HMS Samson was Lieutenant Commander Roland Bream’s destroyer —small, fast and deadly, the pride of her crew and a credit to the Royal Navy. But when she crossed the path of a Japanese Yamato‑class battleship she had to turn tail and flee, not through cowardice but through sheer self‑preservation. For her Japanese opponent was one of the world’s largest battleships —one shell from her 18‑inch guns could blow the Samson out of the water. Yet as the destroyer ran before her colossal opponent, Bream was racking his brains for an opportunity to hit back —even though it seemed pure suicide!

Story: Alan Hebden

Art: Maidagan

Cover: Ian Kennedy