- Author
- Book reviewer
- Subjects
- RAN operations, Ship histories and stories, WWII operations, History - WW2, Book reviews, Naval Engagements, Operations and Capabilities
- Tags
-
- RAN Ships
- HMAS Canberra I
- Publication
- September 1994 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)
The Battle of Savo Island in which HMAS CANBERRA was lost has been the subject of many books, analyses and articles, but in his powerful and enthralling work the author has thrown new light on the disaster which claimed so many Allied casualties. Commodore Loxton is eminently qualified to dissect the “anatomy of a Naval disaster” (sub-title to the book) as he writes with his authority as a survivor of HMAS CANBERRA, his command experience at sea and as a graduate of the RN Staff College, the US Naval War College and the Royal College of Defence Studies.
His appointments as Director of Naval Intelligence and Naval Attache Washington gave him access to important research material and a range of contacts. The extent of his painstaking examination can best be measured by twenty six pages of end-notes, chief amongst which is the comparison of the ages of the Allied officers at Savo, from Vice Admiral to Lieutenant Commanders in command – and what a revelation it is.
First-class illustrations, maps and diagrams as well as a useful glossary round out the text.
Naval strategy, tactics, command and control, communications, logistics, reconnaissance, intelligence, both Allied and enemy, and most importantly the human factor are all rigorously scrutinised and woven into a compelling tale, suited to a wide readership. The dedication perhaps best sums up the spirit of the book wherein the author imputes the deaths of “members of HMAS CANBERRA’s ship’s company to Allied ineptitude in the face of Japanese Professionalism”.
He is to be congratulated, together with Chris Coulthard-Clark on a work which deserves every success.
J Snow
