News, Articles and Comment

BRE. The latest book review is now available. It considers a book examining the Second World War on the Eastern Front, in particular focusing on 1944 and the Soviet offensive, Operation BAGRATION.

BRE. The latest book review is now available. It considers an important and timely book examining the development of Russian military thought.

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. Our correspondent proposes a challenge for the NR’s readership: The author, who is aged 89 and has contributed many articles over the years to the NR, more in a humorous vein than a serious one, takes a look back at the Royal Navy in war and peace over the past century and ponders some of its lighter social changes. A 5 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. This article, the second in a trilogy, focuses on the development of situational assessment by naval commanders, utilising then recent historical examples to demonstrate the synergistic properties of intelligence in modern warfare. Reproduced from the NR‘s Archive, originally published in August 2007 [95/3, p. 245]. A 30 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.

BRE. The latest book review is now available. It considers a book exploring the life and career of Wilfred ‘Biffy’ Dunderdale, an intelligence officer, who amongst others, knew and worked with Ian Fleming.

Ed. The author investigates the lack of sea control consideration in the Defence Reviews of the Counter-Insurgency (COIN) dominated era during the War on Terror. A 30 minute read.