The Fourth Force

The Untold Story of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Since 1945

Nonfiction, History, Military, Naval, World War II
Cover of the book The Fourth Force by Geoff Puddefoot, Pen and Sword
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Geoff Puddefoot ISBN: 9781783830596
Publisher: Pen and Sword Publication: March 10, 2010
Imprint: Seaforth Publishing Language: English
Author: Geoff Puddefoot
ISBN: 9781783830596
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Publication: March 10, 2010
Imprint: Seaforth Publishing
Language: English

Set up in August 1905, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary was originally a logistic support organization, part of the Navy proper but run on civilian lines, comprising a miscellaneous and very unglamorous collection of colliers, store ships and harbor craft. Just over a century later it has evolved beyond recognition: its ships compare in size, cost and sophistication with all but the largest warships, and the RFA itself has developed into an essential arm of all three Services. It is truly the ‘Fourth Force’ – as it is known to its own personnel – and without it, the current worldwide deployment of British service men and women would be simply impossible.

This book charts the veritable revolution that has overtaken the RFA since the end of the Second World War. New technology and techniques reflect the rapid growth in the importance of logistics in modern warfare, while the broadening role of the RFA is to be seen in the history of its operations, many of them little known to the public. Woven together from a combination of technical ship data, official correspondence and personal recollections, it is predominantly about the men and women of the RFA and their stories – an insight into the underreported history of a service whose initials unofficially translate as Ready For Anything.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Set up in August 1905, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary was originally a logistic support organization, part of the Navy proper but run on civilian lines, comprising a miscellaneous and very unglamorous collection of colliers, store ships and harbor craft. Just over a century later it has evolved beyond recognition: its ships compare in size, cost and sophistication with all but the largest warships, and the RFA itself has developed into an essential arm of all three Services. It is truly the ‘Fourth Force’ – as it is known to its own personnel – and without it, the current worldwide deployment of British service men and women would be simply impossible.

This book charts the veritable revolution that has overtaken the RFA since the end of the Second World War. New technology and techniques reflect the rapid growth in the importance of logistics in modern warfare, while the broadening role of the RFA is to be seen in the history of its operations, many of them little known to the public. Woven together from a combination of technical ship data, official correspondence and personal recollections, it is predominantly about the men and women of the RFA and their stories – an insight into the underreported history of a service whose initials unofficially translate as Ready For Anything.

More books from Pen and Sword

Cover of the book Leeds at War 1939–45 by Geoff Puddefoot
Cover of the book Nelson's Victory by Geoff Puddefoot
Cover of the book Foul Deeds and Suspicious Deaths in Staffordshire & The Potteries by Geoff Puddefoot
Cover of the book Le Cateau by Geoff Puddefoot
Cover of the book The Battles of St Albans by Geoff Puddefoot
Cover of the book What's Tha Up To This Time? by Geoff Puddefoot
Cover of the book The US Eighth Air Force in Europe by Geoff Puddefoot
Cover of the book Defiant and Dismasted at Trafalgar by Geoff Puddefoot
Cover of the book Scharnhorst and Gneisenau by Geoff Puddefoot
Cover of the book German S-Boats in Action in the Second World War by Geoff Puddefoot
Cover of the book Murderous Tommies by Geoff Puddefoot
Cover of the book Racing Ace by Geoff Puddefoot
Cover of the book Voices in Flight: The Fleet Air Arm by Geoff Puddefoot
Cover of the book The Defence of the Dardanelles by Geoff Puddefoot
Cover of the book Eyewitness to the Peninsular War and the Battle of Waterloo by Geoff Puddefoot
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy