The US submarine fleet is nicknamed "the Silent Service" for good reason--they don't brag about their successes like the Air Force or Marine Corps. Jim Christley's "US Submarines 1941-45" fills in a historical void that is almost as good as a trip to the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park at Pearl Harbor--and a whole lot cheaper (unless you already live on Ohau).
I did note some information that was different from what I learned through other sources, but that's history! Besides, even today some of the special submarine operations of World War Two remain classified because they involve relations with foreign governments. The silent service was credited with sinking the majority of the Japanese merchant fleet and a good chunk of the Imperial Japanese Navy--despite starting the war with ineffective torpedoes and risk-adverse skippers. A lot of these sinkings was achieved through the use of sea mines--a post-war problem that took years to undo through dangerous de-mining. Naval mines are deliberately made difficult and dangerous to neutralize. More secret were intelligence missions--whether dropping scouts or spies or coast watchers in enemy waters, photographing shorelines and ports through the periscope, or picking up floating trash or stray radio signals. The Makin Raid was possible only because of two large submarines--surface ships would have been detected. All of this was achieved with a total manpower of less than 17,000 submariners and 230 submarines...
Tony Bryan's full-color cutaway painting of the Balao-class submarine is useful; I wish I had it when I toured the BowFin in 1998. The simplified explaination of submarine tactics and mission profile was illuminating. A sidebar listing submarine classes is a handy guide for us amateur historians. I really liked the detail on weapons, radar, and sonar--it took me much research to get the little information I had, and this book has more. All 52 lost US submarines are listed. I like having a bibliography and index so that I can conduct further research or look up something rapidly. The bibliography in this volume is spare, but then, this is about the silent service! Images include line drawings, vintage photos, and excellent color plates. I think that "US Submarines 1941-45" is a worthwhile addition to my naval and World War Two libraries.
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From the Publisher
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Full colour battlescenesBeautifully illustrated battlescenes are included to bring the narrative of the conflict to life. |
Cutaway diagramsSpecially commissioned full colour illustrations are included alongside labels and comprehensive captions to give a full breakdown of the machines and ships used in battle. |
PhotographsEach volume features a wide range of photographs, which provide unparalleled detail of the uniforms and weaponry used by the combatants. |
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Reviews with images
Good overview with lots of great pictures and photographs.
This is a good short book with lots of color artwork and photographs. There is a nice cross section of a Balao class submarine and also a U.S. torpedo. Illustrations of submarine silhouettes and deck weapons are also included. The work is a valuable overview of different US submarines in World War II.
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2015
Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2021
Excellent, brief in side of the US Navy Submarines. Different classes and brief look into there service. Very well put together.
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2017
Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2017
Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2020
Good overview with lots of great pictures and photographs.
Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2020
This is a good short book with lots of color artwork and photographs. There is a nice cross section of a Balao class submarine and also a U.S. torpedo. Illustrations of submarine silhouettes and deck weapons are also included. The work is a valuable overview of different US submarines in World War II.
Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2020
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2012
Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2016
Top reviews from other countries
Passarelle
Nice little book about the technicalities of subs.
Reviewed in Germany on January 13, 2021
sw
Written with knowledge and passion - far better than most New Vanguard series
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 27, 2012