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A LAYMAN’S GUIDE TO NAVAL STRATEGY. By Bernard Brodie.[1] Princeton: Princeton University Press. 1942. 291 pages. $2.50.
Reviewed by Captain Charles C.
Gill, U. S. Navy, Professor of Naval Science and Tactics, Yale University
In recent times numerous commentators have published their varying concepts of naval strategy. From air extremists to conservative admirals of the old salt-water school, a wide divergence of opinion has been expressed as to the role of shore-based aircraft, the carrier, battleship, cruiser, destroyer, and submarine. In this confusion, truth-seeking people—in general agreement that transportation overseas, whether by surface ships or by air or by both, and control of the sea and the air over the sea, is the desideratum—will welcome Bernard Brodie’s new book, A Layman's Guide to Naval Strategy.
The title “Layman’s Guide” is somewhat misleading and in many respects an understatement. The book is written so that a layman can readily understand it; at the same time it includes a wealth of strategic analysis with carefully drawn conclusions that merit the attention of officers of all ranks.
The book has 291 pages in ten chapters: I. Sea Power in Modern War; II. & III. The Tools of Sea Power; IV. Command of the Sea; V. Defense of Shipping; VI. Land- Sea Operations; VII. Bases; VIII. Must All Our Ships Have Wings?; IX. The Tactics of Fleet Actions; X. The Men Behind the Guns.
Bernard Brodie was a Carnegie Fellow and Member of the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton and has recently joined the Department of Political Science, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire. He has been an engineer, weather forecaster for air-mail lines, and field artillery officer in the National Guard. Although he has had no official connection with the Navy, he has made it his chosen subject of research and study.
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Whether the book has been benefited or handicapped by the author’s lack of professional naval experience is a rather finely
drawn theoretical question. Doubtless he would have liked the aid of a naval background, but it is also possible that the exactions which would have been involved might have seriously hampered or even prevented carrying out the abstract studies which under the actual circumstances have been so successfully accomplished. This reviewer, at the risk of appearing somewhat paradoxical, advances the opinion that the excellence of Dr. Brodie’s book is in no small measure due to the fact that his talent has been able to develop it with complete freedom of thought in a congenial environment of unhurried and unrestricted study. He has no axe to grind nor is he concerned with any axes that may be in the process of being ground by people seeking high posts or with other aims. The practical naval value of Dr. Brodie’s work makes the conditions under which it was done of more than academic interest.
Although as a general rule experience is the best teacher and most people cannot learn effectively in any other way, this generalization does not necessarily apply to all forms of analytical investigation and, in the naval field, besides the book A Layman’s Guide to Naval Strategy, there are other notable exceptions. John Clerk, Esquire, of Eldin, Fellow of the Society of Scottish Antiquaries and of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, similar in position to Dr. Brodie in that he combined intense interest in the Navy with lack of any seagoing experience, wrote an authoritative essay on naval tactics first offered to the public in 1790. For a long time, dating back to 1780 when circulated in manuscript form, that essay received the attention of professional men. A third edition, published in 1827, included notes by Lord Rodney with an introduction by a naval officer who pointed out the influence of that layman’s guide to naval tactics in furthering British victories including Rodney’s of April 12, 1782, and Nelson’s at Trafalgar in 1805. Julian S. Corbett, a civilian, was the British official naval historian of World War I and a distinguished naval writer of his day. It was the scholar in Mahan rather than the officer that produced the great histories and strategic studies for which he is famous. Unquestionably Mahan’s naval experience was of considerable help to him but it is also well known that he was generally impeded rather than encouraged by an unsympathetic officialdom, and this in spite of the advantages he enjoyed of powerful friends like President Theodore Roosevelt and Admiral Luce, together with unusual opportunity for research and study offered by general naval inactivity after the Civil War and by assignment to much duty in connection with the Naval War College. Even with all these special benefits, it was Mahan’s urgent wish to retire from the active Navy as soon as he could in order that he might devote undivided attention to his writings.
Since Mahan’s death, from within or from without the naval service, there have appeared too few contributions of value toward the continuance of his work. This book by Bernard Brodie is designed to meet a distinct need in professional circles as well as in lay circles.
