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The tinpot navy : the extraordinary exploits and unsung heroes of Australia's fledgling navy during the Great War
Delano, Anthony2025
Books, Manuscripts
Fascinating stories from Australia's colonial navies and the early Royal Australian Navy, whose untried ships and the eager crew manning them performed feats of great courage in World War I. Just months before the start of World War I, Winston Churchill withdrew the Royal Navy's most formidable ships from the Pacific. With powerful German cruisers in its northern waters, Australia's fledgling navy needed to step up. Seasoned foreign correspondent and RAN veteran Anthony Delano has uncovered surprising stories from those days and earlier. The rogue captain ready to bombard Brisbane. The quick-witted officer who snatched Germany's secret codes. The bold raid on Rabaul and the capture of German colonies across the Pacific. A dangerous marauder blockaded in an African river. The courageous volunteers who raided a U-boat haven. The battle between HMAS Sydney and the cruiser Emden that might not have been quite the glorious victory it once seemed. Captain Guy Gaunt a boy from Ballarat who became a master of intrigue and espionage. The unhappy flagship HMAS Australia and a scandalous mutiny trial. With little-known stories and a fresh look at familiar ones, The Tinpot Navy is a fascinating account of the origins of Royal Australian Navy, and how it matured into an effective arm of defence in its first major conflict.
Main title:
Author:
Delano, AnthonyDelano, Anthony, author
Imprint:
Crows Nest, NSW : Allen & Unwin, 2025.
Collation:
xii, 324 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations, maps, portraits ; 24 cm.
Contents:
Introduction: By stealth into SimpsonshafenPart 1. A troubled beginningStandoff at Kangaroo PointSea daddies, uncles, brothersA quiet birthThwarted ambitionsPart 2. The brand-new navy at warCaptain John bags a prizeLines of miscommunicationThe Rabaul surpriseSeizing Germany's Pacfic TerritoriesJungle JacksNo more 'un KaiserThe resilient Captain BiddlecombeThe sorry tale of Commander (Acting) BiddlecombeThey sang like kangaroosPacific wanderersBattlecruising in the AtlanticOut man in ManhattanGoing down, getting out, going onThe heroes of Bloody ZeebruggeTogether at last - the flotilla in the MedThe flotilla suffers a tragic lossNot quite the endAn unhappy homecomingAppendix A. Battlecruisers: Jack Fisher's Big New IdeaAppendix B. Order no. 1Appendix C. No more 'um Kaiser, God save 'um King.
ISBN:
9781761472176
Dewey class:
940.4599940.459
Language:
English
Subject:
BRN:
526897
More Information:
| Location | Collection | Call number | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Marys | Nonfiction | 940.459 TIN | Onloan - Due: 07 Jul 2025 |