Win a copy of 'I Sank the Bismarck' by John Moffat

15/06/2009

 In the early hours of 27th May, 1941, the German warship Bismarck - the scourge of the Atlantic Ocean - was sailing towards a fateful encounter. Two days previously Prime Minister Winston Churchill had issued the order to "Sink the Bismarck".

 

John Moffat was a brave young sub-lieutenant in the Fleet Air Arm. In May 1941 he was one of the twelve Swordftsh pilots who flew over the wind wracked ocean to aim their torpedoes at the German battleship Bismarck, the world's most powerful warship in service. The crews in their open cockpits were totally vulnerable, they heard the crack of exploding shells, and the smell of cordite fllled their nostrils. They flew on, aiming their torpedoes. If they failed now Bismarck would escape to safety, and a strategic, and political defeat for Britain would echo around the world. The Bismarck was hit, lost control and steamed in circles until the ships of the Royal Navy could close in. They pounded the great battleship with shells and torpedoes, reducing her to a lifeless hulk, allowing a cruiser, HMS Dorsetshire to deliver the coup de grace.

 

Years later John was told that the records suggested it was his torpedo that had prevented the Bismarck from outrunning her pursuers. I Sank the Bismarck is John's story. A personal story of a carefree young boy, raised in the Borders, growing up to join a fledgling Fleet Air Arm. It's the story of a young pilot, living for the moment, facing war, and taking part in one of the most important battles at sea ever fought by Britain and the Royal Navy. As the only surviving member of his fellow pilots, John Moffat tells of everything that led him to be able to say, "I sank the Bismarck".

 

'I Sank the Bismarck' is published by Bantam Press on 4th June 2009, RRP £16.99.

 

 

Mature Times has 5 copies to give away. For the chance to win a copy, just answer the following question.

 

The Events - Wales and West section of our Motoring & Leisure pages features an article about a re-union group for those who served on which HMS Destroyer ?

 

 

Competition closes 15th July 2009