Roscoe's United States Submarine Operations in World War II

razark · 07-23-13, 07:39 PM

Any opinions on United States Submarine Operations in World War II by Theodore Roscoe?

The wife just dropped this weighty book in my lap for my birthday. (

! Next time, just hand it to me. Please.) I notice it was first printed in 1949, so not long after the war. Does anyone have a comments on the accuracy of the information or the writing?

Sailor Steve · 07-23-13, 08:48 PM

For the most part it's very accurate, with a wealth of good information. There are some facts that weren't known at the time. If I recall correctly (my books are packed for the upcoming reconstruction of my apartment) Roscoe reports that USS Nautilus sank the carrier Soryu. It was actually Kaga that Nautilus torpedoed, and only one fish hit. It was a dud, and according to later reports some Japanese sailors used the torpedo's flotation casks to keep themselves afloat.

Overall it's a great sourcebook as well as a fun read.

razark · 07-24-13, 08:30 PM

Thanks for the info. I had a chance to sit down with it on my lunch hour and flip through. I like the multiple maps, and the tables of sinkings and special missions was impressive.

Red October1984 · 07-24-13, 10:07 PM

Sounds similar to Silent Victory...

nikimcbee · 08-05-13, 08:22 PM

I love this book.

Did you get the hardback edition with the extra operational maps in the back?

I love the art in the book, some of my favorite drawings are in there.

nikimcbee · 08-05-13, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red October1984

Sounds similar to Silent Victory...

I think Roscoe's book is a more interesting/entertaining read, but they are both great books.

Jimbuna · 08-06-13, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikimcbee

I think Roscoe's book is a more interesting/entertaining read, but they are both great books.

I haven't read the Roscoe book but I'd have thought it would be more similar to Clay Blairs - Silent Victory.

nikimcbee · 08-06-13, 08:28 AM

http://www.amazon.com/United-States-...scoe+submarine

http://www.amazon.com/Pig-Boats-Theo...scoe+submarine

I have both of these. Pigboats is the cliff note verson of the book.

nikimcbee · 08-06-13, 08:32 AM

I just remembered this.

Here ya go bonny lad Jim:
http://books.google.com/books?id=5lT...page&q&f=false

Jimbuna · 08-06-13, 10:39 AM

How does it compare to Silent Victory?

Sailor Steve · 08-06-13, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

How does it compare to Silent Victory?

Silent Victory benefits from many years of new findings. Both are worth having if you feel the need for as much information as possible. If you can only have one, Silent Victory is preferable.

Jimbuna · 08-06-13, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

Silent Victory benefits from many years of new findings. Both are worth having if you feel the need for as much information as possible. If you can only have one, Silent Victory is preferable.

Fair do's...as SV is the one I already have I'll save my pennies.

07-23-13, 07:39 PM	#1
razark Ocean Warrior Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 2,731 Downloads: 393 Uploads: 12	Roscoe's United States Submarine Operations in World War II Any opinions on United States Submarine Operations in World War II by Theodore Roscoe? The wife just dropped this weighty book in my lap for my birthday. (! Next time, just hand it to me. Please.) I notice it was first printed in 1949, so not long after the war. Does anyone have a comments on the accuracy of the information or the writing? __________________ "Never ask a World War II history buff for a 'final solution' to your problem!"

07-23-13, 08:48 PM	#2
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	For the most part it's very accurate, with a wealth of good information. There are some facts that weren't known at the time. If I recall correctly (my books are packed for the upcoming reconstruction of my apartment) Roscoe reports that USS Nautilus sank the carrier Soryu. It was actually Kaga that Nautilus torpedoed, and only one fish hit. It was a dud, and according to later reports some Japanese sailors used the torpedo's flotation casks to keep themselves afloat. Overall it's a great sourcebook as well as a fun read. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

07-24-13, 08:30 PM	#3
razark Ocean Warrior Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 2,731 Downloads: 393 Uploads: 12	Thanks for the info. I had a chance to sit down with it on my lunch hour and flip through. I like the multiple maps, and the tables of sinkings and special missions was impressive. __________________ "Never ask a World War II history buff for a 'final solution' to your problem!"

07-24-13, 10:07 PM	#4
Red October1984 Airplane Nerd Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 6,243 Downloads: 115 Uploads: 0	Sounds similar to Silent Victory... __________________

08-05-13, 08:22 PM	#5
nikimcbee Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Patroling the Slot. Posts: 17,952 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	I love this book. Did you get the hardback edition with the extra operational maps in the back? I love the art in the book, some of my favorite drawings are in there. __________________

08-06-13, 08:28 AM	#8
nikimcbee Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Patroling the Slot. Posts: 17,952 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	http://www.amazon.com/United-States-...scoe+submarine http://www.amazon.com/Pig-Boats-Theo...scoe+submarine I have both of these. Pigboats is the cliff note verson of the book. __________________

08-06-13, 08:32 AM	#9
nikimcbee Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Patroling the Slot. Posts: 17,952 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	I just remembered this. Here ya go bonny lad Jim: http://books.google.com/books?id=5lT...page&q&f=false __________________

08-06-13, 10:39 AM	#10
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,645 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	How does it compare to Silent Victory? __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!