Military Model Scene

Title: Allied Armour 1939-1945
Author: Anthony Tucker-Jones
Publisher: Pen & Sword
ISBN: 978-1-52677-797-3

This new book from author Anthony Tucker-Jones examines the evolution of Allied tanks through the course of WW2. A 232-page hardback which takes us through the story of how Allied tanks performed in combat around the world, for better or worse, and how that resulted in new designs being built and deployed.
The story is divided across 17 chapters, starting with the performance of the early British tanks, specifically the impact of the Matilda II at Arras during the German invasion of France in 1940. Then it moves to North Africa, when British Cruiser tanks faced Mussolini's Italian forces, before the arrival of Rommel and the impact of the German panzers he brought with him. Moving forward, the American built Sherman arrived on the scene, impacting the desert war, and the later campaigns in Sicily and the Italian mainland. Then there is a jump to the Far East, where the Japanese had early successes with their advances before the American Island Hopping campaign gradually took the advantage. In chapter 9 the story moves back to Europe, with events on D-Day and beyond, the fighting at Villers-Bocage, the US Breakout and the closing of the Falaise Pocket. There is more, including the war in the south of France, in Holland, the Ardennes and through the Reichswald Forest to the Rhine crossing and into Germany. It leaves the final chapter to examine the Industrial Muscle, where the production figures of various tanks by the different nations are compared, and it makes some striking reading. Everything is rounded off by 3 appendices, listing the Allied Armoured Divisions 1940-45, then individual details on British & Commonwealth Tanks & AFVs along with US Tanks and AFVs 1939-45. Altogether an interesting look at Allied Tanks during WW2, and taking into account the good and bad aspects of them all.
Thanks to Pen & Sword for our review copy.

Robin