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British Armoured Divisions and their Commanders, 1939-1945 (Hardback)

Military > Tanks WWII > Battles & Campaigns > D-Day & Normandy

By Richard Doherty
Imprint: Pen & Sword Military
Pages: 270
ISBN: 9781848848382
Published: 16th July 2013

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A total of eleven British armoured divisions were formed during the 1939-1945 war but, as this highly informative book reveals, just eight saw action.

In 1940 only 1st Armoured Division faced the German blitzkrieg and it was in the North African desert that armoured divisions came into their own. The terrain was ideal and six such divisions of Eighth Army fought Rommel's Panzers into submission. Three were disbanded prior to the invasion of Sicily and Italy. The campaign from D-Day onwards saw the Guards Armoured, 7th Armoured (the Desert Rats), 11th and Percy Hobart's 79th Armoured Division in the thick of the action.

Of particular interest are the men who commanded these elite formations and the way their characters contributed to the outcome of operations. While some, such as Dick McCreery, went onto greater heights, others did not make the grade; the stakes were high. A number, such as 'Pip' Roberts, were just perfectly suited in the role.

Written by a leading military historian, this book describes many fascinating aspects of armoured warfare from its uncertain beginnings, through the development of tactics and the evolving tank design. Due to British deficiencies, reliance had to be placed on US Grants and Shermans, with the Comet coming late and the Centurion too late.

The combination of gripping historical narrative and well researched fact make this an invaluable and highly readable work on the contribution of British Armoured Divisions to victory in the Second World War.

Richard Doherty sets out, in his usual, thorough and very readable style, to examine the role of British Armoured Divisions in the Second World War. Highly recommended for all with an interest in the armoured warfare during WW2 or the impact of individual commanders in battle.

Bulletin - Military Historical Society

I don't know about you, but I found this made a pleasant change to read something on British Armoured divisions of WW2 rather than the many we see available on the Panzer Divisions. The author has done an excellent job of looking at the subject from an interesting perspective. The British Army created 11 armoured divisions during WW2, though 2 of them never went into combat, while a third, rather than be disbanded, was re-structured to create the specialist equipment of 79th Armoured Division, 'Hobart's Funnies'.

www.militarymodelling.com

A fascinating new book. Combination of historical narrative and well researched material makes for a highly readable book.

Londonderry Sentinel

Richard Doherty reveals how of the eleven British armoured divisions which were formed during the Second World War, just eight saw action. Also examines the influence of the men who led these formations and the way their characters contributed to the success of failure of operations.

Britain at War

The author has done an excellent job of looking at the subject from an interesting perspective. The British Army created 11 armoured divisions during WW2, though 2 of them never went into combat, while a third, rather than be disbanded, was re-structured to create the specialist equipment of 79th Armoured Division, 'Hobart's Funnies'.

www.militarymodeling.com

Richard Doherty reveals how of the eleven British armoured divisions which were formed during the Second World War, just eight saw action.
Also examines the influence of the men who led these formations and the way their characters contributed to the success of failure of operations.

Britain at War

About Richard Doherty

Richard Doherty, recognised as Ireland’s leading military history author, has thirty published books to his credit, plus many articles in journals and magazines. Included in his Pen and Sword titles are The Thin Green Line: The History of the RUC GC; Helmand Mission; Victory in Italy and Hobart’s 79th Armoured Division at War. He has worked on radio and TV historical series, including The Sons of Ulster and One Man’s War, as well as contributing to other programmes such as Who Do You Think You Are? He is also in demand as a speaker and lecturer, speaking at venues such as the National Army Museum, the Tank Museum and the US Marine Corps Staff and Command College, Quantico, Virginia.

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