"The Allied Convoy System 1939 - 1945 It's Organization, Defence and Operation"

If there is an "authority" on convoy operations in WW11, it has to be Arnold Hague. Those individuals interested in the naval history of the war will be familiar with his books and articles, and the volume he has now produced will be of particular interest to Canadians due the significant role the RCN played in the Battle of the Atlantic.

Arnold was a personal friend of the co-authors of Ships of the Royal Canadian Navy 1910 to 1985/1992 (the most widely referred to textbook ever produced on the RCN), both of whom at the time of publishing were members of NOAC. The late John Burgess collaborated with Arnold in a variety of convoy research studies in London while Ken Macpherson, because of his association with Arnold, convinced Vanwell Publishing to publish this excellent one volume story of WWII convoy operations, in Canada.

There have been a large number of publications over the past fifty years dealing with various aspects of the war at sea, but only recently have researchers had complete access to wartime Allied and Axis documents. This book deals specifically with "convoys" commencing with a description of their history, make-up, and control, as well as a description of titles given, variance in formation and convoy command. Of special interest is the chapter on the role of the civilian government Trade Division, the selection of Convoy Commodores and Naval Control of Shipping officers, and overseas shore-based NCS organizations. The variations to the convoy system from 1939 to 1944/45 worldwide as dictated by the mix of ships, cargoes, points or origin/destination, war priorities, etc., are explained in logical sequence.

A description of U-boat and escort weapons and tactics, and the impact of aircraft support, both land-based and shipborne, Enigma and special intelligence are all dealt with in some detail. Appendices include listings of convoy codes and tables of total annual convoys by designation, total ships, losses in convoy, and ships lost as stragglers and out of convoy. There are over 60 pages listing individual convoys by series and designation, identifying port of departure and destination, dates, total ships, and ships lost.

An alphabetical index of 890 ships lost in convoy is a quick and easy reference that has already proved to be very useful to at least one naval museum.

To Canadians, whether researcher, historian, or just plain naval buffs, the book is an absolute must. International members of the naval community will find the volume to be an essential addition to their libraries.

Available from most bookstores or the Naval Museum of Alberta, 1820-24th Street, S.W., Calgary, AB, T2T 0G6, fax (403) 240-1966, navalweb@navalmuseum.ab.ca.

(Bill Wilson served in the RCNVR as a seaman gunner in WWII, joined the RCN[R] in 1949, and eventually commanded HMCS York in Toronto. He presently serves as HCapt.(N) MOG 4, based in Esquimalt. Bill is a Past National President of NOAC.)

Copyright © 2000 William H. Wilson All Rights Reserved

(Originally Published in Vol. VII, No. 11, Summer 2000 issue of Starshell)