Royal Navy Force H 1940-42: Britain’s Strike Force at Gibraltar

80 pages

Dr James Bosbotinis

The latest offering in Osprey’s ‘Fleet’ series of books, Royal Navy Force H 1940-42 (due to be published on 18 December) sets out to provide an account of Force H, which the author describes, eloquently as “a free-ranging squadron, a sort of naval fire brigade, which the Admiralty could send wherever it was needed the most.” The ‘Fleet’ series provide focused studies of particular campaigns, or naval aspects of a war; for example, Corbin Williamson’s study of the roles and contribution of the US Navy’s Seventh Fleet to the Korean War (reviewed on the NR website on 26 September 2025). In this book, the author, Angus Konstam, a former naval officer and historian will be well-known to members, with his books covered regularly by the NR, examines the strategic context for the creation of, composition, and operations conducted by Force H.

Divided into four chapters, ‘The Fleet’s Purpose’, ‘Fleet Fighting Power’, ‘How the Fleet Operated’ and ‘Combat and Analysis’, Konstam first examines the rationale for the establishment of Force H, and the wider strategic situation confronting Britain in June 1940. The author proceeds to discuss concisely the command and control arrangements of Force H; its evolving composition, including brief overviews of the classes of carrier, battleship, battlecruiser, cruiser and destroyer that served in the force; offensive and defensive weaponry, aircraft; intelligence and deception operations; facilities at Gibraltar and the Axis threat; followed by Force H’s operations. The latter includes notable operations such as CATAPULT – the neutralisation of the French fleet at Mers-el-Kebir, the Genoa raid, SUBSTANCE (“the first proper Malta convoy”), and its contribution to the destruction of the Bismarck. It also includes the various Club Runs ferrying aircraft to Malta, convoy operations, and other missions undertaken from 1940 to 1942, through to it becoming Force F, a component of the Operation IRONCLAD invasion fleet. The book concludes with a brief analysis, with the author stating “Force H punched well above its weight, and made its mark in two naval theatres, and against three opponents.” A selection of further reading is also included.

In Royal Navy Force H 1940-42, the author ably provides a highly detailed analysis in a concise, accessible and engaging manner. As is to be expected, the book also features an excellent selection of photographs, maps, tables, and illustrations courtesy of Paul Wright. At just 80 pages, this book provides a valuable primer for anyone wanting to learn about Force H. It is certainly recommended.