Spoils of War

Spoils of War
Author: Aidan Dodson
Publisher: Seaforth Publishing
Total Pages: 328
Release: 2020-03-30
Genre: History
ISBN: 1526741997

An extensive history of enemy fleets following both World Wars, featuring never-before-seen archival and archaeological materials. Spoils of War traces the histories of navies and ships of the defeated powers from the months leading up to the relevant armistices or surrenders to the final execution of the appropriate post-war settlements. In doing so, it discusses the way in which the victorious powers reached their final demands, how these were implemented, and to what effect. The later histories of ships that saw subsequent service, either in their original navies or in those navies which acquired them, are also described. Much use is made of archival materials, and in some cases archaeological, sources, some of which have never previously been used. Ultimately, a wide range of long-standing myths are busted, and some badly distorted modern views are set right. The fascinating narrative is accompanied by lists of all major navy-built (and certain significant ex-mercantile) enemy ships in commission at the relevant date of the armistice or surrender, or whose hulks were specifically listed for attention in post-Second World War allied agreements. These include key dates in their careers and their ultimate fates. This original book, featuring numerous photographs, is sure to become an essential reference tool for all those interested in the naval history of the two World Wars. Praise for Spoils of War “Most highly recommended.” —Firetrench “For those who need to finally know the ultimate fate of the often gallant ships that strove against the Allies in both world wars, this is the book.” —Julian Stockwin, author of the Thomas Kydd series

Scuttled

Scuttled
Author: Ron Collins
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 2017-04-14
Genre:
ISBN: 9780998897509

"In some respects, Palmer & Cay was too good to be true-a great place to work with snowballing success. Good leadership, talented personnel, personal freedom, and generous compensation contributed to the overall success of The Ship. This is a story not of evil wrongdoing, but of runaway egos, greed, and the lack of entrepreneurial skill or knowledge to lead the company forward. Those egos were willing to bet everything on an unproven scheme and ride The Ship to the bottom, if allowed." For years, Palmer & Cay, a small but highly successful commercial insurance-brokerage firm, was a name synonymous with unbeatable talent, honest work, and a soaring drive to exceed all expectations. Everyone-employees, customers, and peers alike-wanted to climb aboard "The Ship" and be a part of the ride to success. Things could not have been looking better, until in 2003, when a sudden and unexpected change in management took a turn for the worse, and piece by piece dismantled everything that the 135-year-old company stood for. "Scuttled: The Sinking of the Palmer Cay" tells the full story from the perspective of insider Ron Collins, former senior vice president of Palmer & Cay's flagship department, and evaluates the roots of the poor decision-making that would eventually devastate other companies across the nation. From start to finish, Collins provides acute and heartfelt insight into what businesses need to succeed, and what will ultimately make them sink.

The Last Century of Sea Power, Volume 2

The Last Century of Sea Power, Volume 2
Author: H. P. Willmott
Publisher: Indiana University Press
Total Pages: 706
Release: 2010-03-22
Genre: History
ISBN: 0253004098

“An important contribution . . . a thoughtful account of the years preceding the Second World War and, at much greater length, of the war itself.” —History In this second volume of his history of naval power in the 20th century, H. P. Willmott follows the fortunes of the established seafaring nations of Europe along with two upstarts—the United States and Japan. Emerging from World War I in command of the seas, Great Britain saw its supremacy weakened through neglect and in the face of more committed rivals. Britain’s grand Coronation Review of 1937 marked the apotheosis of a sea power slipping into decline. Meanwhile, Britain’s rivals and soon-to-be enemies were embarking on significant naval building programs that would soon change the nature of war at sea in ways that neither they nor their rivals anticipated. By the end of a new world war, the United States had taken command of two oceans, having placed its industrial might behind technologies that further defined the arena of naval power above and below the waves, where stealth and the ability to strike at great distance would soon rewrite the rules of war and of peace. This splendid volume further enhances Willmott’s stature as the dean of naval historians. Praise for The Last Century of Sea Power series “The author, dean of naval historians, provides a sweeping look at, and analysis of, the transformation of naval power . . . Wilmott is fearless in his judgments.” —Seapower “H. P. Willmott is the finest naval historian and among the finest historians of any discipline writing today.” —Bernard D. Cole, author of The Great Wall at Sea

Warships of the Soviet Fleets 1939–1945

Warships of the Soviet Fleets 1939–1945
Author: Przemyslaw Budzbon
Publisher: Seaforth Publishing
Total Pages: 310
Release: 2022-12-12
Genre: History
ISBN: 1399022806

