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Convoy Escort Commander
- A Memoir of the Battle of the Atlantic
- Narrated by: James Cameron Stewart
- Length: 8 hrs and 38 mins
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Convoy Escort Commander
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Summary
Vice Admiral Sir Peter Gretton's book is a brilliant account of his career in the navy through World War Two: fighting in the Second Battle of the Narvik and guarding convoys in the Mediterranean and the North Atlantic, before being placed in charge of Escort Group B7, which he described as "the finest job in the Navy for a new commander." It was in this role that Gretton, and the seven warships under his command, were able to make their contribution to turning the tide against the U-boat threat.
On April 22, 1943, Gretton was in charge of the escort for Convoy ONS 5 during its journey across the North Atlantic. Over the course of the voyage they were attacked by over fifty U-boats, and although they lost thirteen ships they managed to sink six U-boats and seriously damage many more. The U-boats had never faced such fierce resistance to their lethal raids. What tactics had Gretton used to fend off Doenitz's terrifying submarine wolf packs? And how had these strategies developed over the course of the war?
Convoy Escort Commander demonstrates how Allied commanders searched for new methods to repel U-boat assaults, including using direction-finding radio and radar, employing special tactical formations, coordinating with air cover, and endeavoring to keep the convoy together and prevent straggling.
What listeners say about Convoy Escort Commander
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Simon M.
- 21-06-24
An excellent first-hand account of The Battle of The Atlantic
This audiobook was an exceptional find, and I’m glad I had the time to listen to it.
The story is gripping and the narration is delivered in a precise, slightly clipped manner, reminiscent of a military brief.
Both complement each other and make for a wonderful way To pass eight hours.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 21-06-24
Important account but strange narration
This is an account from a participant in
one of the most important and least remembered theatres of war - the Battle of the Atlantic. However the narrator makes it hard to listen to. His over-emphasised word endings, momentary pauses, and announcement- like sentences are at odds with the conversational tone of the writing. As other listeners, I persevered in spite of the narrator rather than because of him.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- David Hawes
- 09-02-23
A marvelous listen. Your onboard with them..
Great insight into the Naval life in WW2 and Ship life during the Atlantic War from the Bridge to below decks.
Funny anecdotes throughout. being washed overboard and then back on board in a storm with the Captains dressing down at having left the ship without permission. My favourite.
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Derrick
- 28-01-24
Superb memoir marred by wooden narrator
I came to this after listening to the "We have ways of making you talk" podcast by Al Murray and James Holland. It is quite simply a superb story of a destroyer officer's experience of WWII with a big focus on the battle of the Atlantic. It has an excellent mix of his personal story, the human experience of those at war, but also a commander's eye for the battle and the technologies involved.
My only criticism is the narration. His intonation and pacing is wooden. Do not let that put you off a richly satisfying book.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
Excellent look at Convoy life
A in depth review of one commander during the Battle if the Atlantic.
A good description of life in convoys and the dangers faced by these men during this important battle of WW2.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- John Marsden
- 08-08-24
Excellent.
I thought this was an excellent listen. I didn't do it all in one go but dipped in and out over a few weeks and this worked for me. A highly recommended account of WWII naval warfare.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- PJB
- 23-08-24
Eyewitness to History
An excellent eyewitness account of the battle of the Atlantic by one of the key participants. Spoilt only by the pedestrian performance which makes the author sound like a rather dim old buffer - which he clearly was not.
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