Nelson to Vanguard: Warship Design 1923-1945 (Chatham Pictorial Series)

This third and final volume in the best-selling series on British warship development recounts the Royal Navy's response to the restrictions placed on it by the Washington Naval Treaties in the inter-war years and the construction of the fleet used to fight World War II. Noted naval architect David Brown brings this crucial era into focus as he analyzes the principle pre-war developments, including the first purpose-built aircraft carriers and the growing perception of the threat of air attack to warships. In addition, all the wartime construction programs-such as the massive amphibious warfare fleet used on D-Day are covered, as well as the lessons learned from wartime damage and the top-secret pre- and postwar damage trials. This heavily illustrated sequel to Warrior to Dreadnought and The Grand Fleet completes Chatham's highly praised British Warship Design and Development trilogy. It is an essential reference and provides a wealth of information on British maritime history.