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by Brian Lane Herder.
Softcover (7.25×9.75 inches). 56 pages. 2025.
When I think of WWI naval warfare, the US Navy doesn’t leap to the forefront. That’s not a knock against the USN, just that most histories center on the German vs British naval battles, with Jutland being the main one. And yet, this booklet explains the greater role the USN played in WWI.
First off, I didn’t know the USN sent 14-inch railway guns and crews to France to support the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. They were organized into five batteries of one gun each (p17-18).
Secondly, I didn’t know the USN invaded Mexico on April 21, 1914 and occupied Veracruz for six months. The US invaded Haiti on July 28, 1915 and the Dominican Republic on May 15, 1916 (p18-20). Whaddaya know!
For convoy and U-boat hunting duties, 52 USN destroyers were deployed to Ireland, France, and Gibraltar by Nov 1917. By January 1918, seven USN submarines were based in the Azores (p34).
The booklet contains 29 black and white photos, seven color illustrations, 17 male and four female color uniform illustrations, and seven color medal illustrations.
Osprey booklets excel in many different ways, but every now and again, you find the absolute gem of new information not known or even considered. Here’s a gem.
Enjoyed it.
— Reviewed by Russ Lockwood
