Lenton, HT, and College, JJ, Warships of WWII. (Ian Allen, 1964)
Raven, Alan, Warship Perspectives (WR Press, 2000-2003). Four volumes. I have been a great admirer of this author’s work for years going back to early magazine articles. His volumes on Royal Navy warships are highly recommended.
Raven, Alan, and Roberts, John, ‘Man O’War’ series. (Arms and Armour Press, 1978-1980).
Warship Profiles, (Profile Publications, 1971-74). A large number of these older booklets are very helpful.
Williams, David, Naval Camouflage 1914-1945 (Naval Institute Press, 2001). A brilliant book though with relatively few colour illustrations.
There are numerous other books not specifically related to camouflage but which contain colour photographs and illustrations, as well as those that show good quality black and white illustrations.
The champion source of them all are the veterans to whom we owe so much for the sacrifice they made in fighting WWII in which they often lost their health and suffered the pain of friends killed. I deliberately sought many out over the past five decades and am so glad that I did while they were young and vital, able to call on clear memories. They were an inspiration to me and so many were always happy to tell proud stories of their beloved ships. It is sad that nearly all those I consulted over the years have passed on, taking their memories with them.
‘At the going down of the sun
And in the morning
We shall remember them.’
AA = anti-aircraft
AM = Minesweeper
AM(c) = Coastal minesweeper
ASW = Anti-submarine warfare
ATW = Ahead throwing weapon (Usually Squid but also sometimes used for Hedgehog)
AWED = Admiralty War Emergency Destroyer (Usually WED –War Emergency Destroyer)
BYMS = British Yard Minesweeper (US)
DD = Destroyer
DC = Depth charge
DCT = Depth charge thrower
DCR = Depth charge rack
DCD = Depth charge dropper
DE = Destroyer escort
DP = Dual-purpose (gun mount)
EC = East coast (UK)
FCS = Fighter catapult ship
FDS = Fighter direction ship
FF = Frigate
FFN = Free French Navy
HA = High-angle (gun)
HDML = Harbour defence motor launch
HrMs = Her Netherlands Majesty’s Ship
HF/DF = High Frequency / Direction Finding
HH = Hedgehog
HMAS = His Majesty’s Australian Ship
HMCS = His Majesty’s Canadian Ship
HMIS = His Majesty’s Indian Ship
HNoMS = His Norwegian Majesty’s Ship
HMNZS = His Majesty’s New Zealand Ship
HMS = His Majesty’s Ship
HMT = His Majesty’s Tug
IFF = Identify friend or foe
IJN = Imperial Japanese Navy
LA = Low-angle (gun)
LCF = Landing craft flak
LCG = Landing craft gun
LCG(M) = Landing craft gun (medium)
LCM = Landing craft mechanised
LCP = Landing craft personnel
LCT = Landing craft tank
LL(V) = Landing lighter (vehicle)
LRE = Long-range escort
LSH = Landing ship headquarters
LSI = Landing ship infantry
LSS = Landing ship stern chute
LST = Landing ship tank
MG = Machine gun
MGB = Motor gun boat
ML = Motor launch
MS = Minesweeping
MMS = Motor minesweeper
MTB = Motor torpedo boat
ORP = Okrêt Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej (Ship of the Republic of Poland)
PCE = Patrol craft (escort) (US)
PG = Patrol gunboat (sloop)
PG(E) = Patrol gunboat (escort)
RAN = Royal Australian Navy
RCN = Royal Canadian Navy
RFA = Royal Fleet Auxiliary
RHN = Royal Hellenic Navy
RINS = Royal Indian Naval Service
RN = (British) Royal Navy
RNZN = Royal New Zealand Navy
RPN = Republic of Poland Navy
SL = Searchlight
Soviet = (Russian) USSR
SRE = Short-range escort
TSDS = Two-speed destroyer sweep
UK = United Kingdom
UP = Unrotated projectile (launcher)
USN = United States Navy
USS = United States Ship
USSR = Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
WA = Western Approaches
WAIR= Old ‘V&W’ class
