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C. E. Lucas Phillips
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Escape of the Amethyst Kindle Edition

by C. E. Lucas Phillips (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars 892 ratings
The astounding true story of the ordeal and escape of the British frigate Amethyst from Chinese Communist batteries in the Yangtze River in April 1949.

Ideal for readers of Giles Milton, Maurice Buckmaster and Ben Macintyre.

In the early morning of 20th April 1949, HMS Amethyst was fulfilling orders to travel to Nanking to stand guard for the British Embassy during the height of the Chinese Civil War when she was fired upon by guns from the riverbank.

Shells pounded into the ship, killing the commanding officer and destroyed the bridge before the ship grounded on the bank.

How did the Amethyst escape the battering of Chinese Communist guns?

C. E. Lucas Phillips’s Escape of the Amethyst was written with the full assistance of Commander J. S. Kerans, DSO RN, who took over control of the Amethyst, and utilises a wealth of Admiralty records, much of which was previously classified as Secret, to provide a vivid account of this extraordinary moment in the history of the Royal Navy.

‘An easy winner for sheer excitement’ New Statesman

‘It is a great and unique story, and no one could record it more skilfully than C. E. Lucas Phillips, whose book on the Royal Marines’ war-time raid on Bordeaux harbour, Cockleshell Heroes, has become a bestseller.’ RUSI Journal

An ‘epic in the history of the Navy’ Admiral Sir Patrick Brind, Commander-in-Chief Far East Fleet.

The escape captured the imagination of the world and the ship received the following message from H.M. King George VI: ‘Please convey to the commanding officer and ship's company of H.M.S. Amethyst my hearty congratulations on their daring exploit to rejoin the Fleet. The courage, skill and determination shown by all on board have my highest commendation. Splice the mainbrace.’
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  1. Print length
    265 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    November 14, 2021
  4. File size
    3.2 MB
  5. Page Flip
    Enabled
  6. Word Wise
    Enabled
  7. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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About the Author

Born St Vincent, West Indies in 1897, C. E. Lucas Phillips was educated at St Lawrence College and King's College London. During World War I he served with the Royal Artillery in France and Flanders. He was promoted to Major before he was twenty-one and was awarded MC and Croix De Guerre. During World War II he served with Montgomery in the Western Desert, and in Italy. He was promoted to Brigadier and awarded an OBE and bar. He wrote several war books including Cockleshell Heroes, Escape of the Amethyst, Alamein, The Greatest Raid of All and Springboard to Victory. He was a passionate gardener and has also written books on gardening including the much acclaimed The Small Garden and Roses for the Small Garden. He met his wife Barbara at a dance in 1921, they married in 1924 and subsequently had four daughters. He died in 1984.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09CPWCJGZ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sapere Books (November 14, 2021)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 14, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.2 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 265 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1800552815
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 892 ratings

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C. E. Lucas Phillips

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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
892 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Dfg
    5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding True Story
    Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I will buy all WWII books by this author! He is the absolute very BEST writer on WWII subjects that i have ever read. This book happens not to be about WWII. If you have interest in WWII subjects, this Author is a MUST to include in your library! Cannot praise him highly enough and just wish he were still alive so that i could call him up and thank him!!!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars A tale worth reading.
    Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2022
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    Great story. Against incredible odds the bravery and determination of these fine men led them to victory. A little cumbersome in places with too many unnecessary details. All in all a good read.
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  • Sam B. Wagner
    5.0 out of 5 stars A true and fascinating story of war on the Yangtze River in 1949
    Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    A neutral British ship of war is brought under devastating Communist Chinese artillery and small arms fire as she peacefully sails under traditions of neutrality between Communist And Nationalist Chinese lines. Heavy casualties and damage result yet uncommon valor again makes the difference and escape is won. Outstanding and well worth the time.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Ravine Man
    5.0 out of 5 stars Stalwart and Resolute a story of British Naval courage and determination
    Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Caught up in the Chinese post-WWII civil war, a crew of a British frigate HMS Amethyst overcame hardship and treachery at the hands of those who tried to concoct a story to make the ship a scapegoat. Instead, the crew endured hardship until there was an opportunity to make a daring escape and succeeded handily.
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  • Clive Leah
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing story of couage and tenacity.
    Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Made me tingle with pride to learn of these men of courage and valor. An almost unknown story that should not be forgotten. Well narrated and researched. You will be so glad you read it, and so proud of this team of absolute heros.
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  • Doug
    5.0 out of 5 stars True page turner
    Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2022
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    Wii written exciting account of a little known episode in the Chinese Communist takeover. Writing is a little jingoistic but not enough to detract from the story, especially since it was written in the late 50s
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  • Kindle Customer
    1.0 out of 5 stars Extremely Biased Writing
    Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I would have expected an author of a historical in incident to write of facts and to write unbiased. However, I was disappointed with this writee who distorted facts and kept on bashing the Communist Party of China.
    Itis a wwpl known historicalal fact that when Japanese first invaded China, Chiang Kai Shek was busy trying to rid himself of his political enemies, the CPC. It ta a well known fact the Chiang Jai Shek, with the help of the Green Gang, eere murdering anyone suspected of being a communist member.
    Chinag Kai Shek was kidnapped and held under house srtest until he agreed to fight the Japanese together with the Communist Army. Hence were the 8th Army and the ,4th New Army wete founded.
    The Army under Chiang Kai Shek was not the KMT army, as the KMT was only the political party in in power. The army could be called the Nationalist Army. It waa not the KMT army who helped the British, but the Chinese Army and the Chinese people.
    The Nationalist Government were highly corrupted, and not st all had the trust nir support of the ordinary peasants.
    The peasants at the time were highly supportive of the CPC, and were NOT running away from the PLA, but from war.
    The PLA wete. Famous for treating their POWs well. Anyone found guilty of ill-treatment of a POW would have been punished severely. Many Nstionalist Army personnel defected to the PLA during the last years and months of the Chinese Civil War. Maybe this author should read more of Chinese history before writing another book with any connections to Chinese history,
    One person found this helpful
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  • PABLO
    5.0 out of 5 stars Anyone Who Thinks that they can deal in good faith with the Chinese communists should read this book
    Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    This book is about more than the outstanding bravery and fortitude of the ships company, other British & Nationalist Chinese sailors, airmen, soldiers, and commanders. It also reveals the despicable way that the Chinese communists deal with anyone outside their echo chamber. And a great read to boot.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • James Singer
    5.0 out of 5 stars detailed story
    Reviewed in Canada on August 13, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I saw the movie, but this book provides a lot more detailed information. the book is well written, showing the hardships the sailors had to endure, as well as the incompetance of the communist forces, and the ability of the british sailor to cope
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  • Kay Huett
    4.0 out of 5 stars A masterful escape under extreme conditions
    Reviewed in Australia on January 11, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    The treachery of the Chinese communists had no bounds for the Amethyst and her crew. Persistence, skill and patience by the crew and commanding officer with incredible skill and daring led to the final escape of the ship. A situation never before or since repeated in naval history.
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  • tonewheel
    5.0 out of 5 stars A gripping read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 17, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Not often could I genuinely call a book a page turner, but this definitely is. Although the prose is rather dated , the narrative is just the right blend of detail and description to keep you hanging on wondering what the next move would be, even though I already knew the broad outline of this historical event. I read before bed, and this book is responsible for some very late nights indeed.
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  • Amazon Customer
    2.0 out of 5 stars Quite droll, I must say. I was hoping for more action.
    Reviewed in Canada on December 16, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Didn't make it too far into the book. From the title I expected some activity. What I got was a very detailed treatise on who, what, where, when and why...with very little action to hold my interest.
    Just not my style of book. Others may enjoy.
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  • Mick Stevens
    4.0 out of 5 stars Dated But Good
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 31, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Written in the style of the day this book is the account of those onboard Amethyst during the ‘incident’ described.
    It is a good account, full of detail, and will interest all those who like a true story.
    Thoroughly enjoyed it.
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