Military Model Scene

Title: Royal Navy Home Fleet 1939-41
Author: Angus Konstam
Publisher: Osprey
ISBN: 978-1-4728-6148-1

Number 5 in the Fleet series from Osprey, and sub-titled 'The Last Line of Defence at Scapa Flow'. An 80-page soft-cover book, including some fine artwork by Jim Laurier.
This opens with a look at the 'Fleet's Purpose', a strategic role very similar to the one it played in WW1, but with a few changes. Then it moves on to consider the Fleet Fighting Power, talking about the ships that made up the fleet in 1939 and 1940, along with the new Technology, aircraft, radar and Asdic in particular. Then there is consideration of how the fleet was operated, the organisation and doctrine (what there was of it), the various commanders, along with intelligence assets and communications. Logistics and support tells us especially about the main fleet anchorage at Scapa Flow. The layout of Scapa Flow is described, along with changes made after the success of U-47 in sinking the Royal Oak within the anchorage itself. Not just the anchorage itself, but also how the facilities were developed for the crews based there. In includes a very useful page of artwork illustrating what was where among the small islands that enclosed the anchorage itself. This is followed by the single largest element of the book, taking in the story of combat and analysis of the fleet based at Scapa Flow in the early years of the war. There is detail on the strains of trying to maintain the blockade to prevent German commerce raiders getting out into the Atlantic, which some still did, the battles of the Norwegian campaign, and of course the hunt for the Bismarck and the sinking of HMS Hood. At the end there is an analysis of how well it worked in managing the various tasks the Home Fleet was called to undertake during the war.
While some bits of the topic may be familiar to many, such as the sinkings of the Royal Oak, the carrier Glorious, the loss of the Hood and the successful hunt for the Bismarck. there is a lot more detail in here on both Scapa Flow itself, as well as the workload expected of the Royal Navy and the Home Fleet during WW2. I found this an interesting read, which filled plenty of gaps in my own knowledge around the stories of Royal Oak, the Norwegian campaign plus the hunt for the Bismarck, The artwork with maps, and action pictures such as the double page spread of the flagship, HMS Rodney, at sea.
Thanks to Osprey for the review copy.

Robin