British Pacific Fleet 1944–45

The Royal Navy in the downfall of Japan

British Pacific Fleet 1944–45 cover

Description

An illustration-packed new account of the powerful Royal Navy fleet that fought alongside the US Navy throughout the last year of the Pacific War.

The British Pacific Fleet was the Royal Navy's primary contribution to the direct defeat of Japan in 1945, and is among the most powerful fleets Britain has ever sent into action. With naval supremacy in home waters achieved by 1944, many of the best and most modern ships in the Royal Navy could be sent to the Pacific, including battleships, submarines, light forces, replenishment groups, and shore establishment. However, the main striking force was the fast carrier force.

Illustrated throughout with dramatic new artwork, 3D diagrams, maps and archive photos, this book explains how the Royal Navy joined the Pacific carrier war, and how the fleet adopted the US Navy's ruthlessly effective fast carrier doctrine. With ships optimized for short-range operations in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, the BPF had to rapidly adapt to the long-range, high-tempo warfare of the Pacific, and the story is often one of inspired improvisation. The BPF shared the US Navy's terrifying experience of kamikaze strikes, and famously its armoured carriers proved tougher than the US counterparts.

With discussion of the ships, their technology, how the fleet was organized and commanded, and how it fought the campaign, this book is a fascinating exploration of the Royal Navy's part in the victory over Japan.

Table of Contents

(Subject to Confirmation)
THE FLEET'S PURPOSE
FLEET FIGHTING POWER
The Ships
Technical Factors
HOW THE FLEET OPERATED
Doctrine, Command, and Communication
Intelligence and Deception
Logistics and Facilities
COMBAT AND ANALYSIS
The Fleet in Combat
Analysis
FURTHER READING

Product details

Published Nov 21 2023
Format Paperback
Edition 1st
Extent 80
ISBN 9781472856777
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations Illustrated throughout with at least 40 archive photos and 15 pages of original colour illustrations
Dimensions 248 x 184 mm
Series Fleet
Short code FLT 3
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Brian Lane Herder

Brian Lane Herder graduated with a BA in History f…

Illustrator

Paul Wright

Paul Wright has painted ships of all kinds for mos…

Resources

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