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The Destroyers
In 25 years of continuous service, the eight destroyers had seen every kind of action at sea. Now they were going to be used on raids that would open the way for an invasion of Occupied Europe. Keith Drummond, captain of the destroyer Warlock, realized his men would be tested to the limit.
318 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1974
3 people are currently reading
170 people want to read
About the author
Douglas Reeman
138 books174 followersAKA Alexander Kent.
Douglas Edward Reeman was a British author who has written many historical fiction books on the Royal Navy, mainly set during either World War II or the Napoleonic Wars.
Reeman joined the Royal Navy in 1940, at the age of 16, and served during World War II and the Korean War. He eventually rose to the rank of lieutenant. In addition to being an author, Reeman has also taught the art of navigation for yachting and served as a technical advisor for films. Douglas married author Kimberley Jordan Reeman in 1985.
Reeman's debut novel, A Prayer for the Ship was published in 1958. His pseudonym Alexander Kent was the name of a friend and naval officer who died during the Second World War. Reeman is most famous for his series of Napoleonic naval stories, whose central character is Richard Bolitho, and, later, his nephew, Adam. He also wrote a series of novels about several generations of the Blackwood family who served in the Royal Marines from the 1850s to the 1970s, and a non-fiction account of his World War II experiences, D-Day : A Personal Reminiscence (1984).
Series:
* Blackwood Family
Douglas Edward Reeman was a British author who has written many historical fiction books on the Royal Navy, mainly set during either World War II or the Napoleonic Wars.
Reeman joined the Royal Navy in 1940, at the age of 16, and served during World War II and the Korean War. He eventually rose to the rank of lieutenant. In addition to being an author, Reeman has also taught the art of navigation for yachting and served as a technical advisor for films. Douglas married author Kimberley Jordan Reeman in 1985.
Reeman's debut novel, A Prayer for the Ship was published in 1958. His pseudonym Alexander Kent was the name of a friend and naval officer who died during the Second World War. Reeman is most famous for his series of Napoleonic naval stories, whose central character is Richard Bolitho, and, later, his nephew, Adam. He also wrote a series of novels about several generations of the Blackwood family who served in the Royal Marines from the 1850s to the 1970s, and a non-fiction account of his World War II experiences, D-Day : A Personal Reminiscence (1984).
Series:
* Blackwood Family
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 16, 2021
I haven’t read this book since I was a teenager (a very long time ago!) but I remember liking everything I read by Douglas Reeman. Re-reading this novel has reminded me why.
As a young man Reeman served in the Royal Navy during World War II, and it shows. I was captivated by this book; only two missions are described but he manages to infuse the whole story with the barely-suppressed feelings of fear, tension, anxiety and anticipation felt by his characters, for whom injury and death are constant companions.
The story concerns a flotilla of eight old destroyers of First World War vintage – ships that have served the nation well but which are out-classed and out-gunned by more modern and less expendable ships. Their captains and crews sometimes hate them but for the most part they love them; this is just as well because they depend on them and their own skills to survive. They nickname themselves the Scrapyard Flotilla.
The story is mainly about one destroyer – H.M.S. Warlock; her captain, Lieutenant-Commander Keith Drummond; and the First Officer, Lieutenant David Sheridan (known as ‘No. 1’, which would be the 2IC in American parlance), along with many other crew members at all levels. Sheridan is a Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve (R.N.V.R.) officer who is miffed because he wanted a command of his own and believes he is ready for his own ship, but has been sent to Warlock to replace the previous First Officer, who was maimed in an earlier action.
It is also about the flotilla’s C.O., a vain, arrogant, uncompromising officer driven by glory, Captain Dudley Beaumont. This man was one of only a handful of survivors from H.M.S. Conqueror, a battleship that infamously received a broadside from a German battlecruiser and promptly blew up and sank (just like the real H.M.S. Hood when she was tragically dispatched by the Bismarck). He was branded a hero and is used by the Admiralty for publicity purposes, so is continually followed around by his press officers – a newspaperman and a photographer, who make sure his handsome face regularly appears in the press to keep up the morale of the nation.
There is some doubt about the true nature of what happened aboard the Conqueror and Drummond eventually does some digging, spurred on by the love interest in the story, Sarah Kemp, the sister of a sailor who did not survive the Conqueror’s sinking, although another survivor claims he was on a raft at one point and argued with the ‘hero’.
The underlying theme of the story is the war itself, which sounds obvious but those of us who have never been involved in a general war can imagine the continuous, unrelenting pressure to DO things: to prepare, to work, to serve – the continuous and crushing tiredness, exhaustion, worry about families and the desperate need for one day off, a drink or some love and physical release. Reeman puts this across very effectively. Drummond, as captain of the Warlock, is exhausted, the flotilla having been on convoy protection duty for months. Then, just when he really needs a rest, along comes this new C.O. (Beaumont), an upbeat, cocky, over-confident man whom Drummond suspects is willing to undertake dangerous missions irrespective of casualties in order to further his own career, at the expense of everyone under his command. Drummond is so tired because he has been burdened with the responsibility of his ship and his crew, who come a close second in his eyes after following his orders
The story goes on to describe in fascinating detail the preparations of the ships, the planning of the missions, the personal lives of the main characters (including one with a dark secret) and, of course, what happens when they undertake their hazardous missions. The action sequences are described very well, to the point that you can imagine yourself there, worrying along with them about when you might be hit by a shell splinter or strafed by a dive-bomber. In films you see a lot of near misses where bombs explode close to a ship and nothing really happens as a result. In the book you are reminded that exploding shells hurl hundreds of white-hot splinters of jagged metal away from the impact point, so thin steel plating is holed and men are wounded even when the ship is not hit. Meanwhile, the senior officers are standing on an open bridge directing the crew.
Some of the characters we have come to know are killed or wounded – and the rest just get on with their jobs and wonder why they are still alive. I feel that this characterisation, realistic description of the characters’ fears and feelings and also of the realities of war, i.e. that there are few heroes – mostly it’s just ordinary but brave men getting on with it, for the sake of their ship and their mates, are what make Reeman’s novels so believable.
There are several side-stories (about other crew-members) intertwined with the main action and these give more depth to the tale. I loved this book and will re-read the other Reeman novels I own. If you like stories about war and what it does to people, if you like ships and the sea, read this book – you’ll love it.
Solid five stars.
As a young man Reeman served in the Royal Navy during World War II, and it shows. I was captivated by this book; only two missions are described but he manages to infuse the whole story with the barely-suppressed feelings of fear, tension, anxiety and anticipation felt by his characters, for whom injury and death are constant companions.
The story concerns a flotilla of eight old destroyers of First World War vintage – ships that have served the nation well but which are out-classed and out-gunned by more modern and less expendable ships. Their captains and crews sometimes hate them but for the most part they love them; this is just as well because they depend on them and their own skills to survive. They nickname themselves the Scrapyard Flotilla.
The story is mainly about one destroyer – H.M.S. Warlock; her captain, Lieutenant-Commander Keith Drummond; and the First Officer, Lieutenant David Sheridan (known as ‘No. 1’, which would be the 2IC in American parlance), along with many other crew members at all levels. Sheridan is a Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve (R.N.V.R.) officer who is miffed because he wanted a command of his own and believes he is ready for his own ship, but has been sent to Warlock to replace the previous First Officer, who was maimed in an earlier action.
It is also about the flotilla’s C.O., a vain, arrogant, uncompromising officer driven by glory, Captain Dudley Beaumont. This man was one of only a handful of survivors from H.M.S. Conqueror, a battleship that infamously received a broadside from a German battlecruiser and promptly blew up and sank (just like the real H.M.S. Hood when she was tragically dispatched by the Bismarck). He was branded a hero and is used by the Admiralty for publicity purposes, so is continually followed around by his press officers – a newspaperman and a photographer, who make sure his handsome face regularly appears in the press to keep up the morale of the nation.
There is some doubt about the true nature of what happened aboard the Conqueror and Drummond eventually does some digging, spurred on by the love interest in the story, Sarah Kemp, the sister of a sailor who did not survive the Conqueror’s sinking, although another survivor claims he was on a raft at one point and argued with the ‘hero’.
The underlying theme of the story is the war itself, which sounds obvious but those of us who have never been involved in a general war can imagine the continuous, unrelenting pressure to DO things: to prepare, to work, to serve – the continuous and crushing tiredness, exhaustion, worry about families and the desperate need for one day off, a drink or some love and physical release. Reeman puts this across very effectively. Drummond, as captain of the Warlock, is exhausted, the flotilla having been on convoy protection duty for months. Then, just when he really needs a rest, along comes this new C.O. (Beaumont), an upbeat, cocky, over-confident man whom Drummond suspects is willing to undertake dangerous missions irrespective of casualties in order to further his own career, at the expense of everyone under his command. Drummond is so tired because he has been burdened with the responsibility of his ship and his crew, who come a close second in his eyes after following his orders
The story goes on to describe in fascinating detail the preparations of the ships, the planning of the missions, the personal lives of the main characters (including one with a dark secret) and, of course, what happens when they undertake their hazardous missions. The action sequences are described very well, to the point that you can imagine yourself there, worrying along with them about when you might be hit by a shell splinter or strafed by a dive-bomber. In films you see a lot of near misses where bombs explode close to a ship and nothing really happens as a result. In the book you are reminded that exploding shells hurl hundreds of white-hot splinters of jagged metal away from the impact point, so thin steel plating is holed and men are wounded even when the ship is not hit. Meanwhile, the senior officers are standing on an open bridge directing the crew.
Some of the characters we have come to know are killed or wounded – and the rest just get on with their jobs and wonder why they are still alive. I feel that this characterisation, realistic description of the characters’ fears and feelings and also of the realities of war, i.e. that there are few heroes – mostly it’s just ordinary but brave men getting on with it, for the sake of their ship and their mates, are what make Reeman’s novels so believable.
There are several side-stories (about other crew-members) intertwined with the main action and these give more depth to the tale. I loved this book and will re-read the other Reeman novels I own. If you like stories about war and what it does to people, if you like ships and the sea, read this book – you’ll love it.
Solid five stars.
July 14, 2021
The author served in MTBs and Destroyers in World War Two, so knows his stuff. I could have done without some of the shoehorned-in love story, but the action scenes are incredibly well done. I'll definitely be reading more by Douglas Reeman!
September 2, 2022
When you set sail onboard HMS Reeman you're always guaranteed an entertaining read. The skipper is Capt. Bloody Decent Bloke, aka Keith Drummond, his ship part of the veteran 'Scrapyard Flotilla' (here the destroyer 'Warlock'). His "number one" (no sniggering on deck) is Lt. Sheridan, a competent officer in need of learning humility. There's Midshipman Wet-Behind-The-Ears, Able Seaman Wrong 'Un and Bosun Salt-0f-the-Earth.
In other words, all the usual crew. There are ambitious bastards (if you're called Dudley Beaumont, this is a given) and plucky ratings, perhaps too many to keep a track of: thankfully the German navy steps in to whittle down the cast. The only cloud on the horizon is the obligatory ROMANTIC INTERLUDE: I think it fair to say this is never a unique selling point of the author's work.
Highlights include a daring raid on a Norwegian fjord and a climactic suicidal attack on the Kriegsmarine base at St. Nazaire. Satisfying moments of redemption are followed by long-awaited come-uppances. This is another reliable entry in the Reeman repertoire but takes a while to leave dock. It's not helped by some clunky writing eg. "He waited, imagining Duvall's beard on the other end of the sound-wave" (?) How about "He heard Sheridan's stubble rasp against his collar." Has he got super hearing? I jest, but these lapses just took me out of the moment. A decent editor might have trimmed the ballast.
So a decent naval novel, if not one of his finest. The PC/woke brigade will find plenty to hate but it provided me with a decent holiday read. I will be signing up for another tour of duty before long. As you were men, carry on.
In other words, all the usual crew. There are ambitious bastards (if you're called Dudley Beaumont, this is a given) and plucky ratings, perhaps too many to keep a track of: thankfully the German navy steps in to whittle down the cast. The only cloud on the horizon is the obligatory ROMANTIC INTERLUDE: I think it fair to say this is never a unique selling point of the author's work.
Highlights include a daring raid on a Norwegian fjord and a climactic suicidal attack on the Kriegsmarine base at St. Nazaire. Satisfying moments of redemption are followed by long-awaited come-uppances. This is another reliable entry in the Reeman repertoire but takes a while to leave dock. It's not helped by some clunky writing eg. "He waited, imagining Duvall's beard on the other end of the sound-wave" (?) How about "He heard Sheridan's stubble rasp against his collar." Has he got super hearing? I jest, but these lapses just took me out of the moment. A decent editor might have trimmed the ballast.
So a decent naval novel, if not one of his finest. The PC/woke brigade will find plenty to hate but it provided me with a decent holiday read. I will be signing up for another tour of duty before long. As you were men, carry on.
February 16, 2014
An interesting read. It was first published in 1974 by Douglas Reeman who had served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War. What surprised me, was that the book, could bring to the surface, the horrors of warfare but without the graphic language we are now use to. The violence was described but without the graphic portrayal of the blood and guts, and yet the emotions of the combatants were portrayed as clearly as if you were talking to them in a pub in the early 70's, a remark bringing back the memories, of some night 30 years earlier that could not be processed and resolved.
A book that makes sense to a 60 year old plus reader, use to seeing the unhealed emotion scars of the generation before them, but would it make any sense now to younger readers.
A book that makes sense to a 60 year old plus reader, use to seeing the unhealed emotion scars of the generation before them, but would it make any sense now to younger readers.
September 16, 2012
They called them the Scrapyard Flotilla. . . In a quarter-century of continuous service the eight destroyers had seen every kind of action at sea. Now they were going to be used on hard-hitting raids that would open the way for an invasion of Occupied Europe. Were the ships chosen for their battle-worthiness -or because they were expendable? As the operations got underway Keith Drummond, captain of the destroyer Warlock, realised that his men would be tested to the limit-and beyond.
November 23, 2016
This book had everything from excitement to intrigue. It was great story which kept the humanity of war within its pages. The action was described superbly and gave you a fantastic sense that the battles where quick, dangerous and confusing. Really enjoyed this book!!
June 19, 2010
I enjoyed it and found it difficult to put down towards the end. I would have liked some reference to the actual events that it was loosely based on.
January 23, 2022
This is classic Reeman, no better or worse than most of his novels. I like that most of the novel is technical details rather than battle, because constant battle (as with some other authors) gets dull after a while, while the complexity of, say, conning a destroyer out of a crowded harbour, or choosing a speed and course to meet up with or intercept another ship, is always interesting (at least for me).
The best Reeman novel is A Prayer for the Ship, because it's based on his own experiences during the war, and was written only 15 years after its end. Most of the rest of his novels are based on research instead of experience, and tend to get formulaic (though still enjoyable). An exception is The White Guns, which is also based on his immediate post-war experience in the occupied German port of Kiel, and breaks much of his standard formula.
The best Reeman novel is A Prayer for the Ship, because it's based on his own experiences during the war, and was written only 15 years after its end. Most of the rest of his novels are based on research instead of experience, and tend to get formulaic (though still enjoyable). An exception is The White Guns, which is also based on his immediate post-war experience in the occupied German port of Kiel, and breaks much of his standard formula.
August 30, 2020
Up there with the best of Reeman's titles, I loved The Destroyers. It was a great combination of Naval action, personality conflicts and even a touch of murder. But at the heart of the story are the sacrifices made by men and their "scrapyard flotilla" of old ships in order to defeat an enemy that has modern battle cruisers at its command. For some of destroyer Warlock's crew, the conflict is personal - and not solely with Nazi Germany.
February 16, 2018
Another great book by Douglas Reeman - a British naval novel of WWII. When I read his books I feel right into the story. In fact last night I woke up feeling I was on a the British destroyer heading into the Norwegian coast on a raid of a German harbor. He gives a good feel of naval life during war and what battle is like.
August 12, 2022
I enjoyed this book. As a fan of Reeman I was not disappointed. Not quite up to my memory of other books such as "The Deep Silence" or "To Risks Unknown"(4 stars each), but still enjoyable. I do not write spoilers, but it's safe to say that the ending was foreseen before it arrived, but only by 8 eight or ten pages.
May 2, 2024
This for me was a typical Douglas Reeman adventure story in that it seemed to start slow but finished fast paced & all action.
Take some almost vintage destroyers tasked to undertake some daring, seemingly impossible missions & throw in the almost expected 'love interest' for our hero and you have our story .
In short its ok , but not a book that will live long in the memory ..
Take some almost vintage destroyers tasked to undertake some daring, seemingly impossible missions & throw in the almost expected 'love interest' for our hero and you have our story .
In short its ok , but not a book that will live long in the memory ..
September 7, 2020
Read this a while back, great story of life on a royal navy destroyer - one of the better WWII stories
June 8, 2014
Douglas Reeman drinking game: Lt Commander Drummond served a "Horses Neck, just how you like it", on page 40. #2, page 133.
See previous reviews of Reeman books for the Reeman drinking games.
Ver slow start. Beginning about a third in, however, the pace picks up nicely to become a very well plotted adventure. No surprises at all (except for Reeman's toying with the historical record--but this is fiction). Hero is a bit higher ranking than usual (Lt. Commander/Commander), and a bit too tightly wound to enjoy.
See previous reviews of Reeman books for the Reeman drinking games.
Ver slow start. Beginning about a third in, however, the pace picks up nicely to become a very well plotted adventure. No surprises at all (except for Reeman's toying with the historical record--but this is fiction). Hero is a bit higher ranking than usual (Lt. Commander/Commander), and a bit too tightly wound to enjoy.
May 27, 2015
Quite a fantastic ending - much more fantastic than a normal Reeman: which is why I gave it five stars! You just need to set aside that
Also recently re-read this one; and enjoyed it. Love the V and W class.
Also recently re-read this one; and enjoyed it. Love the V and W class.
April 27, 2025
Another great book by Douglas Reeman. If you are an avid reader of Douglas Reeman books, you have an idea on how the story is going tom go. However, his stories come to life and are always full of action. A great read for the history readers.
January 21, 2017
Great action. Great insight into british Naval small unit action.
August 12, 2012
I found the story slow and difficult to get into unlike Reeman's other novels.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews