“PAWNS Of WAR” The loss of the USS Langley and the USS Pecos. By Dwight R. Messimer. February 1942 as the war in the Pacific came into full swing, a proud old aircraft carrier, USS Langley (CV-1) was called upon to attempt a mad dash across the Indian Ocean to deliver American P-40 fighter planes to the Allies at Tjilatjap. Here is the full story behind this tragic episode, which ultimately lead to the loss of the Langley, by air attack from the Japanese. Survivors from the carrier were taken aboard the oiler USS Pecos (AO-6). But this is more than just a story about the sinking of Langley, as a few days later Pecos was also lost to a Japanese attack. Author Dwight Messimer brings to light considerable new information on this period that has received surprisingly little coverage in naval history. Pawns Of War is a book to be appreciated on several levels. For the historian, it corrects many commonly held errors and offers a wealth of new facts to support the thesis that the Langley and her escorts and rescuers were needlessly exposed to danger. For the World War II buffs, it helps to complete a picture of the early days of the Pacific war. 1983 Hardback edition with dust jacket. Jacket is wrapped in clear protective plastic. This is a former library book, with the usual library markings. Former library card pocket removed from the first (blank) page inside of the book. 228 pages, 38 black and white photos, several maps and diagrams, appendix, bibliography and an index.
Fair + + + Cond. $29.95
The Author:
Dwight R. Messimer is a lecturer in military history at San Jose State University in California, where he specializes in World War I and early U.S. aviation. He is the author of six books including “The Merchant U-Boat” and “Escape,” “Pawns Of War” and “Find And destroy.” Messimer served in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1962 and was stationed in Berlin from 1957 to 1959. After being discharged, he served with the San Jose Police Department for twenty-two years and completed a graduate degree in history before beginning a career in teaching. Dwight and his wife live in Mountain View, California.
Other books by Dwight R. Messimer:
Other books of interest:
I Was Chaplain On The Franklin
The Independence Light Aircraft Carrier
