The Silent Service in World War II, Edward MonroeJones
The Silent Service in World War II, Edward MonroeJones
5 Rating(s)
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The Silent Service in World War II
The Story of the U.S. Navy Submarine Force in the Words of the Men Who Lived It

Author: Edward Monroe-Jones, Michael Green

Narrator: Tom Perkins, Jo Anna Perrin

Unabridged: 10 hr 4 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 05/22/2018


Synopsis

When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, the U.S. Navy had a total of 111 submarines. However, this fleet was not nearly as impressive as the number suggests. It was mostly a collection of aging boats from the late teens and early twenties, with only a few of the newer, more modern Gato-class boats. Fortunately, with the war in Europe was already two years old and friction with Japan ever-increasing, help from what would become known as the Silent Service in the Pacific was on the way: there were seventy-three of the new fleet submarines under construction.

The Silent Service in World War II tells the story of America's intrepid underwater warriors in the words of the men who lived the war in the Pacific against Japan. The enemy had already begun to deploy advanced boats, but the U.S. was soon able to match them. By 1943 the new Gato-class boats were making a difference, carrying the war not just to the Japanese Imperial Navy, but to the vital merchant fleet that carried the vast array of materiel needed to keep the land of the Rising Sun afloat.

As the war progressed, American success in the Solomons, starting with Guadalcanal, began to constrict the Japanese sea lanes, and operating singly or in wolfpacks they were able to press their attacks on convoys operating beyond the range of our airpower, making daring forays even into the home waters of Japan itself in the quest for ever more elusive targets. Also taking on Japanese warships, as well as rescuing downed airmen (such as the grateful first President Bush), U.S. submarines made an enormous contribution to our war against Japan.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Beverly

Real stories, real events, Real Heros I'm retired Army, therefore, have no experience with submarines. I could, however, relate to the fear, exhilaration, call to duty and sacrifice. The final story, hit home. I was in an Armored unit, in Germany, when the Berlin wall crumbled. Like the old Chief, we......more

Great change of pace Rather than write a book about one submarine, this book is multiple chapters, each dedicated to a different ship, and each provided by interviews of a sailor from that ship. It gives a great perspective of the different experiences and perspectives experienced by different crews.......more

Goodreads review by Michael

Well written story about submarines in the US Navy in World War II. The author rather then telling the story by citing facts and stats let's the veterans tell their own stories. Series of vignettes put together that helps tell how the war changed over the years where a number of vets tell about thei......more