Serving on board a merchant-ship during the Second World War is a hazardous endeavor. Stalked by submarines, attacked by surface raiders, and hunted by bombers, the convoys and individual cargo ships face constant danger on their routes across the seas. And that is in addition to the job's typical hazards. But what is life like for a regular sailor on board these ships? And what motivates a man to sign up for such a dangerous job?

We've heard how German forces are fuelled by stimulants like Pervitin. But are the Allies doing the same thing? Of course! Their drug of choice is Benzedrine. It's in use as the RAF bomb German cities, as Monty's tanks push Rommel back, and as US Marines take the fight to the Japanese.