Escort: The Battle of the Atlantic

by D.A. Rayner

This is the story of one man’s war and of the Royal Navy’s escort vessels — trawlers, corvettes and destroyers — that guarded Britain’s ocean life-lines across the Atlantic against the ravaging forays of U-Boats and surface raiders.

This highly acclaimed firsthand account of convoy escort operations in the North Atlantic from 1939 to 1945 is based on Rayner's astonishing war record.

About the author: Denys Arthur Rayner was a Royal Navy officer who fought throughout the Battle of the Atlantic. After intensive war service at sea, Rayner became a writer, a farmer, and a successful designer and builder of small sailing craft.

Genres: World War II, War

258 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1955

About the author

Denys Arthur Rayner DSC & Bar, VRD, RNVR (9 February 1908 – 4 January 1967) was a Royal Navy officer who fought throughout the Battle of the Atlantic. After intensive war service at sea, Rayner became a writer, a farmer, and a successful designer and builder of small sailing craft - his first being the Westcoaster; his most successful being the glass fibre gunter or Bermudian rigged twin keel Westerly 22 from which evolved similar "small ships" able to cross oceans while respecting the expectations, in terms of comfort, safety and cost, of a burgeoning family market keen to get to sea. Before his death in 1967, Rayner had founded, and via his pioneering GRP designs, secured the future expansion of Westerly Marine Construction Ltd - up until the late 1980s, one of Britain's most successful yacht builders.

Reviews

[Luke Spiekermann · Rating 5 out of 5]

More than just a WW2 account of anti submarine warfare . Lessons for leadership on ship and ashore

There are a lot of books of WW2. This from a slightly different perspective; that of a Brit Civilian Naval Reservist who had the smarts and also determination and personality to overcome prejudice,and gain command of a series of Navy ships. He apparently knows how to motivate the crews of these various vessels, under difficult circumstances, by means of a positive, encouraging approach. Firm but fair. Also sees a lot of the world, the sea, and actually at one point has had almost too much. Which makes him appear all the more real and human.

[Michael Romo · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are the memoirs of D. A. Rayner who as a Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve officer commanded a group of anti-submarine trawlers, a Corvette, a succession of destroyers, and eventually an entire escort group. He spent five years in continuous combat, mainly in the north Atlantic. This book provides the rare insights of an experienced anti-submarine commander. I was struck by how few U-boats (one) he or his group actually sank during the war.

[Joseph Herlihy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Been there

As a former Destroyer Offiçer I appreciated the detail described, probably not for everyone. I didn't appreciate some churlish comments about the American Navy which was fighting a much larger Naval War in the Pacific while concurrently providing a major contribution in the Atlantic. The Brits would have lost had it not been for the US. Albeit we owe a debt of gratitude for their courage in holding @ bay the great evil of the Nazis.

[Kathy Fritschi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Victorious battle

Well narrated career of a reserve British naval officer in the WWII anti-submarine campaign
The author demonstrates good judgement and a cool head, trumps showmanship, but also show a flair for calculated risks. His loyalty to his crew was returned by their affection and dedication. This is a riveting adventure and example of pristine leadership that secured victory for the allies in WWII.

[Chaplain Stanley Chapin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting career

It is very informative and one can truly imagine the sea going process of each ship.The convey was vital for much of the allies success in World war two.

[Robert Coyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written memoir

The author has recalled both his good times and bad ones too. Other than trying to remember the English range of ranks it’s an engrossing book.

[Mauricio Dias · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boring

I do not like to have to review a book.I simply want to go on to another book should not be forced to write a review

[Commander Law · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this charge through the NW approaches and convoy duties through WW2. Have to look out for 'The Enemy Below', have watched the film countless times.

[Sandy Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Outstanding Book

A first hand account of the fear, sacrifice, teamwork, fellowship, and pride of the men and women in small units fighting a big war. During this time of internal and external threats against our democracies, we should be obliged to do our part in the preserving those that so many of our ancestors bled and died to save.

[Carl Gillespie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Splendid narrative

I enjoyed this story very much. Lots of action, lots of brilliance, Lots of error. Courageous race the British. Smashing.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating story of a convoy escort commander during Hitler’s War.

[Rickey McKown · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book Commander Denys Rayner, RNVR, has given us a very interesting personal account of his service, mostly afloat, during the Second World War, commanding a remarkable spectrum of anti-submarine vessels in the Battle of the Atlantic, including a trawler, two classes of corvettes, and three classes of destroyers, as well as commanding a number of escort groups. Although some aspects of Rayner's manner of expressing himself have not aged well (the book was written in 1955), the book is an enjoyable, relatively light, read, nicely capturing the atmosphere of the time and place rather than the technical details. Recommended.