Overview

Never To Return tells the story of the Russian convoys and the heroes who sailed in them – with particular focus on HMS Achates. Roderick G Maclean has gathered primary and secondary source material to give a detailed and illuminating analysis of the Russian Convoys. He tells of the commodores who came out of retirement, risking their lives to navigate convoys to Murmansk and Archangel; the doctors who diced with death, jumping from one ship to another in rough seas to administer crucial medical aid; the astonishing behaviour of Adolf Hitler in belittling his Kriegsmarine admirals and captains, making them reticent to engage with the Royal Navy in December 1942; the rescue ships which pulled freezing survivors from the ice-cold Arctic waters. Never To Return shares the story of those who, despite their fears, sailed in these convoys. The Scottish Gaelic original of this book was shortlisted for the Saltire Society Research Book of the Year Award 2023 and for the Donald Meek Award for Best Non-Fiction Book 2023.

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9781036903268

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Reviews

“Never To Return is a splendidly researched and grippingly presented history of the Arctic Convoys of 1941–45. These were statistically one of the most dangerous operations carried out by Allied forces during the Second World War.” Ronald Black, senior lecturer emeritus in Gaelic at the University of Edinburgh “It was a treat to read your book and learn so many aspects of the Achates’ story. Thank you for all the hard research you must have done to put it all together and then for writing it up in such a readable style. I really enjoyed it – as I am sure many others will do.” James Peyton Jones, son of Lt. Loftus Peyton Jones the surviving captain of HMS Achates which was lost in the Battle of the Barents Sea on 31 December 1942 “Enlightenng, entertaining and informative, Roderick G Maclean’s new book offers new and fascinating insights into the Arctic Convoys of World War Two. He provides a fresh perspective, showing how much those on board suffered and endured. His words took me into the lives of men like my Skye grandfather who also sailed during these years at war – and served on two vessels that sank”. DS Murray, award-winning author

Author Information

Roderick G Maclean set up his own company PointMedia Ltd following a successful career in education. He is an experienced director of BBC Alba documentaries and an established writer. His first BBC documentary Fois ann am Fios / Finding David was broadcast in 2013 and included footage of possibly the last major gathering of Arctic Convoy veterans at Loch Ewe.

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