A Layman’s Guide to Naval Strategy covers a wide range. Certain points raised and discussed are highly controversial. Parts will be read with agreement and parts with some questionings, but throughout, the thoughtful reader will be grateful for clarification from a sincere and able pen. The author’s penetrating insight for ships, their equipment and their uses,, together with his calculated evaluations of each type from battleship to the hard-working freighter, will win appreciation from seafaring men. In the broad aspects of sea power, including questions of command, bases, joint operations, and tactics of fleet actions, he is painstaking in presentation and in inferences. He has thorough knowledge of his subject. The elaboration in some ways is perhaps a little discursive but the style and phraseology make easy, pleasant reading. Even in these crowded days, men in government service, including Army and Navy officers, will find it a wise investment of time to peruse the pages of this book.
Another review of A LAYMAN’S GUIDE TO NAVAL STRATEGY, by Commander Harley Cope, U. S. Navy.
In the 276 pages of his book Dr. Brodie has given a splendid analysis of the strategy necessary to the present world powers and the tools of war required to maintain this balance of power and strategy.
While the need of air power and air supremacy is extremely vital and important Dr. Brodie makes it very clear that at no time during the present World War has a decisive victory been achieved and consolidated through air power alone. His chapter “Must All Our Ships Have Wings” is the clearest, most understandable, dispassionate discussion of the daily argument of the airplane versus surface craft that has appeared in print, and to the layman who has been too heavily influenced by the “do away with the surface craft” advocates it is a most important dissertation.
The layman reads each day of belligerents gaining and maintaining command of the sea, the devastating attacks on enemy shipping, operations from far-flung bases, the types of ships involved, and often puts the paper aside with rather a mixed and hazy picture of the whole affair. Without being too technical Dr. Brodie makes it possible for the layman to grasp these essentials intelligently and painlessly.
NAVIGATION COURSE. By Lieutenant Commander P. V. H. Weems, U.S. Navy (Retired). Annapolis: Weems System of Navigation. 1941: $7.50.
Reviewed by Lieutenant Commander D. Hyatt, U. S. Navy (Retired)
This is a course in celo-navigation for aircraft, and the systems employed are
Weems’ Line of Position Book, Star Altitude Curves, and H.O. 214.
The course consists of 15 lessons built up around some 15 publications including Marine Navigation (Weems), Air Navigation (Weems), Illynes Star Chart, American Air Almanac (January-April 1941), Star Altitude Curves (30° to 40° N. Lat.), H.O. 214 (30° to 39° Lat.), and numerous notes, pamphlets, and charts distributed by the Weems System of Navigation.
The 15 lessons are well planned and logically arranged. There is a reading assignment for each lesson, as well as questions, problems, and answers (showing complete solutions).
The course itself contains considerable supplementary instructional material, and the ground undertaken is thoroughly covered using the methods employed.
However, it should be understood that this course can be useful only to those who have or who are willing to obtain the necessary additional equipment. Anyone who is interested should communicate with Weems System of Navigation, Annapolis, Maryland, to determine the extent and cost of material required to be used in conjunction with this course.
SHIP’S BUSINESS. By Captain Myron E. McFarland. New York: Cornell Maritime Press, Inc. 1942. $2.00.
Reviewed by Commander Robert R. Thompson (S.C.), U. S. Navy
Captain McFarland prefaces his book by writing, “It is not the intention of the author that this book should make an Admiralty lawyer out of a shipmaster, . . . nor is it intended to be a treatise on law or procedure. Rather, it is an attempt, based on much experience and considerable study, to put into plain words a number of vexing points and experiences that make the shipmaster’s life no bed of roses, and to give such answers and guidance as lie within the capacity of the author.”
In Ship’s Business, Captain McFarland, Master Mariner, and Surveyor to the Board of Underwriters of New York, proves an almost unlimited capacity in the preparation of a concise handbook for shipmasters and senior officers. There are many inevitable requirements of conforming to points of law and regulations covering complex business and insurance practices in the conduct of ships’ business and handling its cargo and personnel. Solutions are given in plain language to a large number of the vexing complications and intricate points of procedure that confront the shipmaster in the conduct of his business of operating his ship and fully protecting the interests of owners, shippers, and underwriters.
LIFELINES OF VICTORY. By Squadron Leader Murray Harris. New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons. $2.00. Reviewed by Commander E. E. Hazlett, U. S. Navy (Retired)
The author of this timely book is the brother of Air Marshal Sir Arthur Harris, Chief of the RAF Bomber Command. He stands, however, on his own two feet and is not only an acknowledged authority on air warfare but here demonstrates a broad strategic knowledge of three-dimensional global war.
