British destroyers 1939-45: pre-war classes - 246

The Royal Navy entered World War II with a large but eclectic fleet of destroyers.

Some of these were veterans of World War I, fit only for escort duties.

Most though, had been built during the inter-war period, and were regarded as both reliable and versatile.

Danger though lurked across the seas as new destroyers being built in Germany, Italy and Japan were larger and better armoured.

So, until the new, larger Tribal class destroyers could enter service, these vessels would have to hold the line.

This fully illustrated study focuses on how these ageing ships took on the formidable navies of the Axis powers.