Customer Reviews

CHARIOTS OF THE DESERT: Story of the Israeli Armoured Corps

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The book I have was published back in 1989, but it is an excellent summary of all of the armored warfare Israel has fought since it declared independence back in 1948. 5 different countries waged war against Israel on their first day of independence. The Israelis fought back, have been fighting and winning ever since. A large part of their success is directly attributable to the bravery and boldness of their armored corps.

Starting off with only four tanks (one from the scrap heap), the Israeli's have built one of the highest trained and successful tank forces in the world. This book traces those beginnings, the leaders behind the decisions. Famous tankers such as Moshe Dayan (later Prime Minister)Lt Col Kahalani (Hero of the Golan Heights in the Yom Kipper War), General Tal (designer of the Merkava Tank) are all here.

Using an often motley collection of US, British, French tanks, and even captured enemy tanks, a small group of full time soldiers and reservists add new chapters of blitzkreig to armor history. Good maps, photos help round out the summaries of each war. There is a section of Israeli assessment of enemy (Soviet built) weapons.

If this book was published in 2004, then it should contain insight into the invasion of Lebanon and details of the Merkava tank (designed for and by the Israel's). I can recommend the 1989 version without hesitation, adding more information to an already great book can only add value.