There was so much information here that I’d never read anywhere else about these ships that were designed under wartime conditions for one mission; anti submarine operations. Designed to handle the German diesel subs of the Atlantic and European theater, when that threat was largely defeated, they were repurposed for other missions. It’s a fascinating story of how you make the best use of a tool designed for a task that no longer exists, and how you find other ways to use it. Densely researched but an easy read, even if you’re not an avid WWII history buff. Highly recommended! US Navy Destroyer Escorts of World War II (New Vanguard Book 289) As the Second World War loomed over the horizon in Europe, the U.S. Navy resisted building a new class of anti submarine vessels designated as destroyer escorts. It would rather have had fleet destroyers. A British demand for anti submarine frigates for the North Atlantic convoys got the ball rolling, however, and destroyer escorts would go on to a highly useful career with the U.S. Navy.
Author Mark Lardas rightly highlights the heroic role of the destroyer escorts in saving a fleet of escort carriers off Samar Island in the Philippines in 1944, but his extended operational history covers many other uses, including as radar pickets and fast attack transports. The text includes lots of period photographs, some nice modern illustrations, and the expected technical data by class of ship. Very well recommended as a concise and informative introduction to the topic. US Navy Destroyer Escorts of World War II (New Vanguard Book 289) very nicely written book, excellent condition. thanks US Navy Destroyer Escorts of World War II (New Vanguard Book 289) Very informative great for naval history buffs and modelers well worth the price US Navy Destroyer Escorts of World War II (New Vanguard Book 289) thank you US Navy Destroyer Escorts of World War II (New Vanguard Book 289)
The Destroyer Escort was the smallest ocean going escort built for the United States Navy a downsized destroyer with less speed, fewer guns, and fewer torpedoes than its big brother, the fleet destroyer. Destroyer escorts first went into production because the Royal Navy needed an escort warship which was larger than a corvette, but which could be built faster than a destroyer. Lacking the shipyards to build these types of ships in Britain, they ordered them in the US. Once the US unexpectedly entered World War II, its navy suddenly also needed escort warships, even warships less capable than destroyers, and the destroyer escort was reluctantly picked to fill the gap.
Despite the Navys initial reservations, these ships did yeoman service during World War II, fighting in both the Atlantic and Pacific, taking on both U boat and Japanese submarines and serving as the early warning pickets against kamikazes later in the war. They also participated in such dramatic actions as the Battle of Samar (where a group of destroyers and destroyer escorts fought Japanese battleships and cruisers to protect the escort carriers they were shielding) and the capture of the U 505 (the only major naval vessel captured at sea by the US Navy). The destroyer escorts soldiered on after World War II in both the United States Navy and a large number of navies throughout the world, with several serving into the twenty first century. This book tells the full story of these plucky ships, from their design and development to their service around the world, complete with stunning illustrations and contemporary photographs. US Navy Destroyer Escorts of World War II (New Vanguard Book 289)
Smaller, slower, under gunned and inferior to destroyers, courage, training and elan nonetheless pitted four American escort destroyers and three American destroyers against an entire Japanese battlefleet, off Samar island in the Philippines, in October 1944. This fleet included three battleships, plus Yamato (the most powerful battleship ever built), as well as eight cruisers and eleven destroyers. The Japanese retreated after three of their heavy cruisers had been sunk.
Stirring stuff. Read all about it. US Navy Destroyer Escorts of World War II (New Vanguard Book 289) I was hoping the book would list all the DE numbers and names used/in service during WW II along with the classes. US Navy Destroyer Escorts of World War II (New Vanguard Book 289) Another good book on ww2 destroyer escorts.A lot of information in a small book. US Navy Destroyer Escorts of World War II (New Vanguard Book 289) Recommended buy! US Navy Destroyer Escorts of World War II (New Vanguard Book 289)
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