This superbly illustrated book is the first comprehensive history of the British J, K, and N class destroyers. Known for their exploits in many theaters during World War II, eleven of the twenty-three ships were eventually lost in battle. They included the renowned HMS Kelly under the command of Lord Mountbatten, which was sunk by dive bombers in April 1941. The author's full account of the destroyers? valiant service history is balanced with in-depth coverage of the Kelly-class design, construction, and armament. The first full class of ship to be given longitudinal framing, they were also the first class since 1895 to have single funnels. With line drawings by the well-known naval draftsman John Lambert, full-color camouflage designs by naval historian and illustrator John Roberts, and rare photographs, this work is a classic volume that will be valued for years to come.

1.The design process -- 2. Construction, trials and modifications -- 3. Armament -- 4. Camouflage and markings -- 5. Pre-war and the early months -- 6. 1940 : The Norwegian Campaign -- 7. The Kellys in home waters to April 1941 -- 8. The Mediterranean Theatre, 1940-1941 -- 9. Destroyers in the Red Sea -- 10. The Battle of Crete, 1941 -- 11. 1942 : The second battle of Sirte and the Java Sea -- 12. The Kellys in 1943 -- 13. 1944 : The D-Day landings -- 14. The last months of the war -- 15. After the war -- 16. The Dutch destroyers post-war -- 17. An evaluation.