Cruise of the Lanikai: Incitement to WarIn early December 1941 in the Philippines, a young Navy ensign named Kemp Tolley was given his first ship command, an old 76-foot schooner that had once served as a movie prop in John Ford's "The Hurricane." Crewed mostly by Filipinos who did not speak English and armed with a cannon that had last seen service in the Spanish-American War, the Lanikai was under top-secret presidential orders to sail south into waters where the Japanese fleet was thought to be. Ostensibly the crew was to spy on Japanese naval movements, but to Tolley it was clear that their mission was to create an incident that would provoke war. Events overtook the plan, however, when Pearl Harbor was bombed before the Lanikaicould get underway. When Bataan and Corregidor fell, she was ordered to set sail for Australia and became one of the few U.S. naval vessels to escape the Philippines. In this book Tolley tells the saga of her great adventure during these grim, early days of the war and makes history come alive as he regales the reader with details of the operation and an explanation of President Roosevelt's order. Tolley's description of their escape in Japanese warship-infested waters ranks with the best of sea tales, and few will be able to forget the Lanikai's 4,000-mile, three-month odyssey. |
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... Pacific, when the Army and Navywere really fighting individual wars,and learned lessons that reshaped basic U.S. military philosophy. Those interested in the strategic direction of armed forces and in the commandand control of these ...
... Pacific, when the Army and Navywere really fighting individual wars,and learned lessons that reshaped basic U.S. military philosophy. Those interested in the strategic direction of armed forces and in the commandand control of these ...
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... Pacific, informationto Admiral Hart, that, “Pressure is stillbeing exertedtosend reinforcements to the Asiatic Fleet. I am continuing to advise against such a stepbutmay be overruled.” There were only two people in a position to do this ...
... Pacific, informationto Admiral Hart, that, “Pressure is stillbeing exertedtosend reinforcements to the Asiatic Fleet. I am continuing to advise against such a stepbutmay be overruled.” There were only two people in a position to do this ...
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... Pacific on what the Americans weredoing or planning. What Hartand Kimmelalso never were told was that as of threeweeks later, “Kirk” (Director ofONI)would be innoposition to carry outhisaforesaid “responsibilities.” On 14 April 1941 ...
... Pacific on what the Americans weredoing or planning. What Hartand Kimmelalso never were told was that as of threeweeks later, “Kirk” (Director ofONI)would be innoposition to carry outhisaforesaid “responsibilities.” On 14 April 1941 ...
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... Pacific Fleet that our socalled “bastion of the Pacific,” the Philippines—not to mention the Netherlands East Indies and Malaya— counted forvital support, either asa sourceof direct reinforcement or of powerful diversionary action. In ...
... Pacific Fleet that our socalled “bastion of the Pacific,” the Philippines—not to mention the Netherlands East Indies and Malaya— counted forvital support, either asa sourceof direct reinforcement or of powerful diversionary action. In ...
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... Pacific Fleet Amphibious Force, highly regardedby many. Bode,“the melancholy Dane” as he was sometimes called, probably brooding over the American disgrace, committed suicidethe following spring. * Rear AdmiralClaude C. Bloch, 14th ...
... Pacific Fleet Amphibious Force, highly regardedby many. Bode,“the melancholy Dane” as he was sometimes called, probably brooding over the American disgrace, committed suicidethe following spring. * Rear AdmiralClaude C. Bloch, 14th ...
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