 | Surface and Destroy: The Submarine Gun War in the Pacific Subjects: World War 1939–1945 -- Naval operations -- Submarine; World War 1939–1945 -- Naval operations American; World War 1939–1945 -- Campaigns -- Pacific Ocean; Historically, submarines have, of course, for the most part operated underwater, but there were times when they surfaced and attacked with their deck guns. This was especially true later in World War II, when there were few big Japanese targets for the U.S. submarines to attack from underwater. The Japanese transported supplies on smaller trawlers, junks, and sampans; since they could not be sunk with a submarine's torpedo, the only option for U.S. subs was a surface attack, thus exposing themselves to enemy airplanes and possible gunfire from the target vessels. Both sides sometimes shot at the survivors; Sturma (history, Murdoch Univ., Australia; The U.S.S. Flier: Death and Survival on a World War II Submarine) examines the morality of those choices. His subject is a relatively little-known aspect of the Pacific War. Verdict Well documented, this book is recommended for those interested in World War II naval and Pacific operations.(Maps and index not seen.).[See this reviewer's two-part roundup of new World War II history books coming in LJ 3/15/11 and LJ 4/1/11.-Ed.]-Daniel K. Blewett, Coll. of DuPage Lib., Glen Ellyn, IL © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved. Michael Sturma, chair of the history program at Murdoch University, is the author of several books on naval history, including The USS Flier : Death and Survival on a World War II Submarine . He lives in Perth, Australia. |
