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Churchill's Arctic convoys : strength triumphs over adversity/William Smith. "Within hours of the outbreak of the Second World War, Winston Churchill took up office as First Lord of the Admiralty. The same day the liner Athenia was torpedoed in the Atlantic in the first U-boat attack of the war. Churchill quickly recognised Britain's survival depended on countering the U-boat threat and the strategic importance of protecting Allied merchant shipping with measures such as the convoy system. As this superbly researched book reveals, the Nazi U-boat fleet was relatively small and unprepared for war in 1939. But by early 1941 its numbers and effectiveness had increased to the point that Hitler was able to declare 'our warfare at sea is just beginning'. Churchill's response was to issue his famous 'Battle of the Atlantic' Directive. Churchill's Atlantic Convoys describes the political, strategic and tactical ebb and flow of events, particularly between 1942 and 1943. Thanks to increased numbers and scientific innovations the Allies slowly gained the upper hand despite a determined German fight back in late 1943 and early 1944. While the U-boat threat was never wholly defeated, the tenacity and sacrifices of the Allied naval forces won the day. Churchill later recognised the persistence of Germany's effort and the fortitude of the U-boat service. It would not be until 7 June 1945 that Churchill and President Truman felt able to assert 'the Allies have finished the job'."--Provided by the publisher. 2022. • BOOK • 1 copy available. 940.5421
Spanish warships in the age of sail, 1700-1860 : design, construction, careers and fates /Rif Winfield, John Tredrea, Enrique Garcâia-Torralba Pâerez, Manuel Blasco Felip. "This book is the latest contribution to a unique series in a common format documenting in great detail the warships of the major naval powers during the age of sail. To date, four volumes have covered the British Navy, two have been devoted to the French Navy and one each to the Dutch and Russian Navies. This volume on the Spanish Navy, for much of its history the third largest in the world, fills the final gap in the ranks of the major maritime powers. This book is the first comprehensive listing of these ships in English and covers the development of all the naval vessels owned or deployed by Spain during the period of the Bourbon monarchy from 1700 to 1860 (including the period of French control during the Napoleonic Wars), but it also sets the scene for that period by summarising the origins of Spanish naval development under the preceding Habsburg regime. As with previous volumes in the series, the main chapters list all the naval vessels from 1700 onwards (including those 16th century ships which survived into the new regime in 1700) by type, with the first chapters listing the ships of the line (navâios in Spanish terminology) and frigates in descending order of firepower, and subsequent chapters covering minor and ancillary vessels. Where available, a brief service history of each individual ship is given. A comprehensive introductory section includes a group of background essays designed to provide the reader with a deep understanding of how Spanish naval forces operated, and the context within which they were organised. Certain to become the standard English-language reference work, its publication is of the utmost importance to every naval historian and general reader interested in the navies of the sailing era."--Provided by the publisher. 2023. • FOLIO • 1 copy available. 359.8320946
The sinking of the Blucher : the battle of Drobak Narrows April 1940 /Geirr Haarr and Tor Jorgen Melien. "A lesser-known event during World War II, the sinking of the Blèucher is key part of naval history that marked the beginning of the Norwegian Campaign. The Sinking of the Blèucher is a comprehensive investigation into why the German cruiser, named for Gebhard Leberecht von Blèucher (Prussian victor of the Battle of Waterloo), was approaching Oslo on the night of 9th April 1940, why and how she was sunk and the ramifications and significance of the event. The text also explores the influence of the British government and military on the reasons behind Operation Weserèubung, the German invasion of Norway. This book is a methodical, unbiased compilation of primary sources and archival material. It details the sequence of events leading to the sinking of the Blèucher, the flagship of the force that was to seize Oslo, from setting sail for Norway, to evading British submarines in the Skagerrak, and finally sinking to the bottom of the Dr²bak Narrows after being struck by Oscarsborg fortress gunfire and torpedoes. The text, which connects intricate accounts of the attacks, paints a picture of the sinking and explains the politics behind the military operations, and the result of the sinking which enabled King Haakon and his Government to escape to Britain, join the Allies and continue the resistance from there. Simultaneously, the primary source material individualise the sailors and military personnel involved in the sinking from both sides."--Provided by the publisher. 2023. • BOOK • 1 copy available. 940.5459481