Task Force 57: The British Pacific Fleet, 1944-45

by Peter C. Smith

Formed in 1944 the British Pacific Fleet was to fight alongside the Americans and so was given an American codename - Task Force 57. But the Pacific theatre was unlike anything the British had experienced before. Surface action was rare and major engagements were fought at ranges of 200 miles. The veterans of the Atlantic, Mediterranean and North Sea had to start again and from the air faced a new deadly enemy - the Kamikaze. Although overshadowed in numbers by the vast American task forces, Task Force 57 made a decisive contribution to victory in the Far East. Peter Smith's volume was the first to fully recount their story and still remains a definitive account of this 'forgotten fleet'.

Hardcover

Published January 1, 1746

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Born Peter Charles Smith in North Elmham, Norfolk, in 1940, eldest son of Ernest & Eileen. Educated at Hamonds School, Swaffham. Married Patricia nee Ireson 1963. Two children, son Paul David and daughter Dawn Tracey.

Editor Balfour Books, Cambridge; Cape Sun, London; World War II Investigator, London.

After living in London, Kent and Cambridge now resides in a north-Bedfordshire village with his wife and Annie the Black Labby.

Reviews

[Nishant Pappireddi]

A good, if a bit dated, overview of the actions of the British Pacific Fleet against Japan.

[Forbes Lucas]

Bad bad bad! Didn't deserve one star!