- Author
- Book reviewer
- Subjects
- Biographies and personal histories, WWII operations, Book reviews, Biographies
- Tags
-
- RAN Ships
- None noted.
- Publication
- June 1994 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)
“Blue Watch, All the Blue Watch” By John Allerton
I have not read the “1st Impression” of John Allerton’s book but this “2nd Impression” of this record of his service in the RAN during WW II is very readable and gives a very good idea of what went on during the advance of the Allies to the defeat of the Japanese.
Somewhat naturally it does not enter into the strategies and tactics of the campaign presumably because it was not in his preview and understandably so.
It is a pity he did not take the opportunity to correct mistakes which were obviously apparent in the “1st Impression” especially those of place names. In the area covered by this book, names spelled incorrectly can give a false idea of locality.
It also contains what has almost become lore due to constant repetition by so many “hostilities only” sailors and some regulars, such as “Tally Band” for “Cap Tally”. The former expression may have been used in the Navy but I never heard it in 34½ years. Also the myth concerning the three white pipings (stripes) on the sailor’s collar. The Admiralty has clearly indicated many, many times that it is for decorative purposes only.
Nevertheless, it will bring back many memories and perhaps a desire to “go there again”, and for those who were not there, it will show just how different the Pacific theatre was, compared with the Atlantic, Mediterranean and of course, North European theatres – far less intensive.
L.M. Hinchliffe