Austin Byrne relates the harrowing account of his ordeal on the SS Induna, a defensively equipped merchant ship sunk by a German submarine in hostile waters. Joining the navy to see the world at nineteen, he recalls his initial exciting experiences on the ship, learning the ropes, navigating mines, and enduring storms. However, this is quickly cut short when a torpedo hits the Induna's stern and Austin’s account of the ships’s last moments are rivetingly well told. He recounts the subsequent excruciating, and very long, four days spent adrift on a small, exposed lifeboat with his remaining shipmates, as fears and emotions run high in fatal conditions. When the lifeboat is finally picked up by a Russian minesweeper Austin is taken to a Russian hospital, his memories of which are filled with both grief and humour.  Within only a couple of weeks of his return to the UK, however, Austin was back on the sea again and just over a year later, he was on a ship bound for Russia. Austin’s story is not one that is easily forgotten and is reflective of the remarkable bravery and resilience of many a navy veteran during WW2.

Nick was always keen on a career in the Navy and enlisted in 1962. By 1981 he was in command of  HMS Antelope which was a privilege to command as Nick says he was blessed with an excellent ship’s company and modern equipment. It comes as no surprise to Nick when they are instructed to return from training operations to prepare to travel to the South Atlantic. On the way down they practice military operations intensely. Nick is also put in tactical command of six support vessels, a supply ship, a tanker and four landing ships which increases his responsibilities significantly. They arrive at Ascension Island on 21^st April where the Antelope acts as guardship. Nick is then instructed to shepherd the support groups to the total exclusion zone and return with the tanker the RFA Tidespring which is carrying Argentinians to be repatriated. Nick was doubly worried that the conditions onboard for the prisoners did not meet the terms of the Geneva Convention but also that incredibly dangerous members of the Argentinian special forces were in the group and had to be held safely. On 23^rd May the Antelope comes under attack. Nick recalls events in incredible detail how two bombs hit them but did not explode. They are able to manoeuvre the ship to the San Carlos waters to enable bomb disposal but, tragically, the attempts fail and one of the bombs detonates, killing one, injuring more and causing significant damage to the ship. With the ship both lurching and in flames, and communication out, Nick gives the command to abandon ship. They are picked up by the QE2 where Nick is able to decompress with fellow commanding officers of  HMS Ardent and HMS Coventry, both also sunken. It was a relief to return home to family and the grand reception at Southampton. It was heartbreaking for Nick to leave the Antelope and a frustrating Board of Inquiry followed where Nick and two fellow officers were found negligent. Thankfully, the Commander-in-Chief dismissed the findings so the men did not face court martial but Nick says he didn’t feel completely vindicated until after he retired when the surviving bomb disposal expert was interviewed and said the correct decision had been made.