audiobook British and Commonwealth Warship Camouflage of WW II: Cruisers and Minelayers Volume III by Malcolm George Wright in History

Description

In August 1917; at the height of the First World War; a small biplane landed on the makeshift flight deck of HMS Furious - the first ever carrier landing in aviation history. This small act ushered in a new era. Two decades later; when Britain stood on the brink of another World War; the Royal Navy had a small fleet of aircraft carriers; with several more nearing completion. When war came the newly-formed Fleet Air Arm would demonstrate that what it lacked in modern equipment; it made up for in skill and daring. The first of these carriers were converted from existing ships. Then in 1938 HMS Ark Royal was launched - Britain's first purpose built carrier. Its design set the standard for what was to come. The "Ark" was followed by the highly successful Illustrious Class; and then by others whose design was modified in the light of wartime experience. British fleet carriers had steel flight decks; and although smaller and able to carry less aircraft that the carriers seen in the Pacific; they were better suited to conditions in European waters. It also meant they were more resilient; and could shrug off damage that would cripple their American counterparts. Over the next six years these British aircraft carriers would launch attacks against a major Italian naval base; attack the Italian battle fleet on the high seas; and cripple the Bismarck; so that the battleships of the Home Fleet could overtake her. They would also see service in every theatre of war; including the Pacific. Inevitably; their success came at a price. Courageous; Eagle and Ark Royal were torpedoed by U-Boats; Glorious was sunk by the guns of a German battlecruiser; and Hermes was lost to Japanese bombs. Most of the rest of the carrier fleet were damaged to some extent during their service lives; but they survived and kept on fighting.This New Vanguard title tells the story of these remarkable warships; and reveals the secrets of their design; how they operated; and above all; what they achieved.