BRITISH AIRCRAFT CARRIERS 1939-45

With war against Germany looming, Britain pushed forward its carrier programme in the late 1930s. In 1938 the Royal Navy launched HMS Ark Royal, its first purpose built aircraft carrier. This was quickly followed by others. Smaller and tougher than their US cousins Britsih cariers were designed to fight in tight confines rather than wide oceans. This book tells the story of the small but resillient carriers and the crucial role they played in the British war effort.