Submarine and Anti-Submarine

Submarines and U-boats-killers beneath the waves

Newbolt's excellent overview of the undersea conflict of the First World War is an essential book for any student of the subject. The author, a recognised authority on naval and maritime history, considers the evolution of the submarine as a weapon of naval warfare before turning his attention to the use of the submariner service during the war. The operations of British submarine bases are described as are the policies of the government of the day regarding the use of submarines in war. Tactical issues concerning the engagement of submarines against warships and vice-versa are also considered. The book describes the activities of British submarines in the Baltic and Mediterranean, and particularly as they were employed in the Dardanelles initiative. An important focus of Newbolt's book is the destructive influence of the highly effective German U-Boat blockade in the Atlantic Ocean. Whilst submarines were employed by the Royal Navy it would be fair to note that the principal objective of the Allies was to pursue the destruction of enemy submarines. The activities of anti-submarine trawlers, smacks and drifters is discussed as are the more aggressive roles of the destroyers, P-Boats, Q-Boats and the activities of the Auxiliary Patrol. Newbolt concludes with the work of the ultimate submarine killer-the submarine itself, before describing the closing stages of the war with the destruction of enemy bases in Belgium. Recommended.

Leonaur editions are newly typeset and are not facsimiles; each title is available in softcover and hardback with dustjacket.