{"product_id":"9781472868589","title":"USS Princeton: The Life and Loss of Sweet P","description":"Author: Leick, David R.\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 9781472868589\u003cbr\u003ePublisher: Bloomsbury\u003cbr\u003eYear first published: 04 Feb 2025\u003cbr\u003ePages: 304 Format: Hardback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAn in-depth history of the US Navy s light aircraft carrier the USS \u003ci\u003ePrinceton\u003c\/i\u003e and its operational exploits in the Pacific Theater of World War II.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe USS \u003ci\u003ePrinceton\u003c\/i\u003e (CVL-23)  joined the Pacific fleet in August 1943 and was immediately put to work as the United States was assembling new ships and crews for the drive across the Central Pacific. \u003ci\u003ePrinceton\u003c\/i\u003e participated in initial Central Pacific raids, played a key role in conducting multiple strikes against the Japanese bastion at Rabaul, and then joined Task Force 58, The Fast Carrier Task Force, for the drive across the Central Pacific culminating in the invasion of the of the Philippines, where the ship was lost.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eThe \u003ci\u003ePrinceton\u003c\/i\u003e started life as the as the Cleveland-class light cruiser Tallahassee before being converted to a light carrier as part of the plan to ramp up the strength of US naval air power. The \u003ci\u003ePrinceton\u003c\/i\u003e was at the forefront of the US Navy s efforts to take the heavily defended islands of the Central Pacific from Japanese possession, which focused on using strike aircraft from Princeton and the other carriers to both clear the skies of Japanese aircraft before wreaking havoc on enemy installations, shipping, and other key targets.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eIn \u003ci\u003eLife and Death of  Sweet P ,\u003c\/i\u003e first-time author David R. Leick uses first-hand accounts from archives such as the Naval History and Heritage Command to examine the campaigns, aircraft, tactics, command decisions, and life aboard ship during the American Pacific campaign against Japan from early 1943 until Princeton s tragic demise in October 1944. The book focusses closely on the crew and airmen of the Princeton, telling the story how Fighting 27 became the highest scoring light carrier squadron of the war, producing 11 aces with five achieving  ace-in-a-day  status, as well as describing in detail the toll that prolonged combat operations took on the frontline sailor.","brand":"Ships in 10 to 15 days","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46655859425438,"sku":"UBD-9781472868589","price":54.78,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0400\/9043\/5742\/files\/9781472868589.jpg?v=1774835687","url":"https:\/\/classicbargains.com.au\/products\/9781472868589","provider":"Classic Bargains Australia","version":"1.0","type":"link"}