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Reviewed by Richard Taylor for The Review, Journal for the Naval Historical Collectors & Research Association
THIS BOOK is a follow-up in similar format to the earlier Seaman's Pocket-Book 1943, re-issued by Conway in September 2006.The present book, compiled and edited by Lavery, brings together a number of official pamphlets issued during the war to provide advice to officers on a wide range of subjects. The section on leadership is well worth reading because it is as relevant today as it was more than sixty years ago - and not just to those in the armed forces.
Lavery provides an informative ten-page introduction and commentary on the seven pamphlets, which range from "The Officer's Aide Memoire", through "Your Ship" to "Dealing with Mutiny". He opens with a quote from the late Sir Alec Guinness who, as an RNVR officer, commanded an infantry landing craft. He said: "My own lack of know-how and swift, rash judgements hampered the Allied Cause like small but irritating gnatbites."
It was inexperience such as this that led to the pamphlets chosen by Lavery who highlights the fact they deal with almost every aspect of life in the Navy, except for fighting and technical subjects such as engineering. There are occasional hints of some of the problems that led to the need for the original wartime pamphlets. The chapter entitled "Your Ship" has a section dealing with petty officers. It says: "They (petty officers) are the connecting link between the Officers and the men. At present the tendency is for them to be too close to the men and too distant from the Officers. It is your duty as Captain to rectify this tendency..." One suspects that on many ships this would have been a hard nut to crack.
This is a book bound to appeal to those who served afloat during the Second World War or in the years immediately after. It will also attract anyone else who is seeking a more thorough understanding of Britain's wartime navy and the way it worked.
Lavery provides an informative ten-page introduction and commentary on the seven pamphlets, which range from "The Officer's Aide Memoire", through "Your Ship" to "Dealing with Mutiny". He opens with a quote from the late Sir Alec Guinness who, as an RNVR officer, commanded an infantry landing craft. He said: "My own lack of know-how and swift, rash judgements hampered the Allied Cause like small but irritating gnatbites."
It was inexperience such as this that led to the pamphlets chosen by Lavery who highlights the fact they deal with almost every aspect of life in the Navy, except for fighting and technical subjects such as engineering. There are occasional hints of some of the problems that led to the need for the original wartime pamphlets. The chapter entitled "Your Ship" has a section dealing with petty officers. It says: "They (petty officers) are the connecting link between the Officers and the men. At present the tendency is for them to be too close to the men and too distant from the Officers. It is your duty as Captain to rectify this tendency..." One suspects that on many ships this would have been a hard nut to crack.
This is a book bound to appeal to those who served afloat during the Second World War or in the years immediately after. It will also attract anyone else who is seeking a more thorough understanding of Britain's wartime navy and the way it worked.
Product Description
'The art of command is...to be the complete master, and yet the complete friend of every man on board; the temporal lord and yet the spiritual brother of every rating; to be detached and yet not dissociated.' "A Seaman's Pocket-Book", 1943, re-issued by Conway in September 2006, has found huge appeal with the British public. Presented in the same format, the "Officer's Handbook" gathers together useful advice and instruction for those naval officers fighting the Second World War on all aspects of their job, expressed in the benevolent language of the day, when authority was respected. The Handbook has been compiled and edited by Brian Lavery, who provides commentary and an introduction. Sections include: the Officer's Aid Memoire containing notes of the training course at one of the officer training schools; Notes for medical officers and treatment of battle casualties afloat; Notes for captains on taking command of their first ship; Notes for commanding officers; and, Notes on the handling and safety of ships and notes on dealing with disobedience and mutiny. While suffused with nostalgia and charm, the various contents of this book are an authentic presentation of matters of training, authority and deportment in the wartime navy. The book is sure to appeal not only to those who served in the war or had a relative who was in the officer class, but also to anyone who wants to gain a greater understanding of the day-to-day administration of the wartime navy.
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