{"product_id":"hms-belfast-alexander-pocklington-9781682479827","title":"HMS Belfast: Naval History Special Edition","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWritten for the Naval History Special Editions series, this volume offers a compelling pictorial history of the vaunted HMS \u003ci\u003eBelfast\u003c\/i\u003e, from World War II and Korea to the present-day museum ship.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBuilding on the expertise of the authors and historians of the Naval Institute Press, the Naval History Special Editions are designed to offer studies of the key vessels, battles, and events of armed conflict. Using an image-heavy format, these special editions should appeal to scholars, enthusiasts, and general readers alike.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis special edition covers HMS \u003ci\u003eBelfast\u003c\/i\u003e, a ship whose long and storied career began just before World War II and included numerous critical battles. During the war she chased down German battleships and, on 6 June 1944, participated in the largest amphibious landing the world had ever witnessed. HMS \u003ci\u003eBelfast\u003c\/i\u003e was among the first to fire on D-Day, and Winston Churchill himself had planned to be on board to witness the landings at Normandy until King George VI intervened. Years later \u003ci\u003eBelfast \u003c\/i\u003ewould go on to hold the line during the crucial weeks when Korea's future hung in the balance, and she subsequently survived long enough to become the largest museum ship in the United Kingdom.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHMS\u003ci\u003e Belfast \u003c\/i\u003eremains the last of the \"full-size\" British cruisers, a designation that ended with her construction due to the restrictions imposed by the 2nd London Naval Treaty. In 1938, shortly after commissioning, \u003ci\u003eBelfast\u003c\/i\u003e's career was nearly cut short when she was severely damaged by a German magnetic mine. However, because of her brand-new status she was granted a reprieve and underwent extensive repair work in drydocks. Her survival can largely be attributed to these repairs, which enhanced her unique capabilities. At the time of writing, HMS \u003ci\u003eBelfast\u003c\/i\u003e is due to see a namesake successor, in the form of a modern Type 26 frigate, enter service before the end of the decade.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Alexander Pocklington\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 168247982X\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781682479827\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e US Naval Institute Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 04\/08\/2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 120\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback","brand":"Alexander Pocklington","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":46465786904831,"sku":"9781682479827","price":19.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_8e7aa833-3e07-4132-9b1e-ca5d3f3dae8b.jpg?v=1736347279","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/hms-belfast-alexander-pocklington-9781682479827","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}