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Last call for HMS Edinburgh: a story of the Russian convoys
Book by Pearce, Frank
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1982
21 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 24, 2023
Had my grandfather not survived the Arctic Convoys (dubbed ‘the worst journey in the world� by Winston Churchill), I simply wouldn’t exist to read this. It was the first book I have read which made me shed a tear.
Frank Pearce writes in an engaging, poetic at times style which made this book impossible to put down. His descriptions of sea battles and life among the convoys made me feel like I was standing alongside these brave young men. His personal experiences serving on HMS Trinidad, no doubt helped create the high level of authenticity throughout.
At times I found myself muttering out loud in disbelief at tragic events in the book - or just the overwhelming odds facing these men. Standout moments for me were: the battle and resultant sinking of HMS Edinburgh, the Niger Tragedy, the loss of Trinidad, the use of depth charges at certain times and life in Russia (including lack of medical resources).
It’s clear that Frank exhaustively researched the Arctic Convoys for this book. I was left feeling like I had not only learned a lot about the Convoys themselves; but of the Royal Navy, the Russia-Allies relationship and of my very own Grandfather (who served on HMS Foresight, which was regularly mentioned throughout).
This is a must-read book for anyone with an interest in WWII. I highly recommend!
Frank Pearce writes in an engaging, poetic at times style which made this book impossible to put down. His descriptions of sea battles and life among the convoys made me feel like I was standing alongside these brave young men. His personal experiences serving on HMS Trinidad, no doubt helped create the high level of authenticity throughout.
At times I found myself muttering out loud in disbelief at tragic events in the book - or just the overwhelming odds facing these men. Standout moments for me were: the battle and resultant sinking of HMS Edinburgh, the Niger Tragedy, the loss of Trinidad, the use of depth charges at certain times and life in Russia (including lack of medical resources).
It’s clear that Frank exhaustively researched the Arctic Convoys for this book. I was left feeling like I had not only learned a lot about the Convoys themselves; but of the Royal Navy, the Russia-Allies relationship and of my very own Grandfather (who served on HMS Foresight, which was regularly mentioned throughout).
This is a must-read book for anyone with an interest in WWII. I highly recommend!
May 10, 2023
A very good book focusing on the Arctic Convoys to Russia during World War 2 through the story of HMS Edinburgh. What made this book unique is that the author uses the Edinburgh's story to look at the bigger picture of the early convoys and all the tragedies occurring during the times when the Royal Navy was not yet ready to undertake these journeys to north Russia, and the ordinary sailors and merchant mariners had to endure insufferable sacrifices to make it happen.
The focus on what the survivors of the Edinburgh had endure to make it home many months after their ship was sunk is a real highlight. These men had to endure months of near starvation and living in squalor in the Russian Arctic, before having to run the gauntlet on any Allied ship returning to Britain past the waiting Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine, with many survivors not making it. An especial tragedy is the sinking of the HMS Niger by Allied mines north of Iceland on which some Edinburgh survivors were travelling, a case of so close yet so far.
Highly recommended and easy to read book with a different angle on the Arctic Convoy battles. Thank you to my friend Rowan for bringing this book to my attention!!
The focus on what the survivors of the Edinburgh had endure to make it home many months after their ship was sunk is a real highlight. These men had to endure months of near starvation and living in squalor in the Russian Arctic, before having to run the gauntlet on any Allied ship returning to Britain past the waiting Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine, with many survivors not making it. An especial tragedy is the sinking of the HMS Niger by Allied mines north of Iceland on which some Edinburgh survivors were travelling, a case of so close yet so far.
Highly recommended and easy to read book with a different angle on the Arctic Convoy battles. Thank you to my friend Rowan for bringing this book to my attention!!
January 8, 2021
Only recently found an ancestor who served on the HMS Edinburgh and was unaware of the story. The book paints such a vivid picture of the hardships the men went through. Much respect is due to any who served on ships on these convoys.
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