|
|
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Remarkable Reference Work, 17 Jul 2003
The War in the Atlantic was the only thing Winston Churchill was said to be worried about. An island nation surrounded by hostile seas, Britain needed a system that would keep her supplled so she could maintain the fight against the Axis powers. Its solution was to introduce the Convoy System, and for the rest of the war the vicious Battle of the Atlantic raged with no letup and little mercy. At the conclusion of the war, it was the allied victory in the Atlantic which was arguably the single most important factor in that victory.However, sitxy years after this remarkable battle began, and with its partcipants now passing away in ever increasing numbers, there is a danger the details and tactics which won the day will pass from memory. That is why this book fills such an important niche, because the development and operations of Allied convoys has never been so well described. A retired naval officer and longtime researcher on the staff of the Historical Section of the Ministry of Defence, Arnold Hague has assembled what is probably the largest collection of convoy records in existence and from these he has written the most comprehensive and detailed history presently available. This wide-ranging work not only explains how the convoy system was organized how it was protected, but also contains descriptions and illustrations of escorts, escort oilers, rescue ships, salvage tugs, and escort aircraft carriers, as well as describing the tactics and weapons of the U-boat war. Of most interest to the researcher is the huge appendix, which lists every North Atlantic-related convoy, with sailing and arrival dates, points of departure and arrival, number of vessels involved and number lost. This remarkable reference book fills a significant gap in the literature of the Second World War and is an essential work for anyone interested in learning how WW2 was one by victory in this vital battle.
|
