With the outbreak of World War II, Britain's Royal Navy was at the
forefront of her defence with her fleet of battleships as her main
striking force. However, ten battleships of this fleet were already over
20 years old, venerable veterans of the first world conflict. As such,
in the 1930s two new classes were commissioned - modern battleships
which were designed to replace the ageing battle fleet although only one
would see active service. Together with the older battleships, which
were increasingly modified in the decade preceding the war and during
the conflict itself, these vessels held their own against their German
and Italian counterparts.
This title offers a comprehensive review of the seven battleships of the
Nelson and King George V classes from their initial commissioning to
their peacetime modifications and wartime service. Detailed descriptions
of the main armament of each ship will offer further analysis of
individual battleship's effectiveness, discussing how the guns were
manned when engaging with the enemy. Moreover, with specially
commissioned artwork and a dramatic re-telling of key battleship
battles, this book will highlight what it was like on board for the
sailors who risked their lives on the high seas. Describing HMS Rodney
battling against the Bismarck, the might of the Kriegsmarine, the author
details how the British battleship closed in on her German adversary at
such close range that the spotters could follow the shells onto the
target, arguing that although the aircraft carrier would eventually
dominate later naval conflicts, it was the battleship that performed an
invaluable service throughout countless engagements.
