NAVAL OPERATIONS. By Sir Julian S. Corbett. Vol. 1. Second Edition. 470 pages text; 18 maps in separate box. New York: Longmans, Green & Co. 1938. $12.
Reviewed by Rear Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, U. S. Navy
The clouds of the Great War had scarcely cleared when in 1920 there appeared Vol. I of Sir Julian S. Corbett’s Naval Operations—a “History of the Great War Based on Official Documents” and produced “By direction of the Historical Section of the Committee of Imperial Defence.” The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty gave the author access to official documents but disclaimed any responsibility for the presentation of the facts as stated. As early as June, 1916, the Prime Minister, Mr. Asquith, had foreseen the need of giving to the public an authentic account and had announced in Parliament the publication, as soon as possible after the close of the war, of such an Official History. With this official blessing and sponsorship there was immediate and widespread interest in the Naval Operations both by laymen and naval officers, although the latter were well aware that insufficient time had elapsed to permit events to be seen in their true perspective. The Official History was based primarily on Allied sources but included such material from the Central Powers as was available at the time.
The Naval Operations was the first work of its kind in the field and was of great value in obtaining a comprehensive view and understanding of many early events which had been shrouded in secrecy, and which, if reported at all, were usually presented inaccurately or distorted by self-interest. The Official History aimed to give in narrative form, free from technicalities, an intelligible view of the operations at sea, their mutual connection and meaning, and the policy that dictated them. In this aim it was successful. Its interesting reportorial style and the excellent maps furnished with the text make it easy for the student to ascertain and understand the facts as they were then known. No attempt was made to analyze the operations for lessons to be learned, although the facts were there for the naval student to judge in accordance with his ideas of tactical and strategical principles.
Volume I of the Official History covered the operations, at first world-wide, from the beginning of the war down to and including the Battle of the Falklands, after which the critical area, except for submarine operations, was shrunk down to the waters adjacent to Europe. Major events in each theater were described in logical and chronological order and their interrelation with events in other areas was shown. Of particular interest was the discussion of Britain’s problems involved in the change of front, traditionally westward, but now eastward towards the new enemy—Germany. Submarines and improved torpedoes had greatly increased the difficulty of finding a safe war anchorage for the Grand Fleet and providing satisfactory subsidiary bases for operations in the North Sea.
Now after the passage of 18 years a new edition, the second, of Vol. I of Naval Operations has appeared together with corrected maps, and it is with this edition that this review is primarily concerned. That so much space has been devoted to the first edition is because the second edition differs from its predecessor only in detail and by having been corrected up to date both in text and maps. Full advantage has been taken of all historical material that has become available since the publication of the first edition, particularly that from enemy sources. Although the author, Sir Julian S. Corbett, died before the publication of the second edition, it is none the less authentic and authoritative because its revision was taken in hand by the Secretary, Historical Section, Committee of Imperial Defence.
The major change from the original edition is found in Chapter VII dealing with the Action off Helgoland, August 28, 1914. This chapter, entirely rewritten, has taken into account much information not available when the first edition was published, and now presents probably the best obtainable view of that day’s exciting events. This action is worthy of analytical study by the naval officer because it was the first important naval clash of the war and involved not only several types of ships but also a considerable number. Submarines were present and participated in the actual operation and also in the furnishing of information upon which the British plan was largely based. Destroyers and larger ships played their expected parts and German aircraft were able, when the operations ended, to report the area clear of British surface craft. What would have happened here had each side possessed the powerful aerial fleets now available is anybody’s guess, but it is not unreasonable to assume that if this action were duplicated tomorrow there would still be defective planning, communication failures, and violations of fundamental principles with their attendant penalties. If there is any truth in the saying that history repeats itself we may see another action off Helgoland even more confused than the one described in Chapter VII.
The availability of reliable reports of enemy origin has necessitated other changes in the original edition. An entirely new account has been written of the cruise of the German raider—mine-layer Berlin which laid the mine field that sank the Audacious at a very critical period of the war, and which proved that luck still plays its part. How the Berlin evaded the British cruisers is interesting reading. Luck also entered into the escape of the Goeben and Breslau in the Mediterranean, the Karlsruhe in the Atlantic, and the operations of the Emden. Sturdee’s early contact with von Spee at the Falklands is proof that luck was not all on the German side. Such other changes as appear in the second edition are designed to increase its value as a history text.
