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book: Commanding Canadians
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Commanding Canadians

The Second World War Diaries of A.F.C. Layard
  • Edited by:
Language: English
Published/Copyright: 2007

About this book

Commander A.F.C. Layard, RN, wrote almost daily in his diary, in bold, neat script, from the time he entered the Royal Navy as a cadet in 1913 until his retirement in 1947. The pivotal 1943-45 years of this edited volume offer an extraordinarily full and honest chronicle, revealing Layard’s preoccupations, both with the daily details and with the strain and responsibility of wartime command at sea.

Enhanced by Michael Whitby’s explanatory essays, the diary sheds light on the inshore anti-submarine campaign in British waters; discusses pivotal events such as the invasions of North Africa and Normandy and convoys to Russia; describes encounters with important personalities; and records the final surrender of German U-boats. It is a highly personal piece of history that greatly enhances our understanding of the Canadian naval experience and the Atlantic war as a whole.

A consummately well-researched work, Commanding Canadians will appeal to both naval scholars, as well as to general readers interested in military history.

Author / Editor information

Michael Whitby is Senior Naval Historian at the Canadian National Defence Headquarters.

Reviews

Commanding Canadians is an important new contribution to the history of the Battle of the Atlantic ... Whitby has edited this important diary very well, and it can therefore be recommended to all ... --- Michael Whitby writes that readers of Layard's wartime diary 'will find a very human story of a man struggling to maintain his way in difficult circumstances and under enormous pressures. His success marks a triumph of the human spirit over adversity, and deserves to be known.' Absolutely. --- If there was one book I wish I had had a chance to read early in my career, this is it. Commanding Canadians is a gripping history of a small part of the Battle of the Atlantic, a fascinating picture of the realities of life at sea and ashore throught extended periods of operations and, most valuably, a wonderful case study of leadership.

Topics

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    Front Matter

    i
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    Contents

    vii
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    Maps and Photographs

    ix
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    Acknowledgments

    xi
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    Abbreviations

    xiii
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    Prologue: Like Cutting Butter

    3
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    Introduction: An Officer and His Diary

    9
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    One Does Get Tired of Them, September-December 1943

    30
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    Shaking Down, January-March 1944

    72
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    Overseas, March-May 1944

    108
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    The Great Endeavour, May-July 1944

    142
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    Exasperation Inshore, July-October 1944

    171
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    Deep Open Waters, October-December 1944

    216
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    Wreck to Wreck, Contact to Contact, January-March 1945

    257
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    Oasis of Comfort and Happiness, March-May 1945

    305
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    Epilogue: Respite

    338
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    Career Highlights of Commander A.F.C. Layard, DSO, DSC, RN

    340
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    The Ships of EG 9

    342
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    U-Boats Destroyed by Ships Attached to EG 9

    343
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    Notes

    344
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    Selected Bibliography

    370
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    Index

    373
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Publishing information
Pages and Images/Illustrations in book
eBook published on:
August 15, 2023
eBook ISBN:
9780774851671
Pages and Images/Illustrations in book
Main content:
320
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https://doi.org/10.59962/9780774851671
eBook ISBN: 9780774851671
Audience(s) for this book
For an expert adult audience, including professional development and academic research
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