Just Finished Reading: Ship of Force by Alan Evans (FP: 1979) [255pp]

Summer, 1917. After returning to England after his adventures off the Pacific coast of North America the Admiralty didn’t really know what to do with Commander David Cochrane Smith. Was he reckless, nothing more than a glory hound or was he something else – gifted, special, an asset in the ongoing conflict with Germany. Only time and opportunity would tell and Rear-Admiral Braddock was determined to give him that opportunity. Despite some opposition, Smith was to be given command of a destroyer flotilla in the English Channel tasked with the destruction of enemy U-Boats. He was to report to his commanding officer in Dunkirk at his earliest opportunity. But on arrival any thought that all had been ‘forgiven’ was quickly dismissed. His ‘flotilla’ was in fact an aged Torpedo Boat ‘Destroyer’ dating from the last years of the 19^th century and a barely functioning Monitor coastal bombardment vessel. To make matters worse, as if they could be, both crews had a reputation of insubordination and causing regular trouble whilst on shore leave. If Smith was to make any headway or any impression at all he needed to do something quickly. Taking command of the ‘destroyer’ on his first day in post they run across a surfaced U-boat and engage it. Rescuing survivors after the battle the dying captain of the submarine rants about ‘Operation Swordbearer’ – a plan that is sure to turn the tide of war in Germany’s favour. But was exactly *is* Swordbearer? Dismissed as the ramblings of a dying man by Smith’s new commander it is up to Smith and his team to uncover the plot and defend against whatever the planned attack can throw at them. But with two of the worst ships in the Dunkirk squadron what can one man possibly do? Quite a lot – if that man is as resourceful and determined as Commander David Cochrane Smith!

After thoroughly enjoying his previous book in the series I was really looking forward to this and it very much did not disappoint. Smith is a great character especially in this book with both his anger management and self-doubt issues under more control. He still doesn’t quite understand why his men look up to and value him so much but it doesn’t take too much reasoning power to discern the reason why – although he does push his people to perform (probably more than they thought they could) he is a VERY good leader of men, although I do think that he’s a bit too reckless for my liking. One of his qualities though is that Smith leads from the front. He certainly puts his men in danger and does get some of them killed (word to the wise – in these books it’s best not to get too attached to secondary characters!) but he’s right in the thick of it with them, taking the same risks and just as often needing at least some medical attention once combat it over. As with the previous book the naval combat scenes are both very well down and damned exciting. The tension builds throughout the book with a simple fight between destroyed and sub to start with, moving through a fast ‘contact’ with multiple enemies caught unawares whilst loading troops and finally with a ‘boss fight’ between Smith’s small flotilla (plus a fast torpedo boat that he ‘borrowed’) against an enemy Battlecruiser and her escorts. There’s also a reasonable espionage sub-plot as well as, with Smith’s well-deserved reputation, a brief relationship element. Great characterisation throughout – I particularly liked the irascible female tugboat captain who assists Smiths plans from time to time. Overall this was GREAT fun from the first page. I think I have just one more of this author’s series to read and am actively trying to get his others. A total blast and highly recommended if you can find a copy.