Dark Nights, Deadly Waters: American PT Boats at Guadalcanal

296 pages

Hon. Group Captain Kevin Billings OBE

Perhaps the most important aspect of Keith Lloyd’s Dark Nights, Deadly Waters: American PT Boats at Guadalcanal is its relevance to the strategy the United States and its allies must develop in fighting the next maritime conflict in the Pacific. Dark Nights, Deadly Waters is a well-researched and engaging dive deep into the operations of the Patrol Torpedo (PT) boats, which played a significant role in the Pacific Theatre, particularly during the pivotal Guadalcanal campaign.

Lloyd paints a vivid picture of the significance of the PT boats’ missions and the harrowing experiences of the sailors who operated these swift and agile vessels that contributed disproportionally to the success that Admiral William ‘Bull’ Halsey and Destroyer Squadron 21 had in the Solomons. The illustrations, maps, and photographs complement the text by providing a rich visual context to the stories, allowing readers to grasp the scale of the conflict and the bravery of those involved.

The capability of the PT boats and the Mosquito Fleet of World War II enabled the stellar strategy of the Solomons campaign and offers several valuable lessons for today’s navies and strategists, particularly in the context of potential maritime conflicts in the Pacific against the Chinese Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).

The success of PT boats, which were small, fast, and heavily armed, demonstrated the effectiveness of asymmetrical tactics against larger, more powerful adversaries. Modern navies can adopt similar strategies by utilising today’s Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) and Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs). Lloyd’s narrative highlights the operational flexibility throughout the campaign of the versatile PT Boats in various roles, including anti-ship warfare, reconnaissance, and support for ground forces. USVs and UUVs can be programmed for a wide range of missions, from intelligence gathering to offensive operations. Similarly, their flexibility allows for rapid adaptation to changing operational needs. Both PT Boats and modern unmanned vehicles reflect innovative approaches to naval warfare, emphasising speed, agility, and the ability to operate effectively in unbalanced scenarios. While the technology and operational contexts have evolved significantly, the core principles of leveraging smaller, more agile platforms to counter larger adversaries remain relevant in contemporary maritime strategy.

One of the book’s strengths is its ability to humanise the war experience. Through interviews and firsthand accounts, Lloyd provides insights into the camaraderie, bravery, and occasional folly of the men who served on these boats. The emotional weight of their stories—filled with heroism, loss, and perseverance—transport readers to the turbulent nights spent patrolling the waters, waiting for enemy ships to engage, and navigating the complexities of warfare under extreme conditions.

No book about PT boats would be complete without a story of John F. Kennedy, Jr. as the commander of PT-109 during World War II. Lloyd’s version skilfully describes Kennedy as a young and charismatic officer, defying his Nazi appeasement-minded father, demonstrating remarkable leadership and bravery in the face of adversity. Kennedy is representative of the predominantly Ivy League cadre of officers drawn to the fast, sleek PT boats. Together, these leaders navigated the treacherous waters of the Pacific, showcasing not only their military skills but also their resilience and determination in the fight against Japanese forces. Their collective efforts contributed significantly to the effectiveness of the PT boat squadrons during the critical Guadalcanal campaign.

Dark Nights, Deadly Waters is an essential read for anyone interested in World War II history and naval warfare.  More significantly, today’s naval strategist and leaders should have it as ready reference as they plan for the future.