The Story of the Guards Armoured Division Format: Paperback

Formed in June 1941, the Guards Armored Division proved that Household Troops could adapt their legendary high standards to a totally new role. Deploying to Normandy in 1944 under Major General Sir Allan Adair, the Division acquitted itself with distinction in the costly Operation GOODWOOD.

After the breakout, the Welsh Guards liberated Brussels on 3 September and the Division played a leading role in Operation MARKET GARDEN.

In early 1945, the Division fought in Operation VERITABLE, breaking General Schlemm’s lateral line near Menzelen. The Rhine crossing followed, with the Guards Armored leading XXX Corps towards Bremen and Hamburg. Guardsman Edward Charlton, Irish Guards, severely wounded, broke up a counterattack and earned the last VC of the European war.

The Story of The Guards Armoured Division is a classic account of the division’s superb fighting record.

It was fortunate that the outstanding achievements of the Guards Armored Division were recorded in the early postwar years by Captain the Earl of Rosse and Colonel ER Hill DSO. Having fought with the Division, both were well qualified to do so. Perhaps it is no coincidence that it was described not as a ‘history’ but as ‘The Story’ – it certainly reads refreshingly well and pulls no punches.