This book tells the story of the Royal Australian Navy in the years following the Second World War - an optimistic and confident period when the RAN took to the skies with the commissioning of Australia's first aircraft carrier, "HMAS Sydney" in 1949. Government policy of the era called for an ambitious programme of expansion to create a strong navy for Australia - one that could operate on its own in a variety of war situations or as a valuable ally to other forces. Lessons learnt in elaborate exercises with British, New Zealand and other allied navies were put to a demanding test when the RAN entered the Korean War.
This book also looks at the experiences of naval men from every rank - men who saw themselves as founding a new and fine tradition in a navy whose wartime achievements had already been great. It is illustrated with many pictures of the operations of ships and aircraft, as well as comprehensive details of their specifications.
