This book tells the story of the Royal Australian Navy in the years following the Second World War - an optimistic and confident period when the RAN took to the skies with the commissioning of Australia's first aircraft carrier, HMAS Sydney, in 1949.
Government policy of the era called for an ambitious program of expansion to create a strong navy for Australia - one that could operate on its own in a variety of war situations or as a valuable ally to other forces. Lessons learnt in elaborate exercises with British, New Zealand and other allied navies were put to a demanding test when the RAN entered the Korean War.
'Wings and the Navy' also looks at the experiences of naval men from every rank - men who saw themselves as founding a new and fine tradition in a navy whose wartime achievements had already been great.
This book is illustrated with many pictures taken of the operations of ships and aircraft, as well as comprehensive details of their specifications.
Contents:
Introduction
1. Building a New Navy
2. Showing the Flag
3. The End of the Beginning
4. His Majesty's Australian Fleet
5. Anzac Brothers
6. The Shadow of the New Year
7. The Life of the Ship
8. The Test of Battle
9. The Way Forward
Afterword
Glossary
Appendices
Bibliography
Notes
Index
