The Spanish Civil War at Sea (Hardback)
Dark and Dangerous Waters
Imprint: Pen & Sword Maritime
Pages: 304
Illustrations: 8 black and white illustrations, 3 black and white maps and various tables
ISBN: 9781526764362
Published: 11th August 2021
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The Spanish Civil War of 1936-1939 underlined the importance of the sea as the supply route to both General Franco's insurgents and the Spanish Republic. There were attempted blockades by Franco as well as attacks by his Italian and German allies against legitimate neutral, largely British, merchant shipping bound for Spanish Republican ports and challenges to the Royal Navy, which was obliged to maintain a heavy presence in the area. The conflict provoked splits in British public opinion. Events at sea both created and reflected the international tensions of the latter 1930s, when the policy of appeasement of Germany and Italy dissuaded Britain from taking action against those countries’ activities in Spain, except to participate in a largely ineffective naval patrol to try to prevent the supply of war material to both sides. The book is based on original documentary sources in both Britain and Spain and is intended for the general reader as well as students and academics interested in the history of the 1930s, in naval matters and in the Spanish Civil War.
"Alpert’s book illuminates the least-known aspect of the Spanish Civil War. It is a good read, a valuable reference, and is recommended."
The Northern Mariner/Le marin du nord
"...an excellent treatment of the largest sea war between the world wars."
The NYMAS Review
With the sub-title: Dark and Dangerous Waters the book is based on original documentary sources in both Britain and Spain and is intended for the general reader as well as students and academics interested in the history of the 1930s, in naval matters and in the Spanish Civil War.
Paul Ridgway - Africa Ports & Ships - February 22
'The book is hugely informative, straightforwardly written, often enthralling. It is an essential contribution to Civil War literature and a ‘must read’ for those interested in the Spanish war, in naval warfare, or even in British diplomacy at the time.’
C. A. LONGHURST, Bulletin of Spanish Studies, November 2021
"A very valuable contribution to the record of European naval history."
Naval Wargames Society
"Highly recommended to those who wish to learn more about this civil war."
Navy Daze, The Ton Class Association
The Spanish Civil War at Sea is an important book, providing as it does a useful account of what happened off the coast of Spain. It was often a story of relatively small-scale actions involving individual Insurgent and Republican ships, Royal Navy, German, and Italian warships, and numerous merchant ships. Michael Alpert supplies a brisk, detailed history of events between 1936 and 1939.
Penniless Press
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"The book is worth reading merely as an account of a neglected aspect of the Spanish Civil War."
Australian Naval Institute
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Alpert uses just the right amount of primary sources, enough to make it interesting and engaging, but not too much so it distracts. I like the book a lot and I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to know more about the Spanish civil war, but also who might want to see the politics of the 1930s Europe from a different perspective.
Coffee and Books
5 stars
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About Michael Alpert
After graduating in Modern Languages at Cambridge, Michael Alpert joined the Bank of London and South America before leaving to teach French and Spanish in various secondary schools. He then became a lecturer and ultimately Professor at the University of Westminster until his retirement when he was granted the title of Emeritus. Thereafter he taught at University College London, King’s College London, Royal Holloway College and Birkbeck College.
In 1974 he was awarded his doctorate at Reading University for his thesis The Republican Army in the Spanish Civil War of 1936-1939 (later published by Cambridge University Press). He has published a number of books on the Spanish Civil War, which have appeared in English and in Spanish. His latest works are Franco and the Condor Legion: the Spanish Civil War in the Air (Bloomsbury Academic, 2019) and The Spanish Civil War at Sea (Pen & Sword, 2021). At present he is working on a social history of Britain in the later 1930s, his third book for Pen & Sword)