British Destroyers 1939–45

Pre-war classes

British Destroyers 1939–45 cover

Description

The Royal Navy entered World War II with a large but eclectic fleet of destroyers. Some of these were veterans of World War I, fit only for escort duties. Most, though, had been built during the interwar period and were regarded as both reliable and versatile. Yet danger lurked across the seas as new destroyers being built in Germany, Italy, and Japan were larger and better armored.

So, until the new, larger Tribal-class destroyers could enter service, these vessels would have to hold the line. Used mainly to hunt submarines, protect convoys from aerial attack, and take out other destroyers, these ships served across the globe during the war. This fully illustrated study is the first in a two-part series on the real workhorses of the wartime Royal Navy, focusing on how these aging ships took on the formidable navies of the Axis powers.

Product details

Published Apr 18 2017
Format Paperback
Edition 1st
Extent 48
ISBN 9781472816368
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations 30 b/w; 10 col
Dimensions 248 x 184 mm
Series New Vanguard
Short code NVG 246
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Angus Konstam

Angus Konstam is a Fellow of the Royal Historical…

Illustrator

Tony Bryan

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