If you collect any type of World War II militaria you will sooner or later come across a Nazi buckle. If you are fascinated by the artwork and the quality of construction or you want to know what it is worth; you need this book for your militaria library. This book will help you in many ways: tells you the approximate value of the buckle in today's militaria market; what organization it was used by; when and who made it; detailed photographs help you determine whether the buckle is an original or a reproduction; unlike other belt buckle books measurements are provided in inches rather than in decimals; provides research sources for more detailed study. Prices of Nazi belt buckles have risen dramatically over the past five years due to a limited supply of original buckles. This book opens the door to a fascinating militaria collectible with a most remarkable history.
#221101 in Books Mike Ostlund 2011-11-08Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.90 x 1.50 x 6.00l; 1.75 #File Name: 0762772824560 pagesFind Em Chase Em Sink Em The Mysterious Loss of the WWII Submarine USS Gudgeon
Review
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Found my Dad - thank you! Find 'Em; Chase 'Em; Sink 'Em: The Mysterious Loss of the WWII Submarine USS GudgeonBy Laura FranklinI just have to share this with people *ex-military" I know who will understand. I had a nice reminder of my Dad today (he died 2 years ago in July). I wish he had stayed alive long enough to read this and talk to me about it. My half-brother told me about the book called "Find 'Em; Chase 'Em; Sink 'Em: The Mysterious Loss of the WWII Submarine USS Gudgeon." I've just started it at the first page and will read all the way through. I never heard much about this sub during my early life; but I knew of most of the others he served on. He never talked about Pearl Harbor; but there were lots of photos of him and his big brother; Bill Bland; who was also in the Navy; horsing around in Hawaii. When I got the book today; I did a search on the Bland name and it came up in 2 different chapters. The first time it comes up is funny because my Dad could only have been 3 days away from his 18th birthday; and it sounds exactly like something he would do. It occurs in the book as the sub was limping home from a patrol that had emptied them of torpedoes and all other firepower. They were returning from Australia. My father was RMC Edward L. Bland; Jr. He loved to write and draw cartoons and loved a good prank.Quote: "Gudgeon dove and arrived at Pearl Harbor on the surface on day forty-two of the patrol; May 25; 1943. It must have been quite a sight. The Navy band on shore was playing the customary military songs. Civilians and military personnel alike had hurriedly lined up to watch as the USS Gudgeon slowly crept forward; the chugging diesel engines competing with the band. The haggard; proud; and relieved men on the deck handling the lines were as white as a sheet. Brass eagerly waited on shore to jump on board and congratulate Bill Post and the others for the very fine patrol. On the way to the barn; Bill Post had approved of an addition to the submarine. One of the submariners; Edward Bland; had painted a kangaroo holding a torpedo on the forward side of the conning tower as Gudgeon was heading home on the surface." End Quote.My brother said that he remembered having a set of drinking glasses that had the kangaroo/torpedo mascot on them. I don't remember those; but I do remember Dad tooling copper pictures of all the different subs in the fleet; with their mascots/logos and selling them with the personal name and rank of the sailors to make a bit of extra money from the time we were in Key West. They were very popular - he even did some in France; where his only shore duty was to the Naval Attache as a cryptographer. He used to smell up the whole house with the sulphur he used to cure the copper.It's fun to hear stories of my teenaged Dad; who looked tall as a mountain to me; especially in dress uniform; called the copy boy for the Gud! He always ended up being the newsletter editor for his boats - I love hearing this kind of stuff about him. Can you imagine?! Just 17-18 years old. My Mom always said that when Dad was promoted to Chief he was the youngest chief in the Navy; because he had lied about his age when he enlisted. This book is making me realize just how young our sailors and soldiers really were. Dad rarely talked about the war - I know he went to Korea; too; but know absolutely nothing about what he did in that conflict.Dad later was on another sub that got famous; the Balao was the one painted pink for the movie Operation Petticoat. By then; Dad was a petty officer and had to act like he thought it was all "beneath" him. Now I know better! He also served on the Devilfish; Grouper; the T2 or Marlin (one of two very small subs); and ultimately ended his Navy career as Chief of the boat on the USS Patrick Henry; nuclear sub. After two years of trying to live as far away from water as possible in Oklahoma; Dad gave in to his yearning to be under water; and joined Woods Hole Oceanogaphic Institute as a pilot of ALVIN.The other mention of Dad in the book is also quite humorous; but you'd have to have a lot of background and it's a long story; so I will spare you all. It involved brussels sprouts 3 days a week and ballast tanks being blown - you can find the rest of the story in the book if you want. Even though I haven't yet finished the book; I wanted to let the author know how thrilled I was to find it. It's too bad I have to find out about my Dad's past from books instead of from him; but I got such a kick out of it.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. As authentic as DasBoot!By Quentin RyanI've read many books on World WarII and submarine warfare. This is the best I've read. The writer puts you in the submarine; experiencing the stale air and the concussions of the depth charges. For a 'first time' writer he tells the story with such ease and grace that one is reminded of Antony Beevor or James Michener. Not only is his writing good but his research is extensive and accurate. From archival research and interviews of submariners he weaves a story that shows the compassion and dedication of the silent service and ultimately unravels the mystery of the loss of the Gudgeon. A must read for anyone interested in submarine warfare!1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. ExcellentBy Susan J. KreyeI read just about any WWII history book I can get my hands on; be it navy; army; air corp or marines. "Fine Em; Chase Em;Sink Em" was one of the best I've read. The selflessness of this and all brave crews living in cramped; smelly; over heated tin cans is amazing. I doubt any of us could have done it; that's why they are called "The Greatest Generation".
