Description
Air a leughadh le Ruaraidh G Macilleathain.
“Cha Till Mise (‘I will not return’) is a splendidly researched and grippingly presented history in Gaelic of the Arctic Convoys of 1941–45. The story is told from the German as well as the British side, and comprehensively backed up by photographs, maps and documents, all of which are in English, thus rendering the book very usable to researchers with no knowledge of Gaelic.” Ronald Black
Nuair a bha Ruaraidh G Macilleathain a’ fàs suas ann an Glaschu anns na seasgadan, chanadh a mhàthair ris gach 31 Dùbhlachd, ‘Chaidh Daibhidh a chall air na Russian Convoys’ – dìreach na faclan sin. B’ e co-ogha dha mhàthair a bha ann an Daibhidh. Bha e 22 bliadhna a dh’aois.
B’ e an aon fhiosrachadh a bha aig an teaghlach gun deach an soitheach aig Daibhidh, HMS Achates, fodha ann am Muir Bharents, 31 Dùbhlachd, 1942. Cha d’ fhuair iad a-mach a-riamh dè thachair dhan a’ bhalach òg à Bhatarnais san Eilean Sgitheanach. An deach a bhàthadh? An deach a mharbhadh le slige Ghearmailteach? Ach, a-nis, an dèidh rannsachadh agus thurchartasan iongantach, gabhaidh an sgeulachd aig Daibhidh innse.
Tha an leabhar seo ag innse ann an doimhneachd mu na cunnartan agus mun chruadal a dh’fhuiling seòladairean nan conbhoidhean dhan Ruis. Agus, mun ghaisgeachd a bha ri fhaicinn ann am Blàr Muir Bharents, a’ mhadainn ud ann an 1942.
Cha Till Mise conveys a heartfelt story about the Russian convoys and the heroes who sailed on them – with particular attention on HMS Achates.
Ruaraidh G Macilleathain has gathered material to give a detailed and illuminating analysis of the Russian Convoys. He tells of the commodores who came out of retirement, risking their lives to navigate convoys to Murmansk and Archangel; the doctors who diced with death, jumping from one ship to another in rough seas to administer crucial medical aid; the astonishing behaviour of Adolf Hitler belittling his Kriegsmarine admirals and captains, making them reticent to engage with the Royal Navy in December 1942; the rescue ships which pulled freezing survivors from the ice-cold Arctic waters. Cha Till Mise shares the story of those who, despite their fears, sailed in these convoys.
‘Enlightening, entertaining and informative, Roddy Maclean’s new book offers new and fascinating insights into the Arctic Convoys of World War Two. As a writer with a detailed knowledge of the west coast of the Scottish Highlands, he offers a fresh perspective of the places and ports round which these vessels sailed, showing how much those on board suffered and endured. His words took me into the lives of men like my Skye grandfather who also sailed – and served on two vessels that sank – during these years at war.’ DS Murray
Faodaidh sibh an leabhar a cheannach an seo / Buy the paperback version here.
