Weapons of WW2

[Manray9]

Geevee wrote: "Manrya9 they have a Sunderland at Duxford too and it is a beautiful beast.

I am hopeful we'll see the Whirlwind one day too Rick...as for a Typhoon I can live in hope."

Many years ago I read a memoir by a European pilot (French or Belgian, maybe?) who flew a Typhoon for the RAF -- mostly close air support, before and after D-Day. I can't remember the book or the pilot (too many books over too many years). Maybe Clostermann?

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Please by all means list them Manyray9 as I am sure other members will be interested as well.

[Liam]

I did a lot of work on Pierre Clostermann's listings a few weeks ago (author info & photo, cover scans, etc.)- still not completely finished as it was an extremely big job, but much improved from previously. If anyone feels like adding any editions or cover scans I missed, please be my guest, I would appreciate any help I can get...

[Manray9]

Liam wrote: "I did a lot of work on Pierre Clostermann's listings a few weeks ago (author info & photo, cover scans, etc.)- still not completely finished as it was an extremely big job, but much improved from p..."

I checked it out, you did some good work. I can't add anything now, but if I come across something...

[Liam]

Manray9 wrote: "Liam wrote: "I did a lot of work on Pierre Clostermann's listings a few weeks ago (author info & photo, cover scans, etc.)- still not completely finished as it was an extremely big job, but much im..."


Thank you! I tend to obsessively fix listings on here as a way to deal with stress, but it is still very nice when my work is appreciated...

[Manray9]

Liam wrote: "Manray9 wrote: "Liam wrote: "I did a lot of work on Pierre Clostermann's listings a few weeks ago (author info & photo, cover scans, etc.)- still not completely finished as it was an extremely big ..."

Me too. I have added dozens of books and cover photos to the Goodreads database from my personal library. I have many old out-of-print hardcovers on British, Russian and U.S. history. Memoirs too.

[Liam]

That's great! It seems as though your main interests complement mine fairly well, i.e. although I still dabble in WWII etc. I tend to approach it via the German History & irregular warfare aspects; my primary areas of study are in the area of post '45 "small wars" (the breakup of colonial empires, insurgency/counterinsurgency etc.) centering on South-East Asia (especially Indo-China), and with a concurrent interest in the Middle East (particularly the Levant). I have a large collection of out-of-print & rare stuff in these areas, but very little in your fields. The only area where we overlap is in memoirs, and I'd bet we have few, if any, of the same ones. Between the two of us we have probably covered a large slice of extant History books, and I'm very happy to find that I'm not alone in my efforts.

By the way, nice Robert Johnson photo- I've always preferred Son House, myself, but I suspect that might be a minority position...

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

I enjoyed Clostermann's book greatly. I'm also always interested in reading both your posts as there is a lot of knowledge and books read so keep it up please.

[Manray9]

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Please by all means list them Manyray9 as I am sure other members will be interested as well."

Here are my best five books on flying boats. Not all are exclusively about WW II, but each has -- at least -- a section on the war.

British Flying Boats by Peter London

PBY : The Catalina Flying Boat by Roscoe Creed

The American Flying Boat by Capt Richard C. Knott, USN

US Navy PBY Catalina Units of the Atlantic War by Ragnar J. Ragnarsson

China Clipper: The Age of the Great Flying Boats by Robert L. Gandt

World War II was the pinnacle of the flying boats' success, but it also ushered in their demise. The war saw the establishment of airfields across the globe -- especially in places such as South America, Africa and East Asia. The post-war ubiquity of land-based fields ended the appeal of the great flying boats.

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

This is a nice selection Manray and I shall have to add these. Ones on the Sunderland that I have my eye on to read are:

by Richard Knott

by Derek K. Empson

by Allan J. King

[Cold War Conversations Podcast]

Currently free in the UK, Tigers in Combat Vol 1 http://amzn.to/157pY8k

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

Thanks Mcrmilhist for posting.

[Manray9]

Geevee wrote: "This is a nice selection Manray and I shall have to add these. Ones on the Sunderland that I have my eye on to read are:

[bookcover:Flying Boats of the Empire: The Rise and Fall of the Ships of t..."

GeeVee: Thanks. I like the looks of the Empson book. I'll try to track it down.

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

Knott's one really appeals to me :)

[Manray9]

I picked up this book again today to look up some info on the French Breguet Bizerte flying boat. I have consulted Chris Chant’s “Aircraft of World War II” hundreds of times over the years. It features excellent color drawings and a brief description with specifications for 300 WW II aircraft – including a rara avis or two, such as Poland’s PZL Los bomber, Australia’s Commonwealth Wirraway and the flying fiasco known as the Brewster Buffalo.