His subject is “communications” in its fullest sense—“a system of routes for moving troops, supplies, etc.”—and, with an encyclopedic geographic knowledge, he describes in detail all the lines of communication, the “lifelines,” of present or future importance in the war—their capacities, their drawbacks, their hazards. His theme is that the Axis powers have already stretched their lines almost to the breaking point and that the United Nations, with geography and distance as allies, by keeping a firm grip on the lifelines now in their possession and by continually hacking at those of their enemies, will inevitably emerge victorious.
The author writes simply and well. There is no excess verbiage and he readily conveys his ideas. When describing communications over the land mass of Asia the reader, unless an expert on geography, may be confused by a plethora of unfamiliar places; more maps would be a distinct asset. His work lies largely in the so- called field of geopolitics, though nowhere does he use that overworked term.
Squadron Leader Harris is a logical realist. His arguments are cogent. His book gives a convincing answer to those who scream for a second front now, at any cost. It must not, however, be assumed that he is an advocate of defensive warfare. Far from it. He advocates a powerful, climactic offensive—at the right time and place. But he punches across the idea that, until that time arrives, control of the lifelines is vital to us and devitalizing to the enemy.
Lifelines of Victory is a valuable contribution to the literature of the current war. Its hard common sense and lack of imaginative theorizing should appeal strongly to layman and military man alike. It deserves a wide reading.
MARINE DIESEL HANDBOOK. By Louis R. Ford. New York: Diesel Publications, Inc. 1942. 824 pages.
Reviewed by Commander A. F. Folz, U. S. Navy (Retired)
Mr. Ford’s latest publication should prove a valuable addition to motorships’ libraries as well as the book lockers of marine Diesel engine operators.
The book is an excellent compendium of modern marine Diesel installations of all types and is profusely illustrated with photographs and diagrammatic sketches. The subject matter is arranged in individual chapters beginning with elementary thermodynamic formulae and continuing through the design and construction of various engine parts. Sufficient data arc furnished to enable the average intelligent marine Diesel engineer to make minor repairs or replace failed parts on board ship.
In addition to the descriptions of main propulsion units, the author has discussed various methods of propulsion including direct drive, reduction gears, hydraulic couplings, and Diesel electric systems.
Several chapters are included on auxiliaries in current use on shipboard. In these, the electrical installations as well as pumps, lubricating systems, fuel systems, silencers, and propellers are covered.
Modern methods of manufacture are presented and some of the latest means of increasing performance and efficiency are well described. A comprehensive index is included to aid in ready reference.
To complete his book, Mr. Ford devotes a chapter to common problems often encountered during operation, with suggested solutions. The entire book should prove a welcome asset to young engineers who are just starting their careers.
A DICTIONARY OF MILITARY TERMS, ENGLISH-JAPANESE, JAPANESE-ENGLISH. By Major H. T. Creswell, Major J. Hiraoka, Major R. Namba. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press. 1942. 1226 + 175 pp. $7.00.
Reviewed by Lieutenant (J.G.) J. P.
Reed, U. S. Naval Reserve
This American publication is an unrevised planographed reprint of a Tokyo edition, the original of which dates back as far as 1932 (not 1937 as the prefatory notice states).
Colonel Creswell was formerly attached to the American Embassy in Tokyo. He and his two Japanese military collaborators have produced a volume of much potential usefulness to the American Army, but of somewhat less value to the Navy. Being essentially an army dictionary, the book contains a useful but incomplete list of naval terms.
A comparison of certain sections of Naval Phraseology with this dictionary shows that the list of terms common to Army and Navy {flag, flank, main body, deployment, etc.) is fairly complete, while specialized naval terms may or may not be listed in the body of the text. Thus warship, squadron, aircraft carrier, troopship appear; battleship, cruiser, destroyer, submarine (n.) do not. However, a short list of naval terms in Appendix II covers the second group illustrated fairly well. Deck appears, but not quarterdeck; kaigun daijin (“minister” of the navy) but not kaigun laisho (admiral). Householder and housewife, both of which appear as military terms, might have been deleted to make room for admiral.
Generally speaking, the Engish-Japa- nese and Japanese-English sections parallel each other very well, so that the book can be used for translation in either direction. There are exceptions, e.g., shoi-kohosei appears, but the English equivalent, midshipman, does not.
The Japanese entries are given both in Roman letters and in Chinese-Japanese characters, adding to the usefulness of the volume. There are scattered typographical errors.
[1] By the same author: Sea Power in the Machine Age. (Reviewed in the June, 1942, issue of the U. S. Naval Institute Proceedings). Dr. Brodie has been appointed by the Navy Department to write a history of the activities of the Bureau of Ordnance during the present war, and will begin work on that project in January, 1943.