THE BOOKS OF PETER C. SMITH

ACTION IMMINENT: Three studies of the Naval War in the Mediterranean Theatre during 1940.

H/B 1980 (ISBN 0 7183 0277 X); P/B Russian Edition, AST, Moscow, 2004; H/B New edition published by Pen & Sword Maritime, provisional date September 2011.

Three naval actions in the Mediterranean, the battles of Calabria, escape of the French cruisers and the battle of Spartivento, all of which took place in 1940 and in which Churchill intervened directly into the fates of the admirals who conducted them, Cunningham, North and Somerville. Each action is given detailed analysis and description, London's viewpoint is shown and the action, for good or ill, taken at the Prime Ministers behest is followed and analysed from official documents and private eyewitness viewpoints.

Opinion was uniformly high: Captain Herbert Layman wrote that Action Imminent was, "Probably the most complete and accurate description of the Dudley North affair I have ever seen. For the first time what really took place that day is clearly and comprehensively laid out." The Manchester Evening News wrote that this was simply, "...a masterly book..." Air Pictorial of London said:- ".....a fascinating book and strongly recommended to all students of naval history and all those who care about sea power at a time when Britain's ability to use the seaways is increasingly under challenge..." John R. Dominy wrote to the Author, "In this book you have truly reached the status of master naval historian."

Naval History
Destroyer Leader	Task Force 57	Pedestal; the convoy that save Malta	Hold the Narrow Sea
The Great Ships Pass	Fighting Flotilla	Battles of the Malta Striking Forces	Hit First, Hit Hard
The Battle of Midway	Eagle's War	Battleship Royal Sovereign	Arctic Victory
Hard Lying - the birth of the destroyer	Cruisers in Action 1939-1945	Destroyer Action	HMS Wild Swan