Aircraft of World War II by Chris Chant

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Ah, the dear old Wirraway, what a marvel of aviation engineering!

http://dbdesignbureau.buckmasterfamil...

[Manray9]

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Ah, the dear old Wirraway, what a marvel of aviation engineering!

http://dbdesignbureau.buckmasterfamil..."

AR: You don't miss a beat!

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

I gotta keep my fingers on the pulse and my eyes on you guys in case you get up to any mischief!

[carl]

Wirraway - what a name! sounds like an aircraft name from a comic book, or the fourth place finish at Belmont. I thought it looked like a Texan and indeed the
description says it was a cousin.

[Manray9]

carl wrote: "Wirraway - what a name! sounds like an aircraft name from a comic book, or the fourth place finish at Belmont. I thought it looked like a Texan and indeed the
description says it was a cousin."

I like that! The fourth place finisher in the last race at Belmont -- out of the money!

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

Wonder how many pilots worldwide owe their wings to the Wirraway/Harvard?

[Manray9]

The Colt 1911 Pistol by Leroy Thompson

This is one of my favorite weapons of the 20th century. When I served in Alaska from 1990-1992, our command armory was filled with old Remington Rand 1911A1 pistols manufactured during WW II. They remained in good condition and as effective and accurate as when new -- but we lavished attention on them. This was, of course, before the completion of full conversion to the Beretta 9.0 mm. I have an Auto-Ordnance 1911A1 .45 in my home.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

A classic weapon Manray9, be nice to own a piece of history like that.

[happy]

Manray9 wrote: " The Colt 1911 Pistol by Leroy Thompson

This is one of my favorite weapons of the 20th century. When I served in Alaska from 1990-1992, our command armory ..."

When I was in (mid 80s)- the 1911 was still the Army's offical pistol and my Bn Cmdr wanted all his staff officers to carry one. I couldn't hit the broadside of a barn with it :( I'm glad my offical weapon was an M-16 - and that is what qualified with. I shot expert.)

[Manray9]

happy wrote: "Manray9 wrote: " The Colt 1911 Pistol by Leroy Thompson

This is one of my favorite weapons of the 20th century. When I served in Alaska from 1990-1992, our..."

The 1911A1 is heavy with small sights. Once you get used to it, it is easy to shoot, reload, and maintain. I can hit 50 for 50 on a combat course, but that's the result of a lot of practice. I have read many SF members (SEALS, DELTA, etc.), Rangers and special contractors in Iraq and A'stan used .45s due to superior stopping power over the 9 mm Parabellum.

[Colin]

Manray9 wrote: " The Colt 1911 Pistol by Leroy Thompson

This is one of my favorite weapons of the 20th century. When I served in Alaska from 1990-1992, our command armory ..."

I have the .45 also

[happy]

Manray9 wrote: "happy wrote: "Manray9 wrote: " The Colt 1911 Pistol by Leroy Thompson

This is one of my favorite weapons of the 20th century. When I served in Alaska from ..."

I've heard/read the same thing

[Manray9]

My tip of the cap for today goes to the British Fleet Air Arm of WW II. Yesterday was the anniversary of the successful attack by Fleet Air Arm Fairey Swordfish torpedo bombers on the Italian Navy at Taranto. The gutsy Brits in their antiquated bi-planes sunk one Italian battleship and heavily damaged two others.
If you are interested, check out:

War in a Stringbag by Charles Lamb.
Fleet Air Arm Handbook 1939-1945 by David Wragg
Swordfish, also by David Wragg and specifically about the Taranto Raid.
The British Fleet Air Arm in World War II by Mark Barber. One of the great little Osprey "Elite" publications.
Wings of the Morning by Ian Cameron. A great history of the FAA over the entire war including the carrier ops in the Pacific in 1945.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Some excellent recommendations there Manray9, thanks for posting the details as I'm sure a few members will be interested in checking them out.

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

Great recommendations Manray9 and a feat of courage, audacity and a little bit of British obsolescent equipment thrown in.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Isn't that always the way with the Brit's Geevee!

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

Yeah we like doing it even in the recent campaigns...trouble is having accountants run Defence ministries.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

It's a British tradition isn't it?

The new age of Defence, same issues over here I'm afraid Geevee.

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

Yes and I think NZ is worse.

