Stand by for Action: The Memoirs of a Small Ship Commander in World War II

Donald, William

ISBN 10: 1848320167 / ISBN 13: 9781848320161

Published by Seaforth Publishing, 2009

About this Item

Most items will be dispatched the same or the next working day. A copy that has been read but remains in clean condition. All of the pages are intact and the cover is intact and the spine may show signs of wear. The book may have minor markings which are not specifically mentioned.

Seller Inventory # wbs1788593167

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Stand by for Action: The Memoirs of a Small Ship Commander in World War II
• Publisher: Seaforth Publishing
• Publication Date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1848320167
• ISBN 13: 9781848320161
• Binding: Soft cover
• Condition: Good

About this title

Synopsis

The author of this compelling memoir proved himself one of the most successful small ship commanders during the Norwegian campaign in 1940, and then served at sea continuously throughout the rest of the War.

In Norway, as second-in-command of a Black Swan sloop, he experienced the suspense and nervous strain of operating in the narrow waters of a twisting fjord under heavy air attack, but his humour was never far away. ‘I don’t want to appear fussy, but are we going to be greeted by cheers and kisses from Norwegian blondes, or a hail of gunfire from invisible Huns?’ he remarked to his officers on approaching the small town of Andalsnes.

His next task – in command first of a corvette and then a destroyer – was escorting East Coast convoys, and his experiences reflect the danger of this work against the menaces of E-boats, enemy aircraft and mines. He then took part in the landings at Anzio and the Normandy landings in 1944; finally, he rescued internees from the Japanese prison camp on Stanley, Hong Kong. His career was much helped by his highly developed sixth sense for danger, the deep affection of his crews and his affinity with cats which he believed brought him luck.

This record of varied and almost incessant action ranks among the most thrilling personal stories of the war at sea.