Joint army and navy planning committees and staffs will find valuable material in the account of the operations on the Belgian coast from the passage of the British Expeditionary Force in early August to the end of October when the opposing armies completed their lines to the sea. Problems of transport, shift of main army supply base, naval landing forces ashore with the army, and naval gunfire in support of shore operations are all well covered.
There is much in the present European situation with its increasing war clouds that warrants a reading of the latest edition of Vol. I of the Official History if one desires to have a proper background for judging future events. The large air fleets available to Germany will again complicate the problem of finding safe war anchorages for the Grand Fleet should Britain and Germany find themselves at war. The new line-up may be different and the weapons greatly improved, but the playing field will be the same and the same old principles will govern, the violation or neglect of which will bring their own penalties.
JANE’S FIGHTING SHIPS, 1938. Edited by Francis E. McMurtrie, A.I.N.A., London: Sampson Low, Marston & Co., Ltd., 42s
Reviewed by Graser SCHORNSTHEIMER
These many years, Jane has been the most authoritative and complete work on the world’s naval material available. Essential to naval officers, it should be, in times like these, indispensable to statesmen as well as coverage for libraries. The price is high, but in keeping with the cost of editorial and typographical composition. It remains bulky and unmanageable. Considering the vast store between its covers, it could hardly be less so. Dependent on, even hampered by, official information, its editor faces many difficulties. Efforts to apply tonnage and displacement figures with some exactness demonstrate this. Official information isn’t what it was once. The question arises at just what point in naval intelligence the book must end.
The Japanese continue to shroud their activities in secrecy. Nevertheless it appears they are “re-militarizing” the 14- inch-gun, 26-knot Hiei, and that all is not well with the designs for their new battleships. Jane has it that they will approximate 40,000 tons and be armed with nine 16-inch guns, presumably in 3 turrets. However, there are reports from sources previously credible which, though slightly divergent, reach the same end. First, that the ships are desired to be around 40,000 tons and armed with ten 16-inch guns in 5 turrets. Then, one report has it that the Navy frowns on the triple, big-gun turret. The second report says that the arsenals are unable to handle the large forgings necessary. Both conclude with the possibility of a new design calling for ships carrying eight 18-inch guns on a displacement of around 48,000 tons.
A feature of the new edition is its tables of organization and distribution of the ships of the nations. Under Russia appears:
Reports from Japanese sources indicate that the Soviet Fleet based on Vladivostok includes 70 submarines, over 50 motor torpedo boats, and a number of patrol vessels of various types. Fighting Ships has secured independent evidence which goes far to support these figures. Vessels in question are believed to have proceeded to their present station by way of Northeast Passage [page 409].
But the importance of Jane is in the picture it reflects. Such solid things as battleships, “imponderables” to Mr. Hughes, perhaps, are quite tangible this year of 1939, a.d., with American superiority safely paid for and junked. Even disregarding the subject of defalcations one may well ask, viewing the tremendous European programs, “Where is it all coming from?” Platitudes of “international good will” ring more hollowly than ever.
And in the construction of these huge and costly ships is the refutation of the sensationalist aviation corner in public opinion. There is a “back to Bach” movement in the world’s navies. Can it be that the principles of war at sea are the same as they were at Salamis, Lepanto, Trafalgar, Lissa, and Jutland, despite aircraft?
Italy, for example, has no carriers, nor are any planned, in the face of that nation’s aviation experience on the Spanish Proving grounds. Propaganda, drama, and sensationalism to the contrary, the plane remains an auxiliary, not a principal—and this by test of war. Sensationalism goes further, however. Consider the superstitious awe that surrounds German construction. Free from the eviscerating restrictions of Versailles, the Reich is building along more usual lines—there is nothing magic in Germany’s program, nor in the size of her fleet! With the end of the restrictions of the Washington and other treaties has come the end of over-gunned ships, designed without due regard for metacentric height.
Recent estimates make it clear that a huge proportion of all treaties made since the war have been openly violated, abrogated, more or less covertly infringed, nullified, or mangled in one way or another. This condition is definitely reflected in Jane. In placing their wagers in the great game of international politics, nations can no longer confide in treaties; they seek protection from bad faith!
There is so much in Jane. From Great Britain to Yugoslavia and the addenda the book is packed with new information and new alterations of old data. European battleship speed has gone to 30 knots! A whole review could be written on that. In a way the pages bring to mind the issue of 1914. Even the old names are back—the Lion, Indomitable, Téméraire, Scharnhorst, Gneisenau, Gascogne, G. Garibaldi, Indiana, Massachusetts, the Dido, Euryalus, Galatea, and even the good Martin Tromp.
