Author: P. M. KnightPublisher:
ISBN: 9781794726079
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 294
Book Description
Tanks
Author: Spencer C. TuckerPublisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA
ISBN: 1576079961
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 396
Book Description
This expert study discusses the development and evolution of the tank and the tactics behind its employment, covering both its capabilities as a weapons system and its strategic use on the battlefield. Tanks: An Illustrated History of the Their Impact follows the development of tracked-and-armored fighting vehicles across the 20th century, from the world wars to the Cold War battlefields of Korea and Vietnam; and from Arab–Israeli conflicts to the Persian Gulf. The book describes the distinctive characteristics and capabilities of each new generation of tank, as well as the formulation of armored doctrines and deployment strategies in France, Britain, Germany, the Soviet Union, the United States, Japan, Israel, and the Arab nations. It is an expert introduction to how the role of the tank has changed over time, a story of technological innovation, strategic daring, desperate battles (Stalingrad, Kursk), and charismatic commanders like Erwin Rommel and George S. Patton (who defeated Rommel's division by following a plan from the Desert Fox's own book).
Author: R. P. HunnicuttUS Airborne Tanks, 1939–1945
Author: Charles C. RobertsPublisher: Frontline Books
ISBN: 152678503X
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 227
Book Description
This book explores the design and deployment of American airborne tanks from the earliest concepts to their actual use. From their first introduction at the Battle of the Somme in the First World War, tanks proved to be one of the most important military developments in the history of warfare. Such was their influence on the battlefield, both as infantry support and as an armored spearhead, their presence could determine the outcome of any battle. Another significant development during the 1930s was that of airborne forces, with a number of countries experimenting with air-dropped troops. Such a concept offered the possibility of inserting soldiers behind the front lines to sow fear and confusion in the enemy’s rear. However, such troops, parachuting from aircraft, could only be lightly armed, thus limiting their effectiveness. It is understandable, therefore, that much thought was given to the practicalities of airlifting tanks that could be dropped, or deposited, alongside paratroopers. Tanks, though, are heavy, cumbersome vehicles and before there could be any thought of carrying them by air, much lighter models would have to be produced. Charles Roberts’ fascinating book opens with an investigation into the efforts in the 1930s by Britain, the Soviet Union and the USA into the development of, or adaptation of, light tanks for airborne operations. It was, inevitably, the start of the Second World War which accelerated efforts to produce an airborne tank and the means of delivery. The use of conventional powered aircraft to carry the tanks, limited their use to existing airfields which negated their employment with airborne troops landing in the open countryside. Another method of delivery had to be found, and this took the form of the glider, which could be landed in a field behind enemy lines. The combination of light tank and glider made the aim of airborne forces being supported by armor a realistic proposition – and as a result, the 28th Airborne Tank Battalion was born. This detailed and comprehensive study deals with every aspect of design and deployment of American airborne tanks from the earliest concepts to their actual use, by British units, on D-Day and during Operation Varsity, the Rhine crossing.
A25 Harry Hopkins Tank & SP3 Alecto A Technical History
Author: P. M. KnightPublisher:
ISBN: 9781471714115
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
The Harry Hopkins was a light tank designed by Vickers-Armstrongs at Chertsey as an intended improvement to their previous Tetrarch model, featuring thicker armour and a more ergonomic internal layout. Unfortunately, it met much the same fate as the earlier vehicle due to the doubts of the War Office as to the efficacy of light tanks in general. After an aborted inititative to employ it as an airborne tank, the A25 chassis was used as the basis for the Alecto self-propelled howitzer, a mechanically superlative machine that was also stymied by uncertainty as to its importance and ultimate role. This book covers the development of both vehicles, which followed a course that was as fascinating as it was frustrating.
Author: R. P. HunnicuttA34 Comet Tank A Technical History
Author: P. M. KnightPublisher:
ISBN: 9781326873776
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 240
Book Description
The A34 Comet was the ultimate iteration of the Cruiser series of fast, mobile tanks, and built on the hard lessons that had been learned with earlier designs. However, it was also brought into being at a time when British industrial capacity was nearing exhaustion, and when officialdom already had one eye on the transition to more profitable peacetime production. As such, the Comet saga was one of the husbanding of the scarce, and declining, resources available to the tank programme against the backdrop of a conflict whose end was already in sight. As this book demonstrates in depth, the result was a well-balanced design that optimised the possibilities presented by the previous Cruisers. However, it would be outshone by its ubiquitous successor, the A41 Centurion.
A13 Cruiser Mk.V Covenanter a Technical History
Author: P. M. KnightPublisher: Lulu.com
ISBN: 9781291928587
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 40
Book Description
This book documents for the first time the full history of the design and development of the Covenanter tank, giving in-depth coverage of the issues that beset the machine, and how they were eventually resolved. It dispels many of the myths that have attached themselves to the Covenanter story, revealing that far from being a compromised design whose problems with cooling and reliability were never cured, it was in fact a sound vehicle whose problems need never have arisen in the first place, were it not for the urgent need for tanks of any description in the aftermath of the disaster of the Battle Of France. This led to the premature introduction of the Covenanter before its development had been completed, with a consequent impact on its reputation. Contrary to popular belief, the Covenanter was judged fit for frontline service, and only missed out by the narrowest of margins. Drawn from original archive sources, this book sheds new light on one of the most controversial weapons of World War 2.
A Timeline of Tanks and Other Armored Vehicles
Author: Tim CookePublisher: Capstone
ISBN: 1515792013
Category : Juvenile Nonfiction
Languages : en
Pages : 33
Book Description
How have tanks developed since they first appeared in World War I? Learn about the huge tank battles in World War II, and discover how improved armor and more powerful guns have turned tanks into the deadliest weapons on the modern battlefield.
Stuart
Author: Richard Pearce HunnicuttPublisher: Echo Point Books & Media
ISBN: 9781626540903
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 516
Book Description
In Stuart: A History of the American Light Tank (Vol. I), Richard Hunnicutt outlines the development history of the American light tank and its associated self-propelled guns and support vehicles. Beginning with the modification of the French Renault in the midst of WWI, Stuart covers all pre-Stuart vehicles active during WWI in addition to light tank models and variations active during WWII, with emphasis on the wartime development of M3, M5, and M24 series of light tanks. A few other vehicles that are not technically light tanks, such as the M18 and LVT, also receive attention here as they share a number of key characteristics with the Stuart. In this comprehensive history, Hunnicutt also touches on postwar modifications and service of vehicles developed during WWII. In addition to detailing nearly all aspects of technical data and specifications, Stuart features images on nearly every page: photographs, full-color plates, line drawings, and cutaway diagrams, many of which are rare interior shots and diagrams from technical manuals. While Hunnicutt leaves the writing of the complete combat history of the Stuart to those who manned them in battle, he includes some of the Stuart's actions to demonstrate its uses in combat and attributes, both positive and negative. The definitive reference tome for the military historian, professional soldier, and tank restorer, Stuart remains the most comprehensive history on the American light tank's development from its beginnings through WWII. Richard Pearce Hunnicutt (1926-2011) enlisted in the 7th Infantry Division in 1944 and in 1945 was promoted to sergeant and awarded the Silver Star for his heroic actions. After WWII, Hunnicutt earned a Masters in engineering from Stanford University under the GI Bill. In addition to being one of the most respected metallurgists in California, Hunnicutt wrote the definitive 10-volume history of the development and employment of American armored vehicles. As a tank historian and leading expert in the field, Hunnicutt was one of the founders of the US Army Ordnance Museum at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD and was a close friend and frequent contributor to the Patton Museum at Fort Knox, KY. Readers interested in related titles from R. P. Hunnicutt will also want to see: Abrams (ISBN: 9781626542556), Armored Car (ISBN: 9781626541559), Bradley (ISBN: 9781626542525), Half-Track (ISBN: 9781626541320), Patton (ISBN: 9781626548794), Pershing (ISBN: 9781626541672), Sheridan (ISBN: 9781626541542), Sherman (ISBN: 9781626548619), Firepower (ISBN: 9781635615036).
