Underwater Warriors

LOOSELY INSERTED IS A SMALL CARD BEARING THE AUTOGRAPH OF IAN FRASER VC, US LEGION OF HONOR. A standard and well-illustrated survey incorporating several rare photographs. This is the much-needed re-issue of the original edition of 1996. Fraser's exploit in command of XE-3 is covered on pp. 178-182 and his award of the Victoria Cross on pp.181-2. Lt. Fraser was awarded the Victoria Cross for his daring attack on the Japanese heavy cruiser Takao in the Straits of Johor, Singapore on 31 July 1945. Fraser, in command of midget submarine XE-3, completed a long and dangerous infiltration through mined waters and successfully lowered his craft under the target, which lay atop a depression in the sea bed. His diver James Magennis left the craft to attach limpet mines to Takao's hull. Next, the XE-3's two main side-saddle charges had to be released, but the starboard charge became lodged and a nerve-wracking interval passed before Magennis could free it. Magennis then re-entered XE-3 and the craft escaped. The charges detonated successfully and the heavy cruiser settled on the bottom for the remainder of the war. Both Fraser and Magennis were awarded the Victoria Cross. Mulholland & Jordan, K14 (recording the first edition).