BATTLE DOWNUNDER [Paperback]

Charles W. Rush (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 9, 2005

After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor --December 7, 1941 -- American submarines loaded torpedoes and set out for combat in the western Pacific. They sent Japanese ships to the bottom of distant seas where all American and Allied surface ships had been destroyed. This is the story of one submarine that fought its way across the vast Pacific, through the East Indies, and down the Indian Ocean to Western Australia, the land Downunder. Based there, joined by other subs, the submarine STRIKER penetrated enemy strongholds in the Java and South China Seas and decimated convoys of ships laden with invasion troops and munitions. Many submarines never returned from their combat patrols. That did not diminish the courage and determination of those who survived.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

CAPTAIN CHARLES W. RUSH, JR., USN (RET.) GRADUATED FROM THE U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY IN 1941 AND FIRST SAW COMBAT ABOARD A DESTROYER IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC. WHEN HIS SHIP RETURNED TO PEARL HARBOR, HE VOLUNTEERED FOR SUBMARINE DUTY. HE SURVIVED SEVEN WAR PATROLS IN THE SUBMARINES THRESHER AND BILLFISH.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

BATTLE DOWNUNDER is fiction. It might, however, better be described as a "historical novel" because the events in the novel are synthesized from real events experienced by the author during his actual wartime battle experiences, and the characters are synthesized from actual persons involved in those experiences.

To give the reader a sense how closely BATTLE DOWNUNDER is tied to reality, we enclose a CITATION awarding the NAVY CROSS to the author. Remarkably, this award was given over half a century after the events. In 2001, after substantial research under the direction of Rear Admiral Paul Sullivan, Director of Submarine Warfare, the Navy recommended that its highest award, the NAVY CROSS, be given to Captain Charles W. Rush for actions in 1943.

On 9 January 2002, the President of the United States awarded the NAVY CROSS to Captain Rush for "Extraordinary Heroism While Engaged in Military Operations on 11 November 1943". The Citation is reproduced below.

The more than half-century delay in recognizing Captain Rush is a story of failure and deceit at the time of the Operations in 1943. Some of this story, in fictional form, is told in this book.

Product Details

• Paperback: 244 pages
• Publisher: Outskirts Press (January 9, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 193267263X
• ISBN-13: 978-1932672633
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,506,306 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars War on a Sub is Something Else, November 11, 2009

By 

Steve Holland "Steve Holland" (Warren, MI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: BATTLE DOWNUNDER (Paperback)

Very interesting book. Momentum builds as you get into book and goes strong through the end.

5.0 out of 5 stars A military-naval adventure with a touch of romance, February 25, 2006

By 

K. Trout "Kaye" (Pagosa Springs, CO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: BATTLE DOWNUNDER (Paperback)

"The submarine world of USS STRIKER, its brave officers and crew, the harrowing war patrols, life or death decisions, problems with malfunctioning torpedoes and naval politics . . . all come to life in these pages."

On January 9, 2002, the President of the United States awarded the NAVY CROSS to Captain Charles W. Rush, Jr. for Extraordinary Heroism While Engaged in Military Operations on 11 November l943. A copy of this citation with details of Captain Rush's heroism while on the submarine BILLFISH is included in this book.

Allow me to quote: "During 12 straight exhaustive hours at his Diving Officer post, his calm demeanor, innovative damage control actions, and demonstrated courage in the face of perceived certain disaster served as the major inspiration to the crew to keep them functioning after most had given up all hope of survival. After finally being relieved by another officer, Captain Rush proceed to the conning tower to assess the situation. He found the helm unmanned, the Captain and all senior officers still incapacitated, and no effective action being taken to counter the relentless depth charge attacks. Captain Rush, in a display of enlightened leadership immediately assumed the conn, obtained a helmsman, and proceed to direct evasive actions to elude the enemy above."

Judging from the detailed citation, much of this story is based on the true life experiences of Captain Rush. However, the story has not been written as a memoir or historical autobiography. It is written as a military-naval adventure with an element of romance, and the author states: "I have tried to illustrate the contrast between a ship commanded by a great captain and one with a washout in charge. There were many great captains. The one in this book is a generic composite."

The main character in this story is a Lieutenant (junior grade) Tom Rhett who volunteered for submarine duty, was supposed to attend submarine school, but the Navy ordered him to the STRIKER in Pearl Harbor and two weeks later he was on war patrol under Commander Michael J. Hanahan, U.S.N.

Through this story we see Tom evolve out of his submarine ignorance and initial panic into an officer who is responsible and holds himself accountable. The characterization of the officers, Tom and crew come to life particularly through their personal, off-duty experiences and relationships. We learn something about a particular part of WWII and the Japanese enemy. Tom and Heather's growing love weaves itself through the fabric of this story and adds a warm, human aspect to a trying time in history.

Battle Downunder definitely was a page-turner for me as I've been to sea, delivered yachts, lived and worked in small quarters with others. You'll definitely get some sense of what life was like in a war patrol submarine. Isn't that why we read?