Merchant Sailors At War 1943 - 1945 - Beating The U-Boat (Images Of War - Rare Photographs From Wartime Archives)

This Title by the American Naval Historian Philip Kaplan and former British RAF Bomber Command Pilot Jack Currie was originally released back in the 1990s, long unavailable upto now, it has been reissued and split into two volumes as part of the Pen & Sword Books Images of War Imprint. Inside of this Photographic Essay are the usual mix of Archival Images, Paintings, and Modern Photos as taken by Philip Kaplan which this pair of writers were always known for creating throughout their long writing partnership together. Alongside of these images are the usual mix of poetry and informative text about life crossing the North Atlantic Oceans during The Second World War, and all the hazards that entailed. Contained within the archival images are some of the worlds most iconic and important Merchantmen, along with their Royal Navy (RN) and Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) Escorts. Alongside of these are some truly intriguing photos of the Sailors and Officers from all across the world who crewed the Merchant Marine Fleet and sailed in atrocious weather conditions and high sea swells without complaint all year round. Equally candid photos of the Officers and Ratings on board their RN and RCN Escorts who were often swamped in under powered Warships that 'sailed like drunk submarines', while facing exactly the same conditions as those faced by the Merchantmen Crews themselves are also included. There are also modern day images of the handful of surviving vessels from that time like the former RCN Flower Class Corvette, HMCS Sackville an escort of the RCN which is now permanently moored in harbour at the Maritime Museum in Halifax Nova Scotia Canada, as a living memorial to her Canadian Crew and to so many others who failed to return to port. Also covered are the equally hard pressed Aircrews of the RAF and RCAF flying out from ashore and the sea based RN Fleet Air Arm (FAA) and the RCN FAA who gave them air protection. The Battle of the Atlantic was the dominating factor all through the war. Never for one moment could we forget that everything happening elsewhere, on land, at sea, or in the air, depended ultimately on its outcome. - Winston ChurchillFeatured in this new volume from Philip Kaplan are images of some of the most iconic and important merchant ships of the latter years of the Second World War, along with intriguing shots of the men who sailed and worked on them. The indomitable HMS Sackville, the only surviving corvette of the Second World War, is afforded particularly prominent coverage, alongside a host of lesser-known but equally formidable ships. The Corvettes (vessels that escorted convoys throughout the war) were amongst the wettest and most uncomfortable of all warships, and their crews were undoubtedly amongst the most heroic. This volume is, in effect, a photo essay on the corvette. Escorting the convoy system of defensive Allied boats in the Atlantic and tasked with preventing merchant ships from being sunk by German submarines and U-boats, the Corvette's job was invaluable. This history, told in words and images, is sure to appeal to all military and maritime enthusiasts, representing an exciting addition to the established Images of War series.