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SHIPS
OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE |
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Battleships |
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King George V Class
Despite some shortcomings, these ships gave magnificent service and had a
profound influence on the war: the Prince of Wales caused the
damage that caused the Bismarck sortie to be aborted, the King
George V helped destroy the Bismarck in the final engagement,
and the Duke of York caused the damage that forced the Scharnhorst
to slow and be caught.
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Briefing (.pdf) |
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Aircraft Carriers |
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Ark Royal
The Ark Royal was one of Britain's most important warships. Although
she and her aircraft achieved many 'firsts' (including the first British
air-to-air victory of the war, and the first sinking of a major warship by
aircraft in wartime), her contribution can more clearly be seen by the
fact that no ship reached Malta from the Western end of the Mediterranean
for more than six months after she was lost.
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Briefing (.pdf) |
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Cruisers |
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Town Class Light
Cruiser
In action throughout the war, four of these ten ships were lost. One
ship survives, HMS Belfast, moored in the Thames in London as a
museum ship.
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Briefing (.pdf) |
Feature (.pdf) |
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Destroyers |
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J-Class Destroyer
Only two of the eight J-Class ships survived the war, however despite
these heavy losses it was generally accepted that the design was sound.
These ships formed the basis for the 'emergency' ships that followed, and
a total of 124 ships entered service as variations on the J class design.
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Briefing (.pdf) |
Feature
(.pdf) |
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Submarines |
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None available |
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Small Craft |
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Fairmile Type B Motor Launch
These kit-boats were built and operated all over the world, primarily as
coastal defence boats. Their moment of glory came when they formed
the bulk of the boats in the raid on St Naziere.
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Briefing (.pdf) |
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Vosper 70' Motor Torpedo Boat
Developed with private money, these small attack boats could make up to 42
knots and carried twin torpedoes for sinking large enemy ships. Over 300
were built in the UK and the USA, many of which were shipped to Russia.
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Briefing (.pdf) |
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Other
Ships |
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None available |
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