French Battleships 1914–45
French Battleships 1914–45

Author: Ryan K. Noppen

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2019-01-24

Total Pages: 49

ISBN-13: 1472818210

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On September 1, 1910, France became the last great naval power to lay down a dreadnought battleship, the Courbet. The ensuing Courbet and Bretagne-class dreadnoughts had a relatively quiet World War I, spending most of it at anchor off the entrance to the Adriatic, keeping watch over the Austro-Hungarian fleet. The constraints of the Washington Naval Treaty prevented new battleships being built until the 1930s, with the innovative Dunkerque-class and excellent Richelieu-class of battleships designed to counter new German designs. After the fall of France in 1940, the dreadnoughts and fast battleships of the Marine Nationale had the unique experience of firing against German, Italian, British, and American targets during the war. This authoritative study examines these fascinating ships, using detailed colour plates and historical photographs, taking them from their inception before World War I, through their service in World War II including the scuttling of the French fleet at Toulon in 1943, and the service of Richelieu in the war against Japan.

French Battleships of World War One
French Battleships of World War One

Author: John Jordan

Publisher: Seaforth Publishing

Published: 2017

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781848322547

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When war broke out in August 1914 France had only two dreadnoughts in service, with a second pair running trials. The main body of the elite Arm e Navale was made up of the eleven battleships of the _Patrie_ and _Danton_ classes, both of which were intermediate designs with two main gun calibres. Older ships included survivors of the notorious _Flotte d echantillons_ ('fleet of samples') of the 1890 programme and their successors designed during the 1890s. This book traces the development of French battleships from 1890 to 1922, and also covers the extensive modifications made to the survivors during the interwar period. The structure follows that of previous books in this highly successful series, with Part I by John Jordan devoted to design, followed by historical chapters by Philippe Caresse covering 1900 to 1945\. It is liberally illustrated throughout with line drawings and labelled schematics, plus photographs from the extensive Caresse collection, many of which are previously unpublished. This is the most comprehensive account of these ships published in English or in French, and is destined be the standard reference for many years to come. AUTHORS: John Jordan is the Editor of the _Warship_ annual and a lifelong student of French naval history. His previous three books on French Battleships, Cruisers and Destroyers were critical and commercial successes. Philippe Caresse, his collaborator on this book, is a leading authority on late 19th-century French warships.

French Battleships 1922-1956
French Battleships 1922-1956

Author: John Jordan

Publisher: Seaforth Publishing

Published: 2009-09-17

Total Pages: 234

ISBN-13: 1848320345

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The battleships of the Dunkerque and Richelieu classes were the most radical and influential designs of the interwar period, and were coveted by the British, the Germans and the Italians following the Armistice of June 1940. After an extensive refit in the USA, Richelieu went on to serve alongside the Royal Navy during 1943-45. Using a wealth of primary-source material, some of which has only recently been made available, John Jordan and Robert Dumas have embarked on a completely new study of these important and technically interesting ships. A full account of their development is followed by a detailed analysis of their design characteristics, profusely illustrated by inboard profiles and schematic drawings. The technical chapters are interspersed with operational histories of the ships, with a particular focus on the operations in which they engaged other heavy units: Mers el-Kebir, Dakar and Casablanca. These accounts include a detailed analysis of their performance in action and the damage sustained, and are supported by specially-drawn maps and by the logs of Strasbourg and Richelieu. Twenty-two colour profile and plan views illustrate the ships' appearance at the various stages of their careers.

Memory of War in France, 1914-45
Memory of War in France, 1914-45

Author: M. Perry

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2011-01-19

Total Pages: 266

ISBN-13: 0230297749

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Memory of War in France examines France in the era of world war through the unconventional eyes of the veteran, activist and novelist, César Fauxbras. It encompasses the French navy at war, the naval mutinies of 1919, the experience of unemployment, interwar pacifism, French defeat in 1940 and Paris under the heel of German occupation.

US Navy Dreadnoughts 1914–45
US Navy Dreadnoughts 1914–45

Author: Ryan K. Noppen

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2014-08-20

Total Pages: 50

ISBN-13: 1782003878

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The development of the US Navy's dreadnought battleships was a pivotal part of America's evolution into a true world power. By the beginning of World War I, the United States possessed the world's third largest navy, with ten dreadnoughts in service and four more under construction. By the end of World War II, the US Navy was the undoubted global superpower, despite initial crippling losses to its battlefleet at Pearl Harbor. Richly illustrated with archive photographs as well as a full cutaway of the world's only surviving dreadnought, this comprehensive and detailed title covers the technical characteristics and combat record of the US dreadnoughts throughout their long careers.

