Where Heroes Trained [Paperback]

Roger M. Baty (Author, Editor), Eddie L. Maddox Jr. (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 30, 2004

"Where Heroes Trained deals with a secretive and highly unusual Army project in World War II. Not a Manhattan Project, but taken nearly as seriously, this was a most interesting sidelight of armored warfare. Caught up in the project were many unwitting GIs who found themselves whisked off to mysterious training bases, introduced to the most powerful tank in the American arsenal, and drilled in one of the war's most imaginative battle tactics. This is oral history as it ought to be done: a truly unusual project with lots of photos, maps and illustrations and-best of all-interviews that have been well edited. Baty and Maddox make even the most commonplace memories of home and camp into absorbing reading. The result is a fascinating look at ordinary American GIs caught up in a strange environment, enmeshed in events they barely understand, and determined to carry it through. Best of all, this is no BS!"

-Ray Puffer,
Historian, Edwards AFB

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

"Where Heroes Trained deals with a secretive and highly unusual Army project in World War II. Not a Manhattan Project, but taken nearly as seriously, this was a most interesting sidelight of armored warfare. Caught up in the project were many unwitting GIs who found themselves whisked off to mysterious training bases, introduced to the most powerful tank in the American arsenal, and drilled in one of the war’s most imaginative battle tactics. This is oral history as it ought to be done: a truly unusual project with lots of photos, maps and illustrations and—best of all—interviews that have been well edited. Baty and Maddox make even the most commonplace memories of home and camp into absorbing reading. The result is a fascinating look at ordinary American GIs caught up in a strange environment, enmeshed in events they barely understand, and determined to carry it through. Best of all, this is no BS!" —Ray Puffer, Historian, Edwards AFB

Product Details

• Paperback: 204 pages
• Publisher: Fenestra Books (August 30, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 158736316X
• ISBN-13: 978-1587363160
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,972,962 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a fascinating memoir, January 15, 2007

By 

Gary E. Binder "Gary from Nebraska" (Waverly, NE USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Where Heroes Trained (Paperback)

This book is an interesting look back at an almost unknown project - the attempt to allow tanks to attack at night in WW2. The British developed a special searchlight for mounting in tanks. Known by the code name of Canal Defense Light (CDL), implying that these were searchlights for protecting the Suez Canal instead of their true purpose. The British got the Americans interested, who promptly converted 500 M3 Medium Tanks to "Shop Tractor T10" (another cover name). The US organized six tank batallions, with supporting headquarters units and other units. The idea was to be able to stage massive tank attacks at night with the CDLs lighting the way and blinding the enemy. Unfortunately, the project was too secret! The British and Americans pledged that the CDLs (also called "Leaflets" by the US troops) would not be used without coordinating with each other. Many Allied officers never even knew this equipment existed. In the end very few CDLs saw action. This book looks at the experiences of one unit that was trained for this unusual mission. The constant need for secrecy affected ever part of the soldiers lives. To allow training in secret the units were placed out in the Mojave desert. The troops were not to refer to a CDL" or even to "lights", the tank-mounted lights were referred to as "heaters". The book looks back at the 736th Tank Battalion, how the unit was organized, how it was trained, and most importantly, at the young men who trained hard for a secret mission that never ocurred. After more training in England the 736th was converted to a standard tank battalion and saw combat in Europe, hopefully these experiences will be the subject of a sequal. An easy to read book about an obscure subject and an interesting look at the procvess of turning American civilians into soldiers.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars World War Two Secret Weapon, December 17, 2007

By 

Fraz (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Where Heroes Trained (Paperback)

This is a great record of the Secret Weapon light on top of the medium tank project during World War two. Should be of interest to all War research people as well as those who served in World War Two. It would be even more meaningfull if the reader had been involved with the weapon.