Author: Alan Raven Publisher: Pen and Sword ISBN: 1526747642 Category : History Languages : en Pages : 708
Book Description
“An outstanding contribution to the historiography of the Second World War at sea . . . . an excellent book.” —The Australian Naval Institute Cruisers were the Navy’s maids-of-all-work, employed in a greater variety of roles than any other warship type. Smaller, faster, and far more numerous than battleships, they could be risked in situations where capital ships were too vulnerable, while still providing heavy gunfire support for smaller ships or anti-aircraft cover for the fleet. As such, they were in the frontline of the naval war from the outset—and from its first days, the fighting provided unexpected challenges and some very unpleasant surprises, not least the efficacy of air power. Cruisers learned to deal with these new realities in the Norway campaign and later in the Mediterranean, partly through the introduction of new technology—notably radar—but also by codifying the hard-won experience of those involved. This highly original book analyses the first years of the war when the sharpest lessons were learned, initially describing every action and its results, and then summarizing in individual chapters the conclusions that could be drawn for the many aspects of a cruiser’s duties. These include the main roles like surface gunnery, shore bombardment, anti-aircraft tactics, and fighter direction, but also encompass technology like radar, ASDIC, and shipborne aircraft, and even tackle more human issues such as shipboard organization, damage control, the impact of weather, and the morale factor. It also attempts to evaluate the importance of electronic warfare, intelligence and code-breaking, and concludes with a comparison between the performance of British cruisers and their Italian and German opponents. Thought-provoking and sometimes controversial, this is a book that should be read by everyone interested in the Second World War at sea. Includes maps and photos
Author: Larrie D. Ferreiro Publisher: Oxford University Press ISBN: 0197554016 Category : Languages : en Pages : 433
Book Description
Churchill's American Arsenal reveals how the technology, know-how, and production power behind the victorious Allied partnership during World War II extended beyond the battlefront and onto the home-front. Many weapons and inventions were credited with winning World War II, most famously in the assertion that the atomic bomb "ended the war, but radar won the war." What is less well known is that both airborne radar and the atomic bomb were invented in British laboratories, but built by Americans. The same holds true for many other American weapons credited with the Allied victory: the P-51 Mustang fighter, the Liberty ship, the proximity fuze, the Sherman tank, and even penicillin all began with British scientists and planners, but were designed and mass-produced by American engineers and factory workers. Churchill's American Arsenal chronicles this vital but often fraught relationship between British inventiveness and American technical might. At first, leaders in each nation were deeply skeptical that such a relationship could ever be successful. But despite initial misunderstandings, petty jealousies, and continuing differences over priorities, scientists and engineers on both sides of the Atlantic found new and often ingenious ways to work together, jointly creating the weapons that often became the decisive factor in the strategy for victory that Churchill had laid out during the earliest days of the conflict. While no single invention won the war, without any one of them, the war could have been lost.
Author: Gill Bennett Publisher: Routledge ISBN: 1134160348 Category : Biography & Autobiography Languages : en Pages : 433
Book Description
Based on full access to official records, this text exposes the mysterious life and career of Desmond Morton, intelligence officer and personal adviser to Winston Churchill during the Second World War.
Author: Simon Forty Publisher: Pen and Sword Maritime ISBN: 139908268X Category : History Languages : en Pages : 123
Book Description
"...contains a plethora of after-action reports, diagrams and text which makes the work a thorough and engaging study of amphibious landings during the war." —WWII History Magazine Amphibious operations have always been an important element of warfare, but they reached their climax during the Second World War when they were carried out on a large scale in every theater of the conflict. That is why this wide-ranging, highly illustrated history of amphibious warfare 1939–1945 by Simon and Jonathan Forty is of such value. Their book gives graphic accounts of the main amphibious assaults launched by the major combatants, in particular the British, American, German and Japanese – not just large-scale landings like those in North Africa, Normandy, the Philippines and Okinawa, but also raids such as Dieppe and St Nazaire and evacuations like Dunkirk and Kerch. The rapid development of amphibious tactics and equipment is an essential element of the story, as are the vital roles played by the navies, air forces, armies and special forces in each complex combined operation. There is also a section on amphibious operations that were planned but didn’t happen, such as the German invasion of Britain and the Italian and German operation against Malta.
Author: Winston Churchill Publisher: Good Press ISBN: Category : History Languages : en Pages : 680
Book Description
In Winston Churchill's 'Their Finest Hour (Complete Edition)', readers are transported to a pivotal moment in history during World War II, where Churchill's powerful speeches and leadership played a crucial role in shaping the outcome of the conflict. The book is written in a compelling and eloquent style, reflecting Churchill's own literary prowess and political acumen. Through detailed accounts of key events and decisions during the war, Churchill provides readers with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by Britain and the Allied forces at the time. This book serves as a valuable historical document that captures the essence of courage and determination in the face of adversity. Winston Churchill's strategic insights and impassioned rhetoric make 'Their Finest Hour' a classic work of political and military literature. His firsthand experiences as Prime Minister during a turbulent period in history lend credibility and depth to the narrative, offering readers a unique perspective on the events that unfolded. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in World War II history, political leadership, or the power of words to inspire and unite nations.
