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Arctic Rescue: A Memoir of the Tragic Sinking of HMS Glorious
A moving World War II memoir that uncovers a forgotten naval catastrophe. Ideal for readers of Evan Mawdsley, Max Hastings and Iain Ballantyne.
On the 8th June 1940, the Nazi battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau opened their guns on the aircraft-carrier HMS Glorious.
Within minutes the Glorious was taking on water and the order was given to abandon ship.
Hundreds of men leapt into the icy waters of the Norwegian Sea. They hoped and prayed that nearby ships would have heard their distress signal and send help.
Yet, they did not come. Men were left to tread water, hold onto small inflatables or clamber onto overcrowded lifeboats. The situation looked bleak for the few who survived the first twenty-four hours; there was nothing to eat and men resorted to drinking saltwater and their own urine to slake their thirst, but the effects of hypothermia and delirium began to take their toll.
Over 1,200 men lost their lives as a result of this tragedy.
Only forty men survived this ordeal, one of which was Royal Marine Ronald “Tubby” Healiss, who served as a member of a 4.7 gun crew on the Glorious. His award-winning account is a true and terrible record of suffering, which uncovers one of the greatest undocumented naval stories of the Second World War.
On the 8th June 1940, the Nazi battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau opened their guns on the aircraft-carrier HMS Glorious.
Within minutes the Glorious was taking on water and the order was given to abandon ship.
Hundreds of men leapt into the icy waters of the Norwegian Sea. They hoped and prayed that nearby ships would have heard their distress signal and send help.
Yet, they did not come. Men were left to tread water, hold onto small inflatables or clamber onto overcrowded lifeboats. The situation looked bleak for the few who survived the first twenty-four hours; there was nothing to eat and men resorted to drinking saltwater and their own urine to slake their thirst, but the effects of hypothermia and delirium began to take their toll.
Over 1,200 men lost their lives as a result of this tragedy.
Only forty men survived this ordeal, one of which was Royal Marine Ronald “Tubby” Healiss, who served as a member of a 4.7 gun crew on the Glorious. His award-winning account is a true and terrible record of suffering, which uncovers one of the greatest undocumented naval stories of the Second World War.
117 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 13, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
September 17, 2021
A fairly good survival story written in 1955 by one of 40 survivors from the HMS Glorious sinking in 1940. The book is short and only covers the preceding few runs between Scotland and Norway ferrying aircraft for the campaign before the ship along with it's two escorts was sunk by the German battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau. The author vividly describes his fight for survival in the freezing waters of the Arctic where he watched many shipmates die from exposure. The story he tells is not of bravado but of just surviving and all the horrors that went along with it, and all his thoughts during this time that kept him going. A short read and not the most well written book, but worth the effort none the less if you are interested in survival stories.
September 19, 2020
117 pages
3 stars
This is a pretty good book. However, I had much trouble with all the jargon and slang.
This book is a chronicle of day-to-day operations aboard a British aircraft carrier during WWII. Their ship gets hit by German guns off the coast of Norway and the order to abandon ship was given. Our narrator winds up in a small boat with twenty or so other men.
With nothing to eat or drink and hoping for rescue, they slowly began to die. Only two men were left in Healiss' boat when they were finally rescued by a Norwegian ship. Only forty men survived the ordeal.
I want to thank NetGalley and Sapere Books for forwarding to me a copy of this interesting and informative book for me to read, enjoy and review.
3 stars
This is a pretty good book. However, I had much trouble with all the jargon and slang.
This book is a chronicle of day-to-day operations aboard a British aircraft carrier during WWII. Their ship gets hit by German guns off the coast of Norway and the order to abandon ship was given. Our narrator winds up in a small boat with twenty or so other men.
With nothing to eat or drink and hoping for rescue, they slowly began to die. Only two men were left in Healiss' boat when they were finally rescued by a Norwegian ship. Only forty men survived the ordeal.
I want to thank NetGalley and Sapere Books for forwarding to me a copy of this interesting and informative book for me to read, enjoy and review.
June 11, 2021
This reprint by Sapere Books takes the reader back to WW2 with a vivid personal story of tragic events on a British aircraft carrier in the Arctic off Norway. By the time trouble arrived HMS Glorious was virtually on her own there with the minimum of support, while the world was fixated by the Dunkirk evacuation. Later, the story remained unknown, because nearly all of those involved died and it might also have been a tale the Admiralty preferred to remain untold. ‘Tubby’, the author Ronald Healiss, who narrates his experiences , barely survived and did not write of the book until many years later.
During the first half of the book he brings his companions alive through quick, often irreverent dialogue, full of long forgotten slang. He describes how two thousand crew members somehow make a life together at sea for months on end, , how the constant gun practicing, bull and orders sparked pithy comments and mischief, their grumbles and complaints and the wide range of edgy relationships, and their longing to be back home with their loved ones after two years at sea. In spite of the badinage, the reader knows from the start that trouble looms, making the banter all the more poignant. When the attacks arrive, Tubby describes with clarity the horror of the damage and final sinking of the Glorious and her two support ships and the rest of the book deals with the subsequent long days trying to survive both physically and psychologically on the northern ocean until finally being picked by Norwegian fishermen.
The pace of the book is fast, mainly because most of it is told in dialogue, or through personal intense reflection, but what makes it striking is the immediacy of all the events, the unquestionable authenticity of Tubby’s narration. Tubby lived through all these experiences and he takes the reader there unerringly. This is a moving story which needs to be told and one that should never be forgotten.
During the first half of the book he brings his companions alive through quick, often irreverent dialogue, full of long forgotten slang. He describes how two thousand crew members somehow make a life together at sea for months on end, , how the constant gun practicing, bull and orders sparked pithy comments and mischief, their grumbles and complaints and the wide range of edgy relationships, and their longing to be back home with their loved ones after two years at sea. In spite of the badinage, the reader knows from the start that trouble looms, making the banter all the more poignant. When the attacks arrive, Tubby describes with clarity the horror of the damage and final sinking of the Glorious and her two support ships and the rest of the book deals with the subsequent long days trying to survive both physically and psychologically on the northern ocean until finally being picked by Norwegian fishermen.
The pace of the book is fast, mainly because most of it is told in dialogue, or through personal intense reflection, but what makes it striking is the immediacy of all the events, the unquestionable authenticity of Tubby’s narration. Tubby lived through all these experiences and he takes the reader there unerringly. This is a moving story which needs to be told and one that should never be forgotten.
December 20, 2020
A short read with a ton of impact.
This heart-rending account of the sinking of the aircraft carrier HMS Glorious is well worth your time. This is both an historic account complete with references to subsequent and penetrating parliamentary enquiries, and a very human story of one man and his ship.
Told with great eloquence by a Liverpool born chap born in 1914 who after a start as a chef with British Railways joined the Royal Marines to the initial disgust of his father. He proudly served on the Glorious P7 four-point-seven gun crew and was one of the few score out of a crew of 2000 sailors who survived.
The human and physical detail in this book is quite remarkable. I felt I was on the mess deck with Tubby and his mates as the story drew to it's outmatched conclusion. They never saw the enemy that did them in.
An issue that persisted following the sinking was the high loss of life following the abandon ship order. Why was the carrier's escort so limited? Why was the efforts at rescue so miserly? A reluctant explanation was finally given - although the book should be read to conclusion to find that out.
It seems the author's suffering was not to end with the conclusion of hostilities. Following publication of this book his military pension was withdrawn. A poor reward for honouring of his comrades and his ship.
A story of a crew at sea under pressure of the elements and war. It made me sad to think of it - but grateful for the survivors tale and courage in bringing a confronting story to light.
This heart-rending account of the sinking of the aircraft carrier HMS Glorious is well worth your time. This is both an historic account complete with references to subsequent and penetrating parliamentary enquiries, and a very human story of one man and his ship.
Told with great eloquence by a Liverpool born chap born in 1914 who after a start as a chef with British Railways joined the Royal Marines to the initial disgust of his father. He proudly served on the Glorious P7 four-point-seven gun crew and was one of the few score out of a crew of 2000 sailors who survived.
The human and physical detail in this book is quite remarkable. I felt I was on the mess deck with Tubby and his mates as the story drew to it's outmatched conclusion. They never saw the enemy that did them in.
An issue that persisted following the sinking was the high loss of life following the abandon ship order. Why was the carrier's escort so limited? Why was the efforts at rescue so miserly? A reluctant explanation was finally given - although the book should be read to conclusion to find that out.
It seems the author's suffering was not to end with the conclusion of hostilities. Following publication of this book his military pension was withdrawn. A poor reward for honouring of his comrades and his ship.
A story of a crew at sea under pressure of the elements and war. It made me sad to think of it - but grateful for the survivors tale and courage in bringing a confronting story to light.
