Warship
The Evolution of French Battleship Protection Schemes 1900–1910
The recently-completed Courbet departs Toulon in January 1914. She is flying the flag of Vice-Admiral Boué de Lapeyrère, C-in-C of the Armée Navale. Courbet departing Toulon in the Spring of 1914. The broad white band on the first funnel marks her out as the lead ship of the 1st Division of the elite 1st Battle Squadron. The Evolution of French…
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Snorkel?! Part II
The German snorkel device revolutionised undersea warfare. The once surface-bound submersible was turned into a ‘true’ submarine capable of remaining submerged almost indefinitely. This late-war innovation frustrated Allied intelligence and anti-submarine search technology, well into the age of nuclear power. After World War II the snorkel was introduced by all…
River Class frigate
Designed as ocean-going escorts with a range of 12970 km (8,060 miles), the ‘Rivers’ were at first fitted with almost totally superfluous minesweeping gear. Once this was eliminated from the design, oil storage rose from 440 tons to 646 tons, with a consequent improvement in endurance. As in the case…
The Sad Eagle: Oryol
Oryol: Eagle in Russian. Assigned to Second Pacific Squadron in 1904. Surrendered at Tsushima. Refitted by Japan. Commissioned in Japanese Navy as Iwami in 1907. Rated as a coastal defense ship in 1912. Served in Pacific during World War I and Russian Revolution, participating in siege of Tsingtao and Japanese…
OTTO WILHELM KÖNIGSMARCK
Although Morosini held overall command of Venetian forces, it would be Königsmarck who led most of the successful land campaigns. SWEDISH GENERAL WHO LED THE VENETIAN MILITARY CONQUEST OF MOREA 1639-88 SWEDEN Although Swedish, Otto Wilhelm Königsmarck was born in Minden, Northern Germany, where his mother had been accompanying his…
The Constellation Class Frigates
Artist rendering of the final Constellation-class design Jan 14, 2021 U.S. Navy The U.S. Navy just issued an update on its Constellation-class frigate program. The guided missile frigates will enter the fleet starting in 2026. The multi-mission ships will also eventually displace the failed Littoral Combat Ship program. The U.S.…
Real-Time Intelligence: What, How, Where, When?
Who knows what in sufficient time to make effective use of the news – that is as good a definition of ‘real-time’ intelligence, the gold standard of modern information practice, as is possible – was not often a military consideration in the classical world or even the age of Wellington.…