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Second World War Tank Crisis: The Fall and Rise of British Armour, 1919-1945
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.
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.
240 pages, Hardcover
Published June 15, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 1, 2021
Excellent book, as an armchair historian I was aware that British tanks in the early part of the second world war were woeful, but did not know the reasons why.
This book both informs and provides the reasons why. Lt Col Taylor has written a detailed, interesting but easy read into how both the British Army in its doctrine and the incompetence of government caused Britain to go to war with tanks not fit for purpose, and after Dunkirk with very few left.
The book also covers briefly German and American tank design, manufacture and purpose compared to the British design.
The book also through it's detailed look at British tank design and manufacture explains how we learnt lessons and managed to develop by the end of the war one of the best tanks in the world at that time. (the Centurion)
An excellent read for anyone with an interest in world war 2 tanks, or an interest in how Britain's design and manufactured military equipment in the second world war. A soldier is only as good as the equipment he uses, this valuable book explains how British tank crewmen received their equipment.
This book both informs and provides the reasons why. Lt Col Taylor has written a detailed, interesting but easy read into how both the British Army in its doctrine and the incompetence of government caused Britain to go to war with tanks not fit for purpose, and after Dunkirk with very few left.
The book also covers briefly German and American tank design, manufacture and purpose compared to the British design.
The book also through it's detailed look at British tank design and manufacture explains how we learnt lessons and managed to develop by the end of the war one of the best tanks in the world at that time. (the Centurion)
An excellent read for anyone with an interest in world war 2 tanks, or an interest in how Britain's design and manufactured military equipment in the second world war. A soldier is only as good as the equipment he uses, this valuable book explains how British tank crewmen received their equipment.
May 30, 2021
Author Dick Taylor will publish the book “The Second World War Tank Crisis: The Fall and Rise of British Armour 1919–1945” in 2021 (June 15). Mr. Taylor has published nearly 20 books.
I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this book as ‘G’. The book goes into the history go British tanks and why they were so poor at the beginning of WWII. Production of British armor consistently had to take a second seat to aircraft.
The book lays out the technical details of its tanks. Tanks, especially good tanks, are costly. Britain had to make tough decisions on spending. Finances and manufacturing capacity had a heavy impact on tank design and production. Companies without much experience building armor often received contracts.
Tanks designed from WWI forward were analyzed. The evolution of the various designs is described. British manufacturers were too concerned with meeting production goals. They often sacrificed quality for quantity. Improvements, even when identified, were difficult to apply. Production could not be interrupted. It was not until late in the war that the British began to produce good tanks.
I enjoyed the 9+ hours I spent reading this 240-page WWII history. The book was very interesting. It was also very dry and academic making it a bit difficult to read I do like the chosen cover art. I give this book a 3.8 (rounded up to a 4) out of 5.
You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).
I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this book as ‘G’. The book goes into the history go British tanks and why they were so poor at the beginning of WWII. Production of British armor consistently had to take a second seat to aircraft.
The book lays out the technical details of its tanks. Tanks, especially good tanks, are costly. Britain had to make tough decisions on spending. Finances and manufacturing capacity had a heavy impact on tank design and production. Companies without much experience building armor often received contracts.
Tanks designed from WWI forward were analyzed. The evolution of the various designs is described. British manufacturers were too concerned with meeting production goals. They often sacrificed quality for quantity. Improvements, even when identified, were difficult to apply. Production could not be interrupted. It was not until late in the war that the British began to produce good tanks.
I enjoyed the 9+ hours I spent reading this 240-page WWII history. The book was very interesting. It was also very dry and academic making it a bit difficult to read I do like the chosen cover art. I give this book a 3.8 (rounded up to a 4) out of 5.
You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).
April 27, 2022
Excellent book on the problems british tank industry had before and during WWII. A must read in order to compreehend why british tanks had such issues during the war.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews