quote:

Originally posted by SigM4:

quote:

Originally posted by Hound Dog:

Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors

Like others here I have read an untold number of books recounting the history of WWII. This one in particular always stuck with me. Something about the heroic actions of men that knew they had literally no chance at surviving a prolonged engagement. Yet it was that spirit that ultimately saved the day.

I'm going to put a third vote for The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors.

Honestly, I read it on a whim, based on my new-found love for the game World of Warships. A friend recommended the book YEARS ago, but I didn't pick it up until last month. I regret not having read it sooner.

I have read a lot, a lot, of WWII books. This stands out as quite possibly my favorite. There is nothing I can possibly say about it that will match the true impact of reading it, but I'll try: if you think you have read a great true story about WWII, you haven't read the greatest until you read this.

two great firsthand accounts of combat in the Pacific:

Helmet for my Pillow - Robert Leckie

With the Old Breed - Eugene Sledge

Churchill's Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare was fascinating.

I just finished "SPEARHEAD", by Adam Makos. The author chronicles a 3d Armored Division tank gunner's experiences across France and Germany in 1944-45. Mako did extensive research and includes many firsthand accounts from both US and German soldiers who were involved in the same battles. One of the best firsthand accounts I've read.

“The Good Shepherd” by C.S. Forester. Novel about a destroyer captain on escort duty in the North Atlantic, and his battles with German U-Boats.

The movie “Greyhound” starring Tom Hanks set to be released this summer is based off this book.

Flyboys

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Originally posted by Loswsmith:
Shattered Sword: The Untold Story of the Battle of Midway. Jonathan Parshall and Anthony Tully. Great writing about what was probably the most pivotal naval battle of the Pacific.

Another book about Midway, but this focuses on Torpedo 8. The ill-fated Devastator attack is well known, but a detachment also flew Avengers off Midway Island.

"A Dawn Like Thunder: The True Story of Torpedo Squadron Eight"

https://www.amazon.com/Dawn-Li...ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0

Another great Midway book is:

"Never Call Me a Hero" by Dusty Kleiss. He was a dive bomber pilot that hit and helped to sink 3 carriers during the battle that help turn the tide of the war in the Pacific. It is a really good read.