The importance of marine salvage during armed conflict has been vastly
underestimated since becoming a vital Naval arm during the First World
War. Between 1915 and 1918 the Admiralty Salvage Section saved nearly
400 merchant vessels, desperately needed to bring food and war materials
into Britain.
During the Second World War, some two million tons of shipping was
successfully recovered. From D-Day onwards Admiralty salvage men cleared
many stricken craft from the Normandy beaches alone, often under heavy
shellfire. Then, as the Germans retreated back across Europe, salvage
teams undertook vital port clearance duties.
During the Suez Crisis, Falklands Conflict and even the Gulf War the
same story can be told. And their peacetime operations have also been
important. Drawing on a wealth of official documents, Admiralty
Salvage is the first book to explore in depth the courage, personal
sacrifice and invaluable contribution these forgotten heroes have made
during both peace and war