Book, HMAS MK III - The RAN's Third Book, 1951

Historical information

This book tells of the mounting sea power of the Allies told by men of the RAN who with their ships have added the weight of their blows to the common effort. It tells stories of which the Royal Australian Navy may be proud.

Significance

This volume is a further unfolding of the story of WWII which because of its nature as a world wide conflict, is so largely the story of sea power and its influence on the final outcome

Physical description

HMAS MK III - The RAN's Third Book. Green hardcover with black text and Navy insignia on front cover, text on spine. Inside front and back cover green sepia drawing of a fleet of Navy ships. Graphs, drawings, photographs, maps, poems.

Inscriptions & markings

Tribute - Grey she is
and stately
Young alive
and shapely
Lissome, yes, and graceful, With perfect lines
of elegance and dignity
Her noble, lovely head
She nods and shakes,
With confidence to face
Whatever may come.
She nurses me
And nourishes;
Shields me, gives me courage.
Alone
I have been with her, when afraid.
And in a crowd
of friends,
both hers and mine.
Through conflict tense,
with element or foe;
through danger from above and from below.
Through anguish keen
Of loss, of death, of pain.
Through gaiety, through joy victorious and safe
She is my life,
my only love,
My ship.

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