forfleet medowie nsw (2 results)

Soft cover. Condition: VG+. No Jacket. Photos, Drawings, Maps, Few Duagrams, Documenr Reproductionsy (illustrator). Reprint. Bill Lunney and Frank Finch decided to record a virtually uinknown chapter of Australia' s maritime contribution to the WWII campaigning in New Guinea (NG) waters. Thus was born "Forgotten Fleet", sub-titleded ":A history of the part played by Australian men and ships in the US Army Small Ships Section in New Guinea. 1942-1945." Men better suited to preparing such a history would be difficult to find; Bill Lunney joining the Section in 1943 aged 15, serving in a number of its ships. Likewise, Frank Finch who also served on several Section ships joined it in 1943, aged 16. He also sailed on Altantic convoys and was at sea for 40 years, mainly as boson. The Section was formed late in 1942 and in October two small trawlers landed just over 100 soldiers on the NG coast near Buna. This was the first action of the Section and came at a time when the Japanese threat to NG and to Australia was at its highest.The unit was equipped with a collection of little ships from the Australian coast, plus few from NZ waters. They were all repetrsentative of the small coastal ships that traded in many different ways The Section was charged with supplying Australian and American troops fighting in NG and served in waters subject to attack from Japanese aircraft, submaries and warships. An estimated 3000 volunteer Austrailian served in the Section, ships were contracted for six months or a year. while crew signed-on for similar terms. A list of ships that operated in the Section runs from page 130 to 153 and includes some war-built specialist ships. A scond list covers Section personnel and runs from page 156 to 179. Both lists include numerous photographs, but are not official records being "as complete as possible based on information available to the authors.".No claim is made by the co-authors to have compiled an "official history" and "Forgotten Fleet" is probably the better for that, being based mainly on the recollections of these who were there and lived the moments they recall., A general survey of the reasons for creating the Smalll Ships Section and the duties that took the ships and men north from NG the Philippines and evet post-war to Japan backgrounds the account. A grand book, enlivened by a host of anecdotes couched in typical Aussie droll humour. "Forgotten Fleet" first publuished by Forfleet in 1995, with this reprint following in 1996, 192 pages , including lists of ships, personnel and the fallen, two supplementary lists, bibliography and index. Illustrated throughout with b/w photos, drawings, maps document reproductions. Decorated card covers are VG+. as is the text block. This book appears to heve become scarce and this copy has a thin felt pen inscripition on the title page reading "To Captain James Roberts, Best Wisher, Bill Lunney, Medowie, 1998.". By Author.

Soft cover. Condition: Very Good. VG+ softcover. 1996 reprint following original reprint in 1995. Folio. Dedicated and signed by Bill Lunney on title page. Scarce. Very slight diagonal crease o rear wrap. 192pp.