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J E Macdonnell 3: Battle Ensign
H. M. S. Scimitar was ordered to join the American Fleet, but it soon became clear that the Americans didn’t have much time for the Aussie battleship. Even when Scimitar’s commander, Bruce Sainsbury V.C., reported that a secret Japanese airstrip was operating somewhere in the area, the warning was dismissed.
Then the Japs hit the fleet, and hit it hard.
Sainsbury volunteered to comb the ocean for the island airstrip, and promised to destroy it when he found it. If anyone could pull off such a dangerous mission, it was the Scimitar’s crew. But there was a weak link that might just turn a potential victory into a terrible defeat. Because one of Scimitar’s officers was a glory-hunter. Worse than that, he was also a coward …
Then the Japs hit the fleet, and hit it hard.
Sainsbury volunteered to comb the ocean for the island airstrip, and promised to destroy it when he found it. If anyone could pull off such a dangerous mission, it was the Scimitar’s crew. But there was a weak link that might just turn a potential victory into a terrible defeat. Because one of Scimitar’s officers was a glory-hunter. Worse than that, he was also a coward …
182 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 12, 2023
I recently read the first two books featuring the Australian destroyer Scimitar--Stand by to Ram and Target Unidentified (both published in 1957)--and loved them. So I moved on to the third book--Battle Ensign.
The first two featured Commander Bruce Sainsbury as the protagonist. Sainsbury is the commander of the Australian destroyer Scimitar and he soon proves himself to be really, really good at his job. This job entails, at one point, ramming a much larger Japanese ship that was about to blow the Scimitar out of the water.
Battle Ensign (1958) introduces a new protagonist, gunnery officer Peter Bentley. Newly arrived aboard the Scimitar, he soon clashes with the ship's new executive officer, but he soon realizes that Sainsbury is a highly skilled commander.
The Scimitar is assigned to an American fleet. On the way to join them, they are attacked by what they identify as a land-based Japanese bomber. But the Americans dismiss this. It must have been a carrier-based plane. After all, the only nearby islands are said to be deserted.
Well, a massive air attack by the Japanese sinks a couple of capital ships, so the American admiral changes his mind. The Scimitar volunteers to put search the islands, find the airfield and call in help to destroy it.
But Bentley, who will be accompaning the landing party, suggests that they might bring some TNT with them and perhaps do a little sabotage on their own if they find the airfield. Bentley picks men he knows he can trust, but then the ship's exec--someone whose courage and competency Bentley has reason to doubt--is put in command of the mission.
The chapter detailing the air attack on the American fleet is fantastic, but Scimitar's subsequent trip through a typhoon is even more intense. And then the mission on the island to locate and sabotage the airfield is even MORE intense that that. Aside from the great action, themes of courage, loyalty and redemption add to the strong emotions that run through the book's climax.
The first two featured Commander Bruce Sainsbury as the protagonist. Sainsbury is the commander of the Australian destroyer Scimitar and he soon proves himself to be really, really good at his job. This job entails, at one point, ramming a much larger Japanese ship that was about to blow the Scimitar out of the water.
Battle Ensign (1958) introduces a new protagonist, gunnery officer Peter Bentley. Newly arrived aboard the Scimitar, he soon clashes with the ship's new executive officer, but he soon realizes that Sainsbury is a highly skilled commander.
The Scimitar is assigned to an American fleet. On the way to join them, they are attacked by what they identify as a land-based Japanese bomber. But the Americans dismiss this. It must have been a carrier-based plane. After all, the only nearby islands are said to be deserted.
Well, a massive air attack by the Japanese sinks a couple of capital ships, so the American admiral changes his mind. The Scimitar volunteers to put search the islands, find the airfield and call in help to destroy it.
But Bentley, who will be accompaning the landing party, suggests that they might bring some TNT with them and perhaps do a little sabotage on their own if they find the airfield. Bentley picks men he knows he can trust, but then the ship's exec--someone whose courage and competency Bentley has reason to doubt--is put in command of the mission.
The chapter detailing the air attack on the American fleet is fantastic, but Scimitar's subsequent trip through a typhoon is even more intense. And then the mission on the island to locate and sabotage the airfield is even MORE intense that that. Aside from the great action, themes of courage, loyalty and redemption add to the strong emotions that run through the book's climax.
September 21, 2024
Great read
These are great novels that truly describe how the British Navy works. The traditional method of getting the job done is totally British. I am sure you will get hooked on this series.
These are great novels that truly describe how the British Navy works. The traditional method of getting the job done is totally British. I am sure you will get hooked on this series.
March 20, 2023
Battle Ensign
Another ripping yarn about the bravery of sailers fighting the weather and the enemy. A terrific read from a well credentialed author!
Another ripping yarn about the bravery of sailers fighting the weather and the enemy. A terrific read from a well credentialed author!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews