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A History of
the Royal Navy
new
A History of the Royal Navy:
The Napoleonic Wars
Martin Robson
King’s College London
The French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars were the first truly global conflicts. The Royal Navy was a
key player in the wars and the key enabler of British success: at the cessation of hostilities Britain emerged as
the only power capable of sustained global hegemony based on maritime and naval strength. The most iconic
battles of any era were fought at sea – from the Battle of the Nile in 1798 to Nelson’s momentous victory at
Trafalgar in October 1805. This book looks at the history of the Royal Navy during the French Revolutionary
and Napoleonic Wars from a broad perspective, examining the strategy, operations and tactics of British
seapower. While it delves into the details of Royal Navy operations such as battle, blockade, commerce
protection and exploration, it also covers a myriad other aspects often overlooked in narrative histories,
including the importance of naval logistics, transport, relations with the army and manning. An assessment of
key naval figures and combined eyewitness accounts situate the reader firmly in Nelson’s navy.
256 Pages | 216 x 135mm | March 2014 | 9781780765440 | Hardback | £20.00
new
The Royal Navy
A History Since 1900
Duncan Redford and Philip D. Grove
National Museum of the Royal Navy
Since 1900, the Royal Navy has seen vast operational changes. This book tells the story, not just of victory
and defeat, but also of how the Navy has adjusted to a century of rapid technological and social change. The
extensive reforms made by Admiral Fisher at the dawn of the twentieth century saw the navy’s nineteenthcentury wooden fleet replaced with the latest modern technology – battleships (including the iconic
dreadnoughts), aircraft carriers and submarines. In World War I and World War II, the navy played a central role,
with unrestricted submarine warfare and supply blockades becoming an integral part of combat. However it was
the development of nuclear and missile technology during the Cold War era which drastically changed the face of
naval warfare: today the navy can launch sea-based strikes across thousands of miles to reach targets deep inland.
This book places the wars and battles fought by the navy – from Jutland to the Falklands – within a wider context,
looking at political, economic, social and cultural issues, as well as providing a thorough operational history.
352 Pages | 216 x 135mm | March 2014 | 9781780767826 | Hardback | £25.00
new
A History of the Royal Navy:
World War I
Mike Farquharson-Roberts
For many years the naval warfare of World War I has been largely overlooked; yet, at the outbreak of that
war, the British Government had expected and intended its military contribution to the conflict to be largely
naval. Britain was not simply defending an island; it was defending a far flung empire. Without the navy such
an undertaking would have been impossible. Following the naval arms race in the early 20th century, both
Britain and Germany were equipped with the latest naval technology, including revolutionary new vessels
such as dreadnoughts and diesel-powered submarines. Although the Royal Navy’s operations in World War I
were global, most of the fleet’s strength was concentrated in the Grand Fleet, which confronted the German
High Seas Fleet across the North Sea. At the Battle of Jutland in 1916 the Royal Navy, under the command
of Admiral Jellicoe, fought an iconic, if inconclusive battle for control of shipping routes. 43,244 Royal Navy
personnel lost their lives fighting on the seas in World War I. This book tells their story and places the navy
back at the heart of the British war effort.
256 Pages | 216 x 135mm | july 2014 | 9781780768380 | Hardback | £20.00
new
A History of the Royal Navy:
World War II
Duncan Redford
National Museum of the Royal Navy
The Royal Navy’s operations in World War II started on 3 September 1939 and continued until the surrender
of Japan in August 1945 – there was no ‘phoney war’ at sea. The navy played a central role in the evacuation
of the retreating British army at Dunkirk, and later orchestrated the sinking of Germany’s mighty battleship
and Hitler’s pride, the Bismarck. Without the Royal Navy’s attention to the defence of Britain’s seaborne
trade – especially in the struggle against German U-boats in the Battle of the Atlantic – there would not have
been food for the country, fuel for the RAF’s operations or supplies to keep the army fighting in Europe, North
Africa and the Far East. Yet the outstanding naval contribution to Britain’s survival and eventual victory came at
a heavy cost in terms of ships and to the men who had to face not just the violence of the enemy, but also the
violence of the sea. This book argues that World War II was, effectively, a maritime war; it was the Royal Navy’s
war.
256 Pages | 216 x 134mm | march 2014 | 9781780765464 | hardback | £20.00
new
A History of the Royal Navy:
The Royal Marines
Britt Zerbe
Centre for Maritime History, University of Exeter
The Royal Marines are the elite force of the Royal Navy. Founded in 1755, but tracing their origins as far back
as 1664, the Marines are an iconic amphibious infantry force, combining military and naval skills and operations.
During World War I, the Marines were key players in the amphibious landings at Gallipoli, and in World War II
the Marines were active in a number of theatres including the capture of Madagascar and the defence of Crete.
In the post-war world, the Marines were active in the ill-fated Suez crisis. Today’s Marines are highly-skilled
maritime-focused commandoes who have played a pivotal role in recent conflicts in the Falklands, Afghanistan
and Iraq. This book provides a complete history of the force from formation to the present day. As well as
covering the campaigns fought by the Marines – from the Napoleonic Wars to the twenty-first century – the
book also looks at aspects of change and continuity in marine identity over the 300 years of their existence.
256 Pages | 216 x 135mm | august 2014 | 9781780767659 | Hardback | £20.00
www.ibtauris.com/royal-navy