DESTROYER MAN

John Alliston’s modest yet evocative account of naval warfare reveals his deep and passionate love of destroyers, their lean, elegant lines and enormous power. The camaraderie of shipboard living, the old-fashioned virtues of duty, courage, loyalty and perseverance, and the time-honoured crafts of seamanship are here brought to life. John Alliston’s twenty-two years of distinguished service began in 1927 as a naval cadet with the Royal Navy. He took command of his first ship, H.M.S. Decoy, in June 1941 and was later awarded a D.S.O. for his work, as Commander of H.M.A.S. Warramunga, in the Philippines campaign. During World War II Commander Alliston saw action in and around the Red Sea, the Mediterranean and the Pacific, playing an important role in the last of the world’s great naval battles. The rigours and ordeals of war are mellowed by the many moving and enthralling experiences which John Alliston’s naval career offered him and which he has captured so well in this fine autobiography. pp.188 Maps, diagrams #240715