Between Hostile Shores: Mediterranean Convoys 1941-1942 - Softcover

Originally published as a classified Battle Summary, Between Hostile Shores is a unique record written by naval officers during World War II, and soon after 1945. Stamped 'restricted' and subject to the Official Secrets Act these texts, maps, plans and first-hand accounts were held at Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth, South West England. Between Hostile Shores exposes the appalling tactical risks that were taken, of strategic necessity, during the Mediterranean convoy battles of 1941 1942. Surface ships of the Royal Navy and Allied merchant navies fought against overwhelming air attack, submarines, mines, fast torpedo craft and a powerful surface fleet to deliver vital supplies, but incurred harrowing losses: in 1942 only 30 per cent of the merchant ships that sailed arrived safely. The sacrifice of men and ships ensured that just enough supplies were delivered to ensure Malta's survival, but the margin between success and failure was wafer-thin. Despite the cost, Mediterranean convoys represent a victory of Allied sea power over the continental forces of their Axis enemies. Between Hostile Shores contains two Naval Staff History Battle Summaries. These describe the major Mediterranean and Malta convoy operations, alongside fascinating extracts from an unusual official document containing technical descriptions and plans of battle damage suffered by four Royal Navy warships escorting Mediterranean convoys. Extracts from orders and despatches give contemporary accounts of planning and the views of senior officers in command. The foreword is by Vice Admiral Sir Richard Ibbotson, who writes that 'the Mediterranean in 1941 and 1942 was a crucial maritime theatre, but has not attracted a great deal of historical analysis thus far. It deserves more, partly because of the importance of operations like Excess, Halberd and Pedestal, partly because of battles like Sirte, but mostly because the lessons and implications are enduring, and merit understanding by current and future generations of our maritime nation. Between Hostile Shores therefore provides an important contribution to our naval history. My operational experience in a different era was dominated by three persistent and seemingly timeless realities; the need to control sea lines of communication, while coping with extended supply lines and operating without air superiority. For my generation, these facets were a stark reality both for the Falklands, and for stages of the successive Gulf conflicts. I am intrigued that these were the key themes in the Mediterranean in 1941 1942. They chime with both the operational realities and the priorities of a post-Cold War Royal Navy far more than I might have imagined as a young watchkeeper and principal warfare officer, when the Royal Navy's focus was predominantly on deep-water anti-submarine warfare in cold northern waters. Events of the last two decades have again turned our maritime eye to the Mediterranean. Like many other Naval Officers, the leadership and focus on training provided by Somerville and Cunningham have inspired me. The Royal Navy rightly prides itself on professionalism and leadership. The events covered here are testament to the importance and validity of such a focus. These qualities gave the two Admirals ships the ability to fight through, against real, long-term adversity, unrelenting pressure and frequent loss. The lessons that may be drawn from this book therefore remain wholly relevant today, and are brought together in the introduction with real style and vigour. I commend it wholeheartedly.'

Vice Admiral Sir Richard Jeffrey Ibbotson KBE CB DSC excelled in a Royal Navy career serving as Deputy Commander-in-Chief Fleet. After Durham University, Ibbotson was promoted to Lieutenant within two years, then to Lieutenant-Commander in 1985, and Commander in 1990. Ibbotson was awarded the DSC adter being given command of HMS Hurworth before serving in the Gulf War. He went on to command the frigate HMS Boxer before joining the Ministry of Defence, specifically, the Directorate of Nuclear Policy. He was Staff Operations Officer to the Commander United Kingdom Task Group, Adriatic Sea. He was present during the British withdrawal from Hong Kong in 1997. Ibbotson was given command of the First Frigate Squadron as Captain in 1997, then served as Assistant Director, then Acting Director, of the Directorate of Operational Capability at the Ministry of Defence. He became Commander of British Forces in the Falkland Islands in 2002 and was appointed Commander of the Standing Naval Force in the Atlantic Ocean (2003) and Commodore of the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth (2004). Naval Secretary in 2005, he was promoted to Rear-Admiral in June that year. In 2007 he was appointed Flag Officer, Sea Training and then Deputy Commander-in-Chief Fleet in 2009. In the 2011 New Year Honours, he was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE).