Discover how the vital war at sea was fought, from the first battle to the last.

As soon as World War II broke out in September 1939, the conflict at sea began and was fought with fury until the unconditional surrender of Germany and Japan nearly six years later. World War II at Sea highlights the key moments in this fascinating, pivotal, and absorbing story.

From the sinking of the British passenger liner Athenia to Operation Ten-Go, decisive battles and engagements are fully explored€”clashes such as Cape Mataplan, aptly regarded as a Mediterranean Trafalgar, in which the British navy scored one of the greatest and most one-sided victories in its history against the Italian battlefleet. Discover how, starting with Midway and continuing at Guadalcanal, the US Pacific Fleet fought the Imperial Japanese Navy to a standstill in the early years of the war to establish naval supremacy throughout the Pacific.

Some of the lesser-known aspects of the conflict, such as the battle against the magnetic mine and the exploits of the German surface raider Pinguin, aren't ignored. Unusual and secret weapons like maiale, X-craft, kaiten, asdic, sonar and radar, and much, much more are discussed.

Fully illustrated throughout with a fascinating mixture of historic photographs, maps, charts, and specially-devised diagrams, World War II at Sea is s compelling read and an essential reference for every history enthusiast.

Jeremy Harwood will be bringing together a team of academic experts headed by Dr. Bendall. Jeremy studied history at Christ Church, Oxford. He has conceived, edited, and authored books including the Dictionary of Battles (Henry Holt), The Secret History of Freemasonry (Lorenz), and Command (Crown), as well as being head of History and General Reference Publishing for Reader's Digest in the United Kingdom.