British Coastal Forces - Two World Wars and After

Sometimes called the “mosquitoes of the sea”, coastal forces have always enjoyed an image of dash, verve and unconventional leadership, but this belies a highly professional and brave force. Norman Friedman opens his review of British coastal forces in both wars with a succinct chapter covering administration, operational experience in both world wars and the steady decline of RN Coastal Forces post-war. WW1 saw the RN using US built motor launches primarily for ASW patrol, including being armed with hand dropped depth charges! The CMBs were the first offensive coastal forces craft with a “tail first” torpedo fired from the stern, and by the end of the war the Admiralty was convinced of the value of small attack craft, reinforced in 1919 by Agar’s VC winning attack on the Bolshevik ships at Kronstadt. Post WW1 coastal forces were low priority but by the late 1930s the competition between the British Power Boat company and Vospers was resulting in new designs for MTBs and MGBs. At the start of WWII the Admiralty was still not convinced that MTBs “were worth what they cost”, operationally constrained in daylight and bad weather, with limited endurance and maintenance intensive. However, the German occupation of Europe and threat of invasion gave new impetus to coastal forces. The book traces the development of the wartime MTBs with enhanced weapons, radar and communications; the 70ft lightly armed MTB of 1940 evolved into the heavily armed 110ft Fairmile “Dog” boats, both MTB and MGB. The wartime MGBs were tasked with dealing with the E-boat threat. As Friedman says, the workhorse MLs saw “considerable action” not least on the St Nazaire raid of 1942. Whilst the book primarily focuses on the evolution of coastal forces craft, those manning the MTBs and MGBs are given proper recognition. Fighting a thin skinned wooden boat in the dark with no modern navigation aids, sitting on top of some 1700 gallons of petrol, was not for the faint hearted. Predominantly officered by RNVR officers, their courage is epitomised by the exploits of MGB legend Robert Hichens. This book has all the hallmarks of Norman Friedman‘s previous books on British warship classes -exhaustive research, comprehensive informative text and well-captioned, fascinating photos. The book isn’t cheap but it really is the “complete” story of RN Coastal Forces from the CMB to the final days of the Scimitar Class. As I have remarked in reviewing some of Friedman’s previous books, this is not a book to read in one go but to be enjoyed in quiet study. Very highly recommended.