David Doyle Books News #55

80 Years Ago Today, History Was Made!

Dear Friends,
 
Today, when it seems so many are concerned not with doing what is right, but doing with doing what looks good, we should remember those who dared to do what was right - even if there was risk - even great risk, involved.

Eighty years ago today, 20 June 1944, the Battle of the Philippine Sea was in its second, and final, day.  This remains history’s largest carrier vs carrier battle, with 24 carriers and 1,350 carrier-based warplanes.  While American fliers, operating from the famed fast-carrier Task Force 58, were so decisive in their aerial combat, that part of the engagement became known as the Great Marianas Turkey Shoot, that was only a part of the battle.  Another allied goal was elimination of the Japanese carrier fleet.  In mid-afternoon on 20 June a searching aircraft located the Japanese fleet and radioed the course and position of the carrier force.  The commander of the US force, Marc Mitscher launched a 240-aircraft strike force, with both he and his men knowing that the enemy was at the limit of the range of the Hellcats, Avengers, Helldivers and Dauntlesses, and that the aircraft would be returning deep in the night, to a fleet operating in total blackout conditions, without benefit of todays sophisticated navigational aids.

Two American leaders risked their careers to do the “right” thing, disobeying orders.  Aboard Hornet Rear Admiral J.J. Clark knew his fliers could not find their carrier and ordered the carrier’s powerful searchlight beamed upward – the columns of light standing out in the pitch black.  Admiral Marc A. Mitscher, also hearing the engines of the American aircraft as they vainly sought their carrier homes in absolute darkness, quickly consulted his Chief of Staff, Arleigh Burke concerning any potential enemy threats, then signaled the fleet with what would become the most famous order of his distinguished career, “Turn on the lights.”

With his order, the ships of TF-58 mimicked the action of Hornet, turning their searchlights upward and switching them on. While Mistscher had wanted only the carrier searchlights illuminated, ALL the ships turned on their lights, making the US fleet readily visible to friend and foe alike. Of the 240 aircraft launched, 14 had aborted early due to mechanical issues, twenty were lost to Japanese air defenses, 66 ditched, but 140 were recovered by American carriers, now able to find the brilliantly illuminated task force..

Mitcsher’s order was not spur of the moment – his staff had recently assembled a plan to turn on the carrier’s lights if the pilots were lost, and if the risk could be minimized  – but still in defiance to the Navy standard practice of complete blackout – but it was still risky.  Fortunately, no enemy forces were in the area, and the Naval high command turned a blind eye to this action, thus the lives of many and careers of a few were saved.

To commemorate the gutsy moves – with measured risk – of Mitscher, Clark and the naval aviators who had taken off that afternoon not knowing of the plan to light their return – we are offering an extra 10% off all of our books about US aircraft carriers and carrier-borne aircraft, both prop and jet, from now until Monday 23 June.  Just enter the discount code “lights” during checkout to get the additional discount off our already low prices. (please note, this discount can't be combined with any other offer or reservation arrivals, and setting up the coding for this sale was complex. I may have missed a few titles - so if seems the discount didn't apply properly, contact me and I'll make it right.)
 
This week we have added MANY new titles to our stock at  DavidDoyleBooks.com across many categories, so browse.  Also arriving this week were the latest Model Airplane International; Tamiya Model Magazine, and Model Military International magazines, as well as a new book about he F-5 Tiger/Freedom Fighter and a restock of Classic Warship titles.

As mentioned in our Wednesday special edition, we are now taking reservations on SEVERAL books that will be arriving over the next few weeks.  The reservation period these books is VERY short - on most of them reservations close on Sunday 22 June (this Sunday).  Don't miss out on these great books about Jeeps, WWI aircraft modelling, the M14 rifle, the Dassualt Mystere, the Vickers machine gun, plus new editions from PanzerWrecks and Through the Lens and a host of other titles! 

In particular I'd like to point out THE definitive book about machine gun mounts, pintles and cradles - if you are going to equip your military vehicle with a weapon - whether full-size or scale model - you need this book!

We've noticed that some of you are reserving books from muttiple email addresses.  Please don't do that unless you plan on actually buying more than one copy.  We buy a book for each reservation placed - thus if someone reserves a book with their home email, work email, and wife's email - we buy three books. You can see how this would quickly become expensive for us!
 
Also, it seems to be the case with increasing regularity, some of our inbound books were damaged in transit.  We are offering those copies at deep discounts here. We added more to this page just last night.

Finally, we'd like to announce the winner of our drawing - Thomas Hopkins!  Thomas, if you'll email us from the address you used to register, we'll arrange to ship your giant set of Dodge books to you!
 
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We remain honored and grateful to have your business.

Sincerely,

David and Denise

https://daviddoylebooks.com