News, Articles and Comment

BRE. The latest book review is now available. It considers two books examining Admiral Nimitz’ performance as commander of the US Navy’s Pacific Fleet in the Second World War.

Ed. Matthew Wills paints a vivid picture of Churchill’s crossing to Newfoundland for the famous August 1941 Atlantic Conference meeting with Roosevelt. The firm hand of Captain John C Leach of HMS Prince of Wales ensured a smooth crossing for this high diplomatic mission. A 10 minute read.

Ed. Bruce Pascoe responds to Arthur Nicholson, with specific regard to the enigma of Phillips’ decision-making and failure to radio for air support during the Malay oki kaisen.

BRE. The latest book review is now available. It considers two books from Osprey, providing accounts of the Japanese A6M2/3 Zero and US Navy F6F Hellcat in the South Pacific and Philippines in the Second World War respectively.

Ed. Our correspondent, an expert on the fate of Force Z, responds to Bruce Pascoe’s analysis of Admiral Tom Phillips’ decision-making during the Malay oki kaisen.

BRE. The latest book review is now available. It considers Brian Lavery’s recent book examining the Royal and US Navies in the Second World War.

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. The author considers explanations for the disparity in casualty figures between the Allied landing zones during Operation NEPTUNE. A combination of command over-confidence, improper use of specialized equipment, and ineffective fire support are all evident. A 5 minute read.

BRE. The latest book review is now available. It considers a 2021 reissue of Vice Admiral Sir Peter Gretton’s 1974 book Crisis Convoy, providing an account of convoy HX.231, amidst the wider context of the Battle of the Atlantic.