[Manray9]

Geevee wrote: "Great recommendations Manray9 and a feat of courage, audacity and a little bit of British obsolescent equipment thrown in."

The Swordfish was an effective weapon in WW II on many occasions -- Taranto and the sinking of the Bismarck in particular. During the so-called Channel Dash their luck ran out. All six of Eugene Esmonde's squadron's Stringbags were shot down by German fighters without scoring a single hit. Lieutenant Commander Esmonde received a posthumous VC. Their fate was not unlike that of the U.S. Navy's Torpedo Squadron Eight at Midway. Dulce et Decorum est Pro patria mori.

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

Manray9 yes the Swordfish was indeed used as you say and I can't imagine what the guys thought when operating in them. I have read that they flew so slowly that the German navy's guns could not track them.

Also I just looked to see who held Esmonde's VC which I didn't find but found this about his great-uncle which I wonder if you were aware of: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_E...

[Manray9]

Geevee wrote: "Manray9 yes the Swordfish was indeed used as you say and I can't imagine what the guys thought when operating in them. I have read that they flew so slowly that the German navy's guns could not tr..."

Thanks, I didn't know about Thomas. It seems heroism was a family trait. You can't read much about the FAA in WW II without encountering Eugene Esmonde.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Interesting Geevee, imaging winning a VC for bravery and dying because he had an accident and managed to get his eye infected by a branch!

[Manray9]

Geevee wrote: "Manray9 yes the Swordfish was indeed used as you say and I can't imagine what the guys thought when operating in them. I have read that they flew so slowly that the German navy's guns could not tr..."

If you have not read "War in a Stringbag" by Charles Lamb, I recommend it highly. An interesting aspect of the Channel Dash attacks is the oft repeated admiration for the Swordfish crews stated by the Germans. They were in awe of such valor in the face of overwhelming odds.

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

I think I may have read it but cannot be certain. I shall have to find a copy.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

A new book on a truly magnificent weapon of WWII:


by David Dalet

[Manray9]

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "A new book on a truly magnificent weapon of WWII:


by David Dalet"

Perhaps the Jeep revolutionized military transportation? I guess the Kubelwagen (spelling?) preceded the Jeep, but it wasn't four-wheel drive. I know we sent over 40,000 Jeeps to the USSR under Lend-Lease. Those old Willys jeeps from WW II bring a pretty penny in the U.S. now. They practically gave them away in the late Forties.

[Manray9]

I just watched a TV documentary about the Japanese incendiary balloon program in WW II. I have heard of this before, but not in such detail. They used high-altitude balloons to launch incendiary and fragmentation bombs against the western U.S. and Canada via the jet stream. The balloons traveled at 32,000 ft and used a system by which the bombs were released after the last ballast bag, which was barometrically-controlled, was jettisoned. They made two types of balloons: a rudimentary one of treated parchment paper and a more sophisticated version of rubberized silk. It seems the paper balloons worked much better. All the silk balloons fell short into the sea. They were not an effective weapon – starting a few fires and killing six civilians in Oregon – but they reached as far as Michigan, the Dakotas and Saskatchewan.

[carl]

a curious niche of the war, made even moreso by the
censorship of any reports on the ballons to the public.

made the subject all the more mysterious afterwards.

i recall from a map of the various landings they
made it all over the country, perhaps Texas was the furthest west? one can imagine how many sightings there would have been if people were alarmed about them.

early in the war when blackout procedures were being
implemented for the first time i read an article about
how German bombers were sighted over Waco. rather
amazing when you think about the practicality of it,
so throw a real bomb balloon in there and hysteria
could occur.

[Jerome]

The Japanese also on one occasion attacked the American mainland using a plane launched by submarine.

by Mark Felton (no photo)

[carl]

also in oregon, seemed to be the place
for japanese oddities.

[Dj]

carl wrote: "also in oregon, seemed to be the place
for japanese oddities."

What oddities? Balloon bombs to start forest fires at the absolutely worst time of year, A sub firing on a fort, and some church group getting blasted by an unexploded bomb in the woods? Heck nothing odd about any of that. LOL.

[carl]

Don't forget a sub-launched airplane to drop a bomb too!

[Dj]

carl wrote: "Don't forget a sub-launched airplane to drop a bomb too!"

That was the bomb that did in the church group/family. They were out for a picnic down around Brookings. The pilot planted a redwood and gave over a sword in memorial.

[carl]

Dj, I think that was the balloon bomb. The family
found it and not knowing what it was, fiddled with
it and it exploded. But hey I could be rusty
on that, time to start searching.