Sturdy, John Rhodes "The Story of Maitland's Reply"

Rousing tale set aboard the fictitious British tanker HALIFAX in the North Atlantic during an eastbound convoy. The ship has been fitted with a rocket launched Halifax fighter, with R.A.F. Flight Officer Maitland in charge of the plane. It is understood that should circumstances force him to take to the air to defend the convoy against German bombers, there will be no chance of his making land once the battle is finished and he will have to ditch in the cold Atlantic. The HALIFAX’s officers all find Maitland a rather cool individual and think that he “felt himself superior” to them. A last minute encounter just before Maitland takes off to fight the Germans changes the mind of one officer as he comes to realize that Maitland is just like them: longing for home and tired of war, but ready to fight until final victory.