Jane's Fighting Ships, 1970-71
Raymond V. B. Blackman (ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill, 1970. 675 pp. Illus. $49.50.
Weyer's Warships of the World, 1971
Gerhard Albrecht (ed.). Annapolis, Md.: U. S. Naval Institute, 1971. 462 pp. Illus. $22.50.
Reviewed by Richard F. Cross, III
(Mr. Cross is a 1944 graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. He has been connected with advanced seaplane design, nuclear seaplane studies, avionics and surface weapon systems, integrated combat system, and with the Navy's DX program. He was formerly Manager, Advanced Ship Systems, Pomona Division, of the General Dynamics Corporation, and is now a consultant on naval architectural matters.)
Two books—Jane’s Fighting Ships, 1970-71 and Weyer’s Warships of the World, 1971—are the latest editions of the naval annuals best known in the United States. Jane’s, out for nearly a year, has been extensively reviewed, most commentators noting the editor’s weighty assessments of the naval world at time of publication. Weyer’s has been published as the third English edition of the internationally known German language Weyer’s Flottentaschenbuch.
Jane’s Fighting Ships remains the exhaustive reference work which it has always tried to be, and for 1970-1971, it is much improved over the 1969-1970 edition. The articles, personalities, and staff sections, attempted in the previous volume, have been dropped in favor of straight reporting on the world’s navies’ hardware—ships, aircraft, and missiles. This is a substantial step in the right direction for what is essentially the world’s most thorough naval hardware compendium. One other major Jane’s deficiency is well on the way to being corrected. All ship silhouettes in the European navies section have been redone and the results are outstanding. No credit is given to the artist, who must be Italian, and who has a flair for accuracy and style. Only the United Kingdom was not re-done. This was previously the best section, but is now the worst. The U. S. section also has a new set of silhouettes as well, these replacing ones that had set some kind of record for inaccuracy. The new ones are extremely precise—almost as though they were taken from the ships’ general plans—independently copyrighted, but without the punch of their new European sisters. However, the whole effort remedies a previous glaring fault and perhaps one more year will see the navies of South America and the Far East converted as well.
This issue of Jane’s provides good up-to-date photo coverage, not always well reproduced. While too numerous to mention in detail, the Commonwealth navies are particularly well covered. Germany, France, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and Russia, but not the United States, have a heavy proportion of new photographs and, where appropriate, new drawings. Jane’s finally has an accurate assessment of the Russian Moskva helicopter carriers, which have stirred the naval world with their Hormone ASW helicopters, variable depth sonar (VDS) gear, and elaborate electronics and missiles.
While the U. S. section reports on the new 6,900-ton, SSN-688 class, record- breakers in terms of size, cost and, hopefully, performance, and the Russian section reveals additional details of their N-class SSNs, some of the smaller nations are doing interesting things as well. Greece, for example, has ordered four new 1,000-ton submarines from Germany, six new frigates from England, and four 250-ton missile boats (carrying the surface-to-surface Exocet missile) from France—rather remarkable for a nation that has relied heavily on second-hand U. S. and British naval craft over the past few decades. Portugal, too, has been busy acquiring four new submarines (French Daphne class) and seven frigates (four French design and three American), all now complete and well covered in this issue. Portugal is completing six 1,400-ton corvettes of the João Coutinho class. Unfortunately, there are no pictures of these ships, three of which are being built in Spain and three in Germany.
An electronics expert provided Jane’s with horseback assessments of various types of radar on many of the world’s major warships (X-band, S-band, and the like), apparently by means of photographic inspection of antenna characteristics. This is a major step forward and will hopefully be carried to the point of identifying individual radar equipment. This information is publically [sic] available for most of the Free World navies, while NATO has assigned code names to the Russian naval radars.
Jane’s remains the most thorough naval reference, providing more and larger pictures than any other, and the only explanatory text on individual ship-types. For 1971, this combination of statistics, silhouettes, photos, and background, approaches the great issues produced under the guidance of F. E. McMurtrie during the late 1930s. Ship information is reasonably up-to-date (with the continued exception of Japan) and photographic coverage is good, although the quality of reproduction is often poor. Jane’s might adopt some of the reproduction processes employed by the Swiss magazine Interavia and combine these with improved and consistent organization.
The 1971 Weyer’s remains the compact statistical work for which it has become justly famous. Compared to the 1969 edition, the last in English, there are numerous new silhouettes and pictures, the latter suffering, unfortunately, from their small size—a necessary compromise. The silhouettes are generally up-to-date. The U. S. section has the new Spruance-class DDs, the modified Coontz-class (DLG-9), but not the modified Leahys. The Russian section has the new “Kresta II” class with their Moskva electronics, VDS, and bow-mounted sonar. Other profiles of interest are the Russian Y-class SSBNs and C-class SSNs, neither particularly well drawn. There is an excellent plan, with profiles, of HMS Ark Royal since completing her conversion, although none of the USS Midway (CVA-41) and USS Roosevelt (CVA-42) since their respective conversion and modifications. The Bristol, Sheffield, and Amazon, all new British escort types now under construction, sport new profile interpretations and there is a particularly good drawing of the Rothesay frigates since their ASW conversion. The Portuguese section does have a photo of the João Coutinho, and the Spanish silhouettes, particularly of the newer destroyer classes, are up-to-date. The French section includes a new profile of the amphibious transport, dock, Ouragan, as well as the French ballistic missile submarines of the Le Redoubtable class, which are featured in drawing and photograph. Germany, of course, is up-to-date with photos of the Lütjens class destroyers (modified U. S. Adams DDGs), and there is a good shot of the Jaguar-class torpedo boat Frettchen, modified with HSA fire control radar. Germany is building—ironically in France—20 new 260-ton, PF-class missile boats similar to the famous Israeli Mivtach class to replace the older Jaguars.
This edition of Weyer’s is new enough to record the tremendous surge of new naval construction activity taking place in South America. Thus, Argentina will be buying modified British Type 42 destroyers, to be built in both countries, plus two new 900-ton submarines from Germany. Brazil, after years of indecision is also buying British—six new Vosper Mark 10 frigates of 3,200 tons, three ASW, and three general purpose, plus two British-built Oberon-class submarines. Chile, more modestly, has ordered two Leander-type frigates, plus two Oberon-class submarines, all to be built in British yards. Colombia and Venezuela have nothing new planned, although the latter is in the process of modernizing its destroyers and frigates, always significant in the world’s smaller navies where new equipment often falls rapidly into a bad state of repair and obsolescence. All in all, these South American programs represent a shot in the arm for the British naval shipbuilding industry, which has been competing for the business with the French and Americans. Although neither annual covers this, the new Australian destroyers, while built in Australia, will reflect both British design influence and military equipment.
Gerhard Albrecht, the editor of Weyer’s provides an excellent summary in the back of the 1971 volume, which covers some of the points made last year in the German language edition. Generally, Albrecht is pessimistic, for he feels the United States no longer has the ability, or more importantly, the will, to counter the rapid naval expansion of the Soviet bloc. Neither NATO nor the United States, in his view, is constructing enough of the new instruments of naval power to maintain an effective and restraining counterpresence.
The world’s navies are then individually reviewed. England (as Jane’s also mentions) plans three new gas-turbine-powered “through-deck cruisers” of around 18,000 tons for the latter 1970s—presumably a British interpretation of the Moskva/Vittorio Veneto concept, but with more flexibility, since the flight deck will be clear at both ends for short takeoff landing (STOL) operations. Most of the Swedish Navy is in reserve; Italy is still beset with financial difficulties so that new construction has been effectively halted. The Netherlands will be reduced shortly to a navy of frigates and smaller ships. Spain is struggling to upgrade its navy, but, unfortunately, has encountered excessive construction times.
Albrecht reports a new 700- to 800-ton Russian missile frigate, sighted in the Baltic last fall, equipped with six surface-to-surface missiles. There are now 13 Soviet “Yankee” class SSBNs reported operational with another 15 under construction. There is the new “Charlie”-class nuclear submarine, with her mysterious bulbous nose, perhaps containing a Russian SubRoc system; and brief mention is made of the new diesel-propelled “Bravo” class—although there is no data on this last class available.
Africa is written off, although the South African Navy strives to modernize up to its Indian Ocean responsibilities despite a severe English arms embargo. Gerhardt Albrecht is amazed at the Israeli fleet which is all overage except for the 12 new Mivtach missile boats. Iran continues its naval expansion and may well become a force to reckon with in the not-too-distant future. Certainly it controls the Persian Gulf, one of the Indian Ocean’s most valuable segments.
Japan is reviewed last, thus emphasizing the neglect the rest of the world gives this faraway navy. Undaunted, Japan’s navy keeps steadily building and, like Japan’s economy, could become the third largest in the world during the 1970s. An interesting silhouette of the new Japanese DDH is included.
Weyer’s, like Jane’s, summarizes naval aircraft and missiles both statistically, and, in the case of aircraft, with three views. It also includes a summary of naval ordnance and a full color spread of the world’s naval flags.
These two annuals are in many ways complementary. Jane’s is a true reference work, but difficult to cart around—and difficult for the individual to buy on any kind of casual basis. Weyer’s, on the other hand, is compact, easy to drop into a briefcase, and has nearly as much statistical data. Unfortunately, the ravages of inflation have forced the price up to nearly half that of Jane’s, although Naval Institute members do get a substantial break. Some of us, however, need them both, for they both report on the vehicles of seapower which increasingly refuse to stay in any set mold. Like Detroit’s numerous new automobile models, each successive year can only be understood with the aid of a profusely illustrated statistical guide.
Professional Reading
Compiled by Robert A. Lambert, Associate Editor
Allied Secret Weapons: The War of Science
Brian J. Ford. New York: Ballantine, 1971. 160 pp. Illus. $1.00 (paper).
All the secret weapons of World War II were not developed by the Germans; Britain and the United States had their share in both the successful and failure categories. Ranging from the atomic bomb to penicillin, these weapons are described in words and pictures.
The Almanac of World Military Power
Col. T. N. Dupuy, U.S.A. (Ret.). Harrisburg, Pa.: Stackpole, 1970. 338 pp. Illus. $19.95.
Material for this almanac was gathered from a wide variety of unclassified sources and is designed to provide information on the strategic situation and defense structure of every nation in the world. The book is organized by region and then by each country within the region. Summaries provide details of politico-military history, policies and problems, and tabulates those items constituting a country’s actual and potential economic and military power. There is a glossary and a rudimentary index; bibliographic sources are not cited.
At War with Asia
Noam Chomsky. New York: Vintage, 1970. 313 pp. $1.95 (paper).
Much heat and little light is contributed in a series of disjointed essays on the American involvement in Indochina.
Balaclava
John Selby. New York: Atheneum, 1970. 245 pp. Illus. $8.95.
The premium offered in this Crimean War history is the many photographs and maps that serve to overcome the poor writing style which is an unfortunate aspect of this otherwise accurate and useful account.
Battle Dress
Frederick Wilkinson. New York: Doubleday, 1970. 256 pp. Illus. $12.95.
Some of the more significant and attractive milestones in the evolution of military dress are described in an informative and readable text that is enhanced by a wide range of clear, high-quality photographs and color plates.
The Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment
G. W. H. Peters. New York: Hillary House, 1970. 117 pp. Illus. $5.50.
Not as well known as other British regiments, the 16th Regiment of Foot, nevertheless has a history dating to 1688. It fought in Marlborough’s campaigns, served in Canada and America during the colonial period, but is most distinguished for its operations at Tobruk against the Afrika Korps and in Burma as a unit of General Wingate’s Chindits.
Brassey’s Annual: The Armed Forces Year-Book 1970
J. L. Moulton (ed.). New York: Praeger, 1970. 312 pp. Illus. $16.50.
Especially recommended for American readers. Among the more than 20 articles presented in this eighty-first volume are Robert D. Heinl’s “American Defense Policy and Strategy for the 1970s” and “Whither Polaris?” by P. I. P. S., an author who wishes to remain anonymous.
Corsairs of Malta and Barbary
Peter Earle. London: Sidgwick and Jackson, 1970. 307 pp. Illus. $7.20.
The Barbary pirates have an established notoriety, but much less known are the Christian pirates who, operating from Italy and Malta, raided Moslem shipping and the North African coast. The organization and operating methods of both groups are described with special attention given to the disposition of booty, the treatment of captives, and the activities of five individual corsair captains.
Cuban Relations with the Communist System (ASG Monograph No. 4)
Daniel Tretiak. Waltham, Mass.: Westinghouse Electric Corp., 1970. 49 pp. $1.25 (paper).
The politics of an expansionist-revolutionary Cuba are seen in relation to other members of the socialist-bloc, especially the Soviet Union, which, by comparison, is committed to the status quo.
France: Summer 1940
John Williams. New York: Ballantine, 1970. 160 pp. Illus. $1.00 (paper).
The military collapse of the French nation and the armies of her allies is succinctly analyzed.
From the Fresh-Water Navy: 1861-64
John D. Milligan (ed.). Annapolis, Md.: U. S. Naval Institute, 1970. 327 pp. Illus. $13.50.
This third volume in the Naval Letters Series contains letters to various people by two brothers, Acting Master’s Mate Henry R. and Acting Ensign Symmes E. Browne, who served in the Federal gunboat fleet operating on the Mississippi and adjoining rivers. They were involved in most of the battles fought in that area, and Henry was killed in action while operating on the White River in Arkansas.
Hankey: Man of Secrets
Stephen Roskill. London: Collins, 1970. 672 pp. Illus. $10.80.
At different times secretary of the Committee for Imperial Defence, Secretary of the War Cabinet, confidential advisor to monarchs and prime ministers, and statesman in his own right, Maurice Hankey was one of the most remarkable men produced by Britain in this century. In this finely-wrought biography, a man who appeared cold and one dimensional to his contemporaries comes through as a warm person of many facets. This volume takes Hankey from his birth to the World War I Armistice; a second volume is in preparation.
The Hidden Sea
Douglas Faulkner and C. Lavett Smith. New York: Viking, 1970. 148 pp. Illus. $14.95.
Big, beautiful, completely fascinating in visual content, and intelligently handled in its narrative, this volume describes the habits, characteristics and structure of the marine community with its close interrelationship of plant and animal life.
HMS Dreadnought/Battleship 1906-1920
John Wingate. Sun Valley, Calif.: John W. Caler Pubs., 1970. 24 pp. Illus. $2.00 (paper).
Slim, but detailed, this illustrated, magazine style publication is a fine history of this first modern battleship and its builder, Admiral of the Fleet Sir John Fisher. This is the first issue of the Profile Warship series.
Infantry Uniforms . . . of Britain and the Commonwealth 1855-1939
Robert and Christopher Wilkinson-Latham. New York: Macmillan, 1970. 227 pp. Illus. $4.95.
Almost 100 color plates display 84 years of military dress with close-ups of individual shako and helmet plates, medals, sword hilts and firearms.
Die japanischen Kriegsschiffe 1869-1945
Hansgeorg Jeutschura, Dieter Jung, Peter Mickel. München: J. F. Lehmanns, 1970. 515 pp. Illus. $32.00.
Much research has gone into this fine compendium which very closely resembles the format used in Weyer’s Warships of the World. For that reason, readers with only a passing familiarity with German will be able to handle the many data tables, but a thorough knowledge of the language is required otherwise. Each warship or class is shown in clear line drawings, with major units presented in several views.
The King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
Leonard Cooper. New York: Hillary House, 1970. 125 pp. Illus. $5.50.
Formed in 1754, the regiment won its first battle honor at Minden in 1757. It became a light infantry regiment during the Peninsular campaign and fought at Waterloo. In later years, the regiment spent considerable time in Africa and Southeast Asia becoming proficient in jungle fighting as their successful work against Communist insurgents in Malaya and the Mau Mau in Kenya attests very well.
Last of the Steamboats
Richard V. Elliot. Cambridge, Md.: Tidewater Publications, 1970. 204 pp. Illus. $10.00.
Though basically an East Coast operation, Wilson Line steamboats worked in one form or another—excursion steamers, freight haulers, tugboats, ferryboats—as far south as Florida and as far west as Texas. This is a nostalgic pictorial of the Wilson Line, the “nation’s greatest excursion line.”
Man and the Sea
Bernard L. Gordon (ed.). Garden City, N.Y.: The Natural History Press, 1970. 498 pp. Illus. $9.95.
From the story of Noah and the flood in Genesis, writings by Plato, Da Vinci, Newton, Darwin, Benjamin Franklin, Scott Carpenter, and Jacques Piccard, amongst many others, this anthology shows man’s continuous, growing interest in marine exploration.
Midway: The Turning Point
A. J. Barker. New York: Ballantine, 1971. 160 pp. Illus. $1.00 (paper).
The complexities and “ifs” of the first battle in history in which 90% of men engaged never saw the enemy are recounted. There is a complete list of opposing forces, and a list of American and Japanese losses which also includes the original, unamended Japanese claims following the battle.
Patrolling and Tracking
Boulder, Colo.: Paladin Press, 1970. 104 pp. $2.00 (paper).
This manual was developed by the “Aussies,” on their combat experiences in Korea, Malaya, and Vietnam.
Public Policy for the Seas. Revised Edition
Norman J. Padelford. Cambridge, Mass.: The M.I.T. Press, 1970. 338 Illus. $10.00 (paper).
The volume’s primary focus is on this country’s policy regarding the oceans. Also included are numerous documents relating to the policies of other nations and to measures of international cooperation relevant to American interests and activities.
Rocket Fighter
William Green. New York: Ballantine, 1971. 160 pp. Illus. $1.00 (paper).
German, Russian, and American attempts to build the most spectacular warplane of World War II are reviewed; emphasis is on the Messerschmidt Komet which saw limited use in the last days of the war.
Ships ’71
David Parsons (ed.). New York: Arco, 1971. 96 pp. Illus. $3.95.
Ten articles, 83 photographs, and a few sketches really add up to very little in this year’s edition.
The Siege of Charleston 1861-1865
E. Milby Burton. Columbia, S.C.: University of South Carolina Press, 1970. 373 pp. Illus. $9.95.
Remembered more for Fort Sumter, the opening shot of the Civil War, blockade running, and for later Federal amphibious operations. Charleston as the victim of nearly 600 continuous days of siege is forgotten. Almost every type of weapon—including a submarine—and stratagem were employed by both sides before the city fell. This chronicle of the skirmishes and battles fought there is deeply researched and is a useful addition to any military, naval, or Civil War collection, but it does suffer in a writing style that, for all the action covered, too often merely plods along.
RE-ISSUES
Notes on Guerrilla Warfare
Irish Republican Army. Boulder, Colo.: Panther Publications [1956], 1970. 37 pp. $1.00 (paper).
Principles of Small Arms
A. Baker. Boulder, Colo.: Paladin Press [1952], 1970. 82 pp. Illus. $2.50 (paper).
Scrimshaw at Mystic Seaport
Edouard Stackpole. Tuckahoe, N.Y.: John de Graff [1958], 1970. 53 pp. Illus. $3.95.
The Thousand Mile War
Brian Garfield. New York: Ballantine [1969], 1970. 405 pp. Illus. $1.25 (paper).