Listen and read

Step into an infinite world of stories

  • Read and listen as much as you want
  • Over 950 000 titles
  • Exclusive titles + Storytel Originals
  • Easy to cancel anytime
Try now
image.devices-Singapore 2x

The Depths of December: The Sinking of HMS Repulse, Prince of Wales ... and the British Empire.

Duration
1H 31min
Language
English
Format
Category

History

The Depths of December is a short and punchy (12,000 word) treatment on one of the most pivotal naval battles in WW2: when the British Far East Fleet found itself pitted against the Mitsubishi Bombers of the 22nd Flotilla Imperial Japanese Air Service off the coast of Singapore and Malaya.

It is narrated in an engaging and high-energy style by the author of the book. Praise for Stuart Lloyd’s military history writing comes from very high quarters indeed:

'We are in the hands of a truly professional wordsmith ... I am lost for words.' -- Rear Admiral (ret’d) Ian Richards, Royal Australian Navy.

For years Britain and Japan had followed different strategies for warfare. ‘Big Guns’ for the former, ‘Air Strike Power’ for the latter. And on 10 December 1941 — just a few days after Pearl Harbour — it was proof of concept time.

The Depths of December is classic Stuart Lloyd storytelling (‘the perfect storyteller’ according to The Telegraph UK) because he uses first-person quotes from those in the thick of the battle action to drive the narrative along.

We get a ringside seat in the waters off Kuantan, Malaya. For example:

“The vibration and speed of Repulse was truly unbelievable,” said said Seaman Matthews. ”Our skipper had us falling over everywhere in his attempt to comb the incoming torpedoes … I began to notice that the bombers were starting to fly directly overhead after they’d dropped their torpedoes. It was as if they were taunting us. I could even see the pilots’ faces quite clearly.”

Ian Hay was part of this frantic action, ordered to dash between ready-ammunition storage areas and the exposed gun mounts as an ammunition bearer. “The run back along the deck was terrifying. It had now claimed the lives of three of our delivery party, all by machine gun fire. It was like playing some crazy game of dare.”

Stuart is at his passionate storytelling best in this audiobook.

© 2023 CatMatDog Storytelling (Audiobook): 9798823475914

Release date

Audiobook: 28 July 2023

Others also enjoyed ...

Features:

  • Over 950 000 titles

  • Kids Mode (child safe environment)

  • Download books for offline access

  • Cancel anytime

Most popular

Unlimited

For those who want to listen and read without limits.

S$12.98 /month
3 days for free
  • 1 account

  • Unlimited Access

  • Unlimited listening

  • Cancel anytime

Try now

Unlimited Bi-yearly

For those who want to listen and read without limits.

S$69 /6 months
14 days for free
Save 11%
  • 1 account

  • Unlimited Access

  • Unlimited listening

  • Cancel anytime

Try now

Unlimited Yearly

For those who want to listen and read without limits.

S$119 /year
14 days for free
Save 24%
  • 1 account

  • Unlimited Access

  • Unlimited listening

  • Cancel anytime

Try now

Family

For those who want to share stories with family and friends.

From S$14.90/month
  • 2-3 accounts

  • Unlimited Access

  • Unlimited listening

  • Cancel anytime

2 accounts

S$14.90 /month
Try now