Yangtse Incident - Film Review

There is nothing better than a stiff upper lip British war film in the afternoon and on the upside starring Richard Todd. Based on the true story of H.M.S. Amethyst attacked by the People's Liberation Army whilst sailing along the Yangtze River to Nanking in 1949. Amethyst run aground and was held while prolong talks took place to release the ship took place.

The film is the "Yangtze Incident" H.M.S. 

Amethyst comes under fire from the People's Liberation Army artillery while having permission to travel up the Yangtze River to Nanking. Hit by the guns of the PLA Amethyst returns fire but cannot return accurate fire due to the guns being out of sight. The ship runs aground orders are given to abandon ship leaving a skeleton crew on board. While the majority of the crew are safe, two end up in the hands of the PLA.

Meantime there are a number of attempts by H.M.S. Consort to tow Amethyst off the mud but they fail as Consort comes under the same heavy gunfire. With the captain killed and the second in command, wounded Lieutenant Commander John Kerans (Richard Todd) is despatched to Amethyst.

The local Communist officials make contact with Amethyst that leads to a number of meetings between senior officers and the officials. They are demanding either the British government releases an apology accepting all responsibility for the entire incident, or Amethyst will remain stuck on the mud bank. They try to get the two wounded sailors they have in their care to sign statements declaring the British to have been the transgressors, which they refuse to do. Kerans manages to get stores, fuel, and the two sailors and then comes up with a plan to escape and make a dash for open sea.

His plan is to alter the ships silhouette to help disguise it in the darkness. Amethyst slips her anchor later that night using a brightly lit merchant ship heading down river. When the shore batteries finally notice the Amethyst gone, the merchantman receives the brunt of the PLA artillery and catches fire, while Amethyst presses on at top speed. As the ship processed down the Yangtze they encounter an obstruction across the river with two channels, Kerans takes a gamble on which to take, while the sailor on the echo sounder called “three fathom sir, two fathoms sir, one fathoms sir” and then “two fathoms sir” they were through.

The biggest threat to the escape was the 6” guns a Woosung as they out gunned those of the Amethyst. Has they tried to slip past the guns they were inevitably spotted by the searchlights and both open fire until Amethyst reaches open sea. On the arrival of dawn, HMS Concord is seen racing to meet and greet them.

Concord flashes a message, “Fancy seeing you here”, and Amethyst replies “Never repeat never has another ship been so welcome”

Amethyst then signalled to headquarters: "Have rejoined the fleet south of Woosung ... No major damage... No casualties...God save the King!"

A message of congratulations from King George VI was sent: Please convey to the commanding officer and ship’s company of HMS AMETHYST my hearty congratulations on their daring exploit to re-join the Fleet. The courage, skill, and determination shown by all on board have my highest commendation. Splice the mainbrace.