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Samenvatting
What would you do if you could change history? This is the question that two serving soldiers, one British and one Dutch, have asked in relation to the Royal Netherlands Navy’s participation in the Java Sea Campaign of February-March 1942. What could have happened if a single ship from this campaign was replaced in history with a much more effective vessel? Would an alternate ship developed within the technical parameters of the period have been able to make major changes to the outcome of this battle and therefore, perhaps, the course of World War II in the Far East. The Battle of Java Sea was a failed attempt by Allied forces, led by the Dutch Rear-Admiral Karel Doorman, to prevent a Japanese invasion of Eastern Java in the Dutch East Indies.
Over de auteur
"The co-authors, Simon Soanes and Peter van Os, met on a course in the UK and a shared common interest in naval history led Peter to suggest an idea for a collaborative alternate history story on events very dear to Dutch hearts – Admiral Doorman and The Battle of Java Sea 1942. Simon Soanes is a serving British Army Warrant Officer, with an Infantry background, and a wide interest in military history especially naval. Peter van Os is also serving but in the Dutch Army, with an cavalry background. He shares the same historic passion as Simon Soanes."
Productinformatie
- ISBN
- 9789402202496 / 978-94-022-0249-6
- Uitgeverij
- Boekscout
- Verschijning
- 04-10-2013
- Taal
- Nederlands
- Genre
- Verhalen
- Uitvoering
- Paperback
- Pagina's
- 148
- Formaat
- A5
- Illustraties
- Ja
Inkijk
1315 hrs – With all the remaining crew of the De Ruyter safely in the tree line Captain Lacomblé gathers the remaining Officers and Petty Officers, raising his voice over the constant sound of small explosions coming from the burning battleship, and instructs them that they must try to reach Surabaya on foot which he estimates is about 40 miles (64 km) to the east of their current position. After taking stock they find that some crewmen had prepared in case the ship was sunk with a fair number have water bottles, a few have blankets, tins of food and a total of 5 pistols and 17 rifles with limited ammunition is available. As far as the wounded goes he is determined to take them with him and orders the Petty Officers to make improvised stretchers using the sails from the remaining ships boats and cut poles, using the boats axes, as well. He also instructs one officer and 10 men to leave straight away and find and mark a route to what he believes is a nearby coast road; he instructs that this entire group is to be armed. Over the next 45 minutes or so the unwounded prepare all the wounded for the journey; amongst the wounded is the still unconscious damage control officer.
As the route marking group leaves all attention is directed to a serious of explosions coming from the ship. The remaining ready ammunition in the starboard rear 4-inch (10.2 cm) mounts starts to cook-off in the fires, and after a large explosion, throws one of the mounts high in the air. Hearing shouts from the tree line all the crew including the Captain, or all that are able to do so, rush back to the tree line where they see the gun land on the beach with a crash.
As the route marking group leaves all attention is directed to a serious of explosions coming from the ship. The remaining ready ammunition in the starboard rear 4-inch (10.2 cm) mounts starts to cook-off in the fires, and after a large explosion, throws one of the mounts high in the air. Hearing shouts from the tree line all the crew including the Captain, or all that are able to do so, rush back to the tree line where they see the gun land on the beach with a crash.
Reviews
A thoroughly captivating and memorable read. Highly recommended