Hood, Life and Death of a Battlecruiser, Book Review

HMS Hood is one of the most famous British warships of the Second World War, but largely only known because of her encounter with the German Battleship Bismarck. HMS Hood was laid down in 1916 as one of a new class of Battle-cruisers, ships with the same armament of Battleships but with lighter armour to allow greater speeds. Unfortunately, three British Battle-cruisers were sunk in violent explosions during the Battle of Jutland which lead to some redesign work on the ship. Launched at the end of World War I, the ship was named after Admiral Hood who lost his life during the Battle of Jutland. The book covers the development of the Dreadnoughts, Battleships and Battle-cruisers and the full story of the building of HMS Hood.

HMS Hood was one of the largest warships in the Royal Navy and remains the longest ever built. During the 1920's she undertook a world cruise to show the flag in the distant parts of the Empire. During the 1930's HMS Hood conducted routine patrols and nearly came to blows with a Spanish Light Cruiser attempting to intercept British merchant ships during the Spanish Civil War. The Spanish Captain wisely opted to withdraw.

When the Second World War broke out, HMS Hood was kept busy until 1940 when she undertook an eight week refit in Davenport. AA defences were improved as well as a general overhaul. Again, the book gives the full details of the ships operations at the start of the war.

On the 3rd July 1940, HMS Hood was involved in Operation Catapult, the destruction of the Vichy French Fleet at Oran. This was the first time the 15" guns had been fired in anger. In early 1941, HMS Hood and the new battleship, HMS Prince of Wales were with the Home Fleet and sent to intercept the German battleship Bismarck, and the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen. The Battle of the Denmark Strait on the 24th May 1941 saw the destruction of HMS Hood by Bismarck, which lead to Churchill's famous order, 'Sink the Bismarck'.

The book covers the patrols and actions in detail, as well as the final battle. The fire from the Bismarck caused a catastrophic explosion which lead to the loss of the ship and 1,415 of the crew. There were only 3 survivors. Recent analysis of the action is reviewed, and the conclusions from the two investigations after the battle are analysed. The final chapter covers the expedition to find the wreck of the Hood with a deep sea submersible, and the evidence from the seabed lends weight to the most likely cause of the explosion.

This is a very good book, extremely well illustrated throughout. The book will be of interest to the general reader as well as naval enthusiasts. The pictures will help modelers wishing to tackle this ship.