This book examines how the Royal Navy protected our shores and wider interests through the First World War and the one that was to follow, from the northern patrol lifelines of the Atlantic, Arctic and Mediterranean convoys and increasingly sophisticated amphibious operations that would mark it out in the Second. The book ends with chapters on The Falklands War and Royal Navy's anti-piracy role and involvement in humanitarian crises. This visually stunning volume is complemented by 15 loose facsimile documents that include letters and diary entries, war reports and other items of memorabilia that bring an immediacy to the events being described. Without the Royal Navy in two World Wars, Britain would have at best lost, and worst ceased to exist. This book salutes the services's incredible achievements over the last 100 years.

Author Biography

Julian Thompson RMC served in the Royal Marines for 34 years, during which time he commanded operations at all levels from platoon to brigade. His period of command included the Falklands War of 1982, in which he commanded the 3rd Commando Brigade of three Royal Marines Commandos and the two battalions of the Parachute Regiment. He is now a visiting professor at the Department of War Studies at King's College, London and Chairman of a company which advises the shipping industry on combatting piracy. He regularly appears on television as an authority on military history and has written 16 books on the subject including The Somme & Verdun: 1916 Remembered, and co-authored The Gallipoli Experience.