The author provides an excellent review of one of the most neglected, but vital, elements in the military capabilities of the expanding British Empire. The Royal Navy has taken most of the focus of military historians and that in turn has provided focus on ships and sailors. However those ships could only operate with reliable bases and those bases had to be defended – Very Highly Recommended.
NAME: Britain's Island Fortresses, Defence of the Empire 1756-1956 FILE: R3014 AUTHOR: Bill Clements PUBLISHER: Pen & Sword BINDING: hard back PRICE: £25.00 GENRE: Non Fiction SUBJECT: Coastal artillery, fortifications, fixed defences, towers, forts, castles, walls, canals, guns, heavy guns, hot shot, troops, naval guns, outposts of Empire, local troops, sea lanes, logistics, communications, colonists, traders
ISBN: 1-52674-030-3
IMAGE: B3014.jpg BUYNOW: tinyurl.com/y2jchm9k LINKS: DESCRIPTION: The author provides an excellent review of one of the most neglected, but vital, elements in the military capabilities of the expanding British Empire. The Royal Navy has taken most of the focus of military historians and that in turn has provided focus on ships and sailors. However those ships could only operate with reliable bases and those bases had to be defended – Very Highly Recommended. The readable text is supported by many illustrations through the body of the book. Many of these illustrations are very rare. There has long been debate as to the real value of fixed defences, particularly when they sit within long shore lines. As the British Empire expanded, it needed harbours for its merchant and naval ships. Secure locations that could provide stores and repairs as required and as a point where the products of trade could be unloaded and loaded. In many cases, these fortifications were originally built by an enemy and taken in battle, being reinforced and expanded over the years. The fact that many were taken from an enemy suggests the level of vulnerability to attack and the British advantage was that it could bring its warships to attack any attacker. The story of the fortifications is also part of the story of maritime history. That it is so neglected is more a case of warships being rather more fascinating and mobile, than necessarily a reflection of military worth. Remarkably few of these defences were ever tested in battle under British control and this is largely due to the supremacy of the Royal Navy.