Seventy-five years after the end of the Second World War the details of Soviet ships, their activities and fates remain an enigma to the West. In wartime such information was classified and after a brief period of glasnost (‘openness’) the Russian state has again restricted access to historical archives. Therefore, the value – and originality – of this work is difficult to exaggerate. It sees the first publication of reliable data on both the seagoing fleets and riverine flotillas of the Soviet Navy, listing over 6200 vessels from battleships to river gunboats, and mercantile conversions as well as purpose-built warships. This second part of the three-volume series includes all the remaining fighting vessels not already covered in Volume I. Beginning with the Uragan class – rated as Escort Ships and the first seagoing warships designed by the Soviet Union – the book then moves on to Submarine Hunters, both large and small, Patrol craft, Minelayers and Minesweepers, and unusual types like Floating Artillery Batteries and Anti-Aircraft Defense Ships, concluding with Landing Ships and Craft. Many of these vessels have hitherto been poorly documented but given the nature of the land-centered Soviet war against Germany their contribution should not be underestimated. The details of their service and, not least, the circumstances of their loss, constitute a major addition to Western understanding of the Soviet Navy’s war effort. This is undoubtedly one of the most important naval reference works of recent years and will be welcomed by anyone with an interest in warships, the Soviet Navy or wider maritime aspects of the Second World War. Furthermore, as recent Russian actions appear to revive Soviet-era aspirations, this book offers both new insights and valuable background of contemporary relevance.

Confederate Seadog

Confederate Seadog
Author: John Bell
Publisher: McFarland
Total Pages: 194
Release: 2002-11-11
Genre: History
ISBN: 9780786413522

John Taylor Wood, the grandson of President Zachary Taylor and a nephew of Jefferson Davis, was one of the most daring and remarkable participants of the Civil War and among the few people to hold dual rank in the Confederate military as a captain in the Confederate States Navy (CSN) and a colonel in the cavalry. Wood was widely known for his wartime activities, but at the time of his death in 1904, he had been largely forgotten. This work combines a thorough biography of John Taylor Wood and three of his memoirs that were published in Century magazine between 1885 and 1898. The biography gives special attention to Wood's childhood and youth, such as his harrowing experiences in Florida during the Seminole Wars, his service in the United States Navy during and after the Mexican War, his experiences in California during the Gold Rush and his leading role among the members of the little-known postwar Confederate naval colony in Halifax, Nova Scotia, organized to fight the Fenian forces for the British in 1866. His writings about the war and other literary activities, and his friendship with William Hall, the first African American to win the Victoria Cross are covered. The memoirs in this book cover his service on the CSS Virginia, the cruise of the CSS Tallahassee (of which he was the commander), and his gutsy escape from the South as the Confederacy collapsed.

United States Submarine Losses in World War II

United States Submarine Losses in World War II
Author: United States Navy
Publisher: Lulu.com
Total Pages: 269
Release: 2008-09-01
Genre:
ISBN: 1935327097

Originally printed in 1946 at the order of Vice Admiral Lockwood, Commander of Submarines, Pacific Fleet, United States Submarine Losses memorializes the 374 officers and 3131 men lost at sea between 1941 and 1945. It also chronicles the gallantry and persistence of these men, who under the most difficult conditions possible, performed critical missions and almost single-handedly decimated Japan¿s merchant fleet. ¿To those whose contribution meant the loss of sons, brothers or husbands in this war,¿ Admiral Lockwood noted in a speech given on Navy Day, 1945, ¿ I can assure you that they went down fighting and that their brothers who survived them took a grim toll of our savage enemy to avenge their deaths. May God rest their gallant souls.¿ This book is a testament to all those, living and dead, who served in the Silent Service in WWII. This enhanced, softbound edition features the entire original text and includes an official appendix of Axis submarine losses.

The War at Sea, 1939-1945

The War at Sea, 1939-1945
Author: Stephen Wentworth Roskill
Publisher:
Total Pages: 634
Release: 1961
Genre: World War, 1939-1945
ISBN:

Mulberry and More

Mulberry and More
Author: Patrick Watson
Publisher: Xlibris Corporation
Total Pages: 205
Release: 2019-08-22
Genre: History
ISBN: 1796052272

Even in the case of an event as well-known as World War II, it is still possible to find a hidden gem that many people have never heard of. In the case of this book, that little gem is the pre-fabricated harbor built and designed by the British for the express purpose of supporting the Allied invasion of France on June 6, 1944. It was known as Mulberry, and the story surrounding its evolution from a controversial and often ridiculed idea into a controversial and often ridiculed maritime fact is as entertaining as it is educational.