British Naval Intelligence through the Twentieth Century

This book provides a comprehensive account of how intelligence influenced and sustained British naval power from the mid-nineteenth century to the end of the Cold War, highlighting the importance of communications intelligence to an effective blockade in the First World War and the Royal Navy's continued global force for the rest of the twentieth century.

Format: Hardback
Length: 680 pages
Publication date: 14 September 2020
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

From the mid-nineteenth century, when the Admiralty established a dedicated intelligence department, to the end of the Cold War, this is the first comprehensive account of how intelligence influenced and sustained British naval power. It offers a critical new perspective on British naval history, placing naval intelligence within a broader context and highlighting the various components of the British state that contributed to naval requirements. Additionally, it is an intriguing exploration of how naval needs and personalities shaped the British intelligence community, as well as the concepts and values that underpin it.

The author delves into the reasons and methods behind intelligence collection, evaluating its actual impact on policy and operations. It confirms that naval intelligence played a vital role in Britain's survival and ultimate victory in the two World Wars, but it also significantly reevaluates its role, emphasizing the importance of communications intelligence in the First and a relatively less dominant position compared to other sources in the Second. The book reveals that coverage of Germany before 1914 and of the three Axis powers in the interwar period was more comprehensive and effective than previously suggested. While British power declined rapidly after 1945, the book demonstrates how intelligence helped the Royal Navy remain a significant global force for the remainder of the twentieth century, particularly in submarine warfare, especially in the second half of the Cold War, to achieve influence and impact for Britain far exceeding the resources expended.

This captivating new history will captivate readers with an interest in intelligence and its profound impact on naval policy and operations.

Weight: 1132g
Dimension: 169 x 242 x 56 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526736598