Royal Navy Actions

War as it was fought on the coasts and lakes of the Dark Continent

When the First World War broke out in 1914 that 'Britannia Ruled the Waves' was not jingoism. Britain, an island nation, boasted the Royal Navy whilst Germany's successes were hitherto primarily land based and its routes to the high seas geographically limited. Nevertheless, Germany sent forth its raiders to hunt the seaways and for a time-before their perhaps inevitable destruction-they caused havoc. One of these German ships,the light cruiser 'Konigsberg' became particularly illusive and infamous. This book compelling recounts-in fascinating detail-the epic struggle to bring about her ruin as she lay hidden among the mangroves the Rufiji Delta in East Africa. Both protagonists in the greater conflict had colonies far from the main theatres of the war. So small 'side-show' contests broke out. These included astonishing contests fought in the African bush and its jungles, but also upon its lakes. Two of these inland naval conflicts contested by small craft on Lake Tanganyika and Lake Victoria Nyanza are also fascinatingly explored and described in these pages. This edition also includes a second perspective on the action to destroy the 'Konigsberg'. Contains illustrations which did all accompany the original publication.

Leonaur editions are newly typeset and are not facsimiles; each title is available in softcover and hardback with dustjacket