airlana
25-05-2010, 14:11
Kookaburra:
Frankly, I am ashamed even today at the lack of recognition given Australian and British actions in the Pacific and Indian Ocean areas during the war. As far as I know, no American author had filled the gap, and that's a sad state.
see previous thread (http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4026)
Hi Don
Thought it best to start a new thread rather than have Kookaburra's thread suffer from thread drift and hopefully some further posts will be forthcoming here.
I agree totaly with your earlier comments and only recently have taken an interest in the Pacific as regards the British contribution. At 65 I've a few years on you and there's still so much to learn. Dad spent the last few years of the war on RAN ships in the Pacific area and at war's end at the surrender in Tokyo Bay.
A couple of good books to recommend.
"The British Pacific and East Indies Fleets - 'The Forgotten Fleets' 50th Anniversary" edited by David Brown published 1995 ISBN 1 874467 28 4 gives a good account along with numerous photos and ship lists.
Also I thoughly enjoyed "The Forgotten Fleet" by John Winton originally published way back in 1969. There's some interesting references to the relationships between the RN Admirals Fraser and Rawlings with USN Nimitz, Spruance, King and others. Seems Fraser and Nimitz had a very good working and personal relationship. A somewhat different story with King.
Also this, which I'll quote directly from the book.
"The same day, the fleet was grieved and shocked to hear the news of the death of President Roosevelt. On 14th, Admiral Rawlings ordered colours to be half-masted for the last hour before sunset.
‘Since United States ships do not, I understand, fly their colours in the operational areas and the half-masting of our colours at sea in war is I believe only done when convoying or burying the deceased, the position was not clear as regards TF 57. I felt it fitting, however, and in keeping with what I knew to be the feeling of the Fleet for this great leader and sincere friend of the British Empire, to mark the occasion irrespective of precedent.’
I'm sure you'll enjoy the book if you haven't already read it.
regards Ash
airlana
Frankly, I am ashamed even today at the lack of recognition given Australian and British actions in the Pacific and Indian Ocean areas during the war. As far as I know, no American author had filled the gap, and that's a sad state.
see previous thread (http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4026)
Hi Don
Thought it best to start a new thread rather than have Kookaburra's thread suffer from thread drift and hopefully some further posts will be forthcoming here.
I agree totaly with your earlier comments and only recently have taken an interest in the Pacific as regards the British contribution. At 65 I've a few years on you and there's still so much to learn. Dad spent the last few years of the war on RAN ships in the Pacific area and at war's end at the surrender in Tokyo Bay.
A couple of good books to recommend.
"The British Pacific and East Indies Fleets - 'The Forgotten Fleets' 50th Anniversary" edited by David Brown published 1995 ISBN 1 874467 28 4 gives a good account along with numerous photos and ship lists.
Also I thoughly enjoyed "The Forgotten Fleet" by John Winton originally published way back in 1969. There's some interesting references to the relationships between the RN Admirals Fraser and Rawlings with USN Nimitz, Spruance, King and others. Seems Fraser and Nimitz had a very good working and personal relationship. A somewhat different story with King.
Also this, which I'll quote directly from the book.
"The same day, the fleet was grieved and shocked to hear the news of the death of President Roosevelt. On 14th, Admiral Rawlings ordered colours to be half-masted for the last hour before sunset.
‘Since United States ships do not, I understand, fly their colours in the operational areas and the half-masting of our colours at sea in war is I believe only done when convoying or burying the deceased, the position was not clear as regards TF 57. I felt it fitting, however, and in keeping with what I knew to be the feeling of the Fleet for this great leader and sincere friend of the British Empire, to mark the occasion irrespective of precedent.’
I'm sure you'll enjoy the book if you haven't already read it.
regards Ash
airlana