Article featured
Warships International Fleet Review, June 2024
Article featured
Warships International Fleet Review, June 2024
The title is slightly misleading as the book covers the passage of both PQ.18 and the return convoy QP.14. PQ.18, one of 40 supply convoys to north Russia, and the associated convoy QP.14, one of 35 return convoys, were the most heavily defended and protected of all the convoys to and from north Russia between 1941 and 1945 whilst PQ.18 suffered the most sustained attacks on any Russian convoy. The complexity of the movements of the ships involved and the multiplicity of events experienced during the passage of both convoys particularly PQ.18 presents a significant challenge for any author within the boundaries of the overall chronology. John Mackay has succeeded in compiling a compelling narrative which immerses the reader in the drama of these events as experienced by those involved by focussing the reader’s attention on vivid descriptions of a number of key events. Where there is a lack of historical evidence John offers the reader a series of dramatic eye-witness reconstructions.. Read more
William Smith
The title is slightly misleading as the book covers the passage of both PQ.18 and the return convoy QP.14. PQ.18, one of 40 supply convoys to north Russia, and the associated convoy QP.14, one of 35 return convoys, were the most heavily defended and protected of all the convoys to and from north Russia between 1941 and 1945 whilst PQ.18 suffered the most sustained attacks on any Russian convoy. The complexity of the movements of the ships involved and the multiplicity of events experienced during the passage of both convoys particularly PQ.18 presents a significant challenge for any author within the boundaries of the overall chronology. John Mackay has succeeded in compiling a compelling narrative which immerses the reader in the drama of these events as experienced by those involved by focussing the reader’s attention on vivid descriptions of a number of key events. Where there is a lack of historical evidence John offers the reader a series of dramatic eye-witness reconstructions.. Read more
William Smith
".....splendidly researched book...."
International Federation of Ship Masters’ Association (IFSMA) Newsletter No 65 June 2023
".....splendidly researched book...."
International Federation of Ship Masters’ Association (IFSMA) Newsletter No 65 June 2023
Volume II - Escorts and Smaller Fighting Ships - continues the epic research task the authors have set for themselves, including vessels varying in size from 6,350 tons/104m down to 15.5 tons/14.6m. The types of ships are identified as Escort Ships, Submarine Hunters, Patrol Boats, Floating Artillery Batteries, AA Defence Ships, Minelayers, Netlayers, Minesweepers and Landing Vessels. The groups includes Soviet built vessels, lend-lease vessels, war prizes and conversions. The vessels are identified by name and builder, and dates built, commissioned or converted. Wherever possible, more information is supplied including drawings and technical data, and some information on their careers and fates. The book is well illustrated with black-and-white photographs throughout. Hundreds of vessels are featured and illustrates well the involvement of the Russian/Soviet navy in the war effort, and the many difficulties faced, both by the navy and the shipbuilding industry.
International Plastic Modellers Society, Newsletter of the Small Warship Special Interest Group – Issue 140, March 2023
Volume II - Escorts and Smaller Fighting Ships - continues the epic research task the authors have set for themselves, including vessels varying in size from 6,350 tons/104m down to 15.5 tons/14.6m. The types of ships are identified as Escort Ships, Submarine Hunters, Patrol Boats, Floating Artillery Batteries, AA Defence Ships, Minelayers, Netlayers, Minesweepers and Landing Vessels. The groups includes Soviet built vessels, lend-lease vessels, war prizes and conversions. The vessels are identified by name and builder, and dates built, commissioned or converted. Wherever possible, more information is supplied including drawings and technical data, and some information on their careers and fates. The book is well illustrated with black-and-white photographs throughout. Hundreds of vessels are featured and illustrates well the involvement of the Russian/Soviet navy in the war effort, and the many difficulties faced, both by the navy and the shipbuilding industry.
International Plastic Modellers Society, Newsletter of the Small Warship Special Interest Group – Issue 140, March 2023
"Tony Matthews has written extensively on military and espionage history with more than thirty works to his name. His experience and knowledge are clear to all, manifest in this deeply researched work in which he catalogues in great detail four maritime disasters in WW2."
Martin Willoughby, The Wessex Branch of the Western Front Association
"Tony Matthews has written extensively on military and espionage history with more than thirty works to his name. His experience and knowledge are clear to all, manifest in this deeply researched work in which he catalogues in great detail four maritime disasters in WW2."
Martin Willoughby, The Wessex Branch of the Western Front Association
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British Battleships 1919-1945
This superb reference book achieved the status of 'classic' soon after its first publication in 1993; it was soon out of print and is now one of the most sought-after naval reference books. And with good reason. Offering an unprecedented range of descriptive and illustrative detail, the author describes the evolution of the battleship classes through… Read more...
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War at Sea
In the vast literature of the Second World War there has never been a naval atlas showing graphically the complexities of the war at sea, a war which spread across every ocean. This new book will fill the gap. With more than 200 beautifully-designed maps and charts, the atlas sets out to visualise the great campaigns and major battles as well as the… Read more...
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Donitz's Last Gamble
After the June 1944 D-Day landings D'nitz withdrew his U-boat wolf-packs from the Atlantic convoy war and sent them into coastal waters, where they could harass the massive shipping movements necessary to supply the Allied armies advancing across Europe. Caught unawares by this change of strategy, the Allied anti-submarine forces were ill-prepared… Read more...