Perhaps there was something behind the bland statement of Mr. Chamberlain at the Lord Mayor’s that “Christmas is coming.”
Jane—1938 is a textbook of many lessons, particularly for Congressmen.
WEYERS TASCHENBUCH DER KRIEGSFLOTTEN, 1939. (Weyer’s Naval Pocket Annual.) 33d edition. Edited by Lieutenant Alexander Bredt, German Naval Reserve. Silhouettes by Erich Gröner, Munich: J. F. Lehmanns. M. 4.50.
Reviewed by Ensign Samuel A, Smiley, U. S. Naval Reserve
Sea power remains the final arbiter in a world tom by conflicting ideologies, national aspirations, and policies. The leading naval powers are among those most vitally affected by the rapid and “dynamic” changes on the international scene. Varying degrees of censorship existing almost everywhere tend to obscure the full extent of accelerating world-wide national rearmament. Thus, any thorough student of contemporary world events will welcome a book which collects, organizes, and presents in ready-reference form, available reliable information on the essential elements of sea power.
The 1939 Weyer is such a book. Following a steady development during the 33 years of this German naval annual’s existence, this latest edition is the most comprehensive and elaborate published to date. True to its title, it is a real “pocket manual” as 475 pages containing 1,023 illustrations and silhouettes, 4 colored plates, and an interesting 55-page advertising section have been compressed into a volume measuring 7"X5¼"X 1". Preceded by a title picture (good detail view of the new Gneisenau's superstructure), introductory and explanatory notes, are some 200 pages devoted to comprehensive tabulated data on every warship known to exist. Appropriate column headings and an ingenious use of symbols and abbreviations contribute to the compactness of the information contained therein. The illustrated section (some 172 pages) is probably the most interesting and informative. A distinctive type of stipple silhouettes covers all combatant vessels down to the smallest seagoing mine sweeper and the bulk of the auxiliaries. What render these stipple type silhouettes of distinctive value are their general accuracy, painstaking draughtsmanship, the uniform natural scale of 1:2000, the indication of exposed armored areas in blue print, and the outline representation of armored decks and underwater hull wherever known. In order to save space deck plans have been limited to thumbnail sketches wherever necessary; in the case of some British ships, A.A. guns and directors have been marked in color. The collection of photographs is as excellent as ever and includes some interesting new additions.
The Naval Aircraft Section covers practically all powers possessing a naval air arm, except Germany. In condensed form it lists the types of aircraft used, organization of combat formations, aircraft carrier complements, and other warships carrying or fitted to carry aircraft. Naval air stations are given where known.
Sections dealing with fleet organizations and distribution, naval ordnance, the year’s naval progress—nation by nation and status of naval limitation treaties, comparative naval strength, the merchant marine situation with valuable statistical data, naval ranks and insignia, national emblems and aircraft markings, and mathematical conversion tables are all excellently arranged for ready reference. Distance tables between principal ports and a set of world charts illustrating strategic ports and maritime traffic lanes will likewise be found to be of considerable interest. An alphabetical index of ships’ names, an addendum, and the advertising section listing German firms engaged in naval and maritime work bring up the rear.
The British, French, Italian, and German navies are covered very completely. Silhouettes and illustrations of United States warships are all excellent, though some of the latest alterations to existing ships have been missed. Provisional silhouettes of the new British capital ships and cruisers, and of French and Italian battleships now building are included and are interesting for embodying released advance information and indicating design trends. The Bureau of Construction and Repair drawing of our new North Carolina’s is also reproduced, plus a German estimate of the general armor distribution. The Japanese section is disappointing, due to the refusal of that government to divulge its building program; nevertheless a new photograph of the reconstructed 16-inch-gun battleship Nagato appears here for the first time. Weyer probably contains as much real information on the Soviet Russian Navy as any other source, though the only silhouette added this year is that of the new 11,000-ton class of ice breakers. Among the smaller navies, the Royal Netherlands Navy section brings the most complete set of silhouettes of vessels now under construction.
The use of the metric system in giving dimensions, gun calibers, and armor thicknesses, and the foreign language barrier are probably the greatest drawbacks of this annual to American readers. Besides its compact size, its main value remains in the superb collection of warship silhouettes and illustrations, which are unique and appeal to any lover of ships.