News, Articles and Comment

Ed. The author criticises the Future Commando Force (FCF) concept as a narrow misreading of the Royal Marines’ traditional combined arms and amphibious roles. A 20 minute read.

Ed. ‘NIHL RHYFEL’

In Spring 2023, Lt Col Cripsin Black’s book Too Thin for a Shroud was published. In it he defends robustly 5 Bde’s C2 and the Welsh Guards’ who were still on board the LSLs RFA Sir Galahad and Sir Tristram on 8 June 1982 when they were attacked by the Argentinian Air Force during the Falklands conflict. Over 40 years after the event the opportunity for many, both Green and Navy Blue involved in these events no longer exists, however, the authors of the following  article layout the reasons why they seriously disagree with the book’s suggestions. The Naval Review is an ideal place to hold this rebuttal on record for the benefit of those that wish to study Operation CORPORATE, Amphibious Operations and the fog of war (nihl rhyfel). The following is a review essay dissecting Black’s claims. A 50 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, a Hudson Fellow at Oxford, answers the Chairman’s call from NR 111/4 to engage with the defence review process, contextualizing here over 70 years of history and lighting the way for the debate on Integrated Review 2025 looming ahead. A 15 minute read.

Ed. NR Editor Richard Hill penned this review of Admiral of the Fleet Sir Henry Leach’s memoir, Endure No Makeshifts, in 1994 [82/1, p. 79]. Reprinted here for the 100^th anniversary of Sir Henry Leach’s birthday.

BRE. The latest book review is now available. It considers a book exploring the history of the development and operational service of the Royal Navy’s helicopter-based airborne early warning capability, and a look towards the future with Crowsnest and beyond.

Ed. The author revisits the old chestnut of FAA control: should naval aviation, vital to the RN’s strike group doctrine, reside under RAF or RN control?

Ed. In July 1997 (NR 85/3, p. 202) Lt G D Franklin reviewed the experience of the British Pacific Fleet (BPF) in the war against Japan, observing that, although the valuable combat lessons paid dividends in Korea, by the time of the Falklands conflict they had seemingly been forgotten. Republished here for the 78^th anniversary of VJ Day. A 25 minute read.

BRE. The latest book review is now available. It looks at the history of British aircraft carriers from 1945 to 2010, covering the evolution of the ships and aircraft, and the carriers in action, including in the Falklands.