- Author
- Fazio, Lieut. V. RANEM
- Subjects
- Ship design and development, History - WW2, Book reviews, Naval Engagements, Operations and Capabilities
- Tags
-
- RAN Ships
- None noted.
- Publication
- September 2002 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)
Title: Summary and Review of the RAN War Effort and Activities September 1939 to August 1945
Publisher: Naval Historical Society of Australia (Inc)
[Ed: The Society recently published this book]
This book has been compiled by The Naval Historical Society of Australia from documents released by the then Department of the Navy. It covers in detail the names and types of ships and establishments built and acquired during World War II, as well as a wealth of information on a number of related matters. Illustrations have been added to the text, giving the reader a better understanding of the ships, with typical examples, rather than showing each vessel mentioned. It shows what a colossal effort was undertaken to get the RAN on to a reasonable war footing, bearing in mind that when WW2 broke out, the Fleet comprised two heavy cruisers, four light cruisers, five destroyers, four sloops and very few auxiliaries and support vessels. It is left to the reader to see how rapidly and to what extent the RAN increased its size and effort to become a widely-known and respected Navy.
The book is not shown as a narrative, rather a collection of facts and figures (should settle most arguments as to the what, why, where and who of the effort). It is a unique publication and will be of immense interest to naval historians and those with a general interest in the RAN alike.
Thoroughly recommended for all readers.