PQ 17: An Arctic Convoy Disaster - Jeremy Clarkson
Discussion
NDA said:
AndyWoodall said:
I freely admit I had something in my eye a couple of times.
Good bit of tv. Anyone got any recommended reading? There are chapters on this and the Atlantic convoys in a tatty copy I have of 'Royal Navy at War '39-'45 but would like something more specific if people have good opinions of some literature...
Try this:Good bit of tv. Anyone got any recommended reading? There are chapters on this and the Atlantic convoys in a tatty copy I have of 'Royal Navy at War '39-'45 but would like something more specific if people have good opinions of some literature...
http://www.fpp.co.uk/books/PQ17/1968edition.pdf
Fantastic programme, I'd love to see Clarkson do more of these. Totally engaging.
My poor old Grandad did the Arctic runs, on one particularly unfortunate jaunt he was sunk by torpedo on the way to Archangel, picked up by a merchant ship and made it to his destination only to be sunk again on the return leg. He survived both, many hundreds didn't. I can't even begin to imagine the hardship these men suffered for their country.
My poor old Grandad did the Arctic runs, on one particularly unfortunate jaunt he was sunk by torpedo on the way to Archangel, picked up by a merchant ship and made it to his destination only to be sunk again on the return leg. He survived both, many hundreds didn't. I can't even begin to imagine the hardship these men suffered for their country.
Had my doubts about this when I saw Clarkson was presenting it (was expecting top gear style) but it was very good. Makes top gear all the more frustrating because you know how good it could be.
As for the boys in the convoy, incredible bravery in the most awful conditions and circumstances. Incredible mistakes from experienced leadership, sad and needless loss. Thanks to all for your sacrifice.
As for the boys in the convoy, incredible bravery in the most awful conditions and circumstances. Incredible mistakes from experienced leadership, sad and needless loss. Thanks to all for your sacrifice.
Had my doubts about this when I saw Clarkson was presenting it (was expecting top gear style) but it was very good. Makes top gear all the more frustrating because you know how good it could be.
As for the boys in the convoy, incredible bravery in the most awful conditions and circumstances. Incredible mistakes from experienced leadership, sad and needless loss. Thanks to all for your sacrifice.
As for the boys in the convoy, incredible bravery in the most awful conditions and circumstances. Incredible mistakes from experienced leadership, sad and needless loss. Thanks to all for your sacrifice.
Read "The Cruel Sea" and/or "Three Corvettes" by Nicholas Monsarrat
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas_Monsarrat
If you haven't seen the 1950's classic film adaptation of the "The Cruel Sea" with Jack Hawkins giving his finest performance give yourself ten lashes.
"All hands to Stations, special sea duty men close up!"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas_Monsarrat
If you haven't seen the 1950's classic film adaptation of the "The Cruel Sea" with Jack Hawkins giving his finest performance give yourself ten lashes.
"All hands to Stations, special sea duty men close up!"
JC is very skilled at acting the bafoon and seeing his early material, I'm not sure at what point he realised he could make a good living out of it.
Isn't it fantastic that the stories of these "lions lead by donkeys" could be captured on video before they died.
In the credits, there was an impressive note. "Written and presented by Jeremy Clarkson".
Not sure if my assumption that this was funded by the BBC but if it was - what a great use of license payers money!
Isn't it fantastic that the stories of these "lions lead by donkeys" could be captured on video before they died.
In the credits, there was an impressive note. "Written and presented by Jeremy Clarkson".
Not sure if my assumption that this was funded by the BBC but if it was - what a great use of license payers money!
I also noticed in the credits 'Written and Presented by Jeremy Clarkson'. What a shame he doesnt do more like this.
My grandad was in the Merchant Navy, I regret not asking him more about it. I'm not sure he would have wanted to talk about it though if this is what it was like. True unsung heroes.
My grandad was in the Merchant Navy, I regret not asking him more about it. I'm not sure he would have wanted to talk about it though if this is what it was like. True unsung heroes.
peterperkins said:
Read "The Cruel Sea" and/or "Three Corvettes" by Nicholas Monsarrat
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas_Monsarrat
If you haven't seen the 1950's classic film adaptation of the "The Cruel Sea" with Jack Hawkins giving his finest performance give yourself ten lashes.
"All hands to Stations, special sea duty men close up!"
Snorkers good-oh.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas_Monsarrat
If you haven't seen the 1950's classic film adaptation of the "The Cruel Sea" with Jack Hawkins giving his finest performance give yourself ten lashes.
"All hands to Stations, special sea duty men close up!"
Cataldo said:
Fantastic programme, I'd love to see Clarkson do more of these. Totally engaging.
My poor old Grandad did the Arctic runs, on one particularly unfortunate jaunt he was sunk by torpedo on the way to Archangel, picked up by a merchant ship and made it to his destination only to be sunk again on the return leg. He survived both, many hundreds didn't. I can't even begin to imagine the hardship these men suffered for their country.
Your Grandad can pick my lottery numbers every week, please! What a piece of history to have been through, and survived...hope he enjoyed his time after.My poor old Grandad did the Arctic runs, on one particularly unfortunate jaunt he was sunk by torpedo on the way to Archangel, picked up by a merchant ship and made it to his destination only to be sunk again on the return leg. He survived both, many hundreds didn't. I can't even begin to imagine the hardship these men suffered for their country.
My only criticism - Mr. Clarkson is looking too old! Luckily I'm getting younger every year...
He does these shows so well, every one of them has been brilliant. I was almost going to says it's a shame he is best known for messing around on Top Gear, but I'm pretty sure his being brings with it a younger generation who would perhaps otherwise not watch a show on such an event as PQ 17, something not to be underestimated today.
Lets hope if he does get too old and bored with TG, a few more of these type of shows can be made; they are by far his best work.
Lets hope if he does get too old and bored with TG, a few more of these type of shows can be made; they are by far his best work.
An excellent programme from JC though no mention of the returning convoy QP13 - convoys were paired so that escorting heavy ships took each one part of the way then turned around to escort the returning convoy back leaving the smaller escorts to take the merchantmen onwards into port.
Were the cruisers ordered to turn around because they had to escort QP13 on to Reykjavík?
Were the cruisers ordered to turn around because they had to escort QP13 on to Reykjavík?
Pound at the time was the Healthiest Admiral available to take the post of First Sea Lord. That is not saying much. He basically won the Battle of the Atlantic against the German Submarine Fleet. He is also credited with stopping Churchill sending the Main Fleet into the Baltic which would have had grave consequences. Unfortunately he also let the Scharnhorst and Gneisenau slip out of his grasp as well as the PQ-17 incident.
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