The Shame of Savo: Anatomy of a Naval Disaster (Bluejacket Books)

This is a controversial look at the events surrounding the Allied disaster of the battles of Savo Island and Guadalcanal, and the sinking of the "Canberra". Bruce Loxton (who served on the Canberra) and Chris Coulthard-Clark confront the American perception of Australian culpabilty in the disaster, questioning the competence of US Allied forces: Why did the US destroyer "Chicago" fail to join the battle and wander off westward, leaving landing anchorages exposed to enemy action? What prompted the decision to abandon the "Canberra" and salvage the USS "Astoria"? Why was there a certain unwillingness in subsequent US analyses to acknowledge what had really happened? Compelling evidence is presented that the "Canberra" was crippled by "friendly fire" - hit on the starboard side while engaging the enemy to port. "The Shame of Savo" looks at the various investigations made into the disaster, discusses the accuracy (or otherwise) of their conclusions and looks to wider reasons why the Allies performed so badly. It is a piece of naval detective work.