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Arctic Warriors: A Personal Account of Convoy PQ18 Kindle Edition

by Deltrice Alfred Grossmith (Author), Julie Grossmith Deltrice (Author, Editor) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 25 ratings
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In mid-1942 Alfred Grossmith Mason became Navigation/Gunnery Officer on SS Empire Baffin, a 6,978 ton cargo ship assigned to carry essential war supplies to the hard pressed Soviet Union. Fortunately he compiled this remarkable diary of the dramas and disasters that befell the ill-fated Convoy PQ18. This inspiring story follows the movement of his ship and the other merchantmen together with their Royal Naval escorts from the mustering point at Loch Ewe to their destination Archangel.Daily German attacks from the air and sea and long periods at action stations deprived crews of sleep. The loss of many ships and comrades and the ever-present prospect of death through drowning and hypothermia took their toll. Having to function while exhausted, ill-nourished and freezing cold demanded that every man gave of his utmost over a prolonged period. Yet remarkably, as this book shows, humour remained intact.Once in Archangel his insight into the hardships faced by the Russian population is revealing. For the surviving sailors there remained the awesome challenge of the return journey without any escort. Unlike so many, the Author finally reached Britain in December 1942.Arctic Warriors is a rare and graphic personal account that captures the atmosphere of this infamously costly convoy and others like it. If any doubts remain of the terrible conditions and dangers that merchant seamen aced in the hostile waters of the North Atlantic and Barents Sea, this superb record, published in the Year of the Convoy, will surely put them to rest.
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  1. Print length
    322 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Pen & Sword Maritime
  4. Publication date
    October 17, 2013
  5. File size
    12.1 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Alfred Grossmith Mason joined the Merchant Navy in 1927 qualifying in 1931. He served through the Second World War and continued in the Service until 1976. He died in 1992. Julie Grossmith Deltrice, Grossman's daughter, edited this diary. She accompanied her father on many foreign voyages. Now retired from her nursing career, she lives near Sunderland in the United Kingdom.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00NAE6ZFC
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Pen & Sword Maritime; Illustrated edition (October 17, 2013)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 17, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 12.1 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 322 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 25 ratings

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
25 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • kedenbird
    5.0 out of 5 stars A family now knows the truth.
    Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    A member of our family was on this convoy and we knew that he died at sea during the crossing to Archangel. We never knew the horror these men endured until we discovered this rare book . Thank you to the AGM family for writing about Convoy PQ18
    Helpful
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  • Anthony Mort
    3.0 out of 5 stars A little confusing whether the book is about PQ18 or ...
    Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    A little confusing whether the book is about PQ18 or PQ8, but the story line is well written even if it does divert across a varity of convoys
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars An emotional read.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 12, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I noticed this title whilst searching for books on the arctic convoys as my father was also on PQ18.
    Amazed to see that the book is written about SS Empire Baffin , the ship my father Bill Nutton , was a radio officer on. He passed away in 1977 and never spoke of the fear and hardships he endured during his time on numerous convoys throughout the war.
    A truly emotional read for all my family.
    Thank you Julie Grossmith Deltrice.
    Andrew Nutton.
    Report
  • RichardR
    5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificent story of courage.
    Reviewed in Australia on March 22, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    As a former merchant seaman, I stand in awe of those men and women who fought in the Atlantic and Arctic convoys. I have often wondered how, as civilians, they managed to withstand the horrors of naval warfare. This book answers that question. No only does the author document their courage and the gut-wrenching story of the destruction of men and ships fighting their way to bring much needed supplies to Russia, he unflinchingly describes the savage, inhumane treatment of the prisoner slaves from the Gulag who were forced to work night and day to unload the ships in Archangel. This is a gripping book, that I could hardly put down, and I salute Captain Mason for sharing his experiences and his daughter Julie for editing and publishing them.
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  • BOOKWORM
    5.0 out of 5 stars Silly request
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 19, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    An amazing true story. Aren’t we lucky not to have lived and died in the war!
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  • Tim Lewin
    4.0 out of 5 stars recommended
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 20, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    interesting account from the MN aspect, i know the RN side from my father who was there but the experiences of the sailors in the merchant ships, tthe whole point of the convoys, is often overlooked. recommended reading
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  • Lady Britannia
    5.0 out of 5 stars a well written informative book, my husband read it ...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 30, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    a well written informative book, my husband read it twice, as his late father was on that convoy on HMS Avenger
    Report

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