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The Waves of War Series #3
WHEN D-DAY DAWNS
In the June of 1944, a small, battle weary Royal Navy destroyer is recalled from the war-torn seas of the English Channel and assigned to a vital operation; codenamed ‘Neptune’. For Lieutenant-Commander Richard Thorburn, the once rebellious but now older and wiser captain of H.M.S. Brackendale, the desperate confusion of savage combat awaits. Primed for the bloody assault on the beaches of Nazi occupied Europe, he and his ship’s company stand ready for the trials ahead. When battle commences, it will be the indomitable spirit of a few, suffered by many, and shared by all, that determine the outcome for Hitler’s much acclaimed Atlantic Wall. This then, is their courageous fight to survive.
294 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 6, 2016
92 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 26, 2017
Brilliant story.
An excellent second book chronicling the captain and crew of the Destroyer Brackendale, Hopefully Graham Perry will continue to give some more of the same.
An excellent second book chronicling the captain and crew of the Destroyer Brackendale, Hopefully Graham Perry will continue to give some more of the same.
October 9, 2023
Good D-Day tale, but with problems
This novel, the third in the Waves of War series about a British naval vessel in World War Two, takes the reader to the D-Day landings on Utah Beach. The focus is on the HMS Brackendale, a small Hunt class destroyer, and her captain, Lieutenant Commander Richard Thorburn. There also continues the side plot about an English SOE officer (Special Ops), and the French Resistance agent with whom he works to gather information for the British Navy.
It’s a good story, flawed by the author’s problems with homonyms: he writes “prey” when he means “pray” about half the time, “compliment” for “complement”, and “chord” for “cord”, for example.
He’s also clearly not a Catholic— he describes a priest who’s with the Resistance as having hidden a secret radio in “the wooden chest of alter sacraments”. First, he meant “altar”, vice “alter”, and second, there’s no such thing as sacraments that are kept in a box. He perhaps is referring to altar cloths, or even the chalice and paten used in the Sacrament of the Mass by the priest, but those items aren’t sacraments.
These problems aside, the book is an exciting read as it describes both the preparations for and then the invasion of Nazi-held France.
This novel, the third in the Waves of War series about a British naval vessel in World War Two, takes the reader to the D-Day landings on Utah Beach. The focus is on the HMS Brackendale, a small Hunt class destroyer, and her captain, Lieutenant Commander Richard Thorburn. There also continues the side plot about an English SOE officer (Special Ops), and the French Resistance agent with whom he works to gather information for the British Navy.
It’s a good story, flawed by the author’s problems with homonyms: he writes “prey” when he means “pray” about half the time, “compliment” for “complement”, and “chord” for “cord”, for example.
He’s also clearly not a Catholic— he describes a priest who’s with the Resistance as having hidden a secret radio in “the wooden chest of alter sacraments”. First, he meant “altar”, vice “alter”, and second, there’s no such thing as sacraments that are kept in a box. He perhaps is referring to altar cloths, or even the chalice and paten used in the Sacrament of the Mass by the priest, but those items aren’t sacraments.
These problems aside, the book is an exciting read as it describes both the preparations for and then the invasion of Nazi-held France.
April 17, 2024
A fine story with multiple story lines.
Some aspects of the military equipment have mistakes. He has multiple Sherman tanks on LCT's. But, his description of the LCT more closely describes an LST. LST's are good size ships.
Also, the infantry combat features units that are basically isolated. Patrol skirmishes would be very small units [squads or fire teams]. Usually, however, a rifle company would employ its platoons by coordinated fire and maneuver tactics supported by artillery fire as well as close air support.
A division is a major collection of combat units, logistical assets, and command and control elements. In this context it would be better to focus on regiments [U.S.] or brigades [U.K.] and their components, battalions. One needs to keep in mind that combined units were used in which infantry, armor, and artillery elements were mixed together.
Some aspects of the military equipment have mistakes. He has multiple Sherman tanks on LCT's. But, his description of the LCT more closely describes an LST. LST's are good size ships.
Also, the infantry combat features units that are basically isolated. Patrol skirmishes would be very small units [squads or fire teams]. Usually, however, a rifle company would employ its platoons by coordinated fire and maneuver tactics supported by artillery fire as well as close air support.
A division is a major collection of combat units, logistical assets, and command and control elements. In this context it would be better to focus on regiments [U.S.] or brigades [U.K.] and their components, battalions. One needs to keep in mind that combined units were used in which infantry, armor, and artillery elements were mixed together.
January 17, 2022
A good yarn with a couple of faux pas
As usual, this is a good book, but had a couple of annoying errors at least for me. The author should know that Mister in French is Monsieur not Monsignor. Monsignor is an honorific usually in the Roman Catholic faith bestowed on a priest. This may simply have been a transcription error.
