Commanding Canadians: The Second World War Diaries of A.F.C. Layard

Michael Whitby

UBC Press, 2007 - History - 320 pages

Commander A.F.C. Layard, RN, wrote almost daily in his diary, in bold, neat script, from the time he entered the Royal Navy as a cadet in 1913 until his retirement in 1947. The pivotal 1943-45 years of this edited volume offer an extraordinarily full and honest chronicle, revealing Layard’s preoccupations, both with the daily details and with the strain and responsibility of wartime command at sea.

Enhanced by Michael Whitby’s explanatory essays, the diary sheds light on the inshore anti-submarine campaign in British waters; discusses pivotal events such as the invasions of North Africa and Normandy and convoys to Russia; describes encounters with important personalities; and records the final surrender of German U-boats. It is a highly personal piece of history that greatly enhances our understanding of the Canadian naval experience and the Atlantic war as a whole.

A consummately well-researched work, Commanding Canadians will appeal to both naval scholars, as well as to general readers interested in military history.

Contents

• Like Cutting Butter: 3
• An Officer and His Diary: 9
• 1 One Does Get Tired of Them SeptemberDecember 1943: 30
• 2 Shaking Down JanuaryMarch 1944: 72
• 3 Overseas MarchMay 1944: 108
• 4 The Great Endeavour MayJuly 1944: 142
• 5 Exasperation Inshore JulyOctober 1944: 171
• 6 Deep Open Waters OctoberDecember 1944: 216
• 7 Wreck to Wreck Contact to Contact JanuaryMarch 1945: 257
• 8 Oasis of Comfort and Happiness MarchMay 1945: 305
• Respite: 338
• Career Highlights of Cdr AFC Layard DSO DSC RN: 340
• The Ships of EG 9: 342
• UBoats Destroyed by Ships Attached to EG 9: 343
• Notes: 344
• Selected Bibliography: 370
• Index: 373

About the author

Michael Whitby is Senior Naval Historian at the Canadian National Defence Headquarters.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Commanding Canadians: The Second World War Diaries of A.F.C. Layard; Volume 8 of Studies in Canadian Military History, ISSN 1499-6251
• Editor: Michael Whitby
• Edition: illustrated
• Publisher: UBC Press, 2007
• ISBN: 0774851678, 9780774851671
• Length: 320 pages
• Subjects: History / General; History / Military / Canada; History / Wars & Conflicts / World War II / European Theater; History / Wars & Conflicts / World War II / General