Admiralty Salvage in Peace and War 1906–2006

Book excerpt: The importance of marine salvage during armed conflict has been vastly underestimated since becoming a vital Naval arm during the First World War. Between 1915 and 1918 the Admiralty Salvage Section saved nearly 400 merchant vessels, desperately needed to bring food and war materials into Britain.During the Second World War, some two million tons of shipping was successfully recovered. From D-Day onwards Admiralty salvage men cleared many stricken craft from the Normandy beaches alone, often under heavy shellfire. Then, as the Germans retreated back across Europe, salvage teams undertook vital port clearance duties.During the Suez Crisis, Falklands Conflict and even the Gulf War the same story can be told. And their peacetime operations have also been important. Drawing on a wealth of official documents, Admiralty Salvage is the first book to explore in depth the courage, personal sacrifice and invaluable contribution these forgotten heroes have made during both peace and war.