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US Light Carriers
in action

 

 

Squadron/Signal Publications

 


US Light Carriers in action is available online at Squadron.com

 

S u m m a r y
Catalogue Number: Warships Number 16
ISBN:  
Media: Soft cover, landscape format, 50 pages plus covers (incl. 2 colour centre pages).
Price: US$8.46
Review Type: First Read
Advantages: Good coverage of light carriers; succinct history; logically structured; packed with photos and drawings;
Disadvantages:  
Recommendation: Recommended for US Navy enthusiasts 

 

Reviewed by Rodger Kelly

 

F i r s t   L o o k

 

Have you ever been reading through a publication about WWII US Naval aviation and been confronted with a myriad of confusing alpha/numeric abbreviations when aircraft carriers were being discussed and didn’t have a clue about what the author was on about, or wondered just how big a particular carrier was? How many aircraft it carried and of what type? Then this is the book for you!

The publication is in the familiar Squadron Signal format consisting of 50 pages with full-colour cardboard covers and centre pages. The text is logically set out and follows the origins and development of the Independence Class Light Carrier as well as having sections that cover:

  • Wartime modifications carried out

  • Aircraft carried by the ships

  • Radar fit-out

  • Armament and fire control

  • Camouflage

  • Postwar use

 

 

Individual histories of each of the nine ships of the class are included:

  • CVL-22 USS Independence

  • CVL-22 USS Princeton

  • CVL-22 USS Belleau Wood

  • CVL-22 USS Cowpens

  • CVL-22 USS Monterey

  • CVL-22 USS Langley

  • CVL-22 USS Cabot

  • CVL-22 USS Bataan

  • CVL-22 USS San Jacinto

In my opinion, the best section of the book is that which covers the combat history of these ships. Again, the section is logically set-out in a chronological sequence and includes the names of the operations and describes the action that took place. An added bonus is the three page section on the Saipan Class Carriers which were designed to replace the Independence Class.

 

 

Conclusion

 

This is a great book! It’s all there and it is explained in a brief and concise manner that makes it easy to understand. The text is supplemented by 85 sharp, clear black and white photos and 31 line drawings. Excellent value in anyone’s language.

If you are an amateur historian who wants to gain an understanding of these ships and how they were employed during WWII without plowing through official histories then look no further than this book.
 

Thanks to Squadron for the review sample.

Review Copyright © 2002 by Rodger Kelly
This Page Created on 23 May, 2002
Last updated 22 July, 2003

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