The Cunningham Papers. Volume II: The Triumphs of Allied Sea Power 1942–1946 (Navy Records Society Publications) - Hardcover

Simpson, Michael

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0754655989 ISBN 13: 9780754655985

Publisher: Routledge, 2006

Synopsis

Following America's entry into World War Two, there was a necessity for the Royal Navy to strengthen co-operation with the United States Navy. Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham's brief term as head of the British Admiralty Delegation in Washington was to endear him to the Americans so much so that they proposed him as Allied Naval Commander of the Expeditionary Force which was to invade North Africa in November 1942. In October 1943, Cunningham was summoned to replace the dying Pound as First Sea Lord, a position he held until his retirement from active service in June 1946. In that time he presided over the invasion of Normandy, operations in the Mediterranean, the sinking of the Scharnhorst and Tirpitz, the defeat of the late surge of U-boat activity, the British Pacific Fleet, and the problems of manpower, the futures of the Royal Marines and the Fleer Air Arm, and the conversion of the Royal Navy from its swollen wartime strength to a much-reduced peacetime cadre. Cunningham remained concerned over the future of the country's defence and that of the Royal Navy and he was able to speak in major defence debates in the House of Lords. He died suddenly in 1963 and was buried at sea. Cunningham was one of Britain's great sailors, a worthy successor to Nelson, whom he admired and many of whose qualities he displayed. This second volume of Cunningham's papers covers the period of his life described above. It includes official documents but also many letters to his family and brother-officers that exhibit his feelings, as well as his illuminating diary entries from April 1944 onwards.

About this title

About the Author:

Michael Simpson is a retired Reader in History at the University of Wales, Swansea, UK.

About this edition

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0754655989
• ISBN 13: 9780754655985
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 474