Never So Proud: The Story of the Battle of Crete, May 1941

by John Wingate

A tense and dramatic military adventure based on real World War II events! Perfect for fans of Clive Cussler, Douglas Reeman and Duncan Harding.Bill Tanner returns … but can he survive his next dramatic battle?Crete, 1941Greece has been invaded by the Germans, and the enemy has now turned its attention to Crete.With the island in grave danger of falling, Allied forces have been posted to the island in great number, Sub-Lieutenant Bill Tanner and Midshipman (A) Brander among them.But with Germany mounting its first ever airborne assault, victory cannot be taken for granted as German paratroopers fall from the sky in droves.As one of World War II’s most dramatic battles is played out, Allied forces struggle desperately to withstand the onslaught … and disaster looms for Bill and ‘Brandy’ when their aircraft is shot down.Will the two of them live to tell the tale? And can the Allies prevail against unprecedented hostilities?Or does a humiliating defeat await them?Based on real-life events, NEVER SO PROUD is the second book in the WWII Action Thriller authentic aviation and naval military fiction bringing to life the perilous battles that irrevocably changed the course of World War II.‘gripping and very well told’ – Kirkus ReviewsTHE WWII ACTION THRILLER BOOK Torpedo StrikeBOOK Never So ProudBOOK Last Ditch

246 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 3, 2021

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

[Ian Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not Wingate's Best. Usually his stories revolve around a character and we can relate to that person and follow the story through their eyes, but this book really is a retelling of the Battle of Crete. This is far too big a story with many complexities so character development is glossed over and the history is pedantic and jingoistic.

I've read 5 or six of his books, but this was by far the most disappointing effort.

[Cara Rogers · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not sure if Wingate's background is military, but this book is all Military and not for the common folk. I'm a fan of WWII historial book and the Battle of Crete was indeed a long and hard struggle but too many military terms I did not understand. Not sure if I can read another Wingate gook after thisone.

[D.M. Fletcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

a bloody episode

This brings home the sacrifice made by so many in the defence of Crete in the Second World War. The suffering is palpable.
This is a book that gets better as it goes along.

[John L Brentlinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Galent troops,loosing battle.

The story describes the battle well. The problem is there is not a lot of difference between one ship sinking and the next 10 that are sunk. The same needs to be said for the troops that were lost in the slowing down the German advance.

[Paul Donald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best Account of a Tragic Evacuation

This is the second account of this action I have read and despite the hardships, this description is hard to put down. As Adm. Cunningham said, everyone should know how fine these men were.

[John Lovett Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always interesting reads which provide a detail and actual summary of what took place.
During the read I felt as I was present through many of the horrific struggles the forces gad to endure. A good read.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crete's WW2 Story

This was a very depressing story. There was nothing positive about what occurred during the battles in Crete.The Germans had a decisive advantage. I didn't like story and do not recommend it

[Stephanie Cohu · Rating 4 out of 5]

battle of Crete

I didn’t know that much of Crete. The story was good with the fictional characters blending with the real life people. There are two problems with the book: abbreviations not given and no maps.

[J Leslie Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alamo comes to mind

You have enough info for several books. Too much information and too many characters to try to make any sense.

[MR CHRISTOPHER · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Really good readable book that puts you right in the middle of the battle. This is one of those books that once started, the end comes far to soon.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Needed a map for the jump shifts in laocation.

[Gerald E Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

History revealed

This was a great description of the appalling conditions endured by British, Aussies and Kiwis during the defence and abandonment of Crewe.

[Steven Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent hiistory

Well written correct history merged with telling an amazing feat off arms. These men were heroes .God bless them. BZ

[Andrew D Steventon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The battle. For Crete

This very descriptive book about the battle to retain Crete from the Germans provides a tough harsh story. Well worth a read.