Tank Action: An Armoured Troop Commander's War 1944–45 - Softcover

Render, Captain David; Tootal, Stuart

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1474603289 ISBN 13: 9781474603287

Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2017

Synopsis

A gripping account of the Second World War, from the perspective of a young tank commander.

In 1944, David Render was a nineteen-year-old second lieutenant fresh from Sandhurst when he was sent to France. Joining the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry five days after the D-Day landings, the combat-hardened men he was sent to command did not expect him to last long. However, in the following weeks of ferocious fighting in which more than 90 per cent of his fellow tank commanders became casualties, his ability to emerge unscathed from countless combat engagements earned him the nickname of the 'Inevitable Mr Render'.

In Tank Action Render tells his remarkable story, spanning every major episode of the last year of the Second World War from the invasion of Normandy to the fall of Germany. Ultimately it is a story of survival, comradeship and the ability to stand up and be counted as a leader in combat.

About this title

About the Author

David Render was a Second World War tank troop commander who participated in the D-Day landing and the entirety of the subsequent fighting in the Allies campaign to liberate Europe in 1944 and 1945. After the war, he went on to become a highly successful businessman and national champion racing-car driver.

Stuart Tootal spent twenty years as a soldier, serving in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, the Gulf War and the invasion of Iraq in 2003. In 2006 he commanded 3 PARA as the first UK combat unit to be sent to Helmand province in Afghanistan. A champion of veterans' affairs, on leaving the Army he set up the Parachute Regiment Afghanistan Trust charity and now works in the City of London. A defence and security commentator for several national media networks, he also regularly lectures on leadership in the commercial environment. Tank Action is his third book.

Review

'Render's book is particularly good at explaining the tactics of tank warfare . . . His first-hand account of his experiences - brilliantly written with Stuart Tootal - is not only wonderfully informative on the nitty-gritty of a key element of the Allied victory, but as gripping as the very best war fiction'―John Harding, DAILY MAIL

[Render's] first-hand account of his experiences - brilliantly written with Stuart Tootal - is not only wonderfully informative on the nitty-gritty of a key element of the Allied victory, but as gripping as the very best war fiction.―John Harding, DAILY MAIL

'[A] remarkable and gripping tale of heroism'

'[A] remarkable and gripping tale of heroism'―John Ash, BRITAIN AT WAR

'Render's book is particularly good at explaining the tactics of tank warfare . . . His first-hand account of his experiences - brilliantly written with Stuart Tootal - is not only wonderfully informative on the nitty-gritty of a key element of the Allied victory, but as gripping as the very best war fiction'

'An incredible memoir'―FAMILY TREE MAGAZINE

'Extraordinary youth, unbelievable bravery and humbling heroism: David Render and his crew are the real deal. His book with Stuart Tootal more than delivers'

'Extraordinary youth, unbelievable bravery and humbling heroism: David Render and his crew are the real deal. His book with Stuart Tootal more than delivers'―Damien Lewis, bestselling author of Zero Six Bravo and Operation Mayhem

'During the invasion of Normandy in 1944, the life expectancy of a junior British officer in a tank regiment was two weeks. Courtesy of luck, 100 cigarettes a day and some quickly acquired nous, 19-year-old Second Lieutenant David Render survived the killing fields of France. His comrades dubbed him "the inevitable Mr Render" and this is a fine and honest memoir of a young man at war. Render ducks neither the thrill of leading an M4 Sherman into battle nor the carnage its 75mm gun delivered. He is now 92. To you sir, a salute'

'During the invasion of Normandy in 1944, the life expectancy of a junior British officer in a tank regiment was two weeks. Courtesy of luck, 100 cigarettes a day and some quickly acquired nous, 19-year-old Second Lieutenant David Render survived the killing fields of France. His comrades dubbed him "the inevitable Mr Render" and this is a fine and honest memoir of a young man at war. Render ducks neither the thrill of leading an M4 Sherman into battle nor the carnage its 75mm gun delivered. He is now 92. To you sir, a salute'―John Lewis-Stempel, EXPRESS

About this edition

• Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicolson
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 1474603289
• ISBN 13: 9781474603287
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 320