Wightsparker
War Hero
These pictures may be of interest, in particular to those who like history. @soleil ?
In 1973, I was working in MOD in what was then part of DPR(N). There were a number of reference books available, and when the latest Janes Fighting Ships arrived a decision was taken to clear out several older versions. Before they were binned, someone asked if any staff wanted to take home any of these; I was fortunate enough to select a copy of the 1940 Janes - it had been of little practical use for many years.
The book was pretty battered even then, with the binding shot and many pages loose - although I don't think any are missing. The foreword includes an apology for the late publication of this edition "due to enemy action affecting the premises of the publishers and blockmakers", but this did allow some additional information to be included. The " war losses" section, for example, included the cruiser HMS Southampton, lost in January 1941. It also included photographs of damaged Italian warships after the successful Swordfish attack at Taranto in November 1940.
Also included in the "war losses" section was the German armoured ship "Admiral Graf Spee", scuttled off Montivedeo after the Battle of the River Plate.
The latter is perhaps of significance because of the existence of a carbon-copy of an original note attached to the section dealing with Royal Navy destroyers. With a reference of M.F. 06272/39, and with a pencilled heading of "Hunt Class Destroyers". it reads:
"I do not see any advantage in calling these ships fast escort vessels. They are in fact destroyers of medium size in every respect and their prime function is to destroy U boats. For the future they are to be called and classified 'destroyers'.
(sgd.) W.S.C.
12th December, 1939.
Churchill was still 1st Lord of the Admiralty at the time, and did not become Prime Minister until 1940. As 1st Lord, he must surely have been aware of the rendezvous on that day of the cruisers HMS Exeter, Ajax and Achilled prior to their engagement with the Graf Spee the following day.
I consider myself fortunate to possess the book.
In 1973, I was working in MOD in what was then part of DPR(N). There were a number of reference books available, and when the latest Janes Fighting Ships arrived a decision was taken to clear out several older versions. Before they were binned, someone asked if any staff wanted to take home any of these; I was fortunate enough to select a copy of the 1940 Janes - it had been of little practical use for many years.
The book was pretty battered even then, with the binding shot and many pages loose - although I don't think any are missing. The foreword includes an apology for the late publication of this edition "due to enemy action affecting the premises of the publishers and blockmakers", but this did allow some additional information to be included. The " war losses" section, for example, included the cruiser HMS Southampton, lost in January 1941. It also included photographs of damaged Italian warships after the successful Swordfish attack at Taranto in November 1940.
Also included in the "war losses" section was the German armoured ship "Admiral Graf Spee", scuttled off Montivedeo after the Battle of the River Plate.
The latter is perhaps of significance because of the existence of a carbon-copy of an original note attached to the section dealing with Royal Navy destroyers. With a reference of M.F. 06272/39, and with a pencilled heading of "Hunt Class Destroyers". it reads:
"I do not see any advantage in calling these ships fast escort vessels. They are in fact destroyers of medium size in every respect and their prime function is to destroy U boats. For the future they are to be called and classified 'destroyers'.
(sgd.) W.S.C.
12th December, 1939.
Churchill was still 1st Lord of the Admiralty at the time, and did not become Prime Minister until 1940. As 1st Lord, he must surely have been aware of the rendezvous on that day of the cruisers HMS Exeter, Ajax and Achilled prior to their engagement with the Graf Spee the following day.
I consider myself fortunate to possess the book.
