Sous-marins (1e GM) - Grande Bretagne : livres - histoire

Although the Royal Navy did not invent the submarine, Norman Friedman's new book demonstrates how innovative the service was, to an extent which few will recognise. Its submarines performed well in combat in both world wars, and often in unheralded ways. Few will be aware that in 1914 Britain had the largest submarine fleet in the world, and that at the end of World War I it had some of the largest and most unusual of all submarines - whose origins and design are all detailed.

During the First World War they virtually closed the Baltic to German iron ore traffic, and they helped block supplies to the Turkish army fighting at Gallipoli. British submarines were a major element in the North Sea battles, and they helped fight the U-boat menace. These roles led on to British submarine operations in World War II. Readers will be aware of the role of US submarines in strangling Japan, but perhaps not how British submarines in the Mediterranean fought a parallel costly but successful battle to strangle the German army in North Africa.

Between the Wars British submariners exploited the new technology of sonar (Asdic), both to find and attack enemies and to avoid being attacked themselves. As a result, they pioneered submarine silencing, with important advantages to the US Navy as it observed the British. And it was a British submarine that pioneered the vital postwar use of submarines as anti-submarine weapons, sinking a U-boat while both were submerged. This feat was unique.

Heavily illustrated with photos and original plans, this new volume from Norman Friedman, incorporating so much original analysis, will be eagerly awaited by naval historians and enthusiasts everywhere.

Originally published in 1970 and out of print for nearly thirty years, this book has already earned its place as a classic of submarine history by an author with an international reputation for being second-to-none in evoking the claustrophobic horror of war beneath the waves.
Accurate in detail, yet written with humanity and humour, it tells the story of Britain's pioneer submarines during the 1914-1918 War during which their crews battled courageously in atrocious conditions against a skilled and ruthless enemy and an equally unforgiving sea.

2001 marked the centenary of Britain's Submarine Service introduced into the Royal Navy in the face of opposition from virtually every flag officer in the fleet. The dedicated enthusiasts who made up their crews were derided as members of 'The Trade' but they fought the Edwardian Naval Establishment as fiercely as they were later to fight the enemy; And Victory was their reward on both occasions.

Freshly illustrated, this second edition is a timely tribute to the gallant pioneers who created the legacy of dogged courage, determination, and standards of excellence which remain the proud hallmarks of the Royal Navy's submarine service today.

As the major powers engaged in an arms race in the early years of the 20th century, the Admiralty was tasked with developing that deadly stalker of the high seas - the submarine. In 1905, briefed with creating a vessel that could be employed on an enemy's coastline, the Admiralty took several technological leaps forward to match Germany's own revolutionary vessels.

Written by an influential expert in the field and covering all classes of submarine developed and deployed during the war, this book includes great technical detail, gripping operational accounts and is accompanied by artwork. With fascinating details of daring submarine raids in the Baltic and the Dardanelles, this book reveals the exceedingly dangerous world of early submarine warfare which claimed an extraordinary number of lives on both sides and paved the way for a new kind of naval warfare in the 20th century and beyond.

Contents: Introduction - Design and development (Pre-war coastal classes; The D-Class submarine; The E-Class submarine; The H-Class submarine; Later coastal classes; Overseas classes; Fleet classes) - Theatres of operation (The Baltic; The Dardanelles; Home waters; British submarine losses in World War I) - Bibliography - Index