Also, if the “priest” in his story has a wife, then that priest should be identified as non-Catholic. The author may be confusing Catholic priests with Anglican priests or with Orthodox or even Eastern Rite Catholic priests. It is highly unlikely any of those married priests would be found in 1944 Normandy.
As usual, this is a good book, but had a couple of annoying errors at least for me. The author should know that Mister in French is Monsieur not Monsignor. Monsignor is an honorific usually in the Roman Catholic faith bestowed on a priest. This may simply have been a transcription error.
Also, if the “priest” in his story has a wife, then that priest should be identified as non-Catholic. The author may be confusing Catholic priests with Anglican priests or with Orthodox or even Eastern Rite Catholic priests. It is highly unlikely any of those married priests would be found in 1944 Normandy.
November 16, 2024
Featuring the Hunt class destroyer " Hms Brackendale " & her Captain Richard Thorburn ,this is a hard to put down book .
The storyline is well written & although the story itself is fiction , the events of the " D-day " landings that its based around are fact , & it actually highlights some of the the less well known aspects of June 1944.
The author manages to bring the characters & the story to life in a way that makes you feel like you are there - or perhaps being told the story by someone who really was .
A good story ,well written & all the more so because of the events its based around .
The storyline is well written & although the story itself is fiction , the events of the " D-day " landings that its based around are fact , & it actually highlights some of the the less well known aspects of June 1944.
The author manages to bring the characters & the story to life in a way that makes you feel like you are there - or perhaps being told the story by someone who really was .
A good story ,well written & all the more so because of the events its based around .
October 31, 2019
Great read but!
Considering the previous books in this series, although a great read. There were just too many other stories within the main one. It really was unnecessary and to some extent really reduced the overall story. The ending was so blah, it appeared as if it was an afterthought. It's still 5 ,🌟 book just really didn't have any ending
Considering the previous books in this series, although a great read. There were just too many other stories within the main one. It really was unnecessary and to some extent really reduced the overall story. The ending was so blah, it appeared as if it was an afterthought. It's still 5 ,🌟 book just really didn't have any ending
March 8, 2022
History Wo en Into A Novel
The third in the Waves Of War series and just as good as the first two. Historical facts interwoven into a fictional ship and it’s ships company’s role during the Normandy Landings.
Based around great characters which we have all come to know the story moves at a great pace.
Really enjoyed it
The third in the Waves Of War series and just as good as the first two. Historical facts interwoven into a fictional ship and it’s ships company’s role during the Normandy Landings.
Based around great characters which we have all come to know the story moves at a great pace.
Really enjoyed it
November 17, 2021
A fine story continued.
I met a former German sailor who had a hand blown off at Normandy fighting the invasion armada. This book helps capture some of the confusing events of that day.
I met a former German sailor who had a hand blown off at Normandy fighting the invasion armada. This book helps capture some of the confusing events of that day.
November 26, 2021
The third in the series and a really fine read...
The details of the naval participation in X-Ray was very interesting and new material for me. I like this author very much and will read the fourth in the series. Action packed and interesting views of the German outlook.
The details of the naval participation in X-Ray was very interesting and new material for me. I like this author very much and will read the fourth in the series. Action packed and interesting views of the German outlook.
August 23, 2022
Yawn: The series goes downhill. Too much of the book takes place on land- US Rangers, French Resistance, British commando, German Army. C'mon, this is supposed to be a naval series. Most everything is too predictable. There are better books out there.
June 21, 2023
What a story
Although the story is fiction, the story is a bloody good read,It follows the allied. and the German side of the conflict. If the other three books in the series are half as exciting as this then my summer reading is sorted. Thank you Mr Parry for a very good book.
Although the story is fiction, the story is a bloody good read,It follows the allied. and the German side of the conflict. If the other three books in the series are half as exciting as this then my summer reading is sorted. Thank you Mr Parry for a very good book.
May 4, 2020
Enjoyable
This was a good yarn and have a taste of the landings from an assortment of perspectives. Aligns well with experiences of family members.
This was a good yarn and have a taste of the landings from an assortment of perspectives. Aligns well with experiences of family members.
January 5, 2022
A good story.
Looking forward to the next book. A good story when the weather is keeping you in. I recommend the whole series.
Looking forward to the next book. A good story when the weather is keeping you in. I recommend the whole series.
May 14, 2023
non stop naval action
Enjoyed this book and all the action contained. Seems to be more realistic than some with the star ship barely surviving - sometimes just by luck!
Enjoyed this book and all the action contained. Seems to be more realistic than some with the star ship barely surviving - sometimes just by luck!
December 22, 2023
Good
I did enjoy this story and at times it was very difficult to put it down. I shall look forward to the next helping!
I did enjoy this story and at times it was very difficult to put it down. I shall look forward to the next helping!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews