Surviving the Artic Convoys the Wartime Memoir of Leading Seaman Charlie Erswell provides a personal account of events during the Second World War that are often forgotten, or not explored in great depth. The writing offers clear and easy access, a useful background and a worthwhile read for anyone interested in these events.

The Northern Mariner/Le marin du nord

"An excellent and well-illustrated read, thoroughly recommended."

Navy Books/Warship World

With the immense detail that is included, historians of World War II as well as the public would find great pleasure and insight from this work. Excellent writing techniques are employed, alternating between first person accounts and general exposition. The Arctic theater of the war is explicitly shown to be a contributor to Russia’s warfare resources, which in turn assisted in the overall Allied efforts. With the emphasis of importance given to the convoys alongside the utilization of Charlie Erswell’s accounts, this work adds an impactful addition of World War II writing due to its intense and in-depth description of a theatre of war this is so often left behind others.

Nautical Research Journal 67:3 (Autumn 2022).

"A worthwhile read."

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Yachting Monthly - November 2021

This is an excellent account of these terrible journeys I would very highly recommend it to our readers.

Shipping Today and Yesterday - December 2021

This was an enjoyable read and an eye-opener for readers who have not realised the importance of the Arctic convoys and the men who fought to keep them afloat.

Beating Tsundoku

As featured in: 'A Christmas in Service'

Yachting Monthly

As featured in

Nautilus Telegraph

"This is an excellent account of these terrible journeys, I would very highly recommend it to our readers."

John R. McKay, SHIPPING - Today & Yesterday, December 2021

A worthwhile read.

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Yachting Monthly

As featured in

Ships Monthly

Military history fans are sure to thrill to Erswell’s account of combat, and will certainly learn something new. Seafarers may get extra
enjoyment in seeing some familiar locations as they were during the 1940s, from the Arctic to the Red Sea, and in having a look at life onboard under the harshest conditions imaginable. This is a gripping account of a truly remarkable life.

The Nautilus Telegraph, 'Book of the Month', November 2021 Issue.

Leading Seaman Charlie Erswell saw much more than his fair share of action during the Second World War. He was present at the 1942 landing in North Africa (Operation TORCH), D-Day and the liberation of Norway. But his main area of operations was the Arctic Convoys, escorting merchant ships taking essential war supplies to the Russian ports of Murmansk and Archangel which Winston Churchill described as ‘the worst journey in the world’.
Erswell served on two destroyers, HMS Milne and Savage. His story, as told to John McKay, is more than one man’s account; it is an inspiring tribute to his colleagues, many of whom were killed in action. This story of bravery and endurance gives an appreciation what it felt like to be there in such hellish, freezing cold Arctic seas while under fire from U-boat torpedoes, Luftwaffe bombs and with the ever present threat of surface raider monsters like Tirpitz and Scharnhorst lurking nearby in Norwegian fjords.
Fittingly, the book was released to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the first Arctic Convoy, which sailed from Liverpool on 12th August 1941.

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Julian Stockwin

This was a really enjoyable read, the book was well written and there was a good relationship between the two men. I would most certainly recommend this book to others as a thrilling read.

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UK Historian

The Arctic Convoys to the Soviets were the most arduous naval actions of WWII. The far left have always made much of how the Soviets won the war. The courage of Red Army troops and pilots was impressive, but what is frequently neglected is the part British seamen played in the epic convoy battles to supply the Soviets – Most Highly Recommended

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Firetrench

I was very eager to review this book as not only have I served in the Royal Navy but my brother also took part in Artic Convoy operations as part of a gun’s crew albeit in a ship larger than those depicted in this publication. However, he rarely talked about his experiences so I hoped that this book would give me a flavour of his time spent in this dangerous and inhospitable area.
Surviving the Artic Convoys did not disappoint, the weather, which I have experienced, the constant threat of death and destruction, the lack of sleep and decent food all laid bare. How the crews of these small ships survived the stress and conditions beggars’ belief. I also equate to Charlie Erswell’s stories of ‘Runs Ashore’ especially those of Greece and Malta but think there are many more not told.

Bob Dean, The Ton Class Association

A series of fantastic experiences, especially from his work on those Russian convoys, but no wonder veterans who survived had witnessed events that would clearly remain with him for a lifetime, and so helpful that his story has been recorded for the rest of us to learn how it felt to live through those incredible times. Very happy to recommend this one.

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Military Model Scene

Article: 'The story of one man's war fought in the icy waters of the Arctic has been brought to life in a remarkable new book' as featured by

Wakefield Express, 8th July 2021