I initially got this book because one of our staff members is a naval battle enthusiast and I wondered if it was something he would be able to use in class. In addition, I am always looking to upgrade our non-fiction collection. As this is not an area I know much about I did not expect to enjoy this title as much as I did. I was intrigued by the evolution of night warcraft on the sea, learning much more than I expected. I do think, if I am being realistic, that this book will have a limited appeal and not circulate with record-breaking numbers. However, I was happily able to tell my peer that we would be gaining a new book as soon as I could order a copy.

I enjoyed this book. It’s funny how it was able to stick with me. I started reading this book Back in May, got away from reading for quite some time yet I still had this book with me when I picked it back up to finish it.

To Own the Sea at Night

Nighttime is the right time for a naval battle; at least during the 20th century. Eighty percent of the surface actions were fought at night then. Before that, during the age of fighting sail, only ten percent of battles occurred at night.

“Fighting in the Dark: Naval Combat at Night: 1904-1944,” edited by Vincent P. O’Hara and Trent Hone, explores the reason for that change. It looks at nighttime naval actions fought over a 40-year period.

It contains seven essays by eight noted naval historians. Each examines the naval night-fighting doctrine of different navies in different conflicts: The Russo-Japanese War, World War I, and World War II. These examine the Imperial Japanese Navy in the Russo-Japanese War and between 1922 and 1942, The German Kaiserliche Marine during World War I, the Royal Navy between 1916 and 1939 and in 1943-44, and the United States Navy from 1942 through 1944.

The Japanese were the first to focus on night actions, using night attacks in the Russo-Japanese War. They were less effective than they believed. Readers leave that chapter thinking the successes Japan had were largely due to Russian errors. Similarly, Imperial Germany trained hard for night torpedo attacks, but used flawed doctrine, rendering them ineffective.

These essays show Japan, the United States, and especially Britain, developed effective night-fighting doctrine. Japan and Britain learned from night-battle miscarriages in prior wars – the Russo-Japanese for Japan and World War I for Britain – which were applied in the early phases of World War II. Italy, by contrast, entered World War II unprepared for nighttime actions, and paid heavily.

The United States Navy mastered nighttime combat during World War II. Along with the Royal Navy, they relied on technology to leap ahead of their foes. Radar and especially the Combat Information Center (developed independently and concurrently by both) stripped away cover of darkness and made both navies deadly at night. Japan, which previously owned the nighttime seas, was eclipsed and never realized why.

Each chapter offers different lessons and insights. Some universal lessons appear in all chapters. Battle at night is hard. Control is difficult. Results are universally overestimated. Situational awareness is the key to success. The side that maintains it best is the side that usually wins.

For those interested in naval history, “Fighting in the Dark” is a gem. It is readable, giving readers insight and understanding of the issues involved in night actions.

“Fighting in the Dark: Naval Combat at Night: 1904-1944,” edited by Vincent P. O’Hara and Trent Hone, Naval Inst Press, 2023, 305 pages, $39.95 (Hardcover), $28.99 (Ebook)

This review was written by Mark Lardas, who writes at Ricochet as Seawriter. Mark Lardas, an engineer, freelance writer, historian, and model-maker, lives in League City, TX. His website is marklardas.com.

An interesting look at how naval surface military encounters at night evolved from the beginning of the 20th century through WWII. Technology and different military tactics saw an increase of almost double the number of intentional engagements. It also proves the old adage that no battle plan survives the encounter, or something to that affect. Not matter what the technology, it requires training, quick actions and intelligence to make the best out of any situation.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

When I selected this book to read and review, I did not think that I would enjoy it. Boy, was I wrong! If you like military history this is a book that you are going to buy and read. It is both an exciting and fun read. I did have to deduct one star because the tables in this book are unreadable in the KIndle format.

A great insight into the evolving science and tactics of sea warfare during WW2. The author does an outstanding job of weaving the technological advances into a story that includes various naval actions fought with first hand accounts from those involved. A terrific read!

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is a beautiful and insightful chunk of history. It’s organized well enough that you could read this in any which way that helps your needs/wants along. Even if this particular topic isn’t one that feeds your interests I can easily say that this book can and likely will peak your interest.

I received this e-book free for a genuine review.

I have just completed my read of "Fighting in the Dark: Naval Combat at Night, 1904-1944," edited by Vincent O'Hara and Trent Hone and published by the Naval Institute Press. I am working from an ARC graciously provided to me by the publisher. As the title suggests, the book is a collection of essays examining 7 specific timeframes and conflicts between 1904 and 1944. It is organized by nation states, thereby allowing the editors to frame and contrast the evolution of night fighting in modern naval warfare. It might sound a bit off putting, but it actually works quite well as an editorial organizational principle. The far ranging essays include detailed discussions of naval strategy, politics, and the technical innovation which both defines and propels the events described. As might be expected, this is a well researched and interesting text aimed principally at a scholarly audience seeking to understand the evolution of naval warfare as practiced at night in the modern era. Keeping that in mind, there is no question that it hits the mark. The contributors whose essays inform the work are obviously very knowledgable in their respective areas of concentration, but despite the wide ranging nature of the work in both time and region, the editors do a superb job of keeping a tight focus on their major topic that makes it a compelling read for those interested in the topic. It belongs on the shelves of every student of naval warfare in general and specifically of the development of naval warfare at night as a unique form particularly dominated by technological developments. Every research institution with specific concerns regarding technology and military affairs should have a copy of this readily available to interested parties.

Militaries of today rely on computers, night vision, and thermal imaging when the need to fight in the dark arises. In the early 20th century though, these helpful tools didn't exist. This book brings together experts on Russian, Italian, British, American, German and Japanese navies, and uses major battle such as WWI, Russo-Japanese War, WWII, and even the inter-war period (1919-1938) to illustrate the challenges faced by these countries in modernizing their naval tactics. How these countries came to grips with advancing techniques and abilities is the theme that connects all of the separate essays. This book can be read cover to cover, or read with a focus on a specific period or navy.