Several books have been written about US naval air patrol operations in World War II, but none do full justice to the role played by patrol squadrons of the US Navy in the longest, most bitterly fought campaign of the war, the Battle of the Atlantic. From the Arctic to the Equator, anti-submarine aircraft of the US Navy patrolled both sides of the stormy Atlantic alongside their Allied counterparts. They escorted merchant convoys through the submarine-infested waters, protecting the crucial lifeline from the United States to Great Britain and the Mediterranean that carried troops and supplies for the ultimate liberation of North Africa and Europe. The PBY Catalina, in which most of these vital missions were flown, was the most successful flying boat ever designed. Built in greater numbers than any other, it served the maritime air forces of all principle Allied nations, as well as the four branches of the US military. Except for a handful of Martin PBM Mariners, the Catalina was the only long range patrol bomber in the US Navy's inventory when the USA entered World War II. Though considered obsolete in 1939, it served in significant numbers until war's end and for many years after. Its total contribution to victory can only be surmised and the number of ships and lives saved by the PBY's mere presence over convoys will never be known. However, US Navy PBYs sank 19 Axis submarines, all identified by the author from contemporary evidence. Photographs of the Catalina in service in the Atlantic are rare but the author has assembled over 80 through research in official archives and private collections. Related Titles PV Ventura/Harpoon Units of World War II (Combat) Kriegsmarine U-boats 1939-45 (New Vanguard) Sunderland Squadrons of World War II (Combat)
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
Excellent book.:
Very pleasant reading, good background information even for someone new to reading about operating a PBY in wartime. Great pictures that clearly show the weather influences of the Atlantic ocean and the human side.
The detailed study on the development of the PBY as an introduction helped to set the basis of how important this "old" aircraft was in the defeat of the 'modern' U-boat.
Pictures are clearly described in detail. All through the book, it tells about the struggle to overcome the... more info
very Informative:
This is a well written, well documented book regarding the PBY and Navy crews in the Atlantic during WWII. The pictures are black and white and sometimes difficult to see. I am looking forward to the similiar book on the Pacific operations of the PBY.
US Navy PBY Catalina Units of the Atlantic War:
The book was a boring read about the units that operated the PBY. I was looking for more about the aircraft itself. The book did spend some time describing the "teething" problems of the 1 thru 5A models but not enough on the aircraft and the training necessary for pilots to be certified.
This was a VERY remarkable aircraft for it's time. It flew for hours on two engines and had huge wings that sacrificed speed for lift and endurance.
Very good book!:
Hi friends:
This book are very good! I recomend!
Best regard,
