THE SAILOR'S WAR 1914 - 18 by Liddle, Peter H

Poole, 1985, Blandford , 2nd printing, hard bound in dust jacket, 8x10, VG/VG condition , 224 pages, prof illustrated. World War One was a young man's war at sea as much as on land, but their stories are seldom told. Now, thanks to the 1914-18 Personal Experience Archives at Sunderland, their experiences can be understood. Using contemporary diaries and letters and later recollections of young officers and ratings, Peter Liddle has compiled Sailor's War. For once a war book can truly be called unique.The drama of battle is conveyed in the words and impressions of the men and boys who fought whilst the desperate spirit of the prolonged Dardanelles/Gallipoli venture is all too clear. But the book breaks new ground in other areas. It does not just cover the major battles, actions and operations but deals with the unusual and less well-known aspects of the war at sea.Here is service in the Baltic or the Sea of Marmora in submarines; here are operations in the Caspian Sea and on land, lake, rivers and sea in East Africa; here too are sailing ship experiences or capture by a German raider, descriptions of boarding steamers in search of contraband and the dangerous merchant ship convoys.Yet to the men at the time life on the Mess Deck, or in the Gun Room was far more important, whilst the most interesting topics of all were the perennial food, leave and relaxation. They also find their place in Sailor's War.This book will fascinate anyone with an interest in war, the sea or men under conditions of trial and stress. A general historical framework is given so no prior knowledge of the topics is required. As Admiral Sir Charles Hughes-Hallett, who served as a midshipman during World War One, states in his Foreword-this book includes `much detail of life on board HM Ships at this time, which will give readers a considerable insight into the conditions the officers of these days lived and fought under- very different from the present day!'