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Synopsis
Winning the Battle of the Atlantic was critical to Britain's survival in the Second World War. The British Merchant Navy suffered enormous losses of both ships and men, particularly in the early years of the war. Sailing through U-boat wolf-packs across the Atlantic, or on the perilous routes to Malta and Murmansk, took a special kind of courage. Ships often sank within minutes of being torpedoed. Survivors is the history of this epic struggle. It is a graphic account of how the ships were attacked and sunk, how crews reacted, how they attempted to launch their lifeboats and how they ended up swimming or clinging to debris, or making long voyages in lifeboats or on rafts. Death might come at any stage, yet the will to live and the resourcefulness and skill of the seamen enabled a surprising number to survive.
"There was a terrific smash and everything was pandemonium on deck. The wheel house collapsed on top of me and I was trapped by the concrete slabs which had fallen on me and pinned me to the deck. I think that the ship sank in about thirty seconds after breaking in two ... Although I was trapped, I could see everything over my head. The stern burst into flames and I saw flames forward. I could see the water coming up and coming over my head. The ship hit the bottom and turned over, the debris was thrown off me and I was released and I came to the surface."--Sinking of SS Abukir, 28 May 1940
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About the Author
G H Bennett is Reader in History and Head of Humanities at the University of Plymouth.
Review
"The Bennetts' book is extensively referenced, with more than 30 pages of notes and bibliography alone, and well illustrated.""If you have any merchant seamen in your family, this thorough history can only increase your admiration and respect."
Author article in the BBC History Magazine (Historiographer)
"The Bennetts' book is extensively referenced, with more than 30 pages of notes and bibliography alone, and well illustrated.""If you have any merchant seamen in your family, this thorough history can only increase your admiration and respect." (Sanford Lakoff)
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherBloomsbury Academic
- Publication date2003
- ISBN 10 1852851821
- ISBN 13 9781852851828
- BindingHardcover
- Number of pages304
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SURVIVORS: BRITISH MERCHANT SEAMEN: British Merchant Seamen in the Second World War
Published by
Hambledon Continuum, London, 1999
ISBN 10: 1852851821
ISBN 13: 9781852851828
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: Flying Danny Books, Netosu, OR, U.S.A.
Seller rating 1 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. 1st Edition. A new looking book and D.J. that is clean tight with unmarked pages. Winning the Battle of the Atlantic was critical to Britain's survival in World War II. If the struggle at sea had been lost, Britain would have been forced to surrender. The British Merchant Navy suffered enormous losses, both of ships and men, particularly in the early years. Sailing through U-boat wolf-packs across the Atlantic, or on the perilous routes to Malta and Murmansk, took a special kind of courage. Ships often sank within moments of being torpedoed. This book tells, in graphic detail, of the epic struggle against the Germans, Italians and Japanese, and, in particular, what actually happened when a ship was sunk by mine, aircraft, surface raider or U-boat. The resourcefulness and skill of the seamen enabled a surprising number to survive, including those making long voyages in lifeboats or on rafts. Throughout the War, efforts were made not only to increase the chances of survival by destroying enemy submarines, but also by improving life-saving equipment and rescue procedures. "Survivors" also describes how the crews of sunken ships were treated by the enemy.At first, most U-boat captains were extraordinarily considerate, but the risk of being attacked brought about a change of attitude. While atrocities remained rare, Hitler's instructions to the U-boats, to show no mercy, added to the many perils that British seamen already faced. Seller Inventory # 003037
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Survivors: British Merchant Seamen in the Second World War
Published by
Hambledon Press, 1999
ISBN 10: 1852851821
ISBN 13: 9781852851828
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: Red-books ( Member of P.B.F.A. ), Hanley Swan, United Kingdom
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Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. First Edition. Hardback, slight rubbing to wrapper, no tears or fading, very slight creasing to top and bottom of spine. Not price clipped, no inscriptions, illustrated. Excellent condition internally with very little wear, some very light soiling to edge of text block. Heavy book, will require additional postage outside the UK. Seller Inventory # 31212
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Survivors: British Merchant Seamen in the Second World War
Published by
Hambledon Press, London, 1999
ISBN 10: 1852851821
ISBN 13: 9781852851828
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: Old Army Books, Lexington, KY, U.S.A.
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Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. First Edition. Illus. , jacket now in a clear protector; 287 pages. Seller Inventory # 38673
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Survivors: British Merchant Seamen in the Second World War
Published by
Hambledon & London, 2003
ISBN 10: 1852851821
ISBN 13: 9781852851828
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Hardcover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Included. 1st Edition. ISBN 1852851821. Hardcover copy in near fine condition with dustjacket in near fine condition. First printing. Seller Inventory # 6000246
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SURVIVORS: BRITISH MERCHANT SEAMEN
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Hardback. Condition: Good. The book has been read but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Some minor wear to the spine. Seller Inventory # GOR005442911
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SURVIVORS: BRITISH MERCHANT SEAMEN
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Hardback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR003513904
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Survivors: British Merchant Seamen in the Second World War
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Hambledon, Lon., 1999
ISBN 10: 1852851821
ISBN 13: 9781852851828
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Seller: Kisselburg Military Books, Potomac, MD, U.S.A.
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Survivors: British Merchant Seamen in the Second World War
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Hardcover. Condition: As New. Dust Jacket Condition: As New. As new bk in as new dj Language: eng. Seller Inventory # 12126
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Survivors British Merchant Seamen in the Second World War
Published by
Bloomsbury Academic, London, England, 1999
ISBN 10: 1852851821
ISBN 13: 9781852851828
Used
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Seller: S. Howlett-West Books (Member ABAA), Modesto, CA, U.S.A.
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Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine. 1st British Edition; 1st Printing. B&W Illustrations; This book is in Near Fine condition and has a Near Fine dust jacket. The book and its contents are in clean, bright condition. The text pages are clean and bright. The dust jacket is crisp and clean. Seller Inventory # A44359
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Survivors : British Merchant Seamen in the Second World War
Published by
The Hambledon Press, London, 1999
ISBN 10: 1852851821
ISBN 13: 9781852851828
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Seller: J. and S. Daft, Lichfield, United Kingdom
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Hardcover. Condition: Nr Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: VG+. 1st. pp 287. DW has light crease to spine else near fine copy. Neat name to fep. Seller Inventory # 008398
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