Antisubmarine Warrior in the Pacific: Six Subs Sunk in Twelve Days

by John A. Williamson

A first-hand account of the USS England' s accomplishments, written by its commanding officer

The USS England was a 1200-ton, 306-foot, long-hull destroyer escort. Commissioned into service in late 1943 and dispatched to the Pacific the following February, the England and its crew, in one 12-day period in 1944, sank more submarines than any other ship in U.S. naval of the six targets attacked, all six were destroyed. For this distinction, legendary in the annals of antisubmarine warfare, the ship and her crew were honored with the Presidential Unit Citation.
 
After convoying in the Atlantic, John A. Williamson was assigned to the England— first as its executive officer, then as its commanding officer—from the time of her commissioning until she was dry-docked for battle damage repairs in the Philadelphia Naval Yard fifteen months later. Besides being a key participant in the remarkable antisubmarine actions, Williamson commanded the England in the battle of Okinawa, where she was attacked by kamikaze planes.
 
Williamson narrates his memoir with authority and authenticity, describes naval tactics and weaponry precisely, and provides information gleaned from translations of the orders from the Japanese high command to Submarine Squadron 7. The author details the challenges of communal life aboard ship and explains the intense loyalty that bonds crew members for life. Ultimately, Williamson offers a compelling portrait of himself, an inexperienced naval officer who, having come of age in Alabama during the Depression, rose to become the most successful World War II antisubmarine warfare officer in the Pacific.
*

Genres: History

248 pages, Hardcover

First published March 6, 2005

Reviews

[Andrew Esselbach · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book on the USS England and antisubmarine warfare during WW2, from the point of view of the ship's captain, was very interesting and informative.

My grandfather was a radio operator on the USS England (DE-635), and I enjoyed being able to read this book and learn about his ship's history.

[Dave Hoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

A used book I purchased from Amazon, read it, and years later re-read it. A good history of looking for, finding, and sinking enemy subs. This DE, USS England, had a good, well trained crew with a XO, and later Skipper who could sense what the subs were doing, enabling the DE to sink 6 subs in 12 days. Finally hit by a suiside plane, it war was over.

[Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about the USS ENGLAND (DE 635), the escort ship that sank six Japanese subs in 12 days in the spring of 1944. The book covers the WWII career of LCDR John Williamson, from his initial tours against the U-Boats in the Atlantic through to his command of ENGLAND when she was Kamikaze'd off Okinawa. As such it is a great glimpse at the operations of escort ships in WWII. The chapter dealing with the ship's most famous exploit is especially interesting. The author explains how the Team (untested to that point) put their training to good use and continually improved their performance as they dealt with ever more challenging situations. A great book for learning more about leadership and tactical innovation in the compressed environment of naval combat.

[Chuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very few titles are as descriptive. This is what you think it is, a WWII memoir by the man who sank 6 subs in 12 days. Williamson was the exec officer of the USS England at the time. An excellent read, especially if you enjoy WWII naval history.