In the early 2000's and at the age of 80, Robert le Page decided to write his wartime memoir for both his family and friends. With an aging memory inevitably their were some errors, so this published book has been researched and edited by his son, Jonathan. Robert was in the Home Guard when he received his call-up papers in 1941 to join the Fleet Air Arm as a pilot. An issue with his eyesight however, led to him becoming an observer aboard the Fairey Swordfish instead. As the war rumbled on, he would have to endure a frustrating ten month training programme before joining an operational squadron. For the remainder of the war he would serve aboard various Royal Navy ships and see action in both the Battle of the Atlantic and also supporting D-Day. This is not a military history book providing a narrative of consecutive operations. This memoir has a very personal feel as Robert reveals what it was like to train and learn new skills from navigation to wireless transmitting. How uncomfortable.. Read more
History Book Chat
In the early 2000's and at the age of 80, Robert le Page decided to write his wartime memoir for both his family and friends. With an aging memory inevitably their were some errors, so this published book has been researched and edited by his son, Jonathan. Robert was in the Home Guard when he received his call-up papers in 1941 to join the Fleet Air Arm as a pilot. An issue with his eyesight however, led to him becoming an observer aboard the Fairey Swordfish instead. As the war rumbled on, he would have to endure a frustrating ten month training programme before joining an operational squadron. For the remainder of the war he would serve aboard various Royal Navy ships and see action in both the Battle of the Atlantic and also supporting D-Day. This is not a military history book providing a narrative of consecutive operations. This memoir has a very personal feel as Robert reveals what it was like to train and learn new skills from navigation to wireless transmitting. How uncomfortable.. Read more
History Book Chat
From the laying of minefields to the early tactics of protecting merchant shipping from U-boats. The wide-ranging subjects that are covered and the vast amount of information in the many Appendices makes this book a valuable resource for both readers and researchers.
Another fascinating read from Mr Haarr.
Read the full review [link=https://historybookchat.blogspot.com/2025/03/the-gathering-storm.html]here[/link]
History Book Chat
From the laying of minefields to the early tactics of protecting merchant shipping from U-boats. The wide-ranging subjects that are covered and the vast amount of information in the many Appendices makes this book a valuable resource for both readers and researchers.
Another fascinating read from Mr Haarr.
Read the full review [link=https://historybookchat.blogspot.com/2025/03/the-gathering-storm.html]here[/link]
History Book Chat
Article featured
Warships International Fleet Review, June 2024
Article featured
Warships International Fleet Review, June 2024
The title is slightly misleading as the book covers the passage of both PQ.18 and the return convoy QP.14. PQ.18, one of 40 supply convoys to north Russia, and the associated convoy QP.14, one of 35 return convoys, were the most heavily defended and protected of all the convoys to and from north Russia between 1941 and 1945 whilst PQ.18 suffered the most sustained attacks on any Russian convoy. The complexity of the movements of the ships involved and the multiplicity of events experienced during the passage of both convoys particularly PQ.18 presents a significant challenge for any author within the boundaries of the overall chronology. John Mackay has succeeded in compiling a compelling narrative which immerses the reader in the drama of these events as experienced by those involved by focussing the reader’s attention on vivid descriptions of a number of key events. Where there is a lack of historical evidence John offers the reader a series of dramatic eye-witness reconstructions.. Read more
William Smith
The title is slightly misleading as the book covers the passage of both PQ.18 and the return convoy QP.14. PQ.18, one of 40 supply convoys to north Russia, and the associated convoy QP.14, one of 35 return convoys, were the most heavily defended and protected of all the convoys to and from north Russia between 1941 and 1945 whilst PQ.18 suffered the most sustained attacks on any Russian convoy. The complexity of the movements of the ships involved and the multiplicity of events experienced during the passage of both convoys particularly PQ.18 presents a significant challenge for any author within the boundaries of the overall chronology. John Mackay has succeeded in compiling a compelling narrative which immerses the reader in the drama of these events as experienced by those involved by focussing the reader’s attention on vivid descriptions of a number of key events. Where there is a lack of historical evidence John offers the reader a series of dramatic eye-witness reconstructions.. Read more
William Smith
".....splendidly researched book...."
International Federation of Ship Masters’ Association (IFSMA) Newsletter No 65 June 2023
".....splendidly researched book...."
International Federation of Ship Masters’ Association (IFSMA) Newsletter No 65 June 2023
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British Battleships 1919-1945
This superb reference book achieved the status of 'classic' soon after its first publication in 1993; it was soon out of print and is now one of the most sought-after naval reference books. And with good reason. Offering an unprecedented range of descriptive and illustrative detail, the author describes the evolution of the battleship classes through… Read more...
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War at Sea
In the vast literature of the Second World War there has never been a naval atlas showing graphically the complexities of the war at sea, a war which spread across every ocean. This new book will fill the gap. With more than 200 beautifully-designed maps and charts, the atlas sets out to visualise the great campaigns and major battles as well as the… Read more...
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Donitz's Last Gamble
After the June 1944 D-Day landings D'nitz withdrew his U-boat wolf-packs from the Atlantic convoy war and sent them into coastal waters, where they could harass the massive shipping movements necessary to supply the Allied armies advancing across Europe. Caught unawares by this change of strategy, the Allied anti-submarine forces were ill-prepared… Read more...
