Second World War Tank Crisis, The: The Fall and Rise of British Armour, 1919-1945

Richard Taylor

ISBN 10: 1399003526 / ISBN 13: 9781399003520

Published by Pen & Sword, 2021

About this Item

MILITARY GENERAL World War IIBritish World War II tanks performed so badly that it is difficult to recall any other British weapon of the period that provokes such a strong sense of failure. Unfortunately, many of the accusations appear to be true--British tanks were in many ways a disgrace. But why was Britain, the country that invented them, consistently unable to field tanks of the required quality or quantity throughout the conflict? This perceived failure has been taken on the status of a myth, but, like all myths, it should not be accepted at face value--it should be questioned and analyzed. And that is what Dick Taylor does in this closely researched and absorbing study.He looks at the flaws in British financial policy, tank doctrine, design, production, and development before and throughout the war years which often had fatal consequences for the crews who were sent to fight and to be 'murdered' in 'mechanical abortions.' Their direct experience of the shortcomings of these machines is an important element of the story. He also considers how British tanks compared to those of the opposition and contrasts tank production for the army with the production of aircraft for the RAF during the same period.His clear-sighted account goes on to explain how, later in the conflict, British tank design improved to the point where their tanks were in many ways superior to those of the Americans and Germans and how they then produced the Centurion which was one of the best main battle tanks of the post-war era.First Edition. pp. 240 illusts #271224 Elizabeth's Bookshops have been one of Australia's premier independent book dealers since 1973. Elizabeth's family-owned business operates four branches in Perth CBD, Fremantle (WA), and Newtown (NSW). All orders are dispatched within 24 hours from our Fremantle Warehouse. All items can be viewed at Elizabeth's Bookshop Warehouse, 23 Queen Victoria Street\, Fremantle WA.

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Bibliographic Details

• Title: Second World War Tank Crisis, The: The Fall and Rise of British Armour, 1919-1945
• Publisher: Pen & Sword
• Publication Date: 2021
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1399003526
• ISBN 13: 9781399003520
• Binding: Hardcover in Dustjacket
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: FINE!
• Seller catalogs:
  • 1273

About this title

Synopsis

British World War II tanks performed so badly that it is difficult to recall any other British weapon of the period that provokes such a strong sense of failure. Unfortunately, many of the accusations appear to be true--British tanks were in many ways a disgrace. But why was Britain, the country that invented them, consistently unable to field tanks of the required quality or quantity throughout the conflict? This perceived failure has taken on the status of a myth, but, like all myths, it should not be accepted at face value--it should be questioned and analyzed. And that is what Dick Taylor does in this closely researched and absorbing study.

He looks at the flaws in British financial policy, tank doctrine, design, production, and development before and throughout the war years which often had fatal consequences for the crews who were sent to fight and to be 'murdered' in 'mechanical abortions.' Their direct experience of the shortcomings of these machines is an important element of the story. He also considers how British tanks compared to those of the opposition and contrasts tank production for the army with the production of aircraft for the RAF during the same period.

His clear-sighted account goes on to explain how, later in the conflict, British tank design improved to the point where their tanks were in many ways superior to those of the Americans and Germans and how they then produced the Centurion which was one of the best main battle tanks of the post-war era.

About the Author

Dick Taylor is a well-known and much-published expert on the history of British tanks. His many books include volumes on the Challenger, Chieftain, Matilda, and Valentine. He is a former tank commander and tank gunnery specialist. He is the official historian of the Royal Armoured Corps.