Red Tobruk, the war memoir of the Captain of HMS Eridge from late 1940 until August 1942 is a superb account of wartime action at sea.Frank Gregory-Smith's war started on the destroyer Jaguar and he saw actionoff Norway and during the Dunkirk evacuation, when she was hit by enemy air attack with 25 men killed.Command of the new escort destroyer HMS Eridge followed (he was to be heronly Captain) and they deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean, and so began agruelling 18 months of convoys to Tobruk and Malta under German controlledskies. 'Red Tobruk' was the name for the enemy aircraft warning that the Tobruk radar station put out which all sailors dreaded as it meant yet another attack was imminent. Eridge survived countless such attacks. She fought in the famous Battle of Sirte when the powerful Italian fleet was seen off. She had to pick up survivors, take stricken ships in tow and once had only blanks to fire at attacking enemy aircraft. Among Eridge's achievements was the sinking ofU-568 in May 1942.The author's luck finally ran out in August 1942 when Eridge was torpedoedby an Italian MTB. Under constant air attack, she was towed to Alexandriabut was irreparable. Saddened by the loss of his ship but cheered by theAllies' increasing superiority, Gregory-Smith returned to Britain havingbeen awarded two DSOs and one DSC (a second followed at D-Day).All this and more is told in the most graphic and moving fashion in thisexceptional memoir, which will recall to many readers that naval classic TheCruel Sea. The big difference, of course, is that Red Tobruk is a truepersonal account.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By G. Langdon
Format:Hardcover
I was recommended this book by a friend of mine who is a bit of a non-fiction war buff. Few if any volumes in my library have either memoirs or war in the title so initially I was sceptical but he prevailed. I am pleased he did because this is an excellent book, a real page turner which I was reluctant to put down.
It vividly portrays the experiences of protecting the convoys and the incessant strain that everyone on board must have faced under constant attack from the air and sea. The horrors of working continuously under such conditions are described with a matter of factness that many today would find surprising but which was the norm among the innumerable heros of that time.
This book is a great read and I thoroughly recommend it.
It vividly portrays the experiences of protecting the convoys and the incessant strain that everyone on board must have faced under constant attack from the air and sea. The horrors of working continuously under such conditions are described with a matter of factness that many today would find surprising but which was the norm among the innumerable heros of that time.
This book is a great read and I thoroughly recommend it.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Having served in the Fleet Air Arm although not in war time it was very interesting to read of the problems in command that one was not aware of. A very interesting book about a period of heavy naval activity.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
"A wonderful little book, packed with action. Gregory-Smith brings this forgotten corner of the Royal navy's history back to life from one man's perspective. The action is relentless, all fought by very ordinary men in extrordinary circumstances. I thoroughly enjoyed it. A must for any naval or military enthusiast but Gregory-Smith's writing is so lively that all should enjoy."
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Naval history
Very interesting, well written and was easy to read and understand. I wanted to know more about the war at sea.
Published 2 months ago by Lorna Symons
5.0 out of 5 stars
Red Tobruk - Legendary
This is a phenomenal book written by a living legend. These sorts of accounts are a reminder to the immense and understated bravery of the people who made our lives possible as... Read more
Published on 13 Feb 2009 by Edward Low
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Sir John Keegan comment
"I think this one of the finest personal accounts of service in the Royal Navy during th Second World War that I know" - Sir John Keegan
Published on 6 Jan 2009 by Simonian
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