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Donald Cameron Naval Thriller #1
In the Line of Fire
1941. The North Atlantic.
Convoys of supply ships are making their way from America to England, protected by a rapidly assembled fleet of modernised war ships.
The Carmerthen, one of the destroyers, is home to seaman Donald Cameron, a nineteen-year old Commission and Warrant candidate at the bottom of the barrel for the taunting sailors.
The outmoded warship tests his resolve as he is faced with the tense task of keeping watch for enemy attacks.
But in the hubbub of lower deck life it is easy to forget they are sailing in dangerous waters…
The ship has been at sea for barely a few weeks when it is severely damaged in a surprise daylight attack.
The biting cold, exhaustion and knowledge that the attackers will be back combine to put the men on board in a blood thirsty mood…
Despite constant bombardment from prowling Focke-Wulfs and U-boats, the last handful of men manage to remain afloat, restlessly watching and waiting…
As they struggle against the freezing conditions, Cameron picks out an U-boat periscope sliding fast towards the waterlogged destroyer.
And it is homing in on what appears to be a certain victory…
'In The Line of Fire' is s tense, action-packed thriller that combines authenticity with brilliant story-telling.
'A gripping page-turner.' - 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’.
Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent publisher of digital books.
Convoys of supply ships are making their way from America to England, protected by a rapidly assembled fleet of modernised war ships.
The Carmerthen, one of the destroyers, is home to seaman Donald Cameron, a nineteen-year old Commission and Warrant candidate at the bottom of the barrel for the taunting sailors.
The outmoded warship tests his resolve as he is faced with the tense task of keeping watch for enemy attacks.
But in the hubbub of lower deck life it is easy to forget they are sailing in dangerous waters…
The ship has been at sea for barely a few weeks when it is severely damaged in a surprise daylight attack.
The biting cold, exhaustion and knowledge that the attackers will be back combine to put the men on board in a blood thirsty mood…
Despite constant bombardment from prowling Focke-Wulfs and U-boats, the last handful of men manage to remain afloat, restlessly watching and waiting…
As they struggle against the freezing conditions, Cameron picks out an U-boat periscope sliding fast towards the waterlogged destroyer.
And it is homing in on what appears to be a certain victory…
'In The Line of Fire' is s tense, action-packed thriller that combines authenticity with brilliant story-telling.
'A gripping page-turner.' - 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’.
Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent publisher of digital books.
193 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1980
532 people are currently reading
281 people want to read
About the author
Philip McCutchan
180 books35 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
April 6, 2024
"Leaving the Divisional Office, Cameron knew that hence-forward life would be a little different. Harder; for he had to prove himself even more and repay Stubbs’s confidence that he could make it. He had to show not only seamanship but the vital elements of leadership and initiative."
Young Donald Cameron is going to serve his country during the early days of WW II by being on a destroyer escort trying to bring food and armaments back to Britain from the United States. McCutchan’s tale (told in the third person) describes the disasters facing Cameron’s ship, Carmarthen, as things go from bad, to worse, to “worser.”
McCutchan shows intimate knowledge of his ships and the relationships both above and below decks.
"Down here in the galley flat it was only a degree or so warmer than the compass platform, for the fires still remained drawn, the only warmth coming from the physical proximity of the packed, sleeping bodies. The atmosphere was almost fetid, with a fug that came from unwashed personnel and the foul condition of the seamen’s heads with their doorless openings. It was a miracle that human beings could suffer it all and not mutiny; but hard-lying, as it was known officially, brought a small amount of extra pay called hard-lying money, and the discomforts were accepted as paid for and as a part of naval life, part of the normal lot of the lower deck while the wardroom officers lived in comparative luxury in their cabins aft — except when, as now, those cabins were occupied by the less fortunate survivors of the convoy attack."
"The urgent rattlers jarred him awake and he scrambled with the others out from the galley flat to the iron-deck and his action station. It was almost a repeat of the last surface attack: as Cameron went fast up the bridge ladder he saw the U-boat just coming to the surface on the port bow with the water cascading from her casing and her close-range weapons coming into action already. A stream of machine-gun bullets zipped across the span of water and ricocheted off the steel-work of the bridge and midships superstructure, a sweeping arc of fire that scattered the men as they ran to their stations and left a dozen dead or wounded. Cameron watched helplessly as the inboard-sweeping swell took three men, dead or alive he knew not, and swept them willy-nilly into the sea to vanish. There was no time to think about them, however: as he climbed the ladder, a body crashed down from one of the four Lewis guns, then another. Blood poured; Cameron, climbing on, dashed for the Lewis gun which was swinging, crewless, on its mounting. As machine-gun bullets flew about him he seated himself at the Lewis, brought his sights on, and fired a sustained burst towards the U-boat’s conning-tower. He seemed to have taken the Germans by surprise: a cap flew, and a body slumped over the side of the conning-tower. Cameron sent another burst on to the same target."
"Seymour gripped the compass platform guard-rail tight, waiting for the bump. It would be more, much more, than a bump, and never mind the pathetic fenders. The two ships would grind together and Carmarthen, half under already, wouldn’t have a dog’s chance of surviving. The battering effect of the waves would see to that, as they churned her plates against the side of the Westward Bay."
"Every minute they were out here increased that danger. That was how Lieutenant Matthews was thinking while he worked, but he didn’t voice his opinions. As an experienced man he knew that if you undermined the Captain’s authority, you undermined your own at the same time, for your own derived from his."
And, McCutchan pays his dues to the previous eras of the British Navy: "This trip, Seymour had begun to yearn for the days of sail. With sail, he could probably have made better speed and would certainly have remained steadier,"
An excellent start to a naval saga from the World War II era, full of conflicts, thrills and a little romance thrown in.
Young Donald Cameron is going to serve his country during the early days of WW II by being on a destroyer escort trying to bring food and armaments back to Britain from the United States. McCutchan’s tale (told in the third person) describes the disasters facing Cameron’s ship, Carmarthen, as things go from bad, to worse, to “worser.”
McCutchan shows intimate knowledge of his ships and the relationships both above and below decks.
"Down here in the galley flat it was only a degree or so warmer than the compass platform, for the fires still remained drawn, the only warmth coming from the physical proximity of the packed, sleeping bodies. The atmosphere was almost fetid, with a fug that came from unwashed personnel and the foul condition of the seamen’s heads with their doorless openings. It was a miracle that human beings could suffer it all and not mutiny; but hard-lying, as it was known officially, brought a small amount of extra pay called hard-lying money, and the discomforts were accepted as paid for and as a part of naval life, part of the normal lot of the lower deck while the wardroom officers lived in comparative luxury in their cabins aft — except when, as now, those cabins were occupied by the less fortunate survivors of the convoy attack."
"The urgent rattlers jarred him awake and he scrambled with the others out from the galley flat to the iron-deck and his action station. It was almost a repeat of the last surface attack: as Cameron went fast up the bridge ladder he saw the U-boat just coming to the surface on the port bow with the water cascading from her casing and her close-range weapons coming into action already. A stream of machine-gun bullets zipped across the span of water and ricocheted off the steel-work of the bridge and midships superstructure, a sweeping arc of fire that scattered the men as they ran to their stations and left a dozen dead or wounded. Cameron watched helplessly as the inboard-sweeping swell took three men, dead or alive he knew not, and swept them willy-nilly into the sea to vanish. There was no time to think about them, however: as he climbed the ladder, a body crashed down from one of the four Lewis guns, then another. Blood poured; Cameron, climbing on, dashed for the Lewis gun which was swinging, crewless, on its mounting. As machine-gun bullets flew about him he seated himself at the Lewis, brought his sights on, and fired a sustained burst towards the U-boat’s conning-tower. He seemed to have taken the Germans by surprise: a cap flew, and a body slumped over the side of the conning-tower. Cameron sent another burst on to the same target."
"Seymour gripped the compass platform guard-rail tight, waiting for the bump. It would be more, much more, than a bump, and never mind the pathetic fenders. The two ships would grind together and Carmarthen, half under already, wouldn’t have a dog’s chance of surviving. The battering effect of the waves would see to that, as they churned her plates against the side of the Westward Bay."
"Every minute they were out here increased that danger. That was how Lieutenant Matthews was thinking while he worked, but he didn’t voice his opinions. As an experienced man he knew that if you undermined the Captain’s authority, you undermined your own at the same time, for your own derived from his."
And, McCutchan pays his dues to the previous eras of the British Navy: "This trip, Seymour had begun to yearn for the days of sail. With sail, he could probably have made better speed and would certainly have remained steadier,"
An excellent start to a naval saga from the World War II era, full of conflicts, thrills and a little romance thrown in.
September 10, 2023
Having served on 4 US Navy destroyers that were built during or just after WW2, and old when I was on them, I found this a pretty realistic story ! It brought back memories of plowing through the North Atlantic above the Arctic Circle in winter, waves higher than the flying bridge. Ships systems do break and one was dead in the water once for 12 hours, fortunately in good weather in the Med, but old ships are a challenge to serve on.
March 17, 2020
Exciting WWII Destroyer action in N Atlantic
Battle scenes among severe storms and heavily damaged Destroyer kept afloat by heroic efforts by the crew and even sunk a UBoat last n virtually hand to hand action.
Battle scenes among severe storms and heavily damaged Destroyer kept afloat by heroic efforts by the crew and even sunk a UBoat last n virtually hand to hand action.
May 18, 2023
Full Speed Ahead
Interesting book written about a British warship. A lot of sailor details that were hard sometimes to follow but a very interesting and heroic book. Read it. Big D
Interesting book written about a British warship. A lot of sailor details that were hard sometimes to follow but a very interesting and heroic book. Read it. Big D
July 5, 2020
A plus;recommended.
Nonstop action, for lovers of sea stories.
Probably not for the weak! But as a fictional treatment of total war, it's first rate.
Nonstop action, for lovers of sea stories.
Probably not for the weak! But as a fictional treatment of total war, it's first rate.
November 30, 2020
While this is a work of fiction that takes place early in World War II, it reads like a realistic account of convoy escort duty during the winter of 1940 and 1941 when England stood alone against Germany. Officer candidate Donald Cameron is serving aboard the British Destroyer Carmarthen that is escorting merchant ships back to North America to obtain more foodstuffs and war materials for England. Early on the Carmarthen receives torpedo damage to its forecastle and has to leave the convey in an effort to return to Great Britain. The attempt to return alone to its base turns into a harrowing journey. They are hunted by German U-boats and bombers (FW 200s) out of France. In addition to the Germans, their damaged ship must battle the sea as winter gales are ravaging the North Atlantic. Their battle to survive the Germans and the sea is the focal point of this adventure. The stress these dangers place on the crew is another obstacle the crew must overcome if they are to survive. The story features both acts of bravery and mental breakdowns from the stress. This is a very realistic description of the stress and dangers encountered by British naval personnel during World War II.
August 28, 2020
North Atlantic Escort
Well done, short novel about a British destroyer disabled in the North Atlantic and her fight to return to safety. The ship has to fight off bombers, U boats and ferocious gales. The characters are well drawn and the dialogue is crisp. The plot holds your attention. I did have some minor problems with the use of British words, but it didn’t seriously impact my understanding. Look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Well done, short novel about a British destroyer disabled in the North Atlantic and her fight to return to safety. The ship has to fight off bombers, U boats and ferocious gales. The characters are well drawn and the dialogue is crisp. The plot holds your attention. I did have some minor problems with the use of British words, but it didn’t seriously impact my understanding. Look forward to reading the next book in the series.
December 28, 2021
An interesting sea story set in the beginning of WW2 telling of a severely damaged destroyer attempting to return to home port without any protection fro German warships or the weather. We read of how individual crew members fare through this horrible situation. The voyage at sea takes about 98% of the book with only a small part of the book reporting on the fates of the individuals that survive
November 8, 2020
A captivating look at life and death on a WW2 British destroyer. Details are lush, characters are interesting. The storyline is believable. Not generally my sort of read, but if you are into naval history, WW2, and war stories in general, this one is enjoyable.
September 2, 2025
Quite readable, but the parallels to Nicholas Monserrat's decades-earlier short story "HMS Marlborough Will Enter Harbour" are concerning: a smaller warship on escort duty in the North Atlantic, bow blown off by a torpedo in the Western Approaches, part of the crew trapped below and drowned, communications lost, making its way slowly, stern first, towards Belfast.
It's possible that both were inspired independently by the real-life story of the USS New Orleans, which steamed stern-first all the way to Australia after losing its bow in the bow in the Battle of Tassafaronga, but that wouldn't explain the other parallels.
It's possible that both were inspired independently by the real-life story of the USS New Orleans, which steamed stern-first all the way to Australia after losing its bow in the bow in the Battle of Tassafaronga, but that wouldn't explain the other parallels.
June 11, 2021
Relentless Action
From the moment you turn the first page until you close the cover the pace never let's up. The characters develop as you read and the central character looks to have a great story to tell in future instalments.
The Battle of the Atlantic was the longest continuous battle of WAY I and it's against this backdrop that the story unfolds.
Give it a try, you'll enjoy it.
From the moment you turn the first page until you close the cover the pace never let's up. The characters develop as you read and the central character looks to have a great story to tell in future instalments.
The Battle of the Atlantic was the longest continuous battle of WAY I and it's against this backdrop that the story unfolds.
Give it a try, you'll enjoy it.
November 20, 2024
I found the book quite difficult to get into at the start, it was quite bitty and there didn't seem to be any flow to the story. However it did improve as I became more accustomed to the author's style and I enjoyed the story.
If possible I would have given 3.5 stars. I might have given a higher rating, but towards the end I felt the author was beginning to 'over egg the pudding' as he piled on more and more action, not to mention the level of destruction, death and misery.
If possible I would have given 3.5 stars. I might have given a higher rating, but towards the end I felt the author was beginning to 'over egg the pudding' as he piled on more and more action, not to mention the level of destruction, death and misery.
June 24, 2020
I was glued to this book and my imagination was working on overtime - even holding my breath when the ship almost foundered.
Well written and historically accurate showing the gruelling lives that our brave sailors bore - how much we owe them.
Thank you Donald ,I will continue with number two and will read them all giving me an entertained 'Lockdown'.
Well written and historically accurate showing the gruelling lives that our brave sailors bore - how much we owe them.
Thank you Donald ,I will continue with number two and will read them all giving me an entertained 'Lockdown'.
July 9, 2020
Stirring story.
This story of a Royal Navy's destroyer during and after ( mostly after) an attack by a Germany submarine during escort duty for a convoy going to the American continent. The majority of the story is about the trials and tribulations of the journey back to Britain.
This story of a Royal Navy's destroyer during and after ( mostly after) an attack by a Germany submarine during escort duty for a convoy going to the American continent. The majority of the story is about the trials and tribulations of the journey back to Britain.
July 25, 2017
A naval classic with a difference
The war at sea during the second World War. There are a lot of books taking this theme so hard to plot an original course, yet the author succeeds in creating an original plot with a main character well worth following. Recommended.
The war at sea during the second World War. There are a lot of books taking this theme so hard to plot an original course, yet the author succeeds in creating an original plot with a main character well worth following. Recommended.
February 10, 2020
Excellent book
This is one off those books I read on an author's recommendation. Very pleased with the reading, I'll likely read the whole series.
Certainly brings back memories of my time in the RN.
This is one off those books I read on an author's recommendation. Very pleased with the reading, I'll likely read the whole series.
Certainly brings back memories of my time in the RN.
June 29, 2020
Good naval story with lots of accurate details
Cameron the young sailor experiencing his first naval voyage had lots of action and discomfort and death to deal with. His earlier experience on his father’s trawler equipped him well in the actions that followed in the Atlantic.
Cameron the young sailor experiencing his first naval voyage had lots of action and discomfort and death to deal with. His earlier experience on his father’s trawler equipped him well in the actions that followed in the Atlantic.
June 29, 2020
Slow
Unfortunately, this book was a slow read with character galore and !little plot or absorbing action. It seemed that the story line ran on forever and was consumed with interactions between members d the crew. Not the type of adventure thriller I am comfortable with.
Unfortunately, this book was a slow read with character galore and !little plot or absorbing action. It seemed that the story line ran on forever and was consumed with interactions between members d the crew. Not the type of adventure thriller I am comfortable with.
July 4, 2020
Action packed enjoyable book!
This is an interresting and very enjoyable book. The characters are well developed. The action is continous. The British accents abd traditions, combined with the naval terms and traditions make for a fasinating read. I recommend this book.
This is an interresting and very enjoyable book. The characters are well developed. The action is continous. The British accents abd traditions, combined with the naval terms and traditions make for a fasinating read. I recommend this book.
July 7, 2020
You can feel the cold of the North Atlantic.
A lot of action crammed into one book but very descriptive and easy reading. If you like second world war books about the navy this book is ideal reading.
A lot of action crammed into one book but very descriptive and easy reading. If you like second world war books about the navy this book is ideal reading.
July 9, 2020
A good tale of early WW2 in the Battles of the Atlantic
Well written and informative of British Navy command structure facing ever deepening calamities on board a destroyer. Although a short read, it maintains quality and pace of action throughout.
Well written and informative of British Navy command structure facing ever deepening calamities on board a destroyer. Although a short read, it maintains quality and pace of action throughout.
July 11, 2020
Life on a destroyer on the north Atlantic during WWII. Life aboard with few creature comforts.,the chain of command from seaman recuit to leading petty officer is a hard life. Destroyer men are equal to the challange, even sinking a sub in hand to hand combet.
July 11, 2020
A great book
This was an absolutely fabulous book. I think the author did a great job capturing the worldview of the British sailors. He managed to portray them as well as the struggle they endured without degrading the work waxing poetic nonsense
This was an absolutely fabulous book. I think the author did a great job capturing the worldview of the British sailors. He managed to portray them as well as the struggle they endured without degrading the work waxing poetic nonsense
August 7, 2020
A 20th century Hornblower
This book reminds me of the Hornblower novels with lots of action and well developed characters. I only wish that some of the RN terminology was explained. Maybe a glossary.
This book reminds me of the Hornblower novels with lots of action and well developed characters. I only wish that some of the RN terminology was explained. Maybe a glossary.
August 11, 2020
Thrilling story of heroic action.
The author has written a suspenseful and eventful story of the crew of a ship and their heroic actions and efforts to save the ship. Very suspenseful and intriguing story that is sure to keep you entertained.
The author has written a suspenseful and eventful story of the crew of a ship and their heroic actions and efforts to save the ship. Very suspenseful and intriguing story that is sure to keep you entertained.
December 15, 2020
Great Naval war story
This is a great World War II Naval story. Full of action and courageous characters. Regular men who acted with courage when it was needed. Great start to the series and I look forward to more of the same in the rest of the series.
This is a great World War II Naval story. Full of action and courageous characters. Regular men who acted with courage when it was needed. Great start to the series and I look forward to more of the same in the rest of the series.
April 4, 2021
Terrific book.
Action all the way in this first of series. Very realistic about conditions on wartime ships and gory action sequences told through the eyes of seaman Donald Cameron, a great read.
Action all the way in this first of series. Very realistic about conditions on wartime ships and gory action sequences told through the eyes of seaman Donald Cameron, a great read.
June 7, 2021
What a great read!!
I’ve not read a World War 2 book on the navy for years, and this one is a ripper!
My heart goes out to all the sailors that had to fight in the Atlantic in those days.
Very well written
I’ve not read a World War 2 book on the navy for years, and this one is a ripper!
My heart goes out to all the sailors that had to fight in the Atlantic in those days.
Very well written
February 6, 2024
Terrific tale of naval action and bravery
Kept me enthralled from start to finish. Plenty of action and some great tales of the bravery of the Royal Navy's ratings, the below decks heroes of the story. A definite 5 star read
Kept me enthralled from start to finish. Plenty of action and some great tales of the bravery of the Royal Navy's ratings, the below decks heroes of the story. A definite 5 star read
June 19, 2024
A good introductory book to a new series about a young officer in the Royal Navy at the start of WW II. while implausible at times, it does. Good job of detailing the life aboard a convoy escort vessel in wartime. Looking forward to continuing the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews