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» Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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» Topic:
Deadly PT Patrols
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I had the chancre to read what I consider a very good book, titled "Deadly PT patrols by Allan L. Lawrence Jr. I think it would be a great addition to anyone's WWII Library. Below is my review:
I think what I like about the book “Deadly PT Patrols” is your look at the boats and how they operated. We know the boats patrolled certain areas, but your book takes us inside the very life of the Sailors and Officers that had to live it. Boring patrols, heat, not the best food, lack of spare parts, local island diseases all played havoc with the crew’s ability to perform their duties.
PT Boat Tenders played a large role in the survival of the little PT BOATS and your book brings us right alongside the ship, to talk about the work these specialized Sailors performed to keep the boats running. In one section of your book it talks about a shortage of struts, shafts, and wheels and the task of trying to have them made, then finding out that they were less than perfect and the Tender boys having to fix things to make them work. Your book takes us deep inside the daily grind of the PT SAILOR and his ability to survive. I am amazed at the amount of work that was undertaken after a patrol just to keep the guns and ammunition clean and ready for the next patrol. The incredible heat and humidity that Motor Macs had to endure should have gotten them medals. I like the fact that we see some humor attached to this book in the exploits of the PT Boys while on Liberty and the humor that was exposed in their sometimes repetitive grind.
The detail in this book is mind blowing and one can’t help but get caught up in all of the facts about MTB 17 in New Guinea. I loved all of the photos and was generally drawn to the artifacts from Mr. Lawrence Sr. One in my position can’t help but be taken in by these historical artifacts. It would have been great if the artifacts sections were in color. I love the book in that it takes us into the life after the war of some of these Sailors. I think historically this book is a real winner. I am proud to add it to my PT BOAT Library of books, and would highly recommend it to those wanting to learn about the Mosquito Fleet Sailors of World War two.
Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: May 5, 2017 - 7:58am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am
I liked some of the "warts and all" descriptions scattered throughout the book.
Will
Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: May 5, 2017 - 12:26pm
Total Posts: 1955 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 4:19pm
Frank where did you get this book. It is not available on Amazon or Barnes and Noble?
C. J. Willis
Posted By: CJ Willis | Posted on: May 5, 2017 - 12:58pm
Total Posts: 464 | Joined: Nov 5, 2006 - 5:02pm
C.J. I just checked on Amazon.com and it is there.
Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: May 5, 2017 - 2:55pm
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am
Check here C.J.: [url]https://www.amazon.com/Deadly-PT-Boat-Patrols-History/dp/0991643801[/url].
Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: May 5, 2017 - 4:48pm
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am
Thanks Jeff and Frank. I see it is available from Amazon but it is kinda pricey at $62.00 plus shipping. I wanted to compare the New Guinea patrols with our patrols. We (PT 242) made 85 nightly patrols of Jap held islands in the Solomons from Nov 1943 until Dec 1944.
C. J. Willis
Posted By: CJ Willis | Posted on: May 5, 2017 - 6:31pm
Total Posts: 464 | Joined: Nov 5, 2006 - 5:02pm
I know you would like it C.J. well worth the price for some great reads.
Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: May 6, 2017 - 12:22pm
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am
Hey, C.J. - I have an extra copy of DEADLY PT PATROLS. Send me your address and I'll shoot it to you.
willday6@yahoo.com
Will
Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: May 6, 2017 - 6:08pm
Total Posts: 1955 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 4:19pm
That's very nice of you Will, I do believe you have a heart after all.
Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: May 7, 2017 - 5:42am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am
Don't jump to conclusions, Frankie....
Will
Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: May 7, 2017 - 4:24pm
Total Posts: 1955 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 4:19pm
True, like Al says you need more proof
Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: May 7, 2017 - 9:05pm
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am
Frank I now have a brand new autographed copy of "Deadly PT Patrols" Thanks to the generosity of Will Day. Looks interesting. Am anxious to start reading it.
C. J. Willis
Posted By: CJ Willis | Posted on: May 13, 2017 - 2:55pm
Total Posts: 464 | Joined: Nov 5, 2006 - 5:02pm
That is great News C.J. and very nice of Will to send you a copy. I know you will enjoy reading this.
Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: May 14, 2017 - 3:46pm
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am
Having read this book that Will gave me I find that NeW Guinea boats had the same problems that Solomon Islands boats encountered. (Running Aground on Coral Reefs) I think every boat in Ron 19 ran aground but our 242. We never hit the bottom or had any damage the 13 months we patrolled. Guess we were either lucky or had a good Skipper and Quartermaster. Probably both. Like New Guinea we were patrolling in uncharted waters all the time. The 244 boat in our Ron hit a reef their 3rd patrol out in Nov 1943 and was out of commission for over 3 months. We were called out to pull them off the reef that they hit but we broke two cables trying to pull them off. A tug boat finally pulled them off.
I would recommend this book if you want to know what the PT boat patrols were really like. The author spent a lot of time gathering patrol details of all the boats in New Guinea.
C. J. Willis
Posted By: CJ Willis | Posted on: Jul 1, 2017 - 12:57pm
Total Posts: 464 | Joined: Nov 5, 2006 - 5:02pm
LMAO, Richard...
Will
Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: Jul 2, 2017 - 12:23pm
Total Posts: 1955 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 4:19pm