Monitors of the Royal Navy

Book excerpt: A history of the origins, design and effectiveness of the British Royal Navy’s monitor warships during world wars I and II. Monitor warships mounted the biggest guns ever deployed by the Royal Navy, and played an undeniably important part in Allied efforts during World War One and Two. They were built as cheap "disposable" ships made out of redundant bits and pieces which the Admiralty happened to have available and could bring heavy artillery to bear on enemy coasts with pin point accuracy. Being classed as disposable they were often exposed to risks far more recklessly than more expensive battle ships or heavy cruisers. So impressive was their performance in WWI that two were retained in service into WWII and two new ones were built, astonishing allies and enemies alike with the devastating effect of their accurate fire reaching targets 10 miles or more inland. Monitors of the Royal Navy deals with the origins of Monitors and how they evolved from the bomb ketches of the 18th century. The book looks at how the various classes of monitor were designed and built and explores their careers in both World Wars, including the particular impact they had on the various campaigns in which they fought and their effectiveness as compared to other classes of ship. Monitors of the Royal Navy is sure to appeal to military history enthusiasts and world war history buffs.