British Frigates and Escort Destroyers 1939-45

During World War II, the British and Commonwealth governments needed large quantities of new warships to defend their shipping from U-boats. The two largest types of ship produced were the escort destroyer and the frigate, which were essential for protecting convoys in the Atlantic Ocean. This book explores the history of the Hunt-, Loch-, Bay-, and River-class escort destroyers and frigates, revealing how crews fought and what life was like on board.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 48 pages
Publication date: 22 June 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The Battle of the Atlantic was a pivotal period in World War II, as Britain and the Commonwealth sought to protect their shipping routes from German U-boats. To meet this demand, large quantities of new warships were needed, which could be produced cheaply. The two largest types of ship produced were the escort destroyer and the frigate. Escort destroyers were essentially small destroyers optimized for anti-submarine warfare, with speed and anti-surface weaponry sacrificed in favor of durability and survivability. Frigates, on the other hand, were simpler, designed so they could be built quickly in civilian shipyards. Nearly 200 of these warships were built, and they played a critical role in protecting convoys in the Atlantic Ocean.

Their range and seagoing qualities made them well-suited for operations, and they were also used to form hunting groups, which collectively accounted for the destruction of scores of German U-boats. The arrival of these warships came at a critical time for the Royal Navy, as the Battle of the Atlantic was reaching its climax, and losses among both merchant ships and escorts were mounting.

In this book, naval expert Angus Konstam outlines the history of the Hunt-, Loch-, Bay-, and River-class escort destroyers and frigates, revealing how crews fought and what life was like on board. Using archive photos, detailed color profiles, a Hunt-class cutaway, and battlescenes of the ships at war, he explores the key role played by these small but deadly escorts.

The escort destroyers and frigates of the Hunt-, Loch-, Bay-, and River-classes were a vital component of the Royal Navy's efforts to protect convoys in the Atlantic Ocean during World War II. These ships were designed to be fast and maneuverable, with a focus on anti-submarine warfare. They were built in large numbers, with nearly 200 being produced, and played a critical role in the Battle of the Atlantic.

The Hunt-class escort destroyers were the first of their kind, and were designed to be fast and maneuverable. They were equipped with a range of weapons, including torpedoes, depth charges, and anti-aircraft guns, and were capable of reaching speeds of up to 35 knots. They were also equipped with radar, which allowed them to detect and track enemy ships.

The Loch-class escort destroyers were a larger version of the Hunt-class, and were designed to be even faster and more maneuverable. They were equipped with a range of weapons, including torpedoes, depth charges, and anti-aircraft guns, and were capable of reaching speeds of up to 40 knots. They were also equipped with radar, which allowed them to detect and track enemy ships.

The Bay-class escort destroyers were a smaller version of the Hunt-class, and were designed to be fast and maneuverable. They were equipped with a range of weapons, including torpedoes, depth charges, and anti-aircraft guns, and were capable of reaching speeds of up to 30 knots. They were also equipped with radar, which allowed them to detect and track enemy ships.

The River-class escort destroyers were a larger version of the Bay-class, and were designed to be even faster and more maneuverable. They were equipped with a range of weapons, including torpedoes, depth charges, and anti-aircraft guns, and were capable of reaching speeds of up to 40 knots. They were also equipped with radar, which allowed them to detect and track enemy ships.

The crews of these ships were highly trained and experienced, and were tasked with the difficult and dangerous job of protecting convoys from German U-boats. They faced a range of challenges, including long periods at sea, harsh weather conditions, and the constant threat of attack. Despite these challenges, they were able to successfully defend convoys, and played a critical role in the Battle of the Atlantic.

In conclusion, the escort destroyers and frigates of the Hunt-, Loch-, Bay-, and River-classes were a vital component of the Royal Navy's efforts to protect convoys in the Atlantic Ocean during World War II. These ships were fast and maneuverable, with a focus on anti-submarine warfare, and played a critical role in the Battle of the Atlantic. The crews of these ships were highly trained and experienced, and faced a range of challenges, but were able to successfully defend convoys and play a critical role in the war effort.

Weight: 170g
Dimension: 185 x 248 x 7 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781472858115