Readers of Clive Cussler, Bernard Cornwell and Wilbur Smith will love this stirring tale of naval warfare, bravery and courage from multi-million copy bestselling author Douglas Reeman. With battle scenes so vivid and immediate, you''ll feel in the midst of the action!

''A stirring tale of the Atlantic war...one can almost smell the sea and the burning oil as Hitler''s U-boats wreak havoc'' -- Sunday Express
''Vivid naval action at its most authentic'' -- Sunday Times
''Mr Reeman writes with great knowledge about the sea and those who sail on it'' --The Times
''Douglas Reeman at his best'' -- ***** Reader review
''Another first-class book from this author'' -- ***** Reader review
''Could not put it down'' -- ***** Reader review
''An excellent read'' -- ***** Reader review
''Gripping'' -- ***** Reader review
''Typical Douglas Reeman. MARVELLOUS'' -- ***** Reader review

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The Western Ocean. 1942: from the bridge of HMS Gladiator, Lieutenant-Commander David Howard''s orders were chillingly clear. There could be no mercy.

To the men who fought to protect the vital, threatened Merchant Navy convoys in the Western Approaches, the Battle of the Atlantic was a full-scale war; a relentless, savage war against an ever-present enemy and a violent sea - in an arena known only to its embittered survivors as the killing ground.

HMS Gladiator was part of that war. An ordinary, hard-worked destroyer and her company of men. Fighting for survival in a war with no rules...