THE BOOKS OF PETER C. SMITH

H.M.S. ROYAL SOVEREIGN and her Sister Ships (originally BATTLESHIP ROYAL SOVEREIGN).

H/B William Kimber, London, 1988 (ISBN 1 7183 0740 6); H/B published by Pen-and-Sword, Barnsley, September 2009.

The wartime history of a battleship, along with the story of her four sister ships. Although old and slow, and bitterly criticised by Churchill and others as being "Coffin Ships", the Royal Sovereign class battleships in fact played a valiant and doughty role in World War. The Royal Oak was an early loss, thanks mainly to pre-war Government parsimony, the other four ships played a full part, at Norway, bombarding the German invasion fleet in the Channel; escorting North Atlantic convoys; in the Mediterranean, in the Indian Ocean, the occupation of Madagascar and at Normandy and the South of France invasions.

The name ship of the class herself was handed over to the Soviet Union for several years and her service there is also detailed along with their final demise post-war. Many original eyewitness accounts and photographs enhance the book. The reviewer in Marine News stated that the book is, “…an interesting and well-compiled account of an under-rated class of battleships and the author is to be congratulated for putting their true worth in both World Wars into a proper perspective. A good read.” Paul Freshney in Test Bench also praised the book as “…a good read for any marine enthusiast.”

Publisher enquiries welcomed.

Naval History
Destroyer Leader	Task Force 57	Pedestal; the convoy that saved Malta	Hard Lying-the birth of the destroyer
Action Imminent	Hit First, Hit Hard	Royal Navy Ships Badges	Destroyer Action
Hold the Narrow Sea	Arctic Victory	Cruisers in Action	The Great Ships Pass
Eagle's War	Heritage of the Sea	Battles of the Malta Striking Forces	Fighting Flotilla