Cameron's Raid

Donald Cameron Naval Thriller #10

by Philip McCutchan

Right from the start the whole exercise seemed doomed. When he heard he was to take part in one of Churchill's most audacious - some would say foolhardy - operations, Lieutenant-Commander Donald Cameron reckoned expendability was in the air. And it struck the ships' companies as probably the Admiralty's prime consideration in mounting Operation Scatter. With a reduced complement and minimal supplies and armaments, Cameron is given the command of a shaky old P-class destroyer, and joins two others in a similarly rusty state for the short crossing to the French port of Brest. There they are to penetrate right into the port and land a detachment of marine commandos, who are to blow up the huge German U-boat pens which have so far proved an impossible target for the RAF. Despite pre-arranged support from the French Resistance, the British destroyers face heavy fire as they enter Brest. When the Senior Officer's ship is blown up, and the commandos fail to make the return rendezvous at the quayside, control of the operation falls to Cameron. Knowing that German warships are in the offing, he decides to creep inland, up the shallows of the Race de Brest, and make contact with the Resistance. It may seem hopeless, but to attempt a dash to sea without British naval support outside Brest would be suicide.

Genres: Historical Fiction, World War II, War, Military Fiction, Fiction

184 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 1985

About the author

aka 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.

Reviews

[John Purvis · Rating 4 out of 5]

"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/.

[Don Brenner · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Mr Michael R Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast paced action packed world war 2 adventure story.

[Jeff Pinnock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Another great book from. This series looking for to next one number 11 I think I'll have to order it tomorrow

[Andrew Riess · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Douglas K Steyling · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable light read but rather an unlikely plot.

[John Rosenberger · Rating 4 out of 5]

We expect our officers to do. Not try. (Just like what Yoda said).

[Robert Timmreck · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[7$MartyQ · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[ronald r luba · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Again well written with some facts. Again no real ending to finish the stomfry.Too much credit to local resistance.by by