The Captain Class Frigates in the Second World War: An Operational History of the American-Built Destroyer Escorts Serving Under the White Ensign from 1943-46

by Collingwood, Donald

• ISBN13: 9781557501950
• ISBN10: 1557501955
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1999-04-01
• Publisher: Naval Inst Pr

Summary

The Captain-class frigates included seventy-eight sturdy destroyer escorts built in the United States and leased to Great Britain in 1943. This engaging narrative of their operations has been written by a member of the Royal Navy. who served on one of these combat vessels in the Atlantic. As a participant, he describes the close teamwork and comradeship that existed within the escort groups of the Captains as they faced the lethal submarine threat, in all weather, week in week out, with all too little opportunity for rest between operations. It is a story of vigilance, determination, and fortitude combined with high skill and unfailing courage. These "Yankee frigates", as they were affectionately known, and the men who manned them saved many thousands of lives and millions of tons of vital supplies needed to keep Britain and the Allies in the war.

Table of Contents

Preface	vii
Acknowledegments	ix
Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations	xi
Maps	xiv
List of Illustrations	xv
The Genesis of the Captain Class Frigates	1	(33)
The 4th Escort Group	34	(23)
The 3rd Escort Group	57	(16)
The 1st Escort Group	73	(16)
The 5th Escort Group	89	(15)
The Coastal Forces Control Frigates	104	(21)
DE's of the Nore Command	125	(15)
DE's in the Portsmouth and Devonport Commands	140	(8)
DE's Employed as Headquarters Ships in the Normandy Invasion	148	(9)
The 15th Escort Group	157	(11)
The 21st Escort Group	168	(9)
Service in Mixed Escort Groups	177	(16)
Bibliography	193	(2)
Appendix `A' The Roll of the Captain Class Frigates	195