A proud naval legacy
The Royal Navy’s contribution to allied success in World War 2 was indispensable, both at home and abroad. British naval forces played a critical role defending UK, Commonwealth and allied shores against enemy attacks, protecting vital trade routes in the North Atlantic, and leading amphibious operations across Europe and Southeast Asia.
Over a period of almost six years, our sailors, submariners and Royal Marines fought in every theatre of the war and suffered grievous losses, but were a linchpin of Allied victory. Without the Royal Navy, there would have been no major evacuation at Dunkirk, Malta and North Africa may well have fallen to the Axis powers, and the UK could have been starved into submission by German U-boats.
Instead, in co-operation with its sister Services and allies, the Royal Navy triumphed in the Atlantic and went on the offensive through major amphibious operations in the Mediterranean and Normandy in 1944.
After the D-Day landings, the Royal Navy’s focus shifted increasingly to the Far East in the form of the mighty British Pacific Fleet, despatched to bring an end to Japanese aggression – ultimately leading to the surrender in Tokyo Bay in September 1945.
The Royal Navy wishes to thank the National Museum of the Royal Navy for all archival photography and footage featured on this page.
