Royal Navy during the Second World War

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The Royal Navy was an important component of the Allied forces during the Second World War and made a significant contribution to the victory over the Axis powers. Its main tasks included the protection of merchant ships in the Atlantic against German U-boats and the defence of British territories. Its greatest successes included the victory over the Italians in the Battle of Cape Matapan, the naval battle off the North Cape and the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk.