News & Views
The latest news and views in the UK Military Maritime Arena.
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. It considers a book, published in 2017, telling the story of the Royal Navy’s last Gunroom, which also supported Operation GRAPPLE.
Ed. Capt Stocker’s forthcoming Navy Records Society volume The Postwar Fleet is highly anticipated. Provided here is a sample document, written in 1949 by the Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ralph Edwards, later Controller of the Navy and then Commander-in-Chief Mediterranean. It was circulated to the First Sea Lord and other members of the Admiralty Board. The original is held at the National Archives, Kew [ADM 205/83]. A 20 minute read.
BRE. The latest book review is now available. It considers the development of motor boats for the Royal Navy, US Navy and other navies in the First World War and immediate post-war period.
Ed. The author explores the PQ17 disaster, questioning First Sea Lord Dudley Pound’s decision to scatter the convoy in the face of Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine threats. The principles of mission command should have left the decision to the convoy commanders. A 25 minute read.
BRE. The latest book review is now available. It considers the latest book by Captain Lars Wedin, Swedish Navy (retd.), ‘whose writings deserve much greater attention’.
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’.
BRE. The latest book review is now available. It considers a book exploring the wartime experience of a US warship, the Borie, the wider development of ASW convoy protection in the USN, and US efforts at breaking German codes.
BRE. The latest book review is now available. It insiders a book published in 1950, exploring the wartime experience of those who served in the RNVR. It is also the first of “If you can find a copy of…do read it!” Members are invited to share new reviews of old books, which may be of interest, or past book reviews that may have an enduring value.