Gift Horse

Eight years after his court-martial, Lieutenant Commander Fraser is recalled to service and placed in command of the antiquated destroyer Ballantrae. The ship is one of the wartime Town-class variants arising from the destroyers-for-bases deal, so he inherits a vessel many doubt can fight. His leadership quickly begins to shape the crew, setting the tone for their wartime role.

Ballantrae sails on its first mission, tasked with convoy escort duty amid dangerous seas. A burst steam pipe cripples the ship, forcing it to fall out of line for repairs and leaving the escort to others. The crew stays disciplined under Fraser, ready to press on when able.

During the same mission, Ballantrae cannot attack a nearby U-boat because of the burst steam pipe. Despite the mishap, the crew manages to shoot down an attacking plane, demonstrating resilience under strain. The mission ends with a return to port for essential repairs.

The Ballantrae returns to harbor for repairs and maintenance. Fraser is offered a newer ship, but he declines, preferring to stay with Ballantrae and lead his crew through wartime trials. The decision strengthens his bond with the men and reinforces his commitment.

News of Fraser's leadership spreads around the harbour, provoking a bar brawl between crews who defend his reputation. The fracas underscores tensions between the crew and the changing command style. Flanagan ends up on a charge, ironically punished by the very man he defended.

During exercises off the Cornwall coast near Lizard Point, Ballantrae strikes a recently sunken vessel that should have been charted, causing serious damage. Fraser takes full blame during an Admiralty enquiry, accepting accountability for the navigational oversight. The incident emphasizes the cost of wartime risk-taking and leadership scrutiny.

Just before Christmas, Fraser receives a telegram announcing his son’s death on active service. He hides his grief from the crew, maintaining a stoic front. The ship’s men celebrate the holiday together on board, and Ballantrae earns the nickname 'The Gift Horse' from their camaraderie.

Initial resentment of Fraser’s strict discipline gives way as the crew matures into a more efficient fighting unit. His methods, though tough, begin to yield tangible results in readiness and cohesion. The ship’s morale rises as they prepare for a perilous future mission.

With a disciplined crew, Ballantrae is readied for Operation Boadicea, a bold and dangerous assault on a Nazi submarine base on the French coast. Fraser prepares his men to carry out a near-suicidal plan, emphasizing precision and courage. The mission illustrates the extremes of wartime strategies relied upon by the Royal Navy.

As Boadicea commences, the crew faces the ultimate test of nerve and resolve under Fraser’s demanding leadership. He drills them to execute the plan with calm efficiency, despite the grim odds. The summary ends without detailing the outcome, but the attempt marks the culmination of his leadership transformation.

The Ballantrae earns its nickname through the crew’s loyalty and Fraser’s insistence on duty, resilience, and unity under fire. The ship becomes a symbol of stubborn perseverance and effective fighting spirit in the face of motor repairs and enemy threats. This ethos carries through the forthcoming mission as a defining legacy.

The provided summary ends with the preparations and looming mission, not revealing the outcome of Boadicea or Fraser’s ultimate fate. The focus remains on leadership, sacrifice, and the resolve of a crew pressed into service. The timeline captures the arc of Fraser’s command and the Ballantrae’s wartime trial.