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Abstract

Examinations of the Royal Navy in the post-war era are often entwined with the generally accepted notion that Britain was no longer a world power to be reckoned with alongside the United States and the Soviet Union. The reduction in the size of the force is associated with the increase in size and capabilities of these primarily continental powers. This paper challenges the notion that the Royal Navy was in a state of inexorable decline after the Second World War. Rather, it is asserted that the service transitioned from a staunchly traditionalist organisation, which was geared towards mainly fighting surface actions using battle fleets, into a highly professional and multi-dimensional force that remains world-renowned to this day. This is presented by means of a detailed analysis of the socio-technical aspects of the practice of gunnery within the Royal Navy during the early Cold War, with a particular emphasis on the introduction of guided missiles for air defence. Subject to examination is the restructuring of the Gunnery specialist qualification (S.Q.) structure, a process which provided the means by which the Royal Navy modernised its workforce to incorporate these important and complex systems. In order to provide context when analysing this specific subject, this analysis also explores the wider strategic picture in relation to the Royal Navy’s role after the Second World War. Additionally, this paper will consider the difficulties of introducing revolutionary technologies, and the universal attitude to change across the service whilst maintaining traditions and common practices which had been developed over the preceding centuries of the Royal Navy’s history.  This will provide an example that, by investing in the skills and experience of its ratings cadre, the Navy was able to modernise and enhance its renown during the Cold War to develop into the efficient fighting force that it is known as to this day.

Course: Naval History - MA - C2457P

Date Deposited: 2024-10-23

URI/permalink: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/dis14476.html