News, Articles and Comment

Ed. With a clear-eyed appraisal of historical trends since the 19^th century, the author argues that, contrary to alarmist concerns of retrenchment, Britain today has more room to maneuver as a strategic counter-weight than has been the case for the last 80 years. Awarded the RUSI Trench Gascoigne prize and originally published in the RUSI Journal. A 25 minute read.

Ed. With his trademark dissection of the conventional wisdom, the author argues that the concept of ‘seablindness’ is merely window dressing for the fundamental misunderstanding of the principles of British national strategy that has manifested over the last 60 years. A 20 minute read.

BRE. The latest book review is now available. Professor Andrew Lambert considers a book on the War of 1812, which ‘provides the ideal introduction to a complex, and much misunderstood conflict’.

Ed. The author examines the importance of cultivating clear strategy and deploying balanced fleets in the Baltic operations of the Crimean War and Russian Civil War. In both cases the Royal Navy was engaged blockading enemy ports and striking at their harbours, frequently without direct orders from London, and with profound consequences for the national consciousness of the region. The parallels for today’s littoral operations in the Baltic and Black Sea are obvious. A 40 minute read.

BRE. The latest book review is now available. It considers the latest edition of The Trafalgar Chronicle, the Journal of the 1805 Club.

Ed. The Royal Navy not only logistically enabled Wellington’s campaigns during the Peninsular War, but also acted as a force-multiplier during the critical operations at Cadiz, Lisbon and elsewhere. Originally published in 2010 [98/4, p. 385]. A 30 minute read.

Ed. The expert author explores the centuries-old history of Trafalgar Night celebrations, and the rather more recent Pickle Night tradition. A 10 minute read.

BRE. The latest book review is now available. It revisits Eric Grove’s 2005 The Royal Navy Since 1815. Whilst the book has been previously reviewed, new perspectives on important books are always welcome.

Ed. The author expands on Lt Cdr Lester May’s research concerning the victualling of a Dreadnought-class warship at the beginning of the 20^th century. The proliferation of commodities supplied representing without doubt a vast logistical undertaking. A 25 minute read.