Heart of Oak
Összefoglaló
Following the account of his childhood and his early years aboard in A Steady Trade, Tristan Jones now looks back to his years 'below decks' in the Royal Navy during World War II. It is 1940; discharged from his sailing barge, Tristan is thrown among wartime recruits from all walks of life and after a period of instruction and a fair share of punishment on HMS GANGES, he goes to sea; first on transatlantic convoy duties, and later on the arduous Arctic runs to Russia. He was sunk three times before he was 18 years old.
From the destroyer HMS ECLECTIC, Tristan witnessed the battle between HMS HOOD and the BISMARCK, including the thrilling pursuit and eventual sinking of the German battleship. He also witnessed the battle in which the SCHARNHORST was sunk in 1943. Although most of this book takes place at sea, we also join Tristan at home and on leave, sharing with him experiences both comic and poignant.
