The Norwegian Merchant Fleet in the Second World War [Hardcover]

...a popular yet scholarly account with appropriate endnotes and splendid black-and-white photographs and gives the reader some idea of the 'business of war' with its political and economic intrigues...  National Maritime Historical SocietyAt the outbreak of the Second World War, Britain, desperately short of merchant shipping, turned to the Norwegians who agreed to loan several hundred of its modern cargo and tanker ships. In early 1940 when Hitler invaded Norway, both the British and Germans rushed to seize the remainder of the fleet. King Haakon VII and his government, now fleeing from Nazi occupation, refused to relinquish control of this vital national asset. Instead, they nationalized the fleet and established the Norwegian Shipping and Trade Mission. Nicknamed Nortraship, it became overnight the largest shipping company the world had seen with a thousand ships and offices on six continents. Generously made available to Great Britain, it became a priceless Allied asset without which victory over Germany would arguably have been impossible. By the end of the war, about half Nortraships fleet had been lost to enemy action.The Norwegian Merchant Fleet in the Second World War is a superbly researched addition to Second World War history being the first detailed account in English of Norways critical contribution to the Allies. As well as telling this little-known but hugely significant story, the author covers the controversies that developed and persist into the present day.The role of the vast Norwegian Merchant Fleet in WW2 has been overlooked by historians.Without Nortraships vast modern fleet of cargo vessels and tankers, Britains ability to fight the Nazis would have been in doubt.Describes the actions that caused the loss of half the Norwegian fleet to German action.The first account in English of this war winning asset, denied to Hitler. ...a popular yet scholarly account with appropriate endnotes and splendid black-and-white photographs and gives thlc