News, Articles and Comment

Ed. Our correspondent responds to Lt Gen Robert Fry’s recent article, sounding a note of caution and encouragement.

Ed. With the war in Ukraine escalating into a European ‘grey zone’ conflict, the author considers the First Sea Lord fit to the task of reestablishing Britain’s maritime role in terms of NATO strategy, recognition of a leadership situation different yet similar to that of the early 20th century. A 10 minute read.

Ed. This speech by the First Sea Lord, envisioning a paradigm shift with regard to uncrewed and autonomous systems in the RN Fleet, was delivered at the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) exhibition on 9 September 2025. A 10 minute read.

Ed. An extensive and personal investigation into the microhistory of HMS Wager, a W-class destroyer that operated with the British Pacific Fleet (BPF). Written for the 80^th Anniversary of VJ Day.

Ed. As the Chairman observes, another three months of hectic activity on the world stage have flown by. We have been reminded of the awesome power of the US military in action and relearned the importance of husbanding realistic and considered intelligence assessments which will take months, not hours, to assess and really need to remain behind the green baize door.

Originally published in October 1928 [16/4, p. 609], Admiral Sir Reginald Custance conducted a tactical study of the naval battles of the First Dutch War (1652-1654), with due regard to the institutional learning of the Commonwealth’s ‘generals at sea’ against the Dutch seapower. A 40 minute read.

Ed. An important retrospective on the RN’s role in the Pacific, revealing patterns in the history of the last 150 years. Delivered originally as a Royal Navy Club speech onboard HMS Belfast, 6 June 2025. A 20 minute read.

Ed. Our correspondent aboard HMS Prince of Wales reports on the forthcoming CSG deployment for Operation HIGHMAST. A 5 minute read.

Ed. Our correspondent replies to SLt James Shelley’s historical investigation of Mountbatten’s influence on perceptions of the Dieppe Raid [113/1, p. 126].