The Polish Navy 1918–45
The Polish Navy 1918–45

Author: Przemyslaw Budzbon

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2022-06-23

Total Pages: 49

ISBN-13: 1472847016

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Packed with illustrations, this is a study of the Polish warships such as the Grom-class destroyers that were developed and built in the interwar years. Newly independent Poland's naval force was created in 1920, initially with six ex-German torpedo boats. However, after German-Soviet exercises off the Polish coast in 1924, funding for warships was hastily allocated. Two destroyers and three submarines were built in France but, disappointed with their quality, Poland ordered new ships, mostly from British and Dutch shipyards. By summer 1939, the Polish Navy comprised four destroyers, five submarines, one minelayer, six minesweepers and a handful of lesser ships. Although the Grom-class destroyers were two of the fastest and best-armed destroyers of the war, the tiny Polish fleet would stand little chance against the Kriegsmarine, and on 30 August three destroyers were dispatched to Britain, followed by two submarines that escaped internment. The remaining Polish surface fleet was sunk by 3 September. In exile, the Polish Navy operated not only their own ships, but also Royal Navy warships, including a cruiser, destroyers, submarines and motor torpedo boats which fought alongside the Allies in the Battle of the Atlantic, the Arctic Convoys, and at the Normandy landings. This detailed account not only describes the Polish Navy's contribution to the Allied war effort but also the episode of the Polish destroyer Piorun which took on the Bismarck in a lone gun duel leading to the sinking of the great German battleship.

Austro-Hungarian Battleships 1914–18
Austro-Hungarian Battleships 1914–18

Author: Ryan K. Noppen

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2012-09-20

Total Pages: 50

ISBN-13: 1849086893

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Austria-Hungary did not have an overseas empire; its empire lay within its own boundaries and the primary purpose of its navy until the beginning of the twentieth century was the defense of its coastline. As its merchant marine dramatically grew, admirals believed that the navy should take a more proactive policy of defense. The 1890s saw the beginning of a series of naval building programs that would create a well-balanced modern fleet. Cruisers were constructed for the protection of overseas trade and for “showing the flag” but the decisive projection of Austria-Hungary's commitment to control the Adriatic was the construction of a force of modern battleships. Despite the naval arms race throughout Europe at the time, the navy had difficulty obtaining funds for new ships. The difficulties experienced in battleship funding and construction mirrored the political difficulties and ethnic rivalries within the empire. Nevertheless by August of 1914, the Austro-Hungarian had a fleet of battleships. This book details the five classes of Austro-Hungarian battleships in service during World War I.

Warships in the Spanish Civil War
Warships in the Spanish Civil War

Author: Angus Konstam

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2021-10-28

Total Pages: 49

ISBN-13: 1472848675

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This detailed study of the naval Spanish Civil War describes how the Spanish Navy, torn in two and comprising a Republican and Nationalist part, fought a civil war at sea involving both Hitler's and Mussolini's navies. In July 1936, a pro-fascist coup orchestrated by General Franco tore Spain apart and plunged the country into a bitter civil war. Like Spain itself, the Spanish Navy was torn in two: crews and most ships remained loyal to the Republican government but many of the Navy's officers joined Franco's rebels, and warships under repair or 'mothballed' in southern ports soon fell to the rebel advance. These formed the basis of Franco's 'Nationalist fleet,' and with both Italian and German help, the rebels were able to contest the Republic's control of Spanish waters. Overall the Republican Navy held its own, despite mounting losses, until the collapse of the Republican Army led to the fleet seeking internment in French North Africa. Packed with contemporary photographs and full colour illustrations, this study examines the composition and organization of the two rival fleets, the capabilities of their ships and submarines, and the performance of their crews. It also covers the warships of the Basque Auxiliary Navy - an offshoot of the Republican Fleet - and other navies who played a part in the conflict, most notably the Italian Regia Marina.

War at Sea, 1914-45
War at Sea, 1914-45

Author: Bernard Ireland

Publisher: Cassell

Published: 2002

Total Pages: 224

ISBN-13: 9780304353408

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In 1914 international naval power was measured in dreadnought battleships. They were the index of national power like the ¿nuclear club¿ of those 21st century countries armed with atomic weapons. Every nation with pretentions to world power joined the ¿battleship race¿, from France and Russia to Argentina and Chile. Most critical of all were the rival building programmes of Britain and Germany, a bitter contest that helped trigger the First World War. Within a generation, the mighty battleships were rendered redundant. Submarines and aircraft dominated the seas. Amphibious warfare became crucial: both for the liberation of German-occupied Europe and to drive back the Japanese from their island conquests. Bernard Ireland analyses this extraordinary transition, combining a wide-ranging analysis with vivid narratives of key battles and campaigns.