A comprehensively illustrated account of the
Atlanta-class cruisers, warships that found a surprising key role in the
Pacific War as the US Navys superb antiaircraft warships.
In the late 1930s, the US Navy created a class of small, light cruisers
intended as a versatile destroyer leader. The Atlantas could provide
antiaircraft support, lead and launch torpedo attacks, serve as antisubmarine
vessels, and outgun other light warships in a surface engagement. The wartime
reality was different. In every surface action they fought, they found
themselves pitted against bigger cruisers (or even battleships) instead of the
destroyers they were designed to defeat.
In this book, naval historian Mark Lardas explains that despite their flaws,
they proved one of the most useful warships in the US Navy: with a main battery
of sixteen 5in guns, they proved to be superb antiaircraft cruisers. From the
battle of Midway onwards, they protected the Navy’s most valuable ships – its
aircraft carriers – so effectively that later Atlantas were built to a modified
design as specialist antiaircraft ships. The Navy even ordered a follow-on
class postwar and considered building a super-Atlanta, armed only with heavy
antiaircraft guns.
Packed with illustrations, this book examines the history, development, and
modifications of these unusual warships, and their impact on the Pacific War.
About the Author
Mark Lardas has always been fascinated by things
related to the sea and sky. From building models of ships and aircraft as a
teen, he then studied Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, but his
interest in aviation led him to take a job on the then-new Space Shuttle
program, where he worked for the next 30 years as a navigation engineer.
Currently he develops commercial aircraft systems as a quality assurance
manager. He has written numerous books on military, naval or maritime history.
Stefan Draminski is a naval researcher and illustrator. Since 2002
he has worked on numerous publications on military history subjects. Using 3D
software, he creates highly detailed and historically accurate digital models
of warships, aircraft and vehicles. He is the author and illustrator of several
acclaimed recent titles in the Anatomy of the Ship series, most recently The
Aircraft Carrier Hiryu. He lives in Torun, Poland, with his wife,
children and dog.
