U. S. Navy Uniforms in World War II Series: U. S. Naval Amphibious Forces

In the genre with SPEARHEADING D-DAY, Jeff Warner's handsome pictorial coverage fills a neglected niche. With a steady focus on the material culture of the wartime forces, he has compiled an informative exhibit.Regrettably, with respect to combat demolition, this broad sweep through the history suffers from notable factual inaccuracies. Neither the Underwater Demolition Teams, established in Hawaii in late 1943, nor the Naval Combat Demolition Units, founded mid-year, were the brainchild of Draper Kauffman, although he had a significant impact on the two programs. The "flying mattress," which he put to use with near disastrous consequences in the Marianas, was a motorized, one-man raft, with no application whatsoever to swimmer cast and recovery. Eyewitness testimony belies any notion that the Japanese plane that strafed and bombed the USS BLESSMAN (APD 48) struck the side of the ship. The damage reports are detailed and clear on the path of the bomb that demolished the starboard mess hall. For my MA thesis on UDT 15 and the BLESSMAN, I interviewed dozens of veterans, including ship's company. If an aircraft the size of a "Betty" smacked into them, they would know.The UDTs were never a sub-unit of the NCDUs. Most frustrating of all, the author references no written sources indicating the basis for such flawed reporting. Having researched the subject for over twenty years,I was very disappointed with that aspect of Warner's effort.The re-enactors I know pride themselves on developing a useful library. A military historian and an actor, I have worked with them on location. We agree that history is where you find it, and we research thoroughly.There is, in fact, so much misinformation about the history of the Teams, in print media and on the Net. That the author adds to it detracts from an otherwise engaging graphic display.

Jeff Warner has in this Schiffer series of books on the Naval Services' uniforms, equipment and insignia made an indelible and permanent contribution to the reference literature on the subject matter. In fact, it is the ONLY reference work on the subject, due to collector indifference. Mr. Warner labored two+ years on the writing and composition of this and the other volumes, something which neither of the two other reviewers below are either capable of or willing to do. It's easy to carp, it's hard to give birth to something as monumental as Mr. Warner's series of books. In doing the book with Schiffer, he surrendered total editorial control over the content and composition of the book, including the rendition of the photographs he personally composed and took or obtained from NARA. As for the carping about the UDT teams' factual history, it should be noted that the material dealing with them was a VERBATIM "after action report" from the National Archives, without comment by Mr. Warner or intent for it to be a definitive account. Perhaps Mr. O'Dell should take his obviosuly superior PhD knowledge of the subject and produce himself a work worthy of those already recently done on Draper Kauffman and the UDT teams. Until then, he should keep his pontificating caveling to himself!

Was surprised by poor quality of the photographs showing fully uniformed men. On the other hand - pictures showing uniforms and equipment details are nice and sharp

It's a Book, go on have a guess at what I used it for......It was in mint condition, arrived a few days ahead of expected delivery date. Highly recommended.

Great book fast delivery no problems

Gepackt mit Photos von originalen Ausrüstungs- und Uniformteilen. Dazu entsprechende Hintergrund-Informationen zur Einführung usw.Sehr umfangreiches Nachschlagewerk für den Sammler oder historisch Interessierten.Die Photos sind weitgehends in Farbe.Lohnende Investition

Étonnement les photographies d'époque en couleurs sont de bien meilleure qualité que les photographies contemporaines. Les uniformes présentés et quelques équipements sont méconnus et par fois très rares en raison de leur spécificité.Le gros défaut reste l'approche iconographique plus artistique que documentaire. Aucun gros-plan de quoi que ce soit : On aurait aimé voir les étiquettes et les marquages avec l'explication des codes spécifiques à la Navy. Encore une fois, la qualité des photos est loin de ce que l'on trouve habituellement chez Schiffer. Unique documentation papier sur le sujet, donc utile, mais pas assez pointue pour les plus exigeants (costumiers, collectionneurs, chercheurs, musées...).

Delivery took extremely long period of time.Interesting information also for hobby historians.If there wasn't the relatively high price one wouldassume to purchase more copies of series.By the same token, it is questionable to recommend itto others.