British Pacific Fleet 1944–45: The Royal Navy in the downfall of Japan

The British Pacific Fleet played a crucial role in defeating Japan in 1945, alongside the US Navy. This book provides an illustrated account of the fleet, including battleships, submarines, and light forces, and how it adapted to the long-range, high-tempo warfare of the Pacific. It also discusses the ships, technology, organization, and command, and the campaign's key battles and events.

Format: Unspecified
Length: 80 pages
Publication date: 23 November 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

A comprehensive and visually stunning new account of the formidable Royal Navy fleet that played a pivotal role in defeating Japan during the final year of the Pacific War. The British Pacific Fleet, as the Royal Navy's principal contribution to Japan's direct defeat in 1945, stands as one of the most powerful fleets ever dispatched by Britain. By 1944, the Royal Navy had secured naval supremacy in its home waters, allowing it to deploy a substantial number of its finest and most modern ships to the Pacific. These included battleships, submarines, light forces, replenishment groups, and shore establishments. However, the centerpiece of the Royal Navy's Pacific offensive was its fast carrier force. Packed with dramatic new artwork, 3D diagrams, maps, and archival photos, this book delves into the Royal Navy's involvement in the Pacific carrier war and its adoption of the US Navy's highly effective fast carrier doctrine. The BPF, equipped with ships designed for short-range operations in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, had to rapidly adapt to the long-range, high-tempo warfare of the Pacific, often relying on inspired improvisation. The fleet shared the US Navy's harrowing experience of kamikaze strikes, and its armoured carriers proved more resilient than their American counterparts. The book explores in detail the ships, their technology, the organization and command structure of the fleet, and the strategies employed in the campaign. It provides a fascinating insight into the Royal Navy's crucial role in securing Japan's defeat, making it a must-read for enthusiasts of naval history and military strategy.

Weight: 256g
Dimension: 184 x 248 x 7 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781472856777