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Sir Peter Gretton
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Convoy Escort Commander: A Memoir of the Battle of the Atlantic (Submarine Warfare in World War Two) Kindle Edition

by Sir Peter Gretton (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 out of 5 stars 1,443 ratings
An engrossing memoir that uncovers the turning point of the Battle of the Atlantic against the U-boat menace.

Perfect for fans of Ian Toll, Jonathan Dimbleby or C. S. Forrester’s Greyhound.

Vice Admiral Sir Peter Gretton’s book is a brilliant account of his career in the navy through World War Two: fighting in the Second Battle of the Narvik, guarding convoys in the Mediterranean and the North Atlantic, before being placed in charge of Escort Group B7, which he described as “the finest job in the Navy for a new commander”.

It was in this role that Gretton, and the seven warships under his command, were able to make their contribution to turning the tide against the U-boat threat.

On the 22nd April 1943 Gretton was in charge of the escort for Convoy ONS 5 during its journey across the North Atlantic. Over the course of the voyage they were attacked by over fifty U-boats, and although they lost thirteen ships they managed to sink six U-boats and seriously damage many more.

The U-boats had never faced such fierce resistance to their lethal raids. As the great historian Samuel Eliot Morison stated: “the glorious battle of a British escort group under Commander P. W. Gretton to the Westbound convoy ONS 5 is regarded by both the Allies and the Germans as a turning point in the struggle for the North Atlantic.”

What tactics had Gretton used to fend off Doenitz’s terrifying submarine wolf packs? And how had these strategies developed over the course of the war?

Convoy Escort Commander demonstrates how Allied commanders searched for new methods to repel U-boat assaults, including using direction-finding radio and radar, employing special tactical formations, co-ordinating with air cover, and endeavouring to keep the convoy together and prevent straggling.

This book takes the reader to heart of the action and is an impressive account of the Battle of the Atlantic and the Royal Navy in World War Two.

“It is a delight to read a book that still resonates today as both history of the battle against the U-Boats but also about inspiring leadership at sea. Well recommended to young and old alike.” David Collins, The Naval Review

“one of the best memoirs of the Battle [of the Atlantic]” Acadiensis: Journal of the History of the Atlantic Region
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  1. Part of series
    Submarine Warfare in World War Two
  2. Print length
    256 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    August 29, 2021
  6. File size
    2.2 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Vice-Admiral Sir Peter Gretton, KCB, DSO, OBE, DSC, was an officer in the Royal Navy. He was active during the World War II Battle of the Atlantic and was a successful convoy escort commander. He eventually rose to become Fifth Sea Lord and retired as a vice admiral before entering university life as a bursar and academic.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0968R6PPP
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sapere Books
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 29, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.2 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1800552623
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Part of series ‏ : ‎ Submarine Warfare in World War Two
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 1,443 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
1,443 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book to be a very good read and fascinating, with one review highlighting its comprehensive coverage of critical naval engagements during the Battle of the Atlantic.

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ReadabilityInformation quality
10 customers mention "Readability"9 positive1 negative

Customers find the book to be a good read, with one mentioning its elegant narrative.

"...Easy to read, informative, interesting, and written by a man who could not have been more centrally involved in the actual operation of convoys...." Read more

"...related narratives then you will like this book I recommend it as a good one and I think you will like it too" Read more

"...The convoy stories, however, are excellent. Essential reading if you are intrigued by the U Boat war." Read more

"Descriptive,historical importance and reads well ! Good review of our past history with tyrants and thoughts of how we deal with them." Read more

6 customers mention "Information quality"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and fascinating, with one customer highlighting its comprehensive coverage of critical naval engagements.

"...Easy to read, informative, interesting, and written by a man who could not have been more centrally involved in the actual operation of convoys...." Read more

"...The author provides both big picture and intriguing details of the system." Read more

"Descriptive,historical importance and reads well ! Good review of our past history with tyrants and thoughts of how we deal with them." Read more

"...But he did not have a knack for story telling, and this is a fascinating but dry report, most suited for naval officers." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • coastal
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
    Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This is very well written. This is one book that I was sorry to finish. I learned more about the convoy business here than in any other related book I’ve read. Easy to read, informative, interesting, and written by a man who could not have been more centrally involved in the actual operation of convoys. Recommend to all!
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  • Crockett
    4.0 out of 5 stars very good read
    Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    If you like war related narratives then you will like this book I recommend it as a good one and I think you will like it too
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  • C. G. Telcontar
    3.0 out of 5 stars Short and to the Point
    Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Gretton wastes no time or words on fluff or background. He does sound callous about the loss of men and his description of the Narvik action is disappointing. The convoy stories, however, are excellent. Essential reading if you are intrigued by the U Boat war.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Jorge
    5.0 out of 5 stars Captivating
    Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    The author provides a captivating history of the convoy system. The author provides both big picture and intriguing details of the system.
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  • Chicago Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great book
    Reviewed in the United States on September 28, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    For those interested in learning more about the Battle of the Atlantic, you won't go wrong with this eyewitness account.
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  • Calvin Triplett
    5.0 out of 5 stars Learning the rope of Convoy Escort Command
    Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    World War 2 convoy story showing the trial and tribulations of a Escort comander as he learns what commanding an old class Destroyer. Tackling the unforgiving North Atlantic and the Ggerman Wolf Packks that are sent to destroy his convoy
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  • haljrat
    4.0 out of 5 stars Authentic. Unsparingly honest.
    Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Nothing fancy, just a detailed recollection of convoy duty during WWII. Especially useful because was able to compare German sub operations accounts compared with his own experiences.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Bill Huggins
    5.0 out of 5 stars how to guard the convoys
    Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Whether on land or at sea

    This book provided enormous

    Details and education of

    The guardians of
    Our commerce

    Thank you for the lessons and the

    Personal story

    Chief Huggins,
    Sometime sailor,
    Always a soldier
    Helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Deep diver
    5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent read
    Reviewed in Spain on February 25, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This is an enthralling account of the longest battle of WWII. Told in the concise manner one would expect of a naval officer, full of detail and humour. Readers of a sensitive nature might have problems with some of the phrasing which is colloquial for the time but perhaps not nowadays.
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  • Bri
    3.0 out of 5 stars Abbastanza interessante
    Reviewed in Italy on February 14, 2022
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Questo libro contiene diversi fatti interessanti sulla vita abordo di un sommergibile durante la Seconda Guerra mondiale ma non è scritto molto bene. Assomglia più ad un diario che un libro.
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  • Jayare
    5.0 out of 5 stars Accurate Book Title
    Reviewed in Canada on July 26, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    The author’s journey as a commanding officer in the Battle of the Atlantic takes the reader through this part of the Second World War from the perspective of naval convoy escort duties including the changes that influenced the way the allies fought the U-boats. This adventure is well written and keeps the reader’s interest throughout. Pace picks up as the war progresses. The author gives the reader a great sense and feeling of the conditions and challenges facing the ship’s crew and the convoy. Great read for insights into the war at sea in the Atlantic.
    Report
  • NeilA
    5.0 out of 5 stars BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN AND FANTASTIC TALES AT SEA IN WW2
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 23, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This is one of the best Naval books about WW" that I have read. Still to finish it but the detail is amazing and the bravery and skill of these people who fought at sea should be remembered and applauded. Great Read
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars authentic first hand account
    Reviewed in Australia on May 14, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Excellent account of the convoy system in ww2
    Report

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