The Little Giants: U.S. Escort Carriers Against Japan (Bluejacket Books)

The substantial accomplishments of the U.S. Navy's mini-carriers in such battles as Leyte Gulf, Guadalcanal, the Marianas, and Okinawa never gained the attention given the fast carriers, but there is little question that their vital operations played an important role in the Pacific campaign. These remarkably versatile vessels--called CVEs, baby flattops, and even jeeps--hunted submarines, escorted convoys, provided air support, and performed dozens of other tasks that are vividly described in this book. Based on interviews with the CVE crewmen and on war diaries, ship histories, and other documents, it tells a moving story of escort carrier operations, from the work of the first CVEs to their final assignment transporting GIs home after the war. Seldom-seen photographs add to this fascinating portrait of the little giants. Operational History Of U.s. Escort Carriers Against Japan. Learning The Ropes -- The Quickening Pace -- Moving West -- Approach To The Philippines -- The Return -- They're Shooting Us In Technicolor -- Death From The Sky -- Finale At Leyte Gulf -- Divine Wind -- Two Versions -- A Covey Of Kamikazes -- Visit To A Vile Island -- The Longest Battle -- Epilogue. William T. Y'blood. Includes Index. Bibliography: P. [445]-452. Describes the use of escort carriers to hunt submarines and provide support for ground forces, and recounts combat experiences, including kamikaze attacks