Iain Ballantyne Livres

HUNTER KILLER: a submarine designed to pursue and attack enemy submarines and surface ships using torpedoes.

A brilliant deep dive into submarine warfare from ancient Greek divers right up to the current nuclear fleet - revealing some of the navy's deadliest secrets along the way.

Warships named HMS London have been associated with some of the most controversial episodes in British naval history, from the bungled sea battle that lost King George III his American colonies, to the shambles of Gallipoli in World War I, and the notorious decision of the Admiralty to abandon convoy PQ17 in World War II. Author Iain Ballantyne's second entry in the Warships of the Royal Navy series is a fascinating and lively account of these British warships named London. It is told from the perspective of the men who were onboard, including interviews with veterans of the grim Arctic convoys, the Yangtze Incident, and warriors of the Cold War and Gulf War. The result is a thoroughly researched and exciting narrative that is illustrated throughout with photographs, many presented for the first time. 224 pages. Photographs. Hardcover. 6 x 9 inches.

In May 1941, the German battleship Bismarck, alongside heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen, launched an attack on Allied shipping in the Atlantic. The Royal Navy's pursuit and eventual destruction of Bismarck became a defining moment in naval warfare. This gripping account draws on vivid eyewitness testimonies from veterans, primarily focusing on the British battleships, cruisers, and destroyers involved. The narrative captures the intense atmosphere as cruisers engage in a perilous game of cat and mouse while shadowing Bismarck in the frigid Denmark Strait. The shocking destruction of the British battle cruiser Hood, which resulted in the loss of nearly her entire crew, ignited a fierce desire for revenge among the pursuing Royal Navy vessels, including the battered Prince of Wales. As Swordfish torpedo-bombers attempt to cripple Bismarck, destroyers embark on daring torpedo attacks amidst treacherous seas. The climax unfolds in a final showdown, where battleships Rodney and King George V, supported by cruisers Norfolk and Dorsetshire, ultimately bring down Hitler's pride. This meticulously researched narrative presents the saga through the eyes of 'ordinary sailors' caught in extraordinary circumstances, vividly illustrating the horror and majesty of war at sea.

There is no more illustrious warship name in British naval history H.M.S. Victory, which is inextricably linked with Admiral Lord Nelson and the Battle of Trafalgar. This fascinating book, the latest in the Famous Warships of the Royal Navy series, clebrates all three at the 200th anniversary of Nelson's greatest triumph and his death in H.M.S. Victory. What is less well-known is that six warships before Nelson's carried the name Victory, the first bieng Sir John Hawkins' during the Battle of the Armada in 1588. All manner of maritime life is included in this book, from piracy in the Azores to gentlemanly encounters between the fleets as well as the battle of annihilation that was Trafalgar. The full horror, majesty and thunder of naval warfare in the age of fighting sail are revealed through the first-hand accounts of those who were there. Superbly illustrated, well-researched and written by two leading maritime experts, H.M.S. Victory will be enjoyed by all those for whom naval heritage, Nelson and his ship hold a fascination.

Delving into the covert operations of Britain's most-secret service, this book reveals the intense underwater conflict of the Cold War, showcasing the strategic battles between British and NATO attack submarines and their Soviet counterparts. It uncovers the hidden narratives and high-stakes espionage that shaped naval warfare during this tense period, highlighting the often-overlooked heroes and their daring missions beneath the waves.