Winged Escort by Douglas Reeman (My Goodreads Review)

Winged Escort by Douglas Reeman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A BIG WOW! For this Douglas Reeman story. I always enjoy most of his War stories, but this one was exceptional. I think it is because I always feel compelled by aircraft carriers and have a particular interest in HMS Ark Royal and her Fairy Swordfish (Stringbags) during World War II. Therefore, I was seduced by the front cover. I know this is wrong but the story is even more exciting than the lavish and dramatic front cover.

In this tale, we go aboard an American made aircraft carrier, called HMS Growler, as she prepares for her mission to protect a convoy on route to Murmansk in the Soviet Union. We are introduced to various characters. The main man for the reader is twenty-six years old RNR pilot Tim Rowan.

HMS Growler uses the famed Fairy Swordfish and Seafires. Seafires are Fleet air arm marine version spitfires. The action throughout the story is splendid and very gripping indeed. There are submarine attacks, attacks in the Norwegian Fjords, head to head, cruiser and destroyer action. And this is just in the first half of the story on the Barent sea run. We then go to the Pacific where HMS Growler is with another battle group facing Japanese Kamikaze attacks.

If you love seafaring stories, this one is an absolute must. One of the most dynamic war stories I've ever read. Heroes, Villains, wet behind the ears boys coming of age and some not getting the chance. Plus a backdrop of winning the lady of his dreams. GREAT STUFF!

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Another Great Douglas Reeman Story - In Danger's Hour. (My Goodreads Review)

In Danger's Hour by Douglas Reeman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another very good WWII seafaring story from Douglas Reeman. This story takes place on board a minesweeper called HMS Rob Roy. It starts off in 1943 when the Rob Roy is doing coastal duties around Southern England. The ship has a young 28-year-old Captain Ransome. We are introduced to a number of the ship's crew. They are from diverse backgrounds. Some are likeable, some are loathsome and the young nieve to come of age etc. To be fair this is a usual WWII formate that Douglas Reeman often does. It works! We follow the crew members through their leave and love life. 

Then we go to Italy as the ship goes into action in the Mediterranean. The Axis powers have been driven from North Africa and the HMS Rob Roy is part of an enormous support group for the invasion of Sicily. Some of the action scenes are gripping. From this point on there is the prep work for D-Day 1944 when the Rob Roy returns for this new mission. All in all a good read for any fan of nautical war fiction.

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The Greatest Enemy by Douglas Reeman (My Goodreads Review)

The Greatest Enemy by Douglas Reeman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a fabulous and very gritty Royal Navy story. Most of Douglas Reeman’s stories are usually set in World War I or II. Especially II. This story is set in 1970. It concerns an old frigate named HMS Terrapin. The Terrapin is at the end of her service days. She is ready for the scrap yard or for sale to a developing nation. The ship is at Singapore when a new Captain is suddenly given charge of the languishing ship and over-relaxed crew. The Far East is a place that the United Kingdom is gradually withdrawing from. The Empire has gone and the Royal Navy is shrinking in size.

The new Captain is completely old school. Not suited for the modern day Navy. He is bubbling with aggressive patriotism and alive with no-nonsense enthusiasm. Lieutenant-Commander Standish is alarmed by the new Captain’s mad vigour. Yet through all of the bluster and tragic past of this no-nonsense man, there is a spark. The enthusiasm grips Standish and a loyalty begins to develop. The area of the sea they patrol is infested with pirate junks and smugglers. The Vietnam War is still going on and there are junks from the Mekong Delta.

HMS Terrapin is part of a wider naval mission or project with an American Admiral in overall command of the patrols up against the smuggling etc. There is also another British Captain attached to the American Admiral’s staff. A liaison officer. He is trying to ruin Terrapin’s new Commander.

The story becomes more gripping as the gun hoe Captain of the Terrapin gets it into his head that there is a bigger menace to deal with among the seafaring pirates and smugglers. Something connected with the Communist powers. The strange thing is… Lieutenant-Commander Standish thinks he might have a point.

I wished the British film industry would go back to making those old matinée pictures. This one would be an absolute sizzler. I could not put it down. I enjoyed every single page of this seafaring tale.

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