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Donald Cameron Naval Thriller #10
Against All Odds
The mission is named Operation Scatter.
They are there to do what the RAF could not: blow the pens that berthed the deadly German U-boats to kingdom come.
It’s a pet scheme cooked up by high-ups, reportedly by the man himself, to penetrate the French port of Brest.
Lieutenant-Commander Cameron has orders not to reveal a word of the mission until they have left port, but for the crew, the detachment of marine commandos on board are a dead giveaway that this is no ordinary mission.
On a crumbling old P-class destroyer with less than adequate supplies and firepower, Cameron has a sneaking suspicion that no one even expects them to return. His suspicions are confirmed when he realizes the overwhelming odds he and his men face.
A band of fierce and resilient maquisards await Churchill’s special mission on land, but as Cameron and Operation Scatter near Brest they are met by fierce German artillery. As the senior officer’s ship is blown out the water and command falls into Cameron’s hands, all seems lost.
But with German warships closing in and the French Resistance still miles away, Cameron puts into action a plan of his own.
Cameron faces division amongst his officers, overwhelming firepower from the Germans, and the sense on board that the men are already doomed. But he is determined to carry out his mission objective and bring as many men home safely as possible.
Will Cameron overcome all odds and carry out Operation Scatter? Will the French Resistance and British commandos come together to deal the Nazis a fatal blow?
Against All Odds is a gripping and convincing tale of nautical adventure and the staggering horrors of war, told by an author who is both a fantastic story teller and someone with first-hand experience of WWII and the Royal Navy.
It was previously published as Cameron’s Raid.
Praise for Philip McCutchan
‘A nautical war buffs feast...[McCutchan] keeps an authoritative hand on the wheel and his descriptions of battles at sea ring with laconic truth.’ - The New York Times Book Review
’His character conflicts are well organised.’ - Daily Telegraph
‘A most exciting successor to his first novel — and it is just as rugged.’ - The Times
‘A nautical war buffs feast...[McCutchan] keeps an authoritative hand on the wheel and his descriptions of battles at sea ring with laconic truth.’ - The New York Times Book Review
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. He served at sea in the British Royal Navy throughout World War II, spending time on everything from destroyers to battleships to aircraft carriers.
They are there to do what the RAF could not: blow the pens that berthed the deadly German U-boats to kingdom come.
It’s a pet scheme cooked up by high-ups, reportedly by the man himself, to penetrate the French port of Brest.
Lieutenant-Commander Cameron has orders not to reveal a word of the mission until they have left port, but for the crew, the detachment of marine commandos on board are a dead giveaway that this is no ordinary mission.
On a crumbling old P-class destroyer with less than adequate supplies and firepower, Cameron has a sneaking suspicion that no one even expects them to return. His suspicions are confirmed when he realizes the overwhelming odds he and his men face.
A band of fierce and resilient maquisards await Churchill’s special mission on land, but as Cameron and Operation Scatter near Brest they are met by fierce German artillery. As the senior officer’s ship is blown out the water and command falls into Cameron’s hands, all seems lost.
But with German warships closing in and the French Resistance still miles away, Cameron puts into action a plan of his own.
Cameron faces division amongst his officers, overwhelming firepower from the Germans, and the sense on board that the men are already doomed. But he is determined to carry out his mission objective and bring as many men home safely as possible.
Will Cameron overcome all odds and carry out Operation Scatter? Will the French Resistance and British commandos come together to deal the Nazis a fatal blow?
Against All Odds is a gripping and convincing tale of nautical adventure and the staggering horrors of war, told by an author who is both a fantastic story teller and someone with first-hand experience of WWII and the Royal Navy.
It was previously published as Cameron’s Raid.
Praise for Philip McCutchan
‘A nautical war buffs feast...[McCutchan] keeps an authoritative hand on the wheel and his descriptions of battles at sea ring with laconic truth.’ - The New York Times Book Review
’His character conflicts are well organised.’ - Daily Telegraph
‘A most exciting successor to his first novel — and it is just as rugged.’ - The Times
‘A nautical war buffs feast...[McCutchan] keeps an authoritative hand on the wheel and his descriptions of battles at sea ring with laconic truth.’ - The New York Times Book Review
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. He served at sea in the British Royal Navy throughout World War II, spending time on everything from destroyers to battleships to aircraft carriers.
219 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 1985
143 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Philip McCutchan
187 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.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 10, 2018
"Against All Odds" eBook was published in 2016 (original paper edition was published in 1984) and was written by Philip McCutchan (https://www.fantasticfiction.com/m/ph...). Mr. McCutchan hasp published 100 novels and non-fiction works. This is the 10th in his "Donald Cameron Naval Thriller" series.
