A BARNT Green author has released a book which gives the British Navy credit for the German defeat in World War One.

On the 100th anniversary of what is now known as the Turnip Winter (1916-17), Steve Dunn reminds readers in his book 'Blockade' of the success of the naval blockade that ultimately brought Germany to its knees.

Steve, who lives in Fiery Hill Drive, said: "“This wasn’t a fashionable campaign and it didn’t receive much publicity at the time and is almost forgotten today.

"And yet it was one of the largest and most sophisticated undertakings of the First World War. It literally starved the German people and military into submission.

“Without the Northern Blockade the war would have gone on for longer, but because of it the world’s pre-eminent land force was compelled to seek an armistice.”

Using personal accounts, 'Blockade' looks at the failure and strategy changes of both sides and focuses on the little-known story of the 10th Cruiser Squadron, whose sailors have never received the recognition they deserve.

Steve added: “It was both challenging and emotional to write – not least because the British ships were mainly crewed by volunteer reservists, who had to deal with the hard work and danger of the task they faced as well as appalling weather conditions.”

'Blockade' is now available to order on Amazon.