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The Most Dangerous Moment of the War John Clancy

The Most Dangerous Moment of the War By John Clancy

The Most Dangerous Moment of the War by John Clancy


$18.49
Condition - Very Good
Only 1 left

Summary

A gripping account of Japan's great raid on the Indian Ocean in 1942, when seemingly unstoppable, they advanced on Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), an action that could have threatened wholesale defeat for the British, and which Churchill described as 'the most dangerous moment of the war'.

The Most Dangerous Moment of the War Summary

The Most Dangerous Moment of the War: Japan'S Attack on the Indian Ocean, 1942 by John Clancy

'The kind of story you'd find in illustrated form in one of the 1960s boys' comics such as Warlord, or Commando. Absolutely enthralling.'

Books Monthly

'It is an interesting story . . . and I recommend it.'

The Mariner's Mirror

In early April 1942, a little-known chapter of World War II took place, said by Sir Winston Churchill to be 'the most dangerous moment of the war' when the Japanese made their only major offensive westwards into the Indian Ocean. As historian Sir Arthur Bryant said, 'A Japanese naval victory in April 1942 would have given Japan total control of the Indian Ocean, isolated the Middle East and brought down the Churchill government'.

War in the Far East had erupted with the attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941 and it appeared that the British naval bases at Ceylon would be next. The Japanese had a vast new coastline to defend, stretching from New Guinea to Northern Burma, and having destroyed the American fleet at Pearl Harbor, could not accept the threat of the British Eastern Fleet based at Ceylon. Occupation of Ceylon was vital as it was a springboard into India. Without control of Ceylon, essential convoys from India to Europe and the Western Desert would be in constant danger and Allied naval strength in the Far East was at a dangerously low level.

With the Japanese forces seeming unstoppable, the Indian Ocean lay open and undefended. So far the Japanese had suffered no significant losses and the offensive continued unabated as they steamed westward, unopposed. It was generally felt Ceylon would be next to fall. It was a situation that could not be allowed to happen but the question on everyone's lips was how soon would Japan take advantage of this strategic situation.

After the war Churchill acknowledged that the potential disaster at Ceylon had been averted by the brave actions of one pilot, Squadron Leader L. J. Birchall, who while flying his Catalina flying boat on a regular patrol, spotted the Japanese warships massing some 350 miles from Ceylon. He was spotted by the Japanese whose aircraft shot him down but before so doing, Birchall sent a brief radio message back to his base. This gave the island's defence forces sufficient time to prepare for the attack and to disperse the British fleet out to sea. Churchill acknowledged this pilot had made one of the most important single contributions to our victory.

John Clancy tells the story of the events of this dramatic but little known episode in which a major catastrophe was only narrowly averted, but in which over a thousand mainly British lives were lost, including the sinking of HMS Cornwall and HMS Dorsetshire.

The Most Dangerous Moment of the War Reviews

I found this book to be a very good read and with all the details of the military actions of April 1942 it was very hard to put down. It is an excellent description of the Japanese raid into the Indian Ocean in 1942 and is recommended to anyone wanting to know more about this operation. * Model Builder International *

About John Clancy

John Clancy is an experienced author of over fifteen local history books and holds an MA in archaeology and heritage from the University of Leicester. His father was a survivor of the sinking of HMS Cornwall, and later in life he met another survivor who provided many missing links in the story.

Additional information

GOR010697226
9781612005331
1612005330
The Most Dangerous Moment of the War: Japan'S Attack on the Indian Ocean, 1942 by John Clancy
Used - Very Good
Paperback
Casemate Publishers
20170817
208
N/A
Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
This is a used book - there is no escaping the fact it has been read by someone else and it will show signs of wear and previous use. Overall we expect it to be in very good condition, but if you are not entirely satisfied please get in touch with us

Customer Reviews - The Most Dangerous Moment of the War