September 28, 2020
Do you remember the awful scene in James Cameron’s “Titanic” where the rescue boat glides among the bobbing frozen corpses, looking for survivors? Well, Ronald Healiss actually endured a similar experience, having survived the sinking of the British warship HMS Glorious off the coast of Norway in World War II.
At the beginning of his account, he vividly describes life aboard ship and in combat, as a member of a gun crew, setting the stage for what is coming. His descriptions are a little too full of technical terms for this lay reader, as well as containing a light dose of anti-semitism which modern readers will probably find disturbing. However the detailed banter among the men rings true. They kept each other’s spirits up.
These objections aside, the riveting portion of the book, and its main focus, begins with the sinking of the ship by the Nazis and his subsequent struggle for survival in the freezing, oil-coated waters.
From clinging to a floating cushion with three other men, to climbing aboard an initial lifeboat -where he would be the only survivor- his adventures are frightening and suspenseful. This is actually a fascinating book which makes clear the awful price of combat. More of these first-hand accounts should be preserved!
At the beginning of his account, he vividly describes life aboard ship and in combat, as a member of a gun crew, setting the stage for what is coming. His descriptions are a little too full of technical terms for this lay reader, as well as containing a light dose of anti-semitism which modern readers will probably find disturbing. However the detailed banter among the men rings true. They kept each other’s spirits up.
These objections aside, the riveting portion of the book, and its main focus, begins with the sinking of the ship by the Nazis and his subsequent struggle for survival in the freezing, oil-coated waters.
From clinging to a floating cushion with three other men, to climbing aboard an initial lifeboat -where he would be the only survivor- his adventures are frightening and suspenseful. This is actually a fascinating book which makes clear the awful price of combat. More of these first-hand accounts should be preserved!
September 27, 2020
The aircraft carrier HMS Glorious was sunk in Norway during WWII and these are the intensely personal memoirs of Ronald Healiss, a marine who served on the ship. The opening chapters bring to life the small enclosed world they lived in, the daily routine on the ship, the snippets of information that they get from the officers that they look after, the friendships and the pain of being away from their loved ones.
As the ship sets off on its last voyage the story becomes more intense. The battle is told from the very narrow view point of the gun crew, as they are unaware of what else is happening on the ship. After the order to abandon ship is given ‘Tubby’ Healiss is faced with many physical and psychological challenges in his fight for survival.
This is not an ‘easy’ read but it is a worthwhile read.
Thanks to Sapere Books for a review copy.
As the ship sets off on its last voyage the story becomes more intense. The battle is told from the very narrow view point of the gun crew, as they are unaware of what else is happening on the ship. After the order to abandon ship is given ‘Tubby’ Healiss is faced with many physical and psychological challenges in his fight for survival.
This is not an ‘easy’ read but it is a worthwhile read.
Thanks to Sapere Books for a review copy.
September 27, 2020
There is a remarkable story at the core of this - Ronald Healiss was one of 30 some survivors of the 2000 man crew of the Glorious, which was sunk by German battlecruisers in the Arctic. Healiss remarkably survived 5 days in open boats in the Arctic without food and water until being picked up by a Norwegian trawler. Healiss is very frank about his experiences and what he saw during his battle for survival.
I struggled a bit working through the initial chapters which is loaded with British and British Naval slang (footnotes would have been very helpful), but the resulting story was well worth the effort, and the initial stories (some of which seemed at first to be for color) tied in with later parts of the book.
A remarkable, unique story.
I struggled a bit working through the initial chapters which is loaded with British and British Naval slang (footnotes would have been very helpful), but the resulting story was well worth the effort, and the initial stories (some of which seemed at first to be for color) tied in with later parts of the book.
A remarkable, unique story.
September 23, 2020
The story is more like a fireside chat over a pint or hot tea than reading the prose of a trained author, but that’s what makes it enjoyable. I rated it 4-stars because it is filled with early British-English and military colloquial passes, slang, idioms, euphemisms, and parlance. Consider this as a partial list: matelot, Carley float, Tannoy, projjies, Scousee, fuse-spanner, rowdy-jumble, light a dog-end, guess-an’-calker-late, and my favorite... Brylcream Boys.🙃
This was my favorite descriptive line: “... His choir of freezing, drenched mortals, who were a handful of Hitler’s prey and quarry, were singing with cracked and parched voices.”
Overall, well worth the read.
This was my favorite descriptive line: “... His choir of freezing, drenched mortals, who were a handful of Hitler’s prey and quarry, were singing with cracked and parched voices.”
Overall, well worth the read.
December 24, 2021
Great read on a little known subject.
Absent the sharks, this appears to be the British version of the USS INDIANAPOLIS lost with great loss of life near the end of WWII. Both events were greatly compounded by lack of proper communications. Sadly the INDIANAPOLIS story has received much greater public coverage and interest . The author did an admirable job of conveying the story of the loss (from his perspective) and sparked my interest in investigating the events outlined to learn more. I believe the author’s goal was achieved here. Not many authors can say that!
Absent the sharks, this appears to be the British version of the USS INDIANAPOLIS lost with great loss of life near the end of WWII. Both events were greatly compounded by lack of proper communications. Sadly the INDIANAPOLIS story has received much greater public coverage and interest . The author did an admirable job of conveying the story of the loss (from his perspective) and sparked my interest in investigating the events outlined to learn more. I believe the author’s goal was achieved here. Not many authors can say that!
October 5, 2020
Tragic face of war.
A great retelling here of the tragic loss of a British aircraft carrier in the early days of WWII with it's brave crew. How one man who's nickname was "Tubby" could survive while 99% of his shipmates perished is a tale of how genetics can determine who lives & who dies. A very good tale of bravery, plain ole guts & will to live brought one man through a nightmare to live & be able to have a family & tell of his cruise through hell.
A great retelling here of the tragic loss of a British aircraft carrier in the early days of WWII with it's brave crew. How one man who's nickname was "Tubby" could survive while 99% of his shipmates perished is a tale of how genetics can determine who lives & who dies. A very good tale of bravery, plain ole guts & will to live brought one man through a nightmare to live & be able to have a family & tell of his cruise through hell.
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December 2, 2020An Inglorious end at the opening of WW2
"One of his saddest times was the cessation of his meagre disability pension from the War Office soon after the publication of his (the authors) book and one would wonder whether he had raised too many questions over the tragedy of HMS Glorious and the huge numbers of lives that were lost." Such is the price of truth narrated by a survivor as the sunset on the British Empire in ww2..
"One of his saddest times was the cessation of his meagre disability pension from the War Office soon after the publication of his (the authors) book and one would wonder whether he had raised too many questions over the tragedy of HMS Glorious and the huge numbers of lives that were lost." Such is the price of truth narrated by a survivor as the sunset on the British Empire in ww2..
December 2, 2020
Very personal account of the sinking of the Glorious
Very personal recollections by a Royal Marine that survived the sinking of the Glorious and spent several days adrift. Out of 2000 crew, only about 60 survived. The book is short and offers little context of what happened to frame the story. The epilogue offers good context. The book itself are the experiences of one man with much English slang.
Very personal recollections by a Royal Marine that survived the sinking of the Glorious and spent several days adrift. Out of 2000 crew, only about 60 survived. The book is short and offers little context of what happened to frame the story. The epilogue offers good context. The book itself are the experiences of one man with much English slang.
January 5, 2022
It is listening to a relative reminisce.
Most of my parents’ generation served during WWII. This book reminds me of listening to their stories. There’s very little historical overview, just the experience of a man living through the historical event. It is told in the vernacular of the author’s time and home, which makes it seem even more immediate, as if we are visiting with him, and not just reading the words.
Most of my parents’ generation served during WWII. This book reminds me of listening to their stories. There’s very little historical overview, just the experience of a man living through the historical event. It is told in the vernacular of the author’s time and home, which makes it seem even more immediate, as if we are visiting with him, and not just reading the words.
July 22, 2022
What a story!
I knew little about HMS Glorious beyond that she had been sunk off Norway in WWII, and this is a riveting account of what happened. It is told from the viewpoint of a participant Marine gunner on board, and has an extraordinary realism and immediacy. You really feel you were there, and are extremely glad that you are not! The writing is very good, and it reads well. Excellent book on a most interesting history, and warmly recommended.
I knew little about HMS Glorious beyond that she had been sunk off Norway in WWII, and this is a riveting account of what happened. It is told from the viewpoint of a participant Marine gunner on board, and has an extraordinary realism and immediacy. You really feel you were there, and are extremely glad that you are not! The writing is very good, and it reads well. Excellent book on a most interesting history, and warmly recommended.
December 27, 2020
Moving and poetic account of horror
The author was one of the few survivors and has provided an account that is at the same time matter-of-fact but almost lyrical. I couldn't put it down. Not to be missed by anyone who is trying to grasp the nature of warfare in all its awfulness.
