Post by Administrator on Nov 25, 2020 9:26:10 GMT
The Merchant Gunners
Written & Researched by David J.B. Smith
The British population, in late 1938, was living under the shadow of a possible war with Germany. If war came to Britain’s door, a high percentage of essential supplies would need to be imported and an equal number of arms, ammunition and men would likely be exported. The British Admiralty quickly realised Great Britain needed to keep its sea lanes open and protect valuable commerce and trade convoys at all costs. In June 1939, as the threat of war loomed ever closer, an ambitious Admiralty Trade Division programme was established. The Admiralty echoed the World War One Defensively Armed Merchant Ship (DAMS) policy and sought to arm around 5,500 merchant vessels – mostly with an anti-aircraft defence capability.
In February 2018 David was again published in the excellent Britain at War magazine. Here's the full article, in its unabridged version: LINK
Written & Researched by David J.B. Smith
The British population, in late 1938, was living under the shadow of a possible war with Germany. If war came to Britain’s door, a high percentage of essential supplies would need to be imported and an equal number of arms, ammunition and men would likely be exported. The British Admiralty quickly realised Great Britain needed to keep its sea lanes open and protect valuable commerce and trade convoys at all costs. In June 1939, as the threat of war loomed ever closer, an ambitious Admiralty Trade Division programme was established. The Admiralty echoed the World War One Defensively Armed Merchant Ship (DAMS) policy and sought to arm around 5,500 merchant vessels – mostly with an anti-aircraft defence capability.
In February 2018 David was again published in the excellent Britain at War magazine. Here's the full article, in its unabridged version: LINK