Churchill’s Pirates

Churchill’s Pirates was the naval force whose “toils and tireless courage” - in the words of Churchill himself -helped the Allies defeat Hitler’s mighty war machine. At its heart was the Royal Naval Patrol Service (RNPS), a “navy within a navy” that was bought together to fight the Nazis and their fellow Axis nations across the world.

The 70,000 men and women are largely forgotten today, but they played a vital role in winning World War II. Manning 6,000 ships, at least 3,218 men officially lost their lives, and more of their vessels were attacked and sunk by the enemy than any other branch of the Royal Navy.

Told through fascinating first-hand accounts with surviving veterans, exclusive interviews, original papers and new archive material this will be the defining story of the overlooked unit who worked night and day to keep Britain safe in her darkest hour.