Author: Winston Churchill Publisher: DigiCat ISBN: Category : Biography & Autobiography Languages : en Pages : 3854
Book Description
This Ultimate Collection of Winston Churchill's works contains his only novel and numerous historical and political books, his essays, speeches and letters, including biographies and memoirs. Introduction: Winston Spencer Churchill by Richard Harding Davis The Influenza Novel: Savrola Biographies: Lord Randolph Churchill Marlborough: His Life and Times Historical Works: The Story of the Malakand Field Force The River War London to Ladysmith via Pretoria Ian Hamilton's March My African Journey The World Crisis 1911–1914 The Second World War The Gathering Storm Their Finest Hour A History of the English-Speaking Peoples The Birth of Britain The New World Essays & Articles: Painting as a Pastime Zionism versus Bolshevism Fifty Years Hence East London General Bullar's Headquarters Mr. Winston Churchill's Capture Speeches: Liberalism and the Social Problem The Conduct of the War by Sea Speech in the London Opera House Speech in the Tournament Hall, Liverpool First Radio Address as Prime Minister Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat Be Ye Men of Valour We Shall Fight on the Beaches Their Finest Hour The Few – Never was so Much Owed by so Many to so Few Broadcast on the Soviet-German War Never Give In, Never, Never, Never Winston Churchill's address to the United States Congress The Price of Greatness is Responsibility Announcement of the Surrender of Germany Sinews of Peace – The Iron Curtain Speech Letters of Winston Churchill My Early Life – A Roving Commission (An Autobiography)
Author: Winston S. Churchill Publisher: RosettaBooks ISBN: 079531146X Category : History Languages : en Pages : 512
Book Description
The second volume in the WWII history “written with simplicity, lucidity, and gusto” by the legendary leader and Nobel Prize winner (The New York Times). In Their Finest Hour, Winston Churchill describes the invasion of France and a growing sense of dismay in Britain. Should Britain meet France’s desperate pleas for reinforcements or conserve their resources in preparation for the inevitable German assault? In the book’s second half, entitled simply “Alone,” Churchill discusses Great Britain’s position as the last stronghold against German conquest: the battle for control of the skies over Britain, diplomatic efforts to draw the United States into the war, and the spreading global conflict. Their Finest Hour is part of the epic six-volume account of World War II told from the viewpoint of a man who led in the fight against tyranny, and enriched with extensive primary sources including memos, letters, orders, speeches, and telegrams, day-by-day accounts of reactions as the drama intensifies. Throughout these volumes, we listen as strategies and counterstrategies unfold in response to Hitler’s conquest of Europe, planned invasion of England, and assault on Russia, in a mesmerizing account of the crucial decisions made as the fate of the world hangs in the balance.
Author: Evan McGilvray Publisher: Pen and Sword Military ISBN: 1526786494 Category : Biography & Autobiography Languages : en Pages : 249
Book Description
De Gaulle and Churchill examines the tense and complicated relationship between General de Gaulle as leader of the Free French on the one hand and Winston Churchill and the British Government on the other. Evan McGilvray shows that De Gaulle was a career soldier, not a politician by any means, prior to 1940 but stepped into the leadership vacuum after the fall of France to provide a vital figurehead and rallying point for the Free French movement. His experiences in WW1, where he had served with distinction and was decorated but then was captured and so missed the nadir of despair expressed in the mutiny of 1917, meant he did not share the general defeatism of his peers in 1940. De Gaulle had demonstrated between the wars that he understood modern warfare and the need for modernization and reform of the French forces. Churchill valued the Free French contribution, particularly the French colonies as bulwarks to the British Middle East and jumping-off points for a Mediterranean counteroffensive, but demonstrated his ruthless willingness to ride roughshod over French sensibilities. This was most famously demonstrated by the sinking of the French fleet to prevent it falling into German hands. The author traces their difficult relationship from the dark days of the Fall of France, to the final victory, with de Gaulle by then installed as head of the provisional government of the French Republic. This fascinating study concludes with the immediate post-war period, by which time Churchill and de Gaulle had developed a warmer, more mutually respectful relationship.
Author: Alan Raven
Author: Larrie D. Ferreiro
Author: Gill Bennett
Author: Simon Forty
Author: Winston Churchill
Author: Winston Churchill
Author: Winston S. Churchill
Author: Rachel Chin
Author: Evan McGilvray
Author: Stephen Wentworth Roskill