
Blue Water War
The Maritime Struggle in the Mediterranean and Middle East, 1940-1945
Brian E. Walter(Author)
Casemate Publishers
Published on 15. March 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
352 pages
978-1-63624-660-4 (ISBN)
Description
"...a comprehensive book covering the various campaigns and engagements of the Mediterranean while also providing the relevant intersections with operations in the Middle East, the Persian Gulf, and the Horn of Africa." - Journal of Military History_x000D_
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For three millennia the Mediterranean Sea served as the center of western civilization and the scene of many colossal wars and naval battles. In the early summer of 1940, this ancient body of water again played host to a new and extensive conflict as the Kingdom of Italy challenged Britain for dominance within the region. With France on the verge of collapse and Britain facing the prospect of imminent invasion, the Italians hoped to re-establish control over the Mediterranean. The only thing standing in their way was the heavily outnumbered British Mediterranean Fleet and the equally outnumbered British ground and air forces present in the region. Together, these forces would determine whether the Mediterranean reverted back to Italian control or whether the Allies would prevail and retain supremacy over this great body of water for themselves.
This book tells the story of this epic struggle. This was a prolonged and colossal conflict waged at differing times against the combined forces of Italy, Germany and Vichy France over a wide area stretching from the coastal waters of Southern Europe in the north to Madagascar in the south and Africa's Atlantic coast in the west to the Persian Gulf in the east. Utilizing a variety of weapons including surface warships, submarines, and aircraft along with sizable merchant fleets, the British and their subsequent American partners maintained vital seaborne lines of communication, conducted numerous amphibious landings, interdicted Axis supply activities and eventually eliminated all semblances of Axis maritime power within the theater. In turn, these actions facilitated multiple Allied victories that helped secure the defeat of the European Axis.
_x000D_
For three millennia the Mediterranean Sea served as the center of western civilization and the scene of many colossal wars and naval battles. In the early summer of 1940, this ancient body of water again played host to a new and extensive conflict as the Kingdom of Italy challenged Britain for dominance within the region. With France on the verge of collapse and Britain facing the prospect of imminent invasion, the Italians hoped to re-establish control over the Mediterranean. The only thing standing in their way was the heavily outnumbered British Mediterranean Fleet and the equally outnumbered British ground and air forces present in the region. Together, these forces would determine whether the Mediterranean reverted back to Italian control or whether the Allies would prevail and retain supremacy over this great body of water for themselves.
This book tells the story of this epic struggle. This was a prolonged and colossal conflict waged at differing times against the combined forces of Italy, Germany and Vichy France over a wide area stretching from the coastal waters of Southern Europe in the north to Madagascar in the south and Africa's Atlantic coast in the west to the Persian Gulf in the east. Utilizing a variety of weapons including surface warships, submarines, and aircraft along with sizable merchant fleets, the British and their subsequent American partners maintained vital seaborne lines of communication, conducted numerous amphibious landings, interdicted Axis supply activities and eventually eliminated all semblances of Axis maritime power within the theater. In turn, these actions facilitated multiple Allied victories that helped secure the defeat of the European Axis.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Illustrations
32 illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Weight
417 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-63624-660-4 (9781636246604)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Brian E. Walter is a retired army officer from a combat arms branch with a BSc in Political Science and International Relations. A distinguished military graduate and recipient of the Excellence in Military History Award from the U.S. Army Center for Military History and the Association of the United States Army, he has been a student of the British military during World War II for more than 30 years and is the author of The Longest Campaign, Blue Water War and Forgotten War.
Content
Introduction
Chapter 1: Setting the Stage
Chapter 2: The Opening Moves
Chapter 3: Germany Enters the Fray
Chapter 4: Stabilizing the Middle East
Chapter 5: Malta under Siege
Chapter 6: Turning Point
Chapter 7: Masters of the North African Shores
Chapter 8: Italy Subdued
Chapter 9: Supporting the Southern Flank
Chapter 10: Victory on the Peripheries
Chapter 11: Britannia's Sea, Victory in the Mediterranean
Chapter 12: The Triumph of British Maritime Power
Chapter 1: Setting the Stage
Chapter 2: The Opening Moves
Chapter 3: Germany Enters the Fray
Chapter 4: Stabilizing the Middle East
Chapter 5: Malta under Siege
Chapter 6: Turning Point
Chapter 7: Masters of the North African Shores
Chapter 8: Italy Subdued
Chapter 9: Supporting the Southern Flank
Chapter 10: Victory on the Peripheries
Chapter 11: Britannia's Sea, Victory in the Mediterranean
Chapter 12: The Triumph of British Maritime Power