transformed this into perhaps the most successful navy-to-navy partnership in the world. The US-Japan maritime alliance today is anchored in this history. Numerous admirals, officers, and sailors of the two navies working together have greatly contributed to the stability and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region for the past seven decades. This book is intended for readers interested in the history of US-Japan relations and for naval officers and sailors from the US and other countries. It is the author’s sincere desire that they read this book and appreciate the longstanding cooperation between the JMSDF and the US Navy.Table of ContentsChapter 1. James E. Auer and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.- Chapter 2. Kazuomi Uchida, the Chief of Maritime Staff.- Chapter 3. Teiji Nakamura, the Chief of Maritime Staff.- Chapter 4. Minesweepers Crossing the Sea.- Chapter 5. Arleigh Burke and the Founding of the JMSDF.- Chapter 6. Mr. Navy: Ichirō Masuoka.- Chapter 7. The US Navy’s War Generation.- Chapter 8.A Dogwood in Etajima, a Cherry Tree in Annapolis.- Chapter 9. Minesweepers Crossing the Sea Again.- Chapter 10. After the Gulf War.- Chapter 11. The Alliance and the Two Navies: 2001–2022.- Chapter 12. Naval Alliance for a Better Peace.

Read more less

Book SynopsisCoast Guard historian Robert M. Browning Jr. continues his magisterial series about the Union's naval blockade of the Confederacy during the American Civil War. Browning masterfully captures the many variables that influenced the strategic choices of Navy commanders as they both doggedly pursued unchanging long-term goals as well as improvised and reacted to short-term opportunities.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis The intensely gripping Sunday Times bestseller, from the author of Richard & Judy pick and NETFLIX drama The Holiday 'Thriller of the year? This is the thriller of the decade' My Weekly'Everything you want from a thriller, and more' Lesley Kara____________________________________________TWO STRANGERS. A CHILD. AND A SPLIT SECOND CHOICE THAT WILL CHANGE EVERYTHING.The chance encounterEllen was just trying to help a stranger. Giving a few minutes respite to a flustered young mother sitting opposite her on the train. A few minutes holding her baby while the woman makes an urgent call.Five minutes pass.Ten.The twistAs the train pulls into a station, Ellen is stunned to see the woman step off the train and rush away down the platform, leaving her baby behind.Then she discovers a note in the baby's bag, three desperate lines scrawled hastily on a piece of paper:Please protect MiaDon't trust the policeDon't trust anyoneWHAT WOULD YOU DO?'Absorbing and tense, fuelled by a very real sense of jeopardy' Adele Parks'Logan is undoubtedly the master of the all-too-believable, it-could-happen-to-me story' B.A. Paris'A brilliant premise, thrillingly executed' JP Delaney, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Girl Before'Gripping, original, with compelling characters and a great twist!' Jenny Quintana, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Missing Girl'With a a premise so primal and so gripping it get its hooks into you from the very first page, Logan cements himself as one of, if not the, best thriller novelist writing in the world today' Deborah O' Connor, bestselling author of The Captive'A hugely entertaining, twisting, propulsive thrill-ride from the consistently brilliant T.M. Logan' Chris Whitaker, bestselling author of We Begin at the End'I raced through TRUST ME. Totally brilliant. Did not have a clue how it was going to unravel' Heidi Perks, bestselling author of Now You See Her'Logan is the master of the everyman thriller - real but nightmarish situations that could happen to you. For that reason, and many others, buy Trust Me and be prepared to sacrifice sleep!' Gillian McCallister, Sunday Times bestselling author of How to Disappear'A meticulously plotted and surprisingly moving story that doesn't let up. Addictive, tense, and packed with twists!' Samantha Downing, Sunday Times bestselling author of My Lovely Wife**DON'T MISS T.M. LOGAN'S INCREDIBLE NEW THRILLER THE MOTHER - OUT NOW!**Trade ReviewWe raced through this gripping thriller in two big bites. * Read of the Week, Heat Magazine *There are thrillers and then there are 'thrillers', the kind that leave you wanting to gobble up the pages in one reading, intense, mesmerising and altogether mind blowing. The sort of book you forget to breathe when reading and need a break for headspace afterwards. This book is the latter . . . Interspersed with different character viewpoints, one of which is thrillingly anonymous, Logan yet again takes a normal day event, travelling by train, and spins it, throwing in twists and turns at every stop. Shaking you off the trail, leaving you thinking you know - when actually the final twist shows you were on the wrong track all along. A 24 hours kind of read. You will find yourself speed reading the exhilarating dialogue to get onto the next chapter. Twists, turns and an absolutely belting plot. Coined as thriller of the year, this is the thriller of the decade. * My Weekly *The king of the fast-paced thriller is back! A book that demands to be read in one sitting. * Good Housekeeping *One of the most exciting authors currently writing for the ever-busy crime thriller market, T.M. Logan is back with another of his ingeniously imagined and perfectly executed plots, and this one is guaranteed to blow your mind! Trust Me - a compulsive, menacing, high-octane story full of authentic characters, gobsmacking twists and with Logan's trademark this-could-happen-to-me premise - is an addictive thrill ride into a dangerous, deadly and definitely untrustworthy world...Fast-paced throughout and bristling with suspense, you won't trust your own judgments until the final, explosive last act! * Lancashire Evening Post *The author of the excellent The Catch again shows us how to grab a reader by the throat from the off. A really excellent story. * Sunday Sport *A brilliant premise, thrillingly executed. Trust Me grips from the very first page * J.P. Delaney, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Girl Before *I was totally gripped by Trust Me, T.M. Logan is undoubtedly the master of the all-too-believable, it-could-happen-to-me story. Another triumph! * B.A. Paris *Logan is the master of the everyman thriller - real but nightmarish situations that could happen to you. For that reason, and many others, buy Trust Me and be prepared to sacrifice sleep! * Gillian McAllister, Sunday Times bestselling author of How to Disappear *Gripping, original, with compelling characters and a great twist! * Jenny Quintana, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Missing Girl *Exciting and intense from the start, this novel hurtles along at a cracking pace. Everything you want from a thriller, and more! * Lesley Kara, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Rumour *With a a premise so primal and so gripping it get its hooks into you from the very first page, Logan cements himself as one of, if not the, best thriller novelist writing in the world today. Once you start reading I challenge you not to put it down until you're done * Deborah O' Connor, bestselling author of The Captive *I raced through TRUST ME. Totally brilliant. Did not have a clue how it was going to unravel * Heidi Perks, bestselling author of Now You See Her *A hugely entertaining, twisting, propulsive thrill-ride from the consistently brilliant T.M. Logan * Chris Whitaker, bestselling author of We Begin at the End * Absorbing and tense, fuelled by a very real sense of jeopardy. * Adele Parks *Addictive, fast paced and I raced through it unable to guess what was coming next. Exciting and unputdownable * Karen Hamilton, author of The Perfect Girlfriend *A meticulously plotted and surprisingly moving story that doesn't let up. Addictive, tense, and packed with twists! * Samantha Downing, Sunday Times bestselling author of My Lovely Wife *Assured, compelling, and hypnotically readable - with a twist at the end I guarantee you won't see coming * Lee Child, on T.M. Logan's previous work *

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less