News, Articles and Comment

Ed. In an impressive and no-holds-barred investigation into the command decisions that led to the destruction of Force Z, reflecting on a tragically recurring and lethal combination of command over-confidence and staff obsequiousness, the author catalogues a cascade of failures that at innumerable stages were all too predictable. A 50 minute read.

BRE. The latest book review is now available. It considers a new addition to the Osprey Campaign series, looking at the Battle of Cape Matapan in 1941.

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 Battle of Taranto of 11-12 November 1940 was an epoch defining event in the history of naval aviation and a decisive moment for the Fleet Air Arm. With the 83^rd anniversary of the battle in mind, we reproduce here an American perspective on the Royal Navy’s pioneering development of aircraft carriers and the lessons for naval doctrine this history demonstrates. Originally published in July 1994 [82/3, p. 260]. A 30 minute read.

BRE. The latest book review is now available. It considers Norman Friedman’s latest work on British Coastal Forces, and should be regarded as ‘the stand-out volume’.

BRE. The latest book review is now available. It considers a short book exploring the Soviet development and deployment of river gunboats during the Second World War.

Ed. This article investigates the role of the aircraft carriers and battleships involved in, and otherwise enabling, Operation OVERLORD. The proper application of naval power over the course of the war ensured Allied victory, with capital ships and escort forces playing important roles in all theatres. Based on a presentation given to the Lunchtime Lecture Series of the Royal Navy Strategic Studies Centre, 17 October 2023. A 20 minute read.

BRE. The latest book review is now available. It considers one of Osprey’s Campaign series, providing a big-picture overview of Operation PEDESTAL in 1942.

BRE. The latest book review is now available. It considers Paul Kennedy’s maritime history of the Second World War and how it shaped the development of post-war global order.