Three republics one navy
Subtitle: a naval history of France 1870-1999
By: Anthony Clayton ; illustrations by Peter French
Publisher: Helion & Company Limited; Helion and Company
Published: 2014
Place of publication: Solihull, West Midlands, England
Language: eng
Number of pages: 215
ISBN-13: 9781909982994
Subjects: France. Marine; Warships; France; Naval History; History
Other titles: Naval history of France 1870-1999
Description: "In the 1870s, to supplement their early steam engines, French warships were still rigged for sail. In the 1970s the Marine Nationale's ships at sea included aircraft carriers operating supersonic jets, and intercontinental ballistic missile submarines propelled by nuclear engines. Within this one hundred years, the Marine has played important roles in the acquisition of Asian and African colonial empires; until 1900 the lead role in a naval 'Cold War' against Great Britain; in 1904-1920 preparation, largely Mediterranean-based for, and participation in a Paris agenda in the First World War; a spectacular modernization unfortunately incomplete in the inter-war years; division, tragic self-destruction and a rebirth in the two major decolonization campaigns of Indochina and Algeria; and finally in the retention of major world power status with power-projection roles in the late 20th century, requiring a navy with both the nuclear age and traditional amphibious operational capabilities. The enormous costs involved were to lead to reductions and a new naval relationship with Great Britain at the end of the 20th Century." --- from book jacket.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (pages 203-206) and index.