Red Tobruk: Memoirs of a World War II Destroyer Commander

A Second World War hero, who played a leading role in the evacuation of Dunkirk … has published a fascinating account of his memories of the war. ”—Salisbury Journal

Frank Gregory-Smith’s war started on the destroyer Jaguar and he saw action off Norway and during the Dunkirk evacuation, when she was hit by enemy air attack with 25 men killed. Command of the new escort destroyer HMS Eridge followed (he was to be her only Captain) and they deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean, and so began a grueling 18 months of convoys to Tobruk and Malta under German controlled skies.

“Red Tobruk” was the name for the enemy aircraft warning that the Tobruk radar station put out which all sailors dreaded as it meant yet another attack was imminent. Eridge survived countless such attacks. She fought in the famous Battle of Sirte when the powerful Italian fleet was seen off. She had to pick up survivors, take stricken ships in tow and once had only blanks to fire at attacking enemy aircraft. Among Eridge’s achievements was the sinking of U-568 in May 1942.

The author’s luck finally ran out in August 1942 when Eridge was torpedoed by an Italian MTB. Under constant air attack, she was towed to Alexandria but was irreparable. Gregory-Smith returned to Britain having been awarded two Distinguished Service Orders and one Distinguished Service Cross (a second followed at D-Day).

All this and more is told in the most graphic and moving fashion in this exceptional memoir, which will recall to many readers that naval classic The Cruel Sea, except that Red Tobruk is a true personal account.

© 2009 Pen & Sword Maritime (Ebook): 9781844689613

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Ebook: 21 April 2009