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HMS WILD SWAN.
Foreword by Bob Burns
H/B 1985 (ISBN 0 7183 0542 6)
The V & W class destroyers dated back the First World War, but the majority of them survived to make an important contribution to the war at sea in the second great conflict. This is the story of one typical destroyer of that vintage, dragged from the scrap heap she proved her worth in three years of intense activity. She played a part in defeating the mine menace; evacuated Dutch gold in the face of the Blitzkreig, exchanged salvos with German tanks over open sights at Boulogne; took part in the Dunkirk epic; patrolled against German invasion convoys; protected the sea lanes from Gibraltar to Freetown, hunted spy ships, was present at the loss of the Ark Royal.
She was finally sunk in one of the epic air-sea actions of the war, when this one old ship was instrumental in shooting down six Ju 88's from a force of twelve attacking the Spanish fishing fleet in the Bay of Biscay.
"The story is a gripping one - factual, meticulously and exhaustively researched and documented" wrote the reviewer of Australian War Memorial. The Military Chest said that it was "A memorable story, gripping and recommended", The Naval Review wrote: "Peter Smith's catalogue of successful war books is formidable, and this book is, as were the rest, both well-researched and moving. Strongly recommended," while the Nautical Magazine stated that: "This well-researched work will make fine reading for anyone interested in our fighting men and ships" and the The Seafarer said simply: "Mr Smith has produced an admirable account of a veteran destroyer at war."