Clipped Wings

A young acting sub-lieutenant faces compulsory discharge and becomes involved with his inventive uncle in testing a novel electro-magnetic ray while confronting a shadowy menace linked to an enemy air fleet. The story moves from naval routines and paying-off life to river voyages, a wreck and an overland passage through mountainous country that forces resourceful escape and improvisation. Subsequent episodes bring decoy ships, raiders and Admiralty orders into close conflict, with action that alternates between sea and sky as seaplanes, flying-boats, destroyers and submarines engage. Themes of technical ingenuity, seamanship and courage under wartime pressure run throughout.