The author was one of the few survivors and has provided an account that is at the same time matter-of-fact but almost lyrical. I couldn't put it down. Not to be missed by anyone who is trying to grasp the nature of warfare in all its awfulness.
February 18, 2022
Great story
The thing I liked most about this story was that it continued the account of the sinking of HMS Glorious. Most accounts end with the destruction of the two escorting destroyers.
I also like the lighthearted manner in which the author wrote the story. It certainly added character.
All in all a great read. I was disappointed that it had to end.
Highly recommended.
The thing I liked most about this story was that it continued the account of the sinking of HMS Glorious. Most accounts end with the destruction of the two escorting destroyers.
I also like the lighthearted manner in which the author wrote the story. It certainly added character.
All in all a great read. I was disappointed that it had to end.
Highly recommended.
September 24, 2020
Great Story
This story reminds of the Indianapolis but worse because the British Navy is writing off the failure to protect or even go to their rescue as we’re too stretched at time, was as bad what happened to Indy, this sad story but he survived!!!!
This story reminds of the Indianapolis but worse because the British Navy is writing off the failure to protect or even go to their rescue as we’re too stretched at time, was as bad what happened to Indy, this sad story but he survived!!!!
October 2, 2020
A survivor's recollection of a battle in the north sea
Very detailed and horrifying. Life on a British aircraft carrier described by an enlisted man whose ship was sunk by German battleships in the arctic ocean off Norway.
Very detailed and horrifying. Life on a British aircraft carrier described by an enlisted man whose ship was sunk by German battleships in the arctic ocean off Norway.
January 23, 2021
What a story
When reading what this man went through after jumping off the ship. No undamaged lifeboats lying in freezing water watching men die and surviving as he did i would wonder how.
When reading what this man went through after jumping off the ship. No undamaged lifeboats lying in freezing water watching men die and surviving as he did i would wonder how.
March 28, 2021
Arctic Ocean ordeal
Grim testimony of survival of a British Marine after his Aircraft carrier was sunk by German raiders during WWII. This narratives describes the horrible toll on life that exposure, thirst, and hunger took on sailors on the icy artic waters near Norway.
Grim testimony of survival of a British Marine after his Aircraft carrier was sunk by German raiders during WWII. This narratives describes the horrible toll on life that exposure, thirst, and hunger took on sailors on the icy artic waters near Norway.
April 1, 2021
Nice short read
It was nice for me to read a true WWII story from a British marine. It is his own story and is written like he is telling it to you. As an American reader I enjoyed the English phrases and local words.
It was nice for me to read a true WWII story from a British marine. It is his own story and is written like he is telling it to you. As an American reader I enjoyed the English phrases and local words.
June 6, 2021
Very informative of a little known incident.
As Winston Churchill said we are 2 countries devided by a common language. I could understand only the common English words, but if you hang in there you will enjoy the rest of it.
As Winston Churchill said we are 2 countries devided by a common language. I could understand only the common English words, but if you hang in there you will enjoy the rest of it.
September 11, 2021
A look below decks
I really liked that the book was written using the slang of the Navy because it really located me into the time and place. I felt like I knew Tubby. I really appreciated the Note from his estate. Highly recommend.
I really liked that the book was written using the slang of the Navy because it really located me into the time and place. I felt like I knew Tubby. I really appreciated the Note from his estate. Highly recommend.
December 15, 2023
I previously didn't know much about the sinking of HMS Glorious. This book let you see the lead up to the event and the aftermath for the few who survived through the eyes of one of them. Felt like I was there.
September 14, 2020
Excellent account of war time tragedy at sea from one of the very few survivors.
October 3, 2020
The savage truth of war at sea
This story strips bare the reality of war at sea, with all the human frailty and understated courage that conflict brings
This story strips bare the reality of war at sea, with all the human frailty and understated courage that conflict brings
October 12, 2020
Really Enjoyed it.
Good book, interesting and kept my attention. I served in theAir Force up by North Pole. Hard to forget that place.
Good book, interesting and kept my attention. I served in theAir Force up by North Pole. Hard to forget that place.
December 10, 2020
Very good read ! Raw
January 14, 2021
Another example of World War Two
I found it interesting, but felt it was too personal. I Peter would have preferred more of the action and less personal data.
I found it interesting, but felt it was too personal. I Peter would have preferred more of the action and less personal data.
March 31, 2021
First hand account
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews