Submariner Sinclair

Submariner Sinclair #1

by John Wingate

The first book in a thrilling series of nautical adventures! Perfect for fans of Dewey Lambdin, Clive Cussler, Douglas Reeman and Duncan Harding.

The crew of H.M. Submarine Rugged are on a high-stakes, high seas mission.


Mediterranean, 1942


Britain is at war with Germany.

Responsible for protecting British convoys in the Channel in a small Chaser, young Peter Sinclair, R.N., is thrown head-first into the horrors of war.

Sent to serve in H.M. Submarine Rugged, defending convoys delivering food and supplies to the besieged island of Malta, Sub-Lieutenant Sinclair finds himself 120 feet beneath the sea, surrounded by deadly mines and just three miles from the enemy’s doorstep.

In a bold night raid on a small harbour on the north African coast, the famous ‘Fighting Tenth’ Submarine Flotilla comes under attack by enemy E-boats, whose relentless depth-charging threaten to sink Rugged to the bottom of the ocean.

When the Captain of a British submarine is captured, Sinclair, Able Seaman Bill Hawkins and a crack team of Commandos undertake a deadly mission to rescue the officer from a German-controlled prison on an Italian island.

But can they outwit a lethal enemy? Or will Sinclair’s first taste of submarine warfare be his last?

SUBMARINER SINCLAIR is the first book in the Submariner Sinclair naval thriller series: rip-roaring authentic historical adventures following a British submarine crew during World War II.

Genres: Military Fiction, War

245 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1959

About the author

John Alan Wingate DSC was a successful novelist with some twenty-five books to his credit. Many of these had a naval theme. Frequently involving the submarine service, they gained much authenticity from Wingate’s personal wartime experiences

Reviews

[Oliver Clarke · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m a big fan of older thrillers and crime novels, and there’s certainly something kind of neat about reading a WW2 adventure written just 14 years after the end of the conflict. I haven’t been able to find out much about the author John Wingate, but given that the title page puts this letters DSC after his name (short for Distinguished Service Cross, a medal awarded to British military officers), I’m assuming he fought in the war, presumably in the Royal Navy.
‘Submariner Sinclair’ is certainly not short of convincing detail, when it comes to life aboard a fighting ship. Unfortunately, what it is short on is thrills. Despite being packed with incident it’s a devastatingly dull book. Wingate throws his hero, plucky officer Peter Sinclair, into all sorts of scrapes – sea battles above and below the waves, a daring commando mission to rescue POWs – but he does so with prose that lacks any real spark. I failed to connect with Sinclair or the other characters. That’s something that doesn’t have to be a problem in a thriller, but it is a problem when there’s nothing else to grab your attention.
The book very much reminded me of a novel version of one of the ‘Commando’ comics. For the uninitiated, which is probably anyone who wasn’t a boy in the UK in the 60s or 70s, these were a seemingly endless series of one off WW2 comic adventures. I read many of them, but even as a kid I generally found them dull, despite their two-fisted action.
Like those comics, Wingate’s book lacks any nuance or depth. Brits and colonials (Australians and Canadians) are good,Germans and Italians are bad. There’s no grey area on either side, and the Axis troops are constantly dehumanised with racial slurs. They’re referred to by both the Allied characters and narrator as ‘Huns’ or ‘Wops’ almost exclusively. That’s probably not surprising in a low brow war novel from the 1950s, but it is disappointing that nothing was done to correct or at least contextualise the language in this 2021 reissue.
Combining that lazy nationalism with the leaden writing results in a book that fails to be entertaining in any way.

[Tony Hisgett · Rating 1 out of 5]

After the first half-a-dozen chapters it felt more like a collection of incidents rather than a coherent story. Unfortunately once the story started to develop I realised I wasn’t enjoying it very much.

[Bob Hurley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting as my father in law was a submariner operating out of Malta just after the second world war so I hear his voice in some of the ships company. Like a lot of books written about submarine service the fear when being hunted by enemy surface ships is scary. Listening to the propellors of a ship, hearing the depth charges arming and then bracing yourself for the impact. That is real fear. In this story at one point the "Rugged" seems to go into a terminal dive, same happened to my farther in law, they got to 330 feet before they could correct it and a lot of the ships company had perforated ear drums as a result. Appreciate this book is a re release but for me the insight into the Submarine Service and those that captain such boats comes across whilst the loneliness of command shows how strong these wartime leaders were. Good read if you want to get an understanding of life in a diesel/electric submarine and the camaraderie such service generates

[Georgina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whilst this isn't the best submarine book I've read, it was still very good. I liked that it was fast paced so you could really get into the story, I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you netgalley.co.uk for a free copy of this ebook, first published in 1959 number one of three in the submariner Sinclair series written by John Alan Wingate. The author is well researched on the second world war and especially in the naval theatre using his own personal wartime experiences in submarines. During the battle of the British Channel serving in a Chasseur (small fast naval vessel used in anti submarine warfare) being mentioned in dispatches, moving on to joining The Fighting Tenth Submarine Flotilla based in the Med. Johns factual book of the same name recounts the exploits of the 34 small U class subs, who damaged or sank over a million tons of Axis shipping, Now the scene is set for our hero Sinclair which I believe is based upon Johns wartime experience, we spend a little time on board a Chasseur for a quarter of the book and the rest underwater in a sub fighting the dastardly Germans and Italians. Realistic battles really draw you under, I loved the use of language (had to look up the word tintinnabulation, yes a real word ! means the tiny sounds of bells) that placed you in the action, easy to read and a ripping yarn just don't read this in the bath.

[Nick Brough · Rating 3 out of 5]

In parts this is a good WW2 book. The opening sequences set on the early war Channel convoys is very well described and overall excellent. The middle section when the officer (Sinclair) is transferred to Submarines based out of Malta is equally well realised although the quality starts to become slightly worse as the book goes on. The final section, dealing with the commando assault is far to "boys own action" adventure stuff for my taste. Whilst I don't doubt that quite a long of the background is actually very factually based (or at leasts seems so) the operation itself just isnt, nor is the following events when it all goes wrong.

The book doesn't really build up the characters within the submarine itself, not show that they had any sort of real life or concerns outside the submarine and its day to day patrols. To my mind, whilst this isnt necessary within the genre, it does make a real difference between an average book within the genre and really good one.

Its worth a read, buts its a long way from what I recommend as a great book.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this book. It gave me another aspect of WWWII that I haven’t read many books about.

My husband served in the Navy for 32 years so I recognized many of the military terms but I’m not sure how others would feel.

The characters were easy to like and respect for their actions. There was plenty of suspense throughout the book as the ship and then the submarine faced the Germans and their allies.

This book will be enjoyed by those that like books about war, the navy, history and comradeship.

[Denis Neal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book insulted what little intelligence I have by stupid actions taken by the submarine commander, like going into a harbor with a 3 inch mounted deck gun and shooting a few ships up. He could have laid a mile or more away and destroyed the whole harbor and ships (safely) with his torpedoes. At one point a German Luger pistol is called a huge gun when in reality it is not as large as a Glock 19. Disappointed

[Dianne P. Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the things I'm learning

From all the sailing novels I'm reading are exploding my mind. I have also realised that I have become a novel-induced adrenaline junky. This novel certainly did not disappoint. I enjoyed it from cover to cover.

[Mark Conely · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

Thank you for sharing your story of bravery, and pure guts that was shown by this generation of men and women. Good job!

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great action as Malta is the centerpiece for sub warfare and Sicily supplies Rommel across the Med

The island of Malta and allied forces based there are the essential barriers between the direct source of vital supplies for German and Italian forces operating in North Africa. Sub warfare is intense against the enemy and convoys. Subs also are essential for delivering essential supplies to keep Malta functioning. An interesting look at the British navy during these critical early days. Worth the time.

[stephen armitage · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first part of the story was very good, but when the submarine had its rear planes damaged by depth charges it suddenly seemed to be back to normal with no explanation. The second part of the story was rather far fetched and difficult to believe. I know submarines were used to launch commando raids and I also realise that the author wanted to add excitement, but I think it could have been a bit more realistic.

[Ann-Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Action from the start as we follow young Peter Sinclair firstly as Captain of Chaser 25, engaged in the dangerous task of protecting convoys in the English Channel, and then as part of the crew of the submarine HMS Rugged protecting ships delivering supplies to beleaguered Malta.

Experience life above and below water with the crew, feel the tensions and strains of their lives along with the great camaraderie and humour that got them through the dangers they faced. An absorbing story reflecting the author’s own wartime experience

Thanks to Sapere for a review copy.

[Norman Larke]

Good read

Excellent read, loved the story line, looking forward to more, submarines are a bread of their own not sure I could live in a can under the water with death changes raining down, good read though

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was disappointed. There are other books about the British submarine war that are better than this. I found the style irritating with gaps in the plot and a lot more Bulldog Drummond than Forester, Monsarrat or Clayton.

[mr s p gwilliam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boys own paper!

A good story line let down by a littering of 1950s comic book German phrases. Having just read David Black's excellent series ,this first book of a series has left me not wanting to continue

[Charlestrask · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action Packed

The story told here could be true to life. Duty on board the sub was super difficult but it comes through safe and sound.

The depth charges were horrific but the culmination of the story was wonderful.

[Mark Walton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable WW II military action

Set in the Mediterranean, a different theater for me. Set in the Royal Navy submarine force made for interesting reading for this Yankee. I will read the next one in the series.

[Roger Rees · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

I haven't read John Wingate before.
He manages to take you to the time and place in history when this subject occurred.
A thrilling WW2 yarn I'd recommend it to anyone interested in military history.

[Glenn A, Herold]

Great submarine WW2 story

Any one that likes World War II Story's will enjoy this story. Having served in cold war aboard a WW2 Submarine, it brought back memories of my boats and times!

[Don · Rating 3 out of 5]

All in all an enjoyable read , though I found it quite hard to get into at first so you will need to be quite patient & determined (hence only 3 stars ) but if you are you will find its worth it ; certainly enough for me to decide to buy the second book in the series .

[Elinor Salter Glenn Salter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read.

So authentic, great stories and enjoyable believable characters. Buying the next one in the series. I would highly recommend this book.

[Kathy Fritschi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Risky endeavor

Realistic description of British submarine patrol. It’s an easy to read adventure. The land mission on this patrol seems improbable, but it’s a good tale.

[Chaplain Stanley Chapin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Early World War Two

The storyline seemed to be aimed for the younger adults. Though interesting tidbits of the English navy and how it's chain of command works made it readable

[MARTIN WITHERS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good submarine tale.

Enjoyable sea story. Very tense action scenes aboard submarine working in Med . Interesting characters, ending not so good slow in parts.

[David Merritt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A worthwhile read

Really enjoyed this book. Now starting on number two of the series . Looking forward to a good read again.

[Diane Puckhaber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light Hearted, Light Reading

Good plot, but prose was a bit corny. Perhaps king's English is a affectation on TBE part of the author.

[Bill White · Rating 2 out of 5]

A Thriller?

I found this book very boring, the story,I I felt was weak and to say the least ,not very thrilling.

[G NTURLEY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good read

[Stan Schuer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book was so, so, reading.