I received a copy of the book under promotion from the publisher. I categorize this novel as ‘R’ because it contains scenes of Violence. The story takes place during World War II. The primary character is Lieutenant Commander Donald Cameron.
Cameron is a assigned a new ship and crew. They, along with two other aging destroyers are loaded with commandos and sent on a dangerous mission to occupied France. The Germans are building hightly fortified submarine pens near Brest. The mission of Cameron and the others is to deliver the commandos so that they can blow up the pens under construction.
The plan initially goes as planned, but soon the commandos are ashore and in trouble. The three destroyers are under heavy fire from the Germans. Cameron must decide whether to try to complete the mission or flee France with what is left of the force.
I enjoyed this 194 page World War II thriller. I have read a few if McCutchan's "Cameron" novels and have liked them. For being more than 30 years old, they read well. The novel also reads well as a stand-alone novel. The cover art is OK, though the ship shown is certainly not the destroyer Cameron commands. I give this novel a 4 out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
I received a copy of the book under promotion from the publisher. I categorize this novel as ‘R’ because it contains scenes of Violence. The story takes place during World War II. The primary character is Lieutenant Commander Donald Cameron.
Cameron is a assigned a new ship and crew. They, along with two other aging destroyers are loaded with commandos and sent on a dangerous mission to occupied France. The Germans are building hightly fortified submarine pens near Brest. The mission of Cameron and the others is to deliver the commandos so that they can blow up the pens under construction.
The plan initially goes as planned, but soon the commandos are ashore and in trouble. The three destroyers are under heavy fire from the Germans. Cameron must decide whether to try to complete the mission or flee France with what is left of the force.
I enjoyed this 194 page World War II thriller. I have read a few if McCutchan's "Cameron" novels and have liked them. For being more than 30 years old, they read well. The novel also reads well as a stand-alone novel. The cover art is OK, though the ship shown is certainly not the destroyer Cameron commands. I give this novel a 4 out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
July 31, 2020
Exciting read
Another book on the Donald Cameron series by Philip McCutchan. The with Dr has a talent to show how !st characters think and have come to be the seaman they are at the time of this story.
Another book on the Donald Cameron series by Philip McCutchan. The with Dr has a talent to show how !st characters think and have come to be the seaman they are at the time of this story.
December 25, 2021
Good As The Test
Always well researched and with great characters, number 10 in the series is no exception. They work well as stand alone books but are better read in sequence. Cracking stories all of them.
Always well researched and with great characters, number 10 in the series is no exception. They work well as stand alone books but are better read in sequence. Cracking stories all of them.
December 17, 2018
A fast paced action packed world war 2 adventure story.
September 13, 2019
Great book
Another great book from. This series looking for to next one number 11 I think I'll have to order it tomorrow
Another great book from. This series looking for to next one number 11 I think I'll have to order it tomorrow
August 8, 2020
FAST ACTION
Great story. Although I believe that this story is a work of fiction, it could have been real as many events of the was showed similar courage.
Great story. Although I believe that this story is a work of fiction, it could have been real as many events of the was showed similar courage.
October 28, 2022
Great Book
This was an amazing book, and indeed a thriller. I really enjoyed the book and couldn't put it down once I got into it.
This was an amazing book, and indeed a thriller. I really enjoyed the book and couldn't put it down once I got into it.
December 12, 2024
Enjoyable light read but rather an unlikely plot.
May 11, 2025
We expect our officers to do. Not try. (Just like what Yoda said).
April 18, 2016
Good Book. Kept my attention. Recommended to friends.
Good Book. Liked the action. Liked the human element. Like the sequence of Cameron in his career. Book has reality of what war is like; pain and suffering.
Good Book. Liked the action. Liked the human element. Like the sequence of Cameron in his career. Book has reality of what war is like; pain and suffering.
May 2, 2016
Great Story!
Couldn't put this book down! The hard hitting action was non stop. The description of the action was absolutely riveting, and the description of the action made me feel as though I was right there on the bridge as well as with the men on shore.
Couldn't put this book down! The hard hitting action was non stop. The description of the action was absolutely riveting, and the description of the action made me feel as though I was right there on the bridge as well as with the men on shore.
April 26, 2017
Good read
Again well written with some facts. Again no real ending to finish the stomfry.Too much credit to local resistance.by by
Again well written with some facts. Again no real ending to finish the stomfry.Too much credit to local resistance.by by
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews