John Winton (1931–2001)

The Submariners: Life in British Submarines, 1901-1999 by John Winton is a fascinating look at the experience through the eyes of those who lived it.

I am a submariner, albeit American and from the late 70s and early 80s. and found a lot that was similar and a lot that was different from what I experienced. Part of that difference stems from the time periods, early diesel boats have far fewer things in common with nuclear boats than one might think. But the essentials of life in cramped show more quarters knowing that what would be a minor accident on a surface ship can be fatal on a sub are largely the same.

I learned a lot about the Royal Navy through this book and came to better appreciate the importance and value of the submarine force for a nation surrounded by water. I was aware, as anyone with any background in history would be, of the importance of their Navy, but hearing it firsthand made it hit closer to home. I was struck by a sentiment that is mentioned in the first pages of the book about the opinion toward submarines prior to their development into what we know today: they are for the weak nations. I understand the genesis of that idea, but having lived only during the time submarines were important not only in warfare but in the balance of world power, it gave me pause. What a different world.

I would recommend this to anyone with an interest in military history, naval history, or just with a fascination about life onboard a submarine and how it has evolved.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley. show less

This book is beautifully written by former naval officer John Winton. It really is an outstanding read and the most useful book about the British Pacific Fleet, giving an overview of it formations, its operations, its ships and commanding officers; I found the final chapter particularly interesting as it told the story of the fleet's deployment at the surrender and after the was, in the last four months of 1945 - the politics and the humanitarian effort and the role of the Japanese Navy show more (with whom the Japanese Army did not have good relations).

My father was an Able Seaman on board HMS Wager (part of the 27th Destroyer Flotilla), a ship that sailed to the Far East in late Jul 1944 and returned home to England on 14 Jan 1946. Inspired by the VJ Day 80 anniversary and by the journals and notes of an interview with a member of the ship's company in 2010, I have written a 40,000-word narrative history of HMS Wager (1943) - it is available on the HMS Wager website and free to read on the website of The Naval Review. show less

A good look at the British Fleet Carrier Service in the Pacific in the twilight of the war with the Japanese. Penetrative insights into the trauma of continuing war against an implacable and history-driven foe.

The description of the ship and her record were so-so. Winton has gone into the tension between the last captain, a submariner with vague ideas regarding the proper use of the ship's airstrike capacity, and the air component of his crew. he believes that it may have had something to do with the eventual loss of the ship. It seems very likely to me and certainly adds interest to the book.

The loss of the Glorious was a major "Ooops!" of the RN in WWII, but given the state of inter-ship and show more Ship-London-Scapa-ship communications links in those days... possible. The escorting anti-submarine, as the escorting forces at Leyte Gulf/Samar, did their very best, but less successfully. show less