British Motor Gun Boat 1939–45

Author: Angus Konstam
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1472803191
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 111

Book Description
Motor Gun Boats were the “Spitfires of the Seas” of the Royal Navy. Bristling with small-calibre guns and machine guns, they served in a variety of roles during the War. In the early war period they battled against German E-boats in the English Channel, then went on the offensive, searching the enemy shore for targets of opportunity. At other times, they ran support for Motor Torpedo Boats and were used to deliver commandos on various raids. Naval Warfare expert, Angus Konstam, tells the story of these small, but destructive boats, beginning with their design and development and carrying through to their operational use in both the European and Mediterranean theatres of World War II.

British Motor Gun Boat 1939–45

Author: Angus Konstam
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 184908078X
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 50

US Patrol Torpedo Boats

Author: Gordon L. Rottman
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1780962088
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 114

Book Description
ALSO AVAILABLE AS AN E-BOOK. Motor torpedo boat development began in the early 1900s, and the vessels first saw service during World War I. However, it was not until the late 1930s that the US Navy commenced the development of the Patrol Torpedo or PT boat. The PT boat was designed for attacking larger warships with torpedoes using its 'stealth' ability, high-speed and small size to launch and survive these attacks – although they were employed in a wide variety of other missions, including rescuing General MacArthur and his entourage from the Philippines. This book examines the design and development of these unique craft, very few of which survive today, and goes on to examine their role and combat deployment in World War II.

German E-boats 1939–45

Author: Gordon Williamson
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1780966164
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 104

Book Description
By the outbreak of World War II, Germany had done much to replace the Kaiser's High Seas Fleet, which was scuttled following their surrender at the end of World War I. Forced to build anew, the Kriegsmarine possessed some of the most technically advanced warships in existence. Although the heavy units of the fleet were too small in number to pose much of a threat, Germany was particularly well served by her Navy's smaller vessels, in particular the U-Boats and the S-Boats. Known to the allies as the E-Boats ('Enemy'), they performed sterling duties in the Black Sea and English Channel, where they became a particular scourge.

Dog Boats at War

Author: Leonard C. Reynolds
Publisher: Alan Sutton Publishing
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 312

Book Description
Armed to the teeth with heavy weapons, the Royal Navy's D class MGBs and MTBs played havoc with enemy convoys during World War II, engaging and sinking dozens of vessels. This account of the Dog Boats in action draws upon offical records and eye-witness testimony to examine their contribution to the defence of the Normandy landings assault areas, and their clandestine, special duty missions to pick up agents and RAF pilots passed back along the escape routes of the French Resistance.

Fairmile 'D' Motor Torpedo Boat

Author: John Lambert
Publisher: Conway
ISBN: 9781844860067
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Book Description
The Fairmile Type D was designed to combat the known advantages of German S-boats (Schnellboote - but always called 'E-boats' by the Allies) over previous British coastal craft designs. Designed for 31 knots at 80 tons' displacement, the Fairmile Ds were the most potent and heavily-armed coastal forces type of any navy. They fulfilled various roles, from the original MTB/MGB role to anti-submarine and mine operations. This book is the most comprehensive body of information available anywhere in a single volume on this important type. This book provides the finest documentation of these uniquely fast small warships ever produced, through a complete set of superbly executed line drawings offering enthusiasts a novel insight into ship design and construction. In addition, it includes a service and design history and a pictorial section emphasising close-up and on-board photographs.

British Submarine vs Italian Torpedo Boat

Author: David Greentree
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1472814142
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 181

Book Description
As the war in North Africa escalated, Axis war efforts became increasingly dependent on supply lines across the Mediterranean. To try to cut off these lines of supply the British deployed submarines from the besieged island of Malta with the directive to sink as much merchant convoy tonnage as possible. Italy responded by sending her Torpedo boats to protect and escort Axis convoys. Featuring specially commissioned full-colour artwork and carefully chosen archive photographs, this engaging study assesses the evolving battle between Britain's submarines and Italy's torpedo boats in the struggle for primacy in the Mediterranean at the height of World War II.

Kriegsmarine Coastal Forces

Author: Gordon Williamson
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1782000003
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 86

Book Description
Although often overlooked in favour of the U-boats or battleships, the vast majority of the Kriegsmarine was formed of the smaller vessels of the coastal forces. These ships and boats, which included minesweepers, torpedo boats, patrol boats, and blockade breakers, gave crucial service to Germany during the war, and many continued serving for decades after the surrender in such tasks as clearing minefields. Also included in these forces was Hitler's yacht, the Ostwind. This book reveals the history of the vessels that formed the backbone of the Kriegsmarine, and combines fascinating anecdotes, detailed technical information, and full-colour artwork.

Naval Warfare in the English Channel, 1939–1945

Author: Peter C. Smith
Publisher: Casemate Publishers
ISBN: 1781596352
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 526

Book Description
This WWII history examines how the Royal Navy defended the English Channel from the first Dover Patrols to the liberation of the Channel Islands. The English Channel has always provided Great Britain with a natural defensive barrier, but it was never more vital than in the early days of World War Two. This book relates how the Royal Navy maintained control of that vital seaway throughout the war. Military historian Peter Smith takes readers from the early days of the Dover Patrols, through the traumas of the Dunkirk evacuation and the battles of the Channel convoys; the war against the E-boats and U-boats; the tragic raids at Dieppe and St Nazaire; the escape of the German battle-fleet; coastal convoys; the Normandy landings and the final liberation of the Channel Islands. Many wartime photographs, charts and tables add to this superb account of this bitterly contested narrow sea.

Allied Coastal Forces of WWII, Volume 1

Author: John Lambert
Publisher: Conway
ISBN: 9780851775197
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 256

Book Description
The first volume in this series detailing all the designs for Motor Torpedo Boats, Motor Gun Boats and Motor Launches that served the Allied Forces in the period 1939-45. It covers all the designs of the British Fairmile Marine Company (including those craft built and equipped in Canada), together with the 72ft Admiralty harbor Defence Motor Launch designs and the US Navy's 110ft submarine chaser. Separate sections deal with Coastal Forces armament and equipment in full, and appendices include further technical detail, production data, provisioning and typical service records.