This an absolutely amazing volume that I purchased on a whim. Once I started to read it, I could not put it down.

Keegan commences with history and development of the tank in WW I with eye witness accounts of the first use of tanks in the 1916 Battle of the Somme by the British Army. The early tanks proved to be unreliable and under powered plus the crew had limited view of the battle field as well as an unhealthy environment in the tank of engine and gun fumes that at times made them so ill they were incapacitated. As well, it was soon learned that tanks were very vulnerable to foot soldiers if they were not accompanied by their own troops.

In 1918, German & British tanks met for the first time and the Germans realized that to achieve effective gunnery, the tank must be stationary. This meant stop, shoot and move for shooting from a rocking bouncing tank was going to be ineffective. The British were well into WW II before they adopted this technique.

While the development of the tank during the 1920's and 30's is interesting, it is how the early battles of WW II showed what worked and what required improvement. To my surprise, I learned that at the start of WW II, German armour was out classed by British and French tanks in terms of the thickness of the armour and the size of the guns. The Germans lost many tanks in Poland because of their vulnerability to anti tank guns. Soon the Germans developed tanks with thick protection and powerful guns. The Tiger and Panther versions were the best tanks used during the war though their size and weight restricted them from urban fighting as well as using some roads and bridges. While their long barreled 88's gave them a range of up to 2 kilometres, it meant they may not be able to rotate the turret if there were buildings or trees close to the vehicle.

The Russian T-34s & the Allied Shermans were no match for the German tanks in open battle. In fact the Sherman was known as the Tommie Cooker for its propensity to burn & incinerate its crew when hit by a shell.

Keegan uses hundreds of quotes from interviews with veterans from all sides as well from memoirs and books to give the reader an idea what it was like to live the terror of driving a tank into battle. He describes what it was like to live in a tank and the mayhem that occurred when a shell penetrated the armour skin of the vehicle and tore bodies to pieces.

Keegan clearly shows the terror of war and especially the danger of being assigned to man a tank. ( )

A candid and visceral look at tank warfare from WWI to WWII. The author weaves first hand accounts of veterans both living and dead to paint a picture one is not often familiar with when reading other accounts of war. An unblinking eye is turned towards the horrible deaths and wounds suffered by the men when they were hit. Moments of startling chivalry also have their place in this book as do horrible atrocities. An interesting view of the Allies choice of 'Mass over quality' in terms of their tanks and their protection and armaments. When briefed before invading Normandy crews were told their tanks were excellent and good compared to their German counter parts, despite the fact that Allied Intelligence was quite familiar of the short comings every Allied tank had when faced by Panthers or Tigers. Again political and economic expediency ruled the day, rather than consideration of mens lives. ( )

An excellent British account of the development of the tank and the men who rode them from WWI to WWII. Kershaw conveys the technological and bureaucratic struggles to establish the tank arm and effectively utilize it in battle as well as the courage needed to enter into this dark, sticky moving steel cage. A tank is both protection and a burning trap. The machines were leaking and breaking down at such a rate that just showing up on the battlefield was a challenge.

Kershaw shows the arms race and evolution of tanks along the trade-off of fire, movement and protection. The Germans learned during the occupation campaigns of Austria, Czechoslovakia and Poland how to keep their tanks supplied on the move and how to establish radio communications. Their French and British opponents lacked this experience and were defeated despite technologically superior tanks. For most of the war, the Allies were out-gunned by the Germans, relying on their numerical advantage and the sacrifice of their Sherman tank crews. A propos tank crews: The Soviets used female tank crews with success. After initial troubles, the Soviets also developed a feeling for war-winning tanks and their use in tank armies. The Allies relied (or had to rely) on air superiority, as their production schedule choices did not allow for tanks on par with the Germans.

The author has interviewed many veterans of many nations (curiously no Frenchman). Their testimony and insights about their life inside and around the tanks brings the book to life. One feels with and for the guys in their struggles, big and small.

I wish the author had covered tank logistics and repair a bit more extensively as well as the development of anti-tank weaponry. Otherwise, the book is highly recommended. ( )