Nelson to Vanguard: Warship Design and Development 1923-1945 - Softcover

Brown, D. K.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 184832149X ISBN 13: 9781848321496

Publisher: Seaforth Publishing, 1849

Synopsis

The third volume in D K Brown s bestselling series on warship design and development looks at the Royal Navy s response to the restrictions placed on it by the Washington Naval Treaties in the inter-war years, and analyses the fleet that was constructed to fight the Second World War. He focusses on the principal pre-war developments such as the first purpose-built aircraft carriers and the growing perception of the threat of air attack to warships. All the wartime construction programmes are covered, such as the massive expansion in escort ships to counter the U-boat menace, and the development of the amphibious warfare fleet for the D-Day landings in 1944. Full analysis is also provided of the experience of wartime damage, as well as the once top secret pre- and post-war damage trials. Illustrated throughout with a superb collection of contemporary photographs and numerous line drawings, this now classic work is required reading for naval historians and enthusiasts.

About this title

Review

This book covers two very different periods - the post First World War period of limited budgets and limits imposed by naval treaties, followed by the period of re-armament and wartime construction, when time and resources were the main limit. The ship's service careers aren't really the main topic of this book, but they are mentioned in two contexts: for most classes a brief examination of their effectiveness is included; second when some aspect of their service career relates to their design (the loss of the Ark Royal as a case study of damage control for example). This is a splendid book, written by someone who worked in this area (and who actually served in some of the ships under discussion earlier in his career). It should be an essential part of the library of anyone interested in naval warfare. www.historyofwar.org Throughout david gives us personal anecodotes from his own time as a designer, and injects the text with his great humour to help leaven what could otherwise seem a heavy topic. Marine News

Edition details

• Publisher: Seaforth Publishing
• Publication date: 1849
• ISBN 10: 184832149X
• ISBN 13: 9781848321496
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English