The Second World War Tank Crisis by Richard Taylor

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The Second World War Tank Crisis by Richard Taylor

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Summary

In-depth investigation of the problems of British tank design in the interwar years and during the war.

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The Second World War Tank Crisis by Richard Taylor

British Second World War tanks performed so badly that it is difficult to bring to mind 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 analysed. 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.
Lieutenant Colonel 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. During a long career in the British army he served in Afghanistan, Iraq, Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, Sierra Leone, and South Sudan. He is the official historian of the Royal Armoured Corps, has an avid interest in modern and military history and writes military history books for a hobby.
SKU Unavailable
ISBN 13 9781399003520
ISBN 10 1399003526
Title The Second World War Tank Crisis
Author Richard Taylor
Condition Unavailable
Binding Type Hardback
Publisher Pen & Sword Books Ltd
Year published 2021-04-13
Number of pages 240
Cover note Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
Note Unavailable