Thomas E. Lightburn Livres

This is the story of HMS Dawlish, a type 23 frigate and the dangers she faces on her way to the Persian Gulf. Among her 126 crew is a committed Al Qaeda terrorist. Using a secret explosive concealed in his kit, his mission is to blow up the ship and kill her ship's company. However, due to circumstances beyond his control, this initially becomes difficult, especially when, despite his fanatical religious beliefs, he finds himself attracted to one of the female crew members. After a deadly encounter rescuing a merchant vessel from pirates, Dawlish arrives in Bahrain. She immediately has to escort a small merchant convoy through the Straits of Hormuz and is attacked by Al Qaeda jets stolen from Libya attempting to block this passageway thus preventing ships carrying oil to the West. The fleet of today differs in almost every way from those in World War Two and later. And as such the author has attempted to highlight the complexities of a fighting a modern warship with its computer controlled rockets, missiles and guns. The book abounds with raunchy runs ashore as well as the inevitable relationships that occur between some of the twelve female ratings and officers and men. But will the terrorist complete his terrible task, and what fate awaits his girlfriend?

This is the story of HMS Dawlish, a type 23 frigate and the dangers she faces on her way to the Persian Gulf. Among her 126 crew is a committed Al Qaeda terrorist. Using a secret explosive concealed in his kit, his mission is to blow up the ship and kill her ship's company. However, due to circumstances beyond his control, this initially becomes difficult, especially when, despite his fanatical religious beliefs, he finds himself attracted to one of the female crew members. After a deadly encounter rescuing a merchant vessel from pirates, Dawlish arrives in Bahrain. She immediately has to escort a small merchant convoy through the Straits of Hormuz and is attacked by Al Qaeda jets stolen from Libya attempting to block this passageway thus preventing ships carrying oil to the West. The fleet of today differs in almost every way from those in World War Two and later. As such the author has attempted to highlight the complexities of a fighting modern warship with its computer controlled rockets, missiles and guns. The book abounds with raunchy runs ashore as well as the inevitable relationships that occur between some of the twelve female ratings and officers and men. But will the terrorist complete his terrible task, and what fate awaits his girlfriend?

During the first two years of the Second World War, Allied shipping losses by U-boat attacks were so high that Great Britain was in grave danger of being starved into submission. U-boats known as Milch Cows, supplying other U-boats, enabled the enemy to remain longer at sea which compounded the problem. The situation soon became desperate. In September 1940 Commander Robert Stirling is given command of 15th Escort Group, a flotilla of Sloops based in Liverpool. His unorthodox methods of attacking and sinking U-boats, although disputed by many of his superiors, is given tacit consent by Admiral Sir Max Horton C in C Western Approaches. Stirling is ordered to take his flotilla into the South Atlantic on a secret mission. Danger not only from the enemy but also from an unexpected source threatens to end the operation. This story is based on fact and is meticulously researched.

After witnessing the sinking of his ship HMS Watchful, and seeing the officers and men he knew so well dead and dying, Commander John Hammond suffers a nervous breakdown and is admitted to hospital. Following extensive psychiatric treatment, he is finally considered fit to return to duty. However, doubts remain in his mind if he will ever really recover from the past. This is soon put to the test when, after being appointed commanding officer of HMS Simba, a Tribal Class destroyer, he is faced with a life or death decision while on convoy duty in the Mediterranean. Luckily, date intervenes to solve the problem; but when his ship is sent on convoy duty to Russia, facing the hazards of icebergs, U-boats and the Luftwaffe, Hammond has to decide on a daring course of action which, if successful, could save his ship and the lives of his crew.While the action in the story is based on actual events, as a counterpoint to death and destruction, the author describes raunchy runs ashore, matrimonial difficulties, romantic involvements and the humour and comradeship of the lower deck, which still prevails in today's navy.

Lieutenant Commander Hugh Manley, and the crew of HMS Helix, endure perilous voyages in service in the Royal Navy, during World War Two. During a spell of leave, he meets Laura, and instantly falls in love. However, duty must come first, and as he once more sets sail, the thought of returning to Laura keeps his spirits lifted. When tragedy strikes at home, Hugh must persevere as his ship is sent on the risky and top secret mission, Operation Jubilee.An action-packed account of the raid at Dieppe, and life on the sea during World War Two.