Peter Bentley #5

 Command

by

J.E. MacDonnell

A Peter Bentley Story

In recognition of his bravery in piloting a midget submarine into a harbour thick with the Japanese, and sending one of the Japs’ largest battleships to the bottom of the sea, Peter Bentley was given command of H M A S Wind Rode. It should have been a proud moment for the young lieutenant-commander … but Wind Rode was a sorry-looking destroyer. Everything about her had been allowed to slide.

Peter had his work cut out for him, bringing her up to the standards he’d grown used to aboard his old ship, the Scimitar. And it was a job he couldn’t do alone.

His old commander, Bruce Sainsbury V.C., recognized this and acted at once. He sent Bentley a new Number One, Bob Randall. And of course the one and only Hooky Walker as his buffer. With their support, Bentley was going to bring Wind Rode up to scratch, or the merciless enemy was going to send them down to Davy Jones’ locker …

I worked my way through a stack of these naval novels years ago, and among the many characters, Peter Bentley and John “Dutchy” Holland stood out as my favourites. This particular book, however, focuses squarely on Bentley as he assumes command of H.M.A. Destroyer Wind Rode.

On arrival, Bentley finds the ship’s crew unruly and undisciplined, presenting him with challenges from the very start. But things begin to turn around with the appointment of a new first lieutenant and a new Buffer—both men Bentley knows well, and both perfectly suited to restore order and efficiency.

J.E. MacDonnell delivers another stirring sea-faring tale, one that proves enjoyable throughout. While the first two-thirds concentrate on Bentley’s struggle to whip the ship into shape, the pace quickens later, bringing plenty of action and excitement. It may not rank as the finest MacDonnell I’ve read, but it remains a thoroughly satisfying adventure.