What do you think?
Rate this book
Donald Cameron Naval Thriller #3
Under Orders
Portsmouth, 1942.
War has engulfed the world, and the Allied losses are mounting.
After time spent on dangerous North Atlantic convoy duties, and the hazards of the Mediterranean sea, Donald Cameron faces time as a assistant divisional officer of the CW Division.
Detached from the real war, he yearns for action.
He won’t be kept waiting for long.
Recruited to the HMS Castle Bay,his is back on an ocean boarding vessel with a secret mission.
Word has reached the Special Operations Executive that the Germans are building something on the shores of Vest Hammerfjord.
The site is inaccessible to aircraft, and it is up the Navy to transport a trained demolition team to seek out and destroy whatever the enemy is hiding.
But they must get past the German defences, which include the Battle-cruiser Scharnhurst, with nine 11-inch guns and the heavy cruiser Admiral Hiffer, with eight 8-inch guns.
Sub-lieutenant Cameron has invaluable knowledge of the treacherous Norwegian coast from his trawling days.
It is up to him to guide the convoy to safety.
The orders are clear: complete the mission at any cost. They are expendable…
‘Under Orders’ is the next gripping instalment in the Donald Cameron series, packed with authentic military action.
'A salty, thrilling , adventure story that takes you into the heart of WWII.' - Tom Kasey, best-selling author of 'Trade Off'.
Philip McCutchan grew up in the naval atmosphere of Portsmouth Dockyard and developed a lifetime's interest in the sea. Military history was an early interest of his, resulting in several fiction books about the British Army and its campaigns, especially in the last 150 years. He served throughout WW II in a variety of ships, including the cruiser Vindictive, the ocean boarding vessel Largs, and the escort carrier Ravager, ending the war as a lieutenant, RNVR. He is also the author of ‘Drums Along the Khyber’.
Originally published as Cameron of the Castle Bay.
Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent publisher of digital books.
War has engulfed the world, and the Allied losses are mounting.
After time spent on dangerous North Atlantic convoy duties, and the hazards of the Mediterranean sea, Donald Cameron faces time as a assistant divisional officer of the CW Division.
Detached from the real war, he yearns for action.
He won’t be kept waiting for long.
Recruited to the HMS Castle Bay,his is back on an ocean boarding vessel with a secret mission.
Word has reached the Special Operations Executive that the Germans are building something on the shores of Vest Hammerfjord.
The site is inaccessible to aircraft, and it is up the Navy to transport a trained demolition team to seek out and destroy whatever the enemy is hiding.
But they must get past the German defences, which include the Battle-cruiser Scharnhurst, with nine 11-inch guns and the heavy cruiser Admiral Hiffer, with eight 8-inch guns.
Sub-lieutenant Cameron has invaluable knowledge of the treacherous Norwegian coast from his trawling days.
It is up to him to guide the convoy to safety.
The orders are clear: complete the mission at any cost. They are expendable…
‘Under Orders’ is the next gripping instalment in the Donald Cameron series, packed with authentic military action.
'A salty, thrilling , adventure story that takes you into the heart of WWII.' - Tom Kasey, best-selling author of 'Trade Off'.
Philip McCutchan grew up in the naval atmosphere of Portsmouth Dockyard and developed a lifetime's interest in the sea. Military history was an early interest of his, resulting in several fiction books about the British Army and its campaigns, especially in the last 150 years. He served throughout WW II in a variety of ships, including the cruiser Vindictive, the ocean boarding vessel Largs, and the escort carrier Ravager, ending the war as a lieutenant, RNVR. He is also the author of ‘Drums Along the Khyber’.
Originally published as Cameron of the Castle Bay.
Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent publisher of digital books.
201 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1981
195 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
About the author
Philip McCutchan
183 books36 followersaka Robert Conington Galway, Duncan MacNeil
Philip McCutchan (1920-1996) grew up in the naval atmosphere of Portsmouth Dockyard and developed a lifetime's interest in the sea. Military history was an early interest resulting in several fiction books, from amongst his large output, about the British Army and its campaigns, especially in the last 150 years.
Philip McCutchan (1920-1996) grew up in the naval atmosphere of Portsmouth Dockyard and developed a lifetime's interest in the sea. Military history was an early interest resulting in several fiction books, from amongst his large output, about the British Army and its campaigns, especially in the last 150 years.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
March 10, 2015
If you love navel action and stories of World War II, you are going to love Under Orders by Philip McCutchan. This action packed navel thriller will keep you glued to its pages and holding your breath.
The author has develops a tale of adventure that is fast paced and full of plot twist. Just when you think you know what is going to happen he throws another twist and off you go again. I found his style of storytelling and story development excellent, making the book hard to put down.
Philip McCutchan did an excellent job developing his hero in the book. He gave the right about of background information to make him real and believable. I like an old fashion hero who gets the job done and never quits.
I really liked Under Orders by Philip McCutchan and I highly recommend this book to all readers.
The author has develops a tale of adventure that is fast paced and full of plot twist. Just when you think you know what is going to happen he throws another twist and off you go again. I found his style of storytelling and story development excellent, making the book hard to put down.
Philip McCutchan did an excellent job developing his hero in the book. He gave the right about of background information to make him real and believable. I like an old fashion hero who gets the job done and never quits.
I really liked Under Orders by Philip McCutchan and I highly recommend this book to all readers.
March 15, 2021
This is third story in the fictional series featuring Sub Lt. David Cameron, a British Naval officer during World War II. The setting for this particular story is the North Atlantic waters near Norway as the British Admiralty has tasked Cameron’s ship to drop off a commando team in Norway. The commando squad’s assignment is to destroy a German factory that is producing V-1 rockets. The story takes place in the second half of 1941 as Russia has been attacked, but the USA is not in the war yet. I found the characters, except Lt. Cameron, to be too stiff and form fitting. The Germans were all committed NAZIs and loyal to Hitler. The Brits and Norway resistance fighters were all brave and selfless. Plus, the multiple attempts to destroy the factory kept failing, and the Brits kept coming up with new schemes on the fly to try again. It wasn’t a bad story, just a bit too formula driven to be an above average story.
November 21, 2024
I like the basic story in these books, but I think the author really does try too hard to impress with the action, it’s all very ‘Comic book’. Also everything seems too contrived, too many things happen just at the wrong moment, from someone slipping just as a wave hits and they fall to their death, to even half a mountain falling on the raiding party just as they get to their target.
The author goes well beyond the quote “No plan survives contact with the enemy”. In these books no plan survives getting out of bed.
I gave the previous book the OK grade of two stars because I hadn’t really got my head around the ‘Comic Book’ nature of the stories. With this one I am willing to make this three because I do like the basic story, I just wish the ‘action’ was a little less ridiculous.
The author goes well beyond the quote “No plan survives contact with the enemy”. In these books no plan survives getting out of bed.
I gave the previous book the OK grade of two stars because I hadn’t really got my head around the ‘Comic Book’ nature of the stories. With this one I am willing to make this three because I do like the basic story, I just wish the ‘action’ was a little less ridiculous.
June 28, 2020
Straight from the Hotspur and good for being that!
Further adventures of Cameron aka ‘lucky’ as his wartime epics continue. This time it has shades of ‘Where Eagles Dare’ as the plucky crew and Commandoes battle the odds to get the job done. A nice easy read, well drawn scenery and a drizzle of naval mannerisms and background tossed in by someone who has first hand experience of life on board. Was waiting for a ‘Broadsword to Danny Boy...’ bit and the maligned RAF to pull off a rescue, but all was well in the end. Lots of quick characters - crusty Admirals, grumpy, taciturn engineers, and winsome ladies, but none the worse for that and it follows on from the earlier books. Enjoyable in short.
Further adventures of Cameron aka ‘lucky’ as his wartime epics continue. This time it has shades of ‘Where Eagles Dare’ as the plucky crew and Commandoes battle the odds to get the job done. A nice easy read, well drawn scenery and a drizzle of naval mannerisms and background tossed in by someone who has first hand experience of life on board. Was waiting for a ‘Broadsword to Danny Boy...’ bit and the maligned RAF to pull off a rescue, but all was well in the end. Lots of quick characters - crusty Admirals, grumpy, taciturn engineers, and winsome ladies, but none the worse for that and it follows on from the earlier books. Enjoyable in short.
June 14, 2021
Third In Series
I'm enjoying the Donald Cameron series immensely, the storyline might seem improbable at times but it still zips along at a good pace.
The characters are believable, the stories grip and make for enjoyable reading, I'm looking forward to number 4.
I'm enjoying the Donald Cameron series immensely, the storyline might seem improbable at times but it still zips along at a good pace.
The characters are believable, the stories grip and make for enjoyable reading, I'm looking forward to number 4.
August 15, 2024
Decent Commando comics /Hollywood 'Where Eagles Dare' style WW2 story, spoilt a little by British Commandos having FN rifles a decade before they existed and a somewhat rushed final two chapters. Not as good as the previous two in the series but enjoyable and still worth a read.
September 4, 2025
Proved excellent reading during
…longer than expected illness recovery left me bed bound. McCutchan’s writing kept me going with the character development and twists in each book.
Thank you!
…longer than expected illness recovery left me bed bound. McCutchan’s writing kept me going with the character development and twists in each book.
Thank you!
June 18, 2017
Good WW2 story
May 1, 2019
Great stuff
Rip roaring boys own tale great war time navel story now going for book four Amazon no what doing with th very cheap start to long series
Rip roaring boys own tale great war time navel story now going for book four Amazon no what doing with th very cheap start to long series
February 20, 2020
What a story!
One of the very best, I could not put the book down. From start to finish a full action packed yarn, very few technical issues, and few editing problems.
One of the very best, I could not put the book down. From start to finish a full action packed yarn, very few technical issues, and few editing problems.
May 17, 2020
Truly great book no doubt about that.
Surely a great book, one of the best that I have ever read, and I recommend this authors books to everyone.
Surely a great book, one of the best that I have ever read, and I recommend this authors books to everyone.
July 7, 2020
ACTION, ACTION, ACTION
A thrilling story of the men and women who gave their all in the sea battles between Great Britain and Hitler's Germany.
A thrilling story of the men and women who gave their all in the sea battles between Great Britain and Hitler's Germany.
July 14, 2020
Another good read.
Story of the continuing saga of Donald Cameron as the sea war continues during WWII. Tracing his pension for getting things above his orders done.
Story of the continuing saga of Donald Cameron as the sea war continues during WWII. Tracing his pension for getting things above his orders done.
September 14, 2022
A super, well told story.
Even though the novel told the story in language befitting one from England, it was a good read for a 'Bloody American' to enjoy. Well done!
Even though the novel told the story in language befitting one from England, it was a good read for a 'Bloody American' to enjoy. Well done!
October 19, 2022
Action packed
Good read. Brought in believability to that period of time. Definitely worth reading. Author is a great storyteller. WWII comes to life.
Good read. Brought in believability to that period of time. Definitely worth reading. Author is a great storyteller. WWII comes to life.
June 26, 2024
Fun read. At some point people need to notice that being on a ship with Mister Cameron comes pretty close to being a death sentence.
July 21, 2024
Very enjoyable WW2 story
A gripping tale of a mission that could easily have been abandoned, but perseverance delivered success. Easy reading and very enjoyable.
A gripping tale of a mission that could easily have been abandoned, but perseverance delivered success. Easy reading and very enjoyable.
December 6, 2024
Very enjoyable naval fiction.
January 26, 2025
Never ever give up.
March 21, 2017
Excellent tale. Unfortunately this was the first book I read and not the first in the series. Decisions - decisions...
May 14, 2016
Zorro rides again!
Mr. McCutchan's protagonist triumphs again! It's almost like reading a comic book, albeit quite entertaining. Every duty station Cameron deploys on gets sunk, and he always manages to somehow survive. Hardly believable, but very entertaining read.
Mr. McCutchan's protagonist triumphs again! It's almost like reading a comic book, albeit quite entertaining. Every duty station Cameron deploys on gets sunk, and he always manages to somehow survive. Hardly believable, but very entertaining read.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews