Coastal Convoys 1939-1945: The Indestructible Highway

by Nick Hewitt

Overview

Using official records from the National Archives personal accounts from the Imperial War Museum and other sources, Coastal Convoys 1939 - 1945: The Indestructible Highway describes Britain's dependence on coastal shipping and the introduction of the convoy system in coastal waters at the outset of the war. It brings to life the hazards of the German mining offensive of 1939, the desperate battles fought in coastal waters during 1940 and 1941, and the long struggle against German air and naval forces which lasted to the end of the Second World War. Reference is also made to the important role played by coasters during the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940 and the Normandy landings in 1944.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781526752543
Publisher:	Pen and Sword
Publication date:	07/11/2019
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.50(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Nick Hewitt is the resident naval historian onboard HMS Belfast, the IWM's floating naval museum. His academic credentials include an MA in War Studies, specialising in Naval History from King's College, London. He has organized three major exhibitions on Belfast in the last four years and is an experienced broadcaster and speaker.

Table of Contents

Maps vii

Foreword Captain Richard Woodman viii

Acknowledgements x

Note for Readers xii

Prologue: Manny's War, 17 March 1941 1

1 Time and Tide: British Coastal Trade 7

2 Storm Clouds 20

3 Not so 'Phoney' War 44

4 Enemy at the Gates 69

5 Battle for the Channel 89

6 E-boat Alley 114

7 Backyard Battle 137

8 Keeping the Home Fires Burning 160

9 Eye of the Storm 182

10 Endgame 202

Conclusion 223

Appendix I 225

Appendix II 227

Sources and Bibliography 229

Index 237

Editorial Reviews

“…well rounded and invaluable research tool for continued study in coastal convoys of England during World War II.”Vol 55, No. 3 Fall 2010

Nautical Research Journal