THE GRAND FLEET 1914-16: Its Creation, Development and Work (First edition - fourth impression - illustrated with folding maps)

Fourth impression of the true first edition, published in the same month as the first impression, February 1919. ***xvi pages of prelims and 517 printed pages of text, illustrated with one coloured plate, nine monochrome plates, including a frontispiece, nine large folding charts coloured in outline, and four folding diagrams in a pocket at the back of the book - I. Plan of Jutland Battle, II. Diagram to illustrate the situation that might have arisen had the Battle Fleet deployed on the starboard wing column, III. Diagram showing order of the Battle Fleet, IV. Track of Squadrons. ***Very good in blue cloth-covered boards, with gilt titles to the spine, and gilt decoration to the front board. The gilt titles on the spine are faded as usual, and the cloth is slightly marked. Head and tail of spine slightly worn, creased and rubbed. Edges of spine rubbed. Corners bumped, affecting some of the top corners of the page block. This is a very heavy book, and as such, the binding feels slightly strained, but there is no splitting or tearing, and the contents are all holding together. No loose pages. Contents clean and unmarked. There is an interesting inscription in pencil to the front free endpaper, as follows: E. G. H. Alduson - for his wife - April 8 1919 - to the Royal United Service Library from Lady Alduson, July 1934.' No dustwrapper. 517 pages. 240 mm x 170 mm. ***'The Grand Fleet was the main fleet of the Royal Navy during the First World War. Formed in August 1914 from the First Fleet and elements of the Second Fleet of the Home Fleets, the Grand Fleet included 25–35 state-of-the-art capital ships. It was initially commanded by Admiral Sir John Jellicoe. He was succeeded by Admiral Sir David Beatty in December 1916. The Grand Fleet was based first at Scapa Flow in the Orkney Islands and later at Rosyth on the Firth of Forth. It took part in the biggest fleet action of the war – the Battle of Jutland – in June 1916. In April 1919 the Grand Fleet was disbanded, with much of its strength forming a new Atlantic Fleet.' ***'Admiral of the Fleet John Rushworth Jellicoe, 1st Earl Jellicoe, GCB, OM, GCVO, SGM, DL (5 Dec 1859 - 20 Nov 1935) was a Royal Navy officer. He fought in the Anglo-Egyptian War and the Boxer Rebellion and commanded the Grand Fleet at the Battle of Jutland in May 1916 during the First World War. His handling of the fleet at that battle was controversial. Jellicoe made no serious mistakes and the German High Seas Fleet retreated to port, at a time when defeat would have been catastrophic for Britain, but the public was disappointed that the Royal Navy had not won a more dramatic victory given that they outnumbered the enemy. Jellicoe later served as First Sea Lord, overseeing the expansion of the Naval Staff at the Admiralty and the introduction of convoys, but was relieved at the end of 1917. He also served as the Governor-General of New Zealand in the early 1920s.' (Wiki) ***A monumental study of the Grand Fleet of the Royal Navy, and the Battle of Jutland, well illustrated with maps and photographs, published just after the end of the First World War. A wonderful historical work, published shortly after the end of the First World War. ***For all our books, postage is charged at cost, allowing for packaging: any shipping rates indicated on ABE are an average only: we will reduce the P & P charge where appropriate - please contact us for postal rates for heavier books and sets etc.…