Hobart's reputation as an armoured warfare specialist began in the
pre-war era. In 1923 he transferred from the Royal Engineers to the
Royal Tank Corps and quickly established himself as one of the
foremost thinkers on armoured warfare. By 1938 he was GOC Mobile
Division, later 7th Armoured Division, in Egypt. Unable to suffer
fools at all, he was relieved of his command (sacked!) in 1939,
retired in 1940 and became a corporal in the Home Guard. At Winston
Churchill's inspired behest, he was ordered to create and command
11th Armoured Division. Although he trained the new division to a
very high standard, he was seen as too old to lead it in action he
was 57. Instead he was told to form 79th Armoured Division and
design specialized armoured vehicles necessary to breach the
Atlantic Wall. The Division played a major part in the D-Day
landings and the subsequent campaign in NW Europe. Hobart's Funnies
included mine-clearing tanks, bridge-carrying tanks, flamethrowers,
swimming tanks and amphibious assault vehicles. Brigades and units
of the Division were deployed wherever they were needed by Second
(British) and First (Canadian) Armies and no major operation
between Normandy and the final victory took place without them
present. Percy Hobart's skills played a significant part in the
final Allied victory and the lasting tribute to that vision was the
adoption by all armies of the specialized funnies that his Division
introduced to modern warfare. This book is based on official
records, published materials and personal recollections.
General
Imprint: |
Pen & Sword Military
|
Country of origin: |
United Kingdom |
Release date: |
July 2018 |
Authors: |
Richard Doherty
|
Dimensions: |
234 x 156 x 22mm (L x W x T) |
Format: |
Paperback
|
Pages: |
233 |
ISBN-13: |
978-1-5267-3152-4 |
Categories: |
Books >
Humanities >
History >
General
Books >
History >
General
|
LSN: |
1-5267-3152-5 |
Barcode: |
9781526731524 |
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