"A" SQUADRON DIARY 7th ROYAL TANK REGIMENT

von Maj R a Jocelyne MC

84 Seiten, Hardcover

Kurzbeschreibung des Verlags

Landing in Normandy on 18 June 1944 under the command of 31st Tank Brigade, the reconstituted 7th Royal Tank Regiment entered battle immediately, losing six tanks before reaching shore when an LCT struck a mine. Days later, during Operation Epsom, the Regiment spearheaded the assault across the Odon west of Caen. Ordered to seize Cheux on 26 June, it advanced through dense minefields, losing nine tanks before securing the town by 1100 hours. "A" Squadron then pushed through toward Granville, suffering devastating losses of eight tanks from eighteen engaged.As the offensive deepened into the bocage, the Regiment faced mounting pressure from the counter-attacks of 9th and 10th SS Panzer Divisions, later reinforced by 12th SS and 1st SS "Adolf Hitler" Panzer Division. Casualties rose sharply; among the wounded was Major Coombs, commanding "A" Squadron. On 29 June, with over 250 German tanks threatening VIII Corps, General Sir Richard O'Connor personally intervened, unleashing a massive artillery concentration of more than 700 guns. Officers of "A" Squadron later recalled the ridge ahead simply "dissolving into dust."The Regiment's stubborn defence checked the German advance and earned official praise for the "fine part" played under Colonel George Gaisford, recalling the famed stand against Rommel at Knightsbridge. Further fierce fighting followed in Operation Jupiter and at Roquancourt, where losses remained severe. By July's end, the new Seventh had firmly established its reputation as worthy successor to the old regiment. Originally published in Germany shortly after cessation of hostilities in 1945, and is categorised as rare in its original 1945 printing.

• Reihe: No Series Linked
• Themen: Geschichte und Archäologie Geschichte Militärgeschichte Besondere Kriege und militärische Feldzüge Zweiter Weltkrieg
• ISBN: 9781474543569
• Sprache: Englisch
• Erscheinungsdatum: 27.07.2026
• Größe: 235 x 157 mm
• Verlag: Naval & Military Press