Peter Kingswell

Hard going. The author strives to turn facts and reportage into faction. Not necessary, because the facts alone are strange enough. Piratical French captain inspires various senior commanders with a vague far-eastern combined ops / Q-ship / behind the lines infiltration / guerilla plan. He secures a ship, a refit, a motor-torpedo boat (MTB), two floatplanes, 40 commandos, and a variety of weaponry. They sally forth with hundreds of RN passengers destined for service in the far-east. The adventure ends badly.… (meer)