Bayly's War: The Battle for the Western Approaches in the First World War by Naval historian and author, John Brown, tells the story of how the Royal Navy's obsolete battleships were transformed into powerful weapons during World War I. The book explores how the British military adapted its tactics and technology to counter the German U-boat threat, which was a significant factor in the war at sea. The book begins with an introduction to the naval warfare of the time, highlighting the importance of the Western Approaches, a strategic region where Allied ships had to pass through to reach Britain from the Atlantic. The author then delves into the early years of the war, describing how the Germans used their U-boats to attack British merchant vessels, sinking them without warning or provocation. This led to a desperate situation for the British, who were losing ships and lives at an alarming rate. To combat this threat, the British developed a new tactic called "convoy where groups of merchant ships traveled together, protected by armed escorts. This strategy proved effective in reducing losses, but it also created new challenges, such as the need for more destroyers and other escort vessels. The author describes how the Royal Navy struggled to keep pace with technological advancements, including the development of sonar and radar, which played a crucial role in detecting and defeating the enemy submarines.

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