Customer Reviews

The tank pioneers

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Tank Pioneers by Kenneth Macksey is a book you must read in order to understand the difficulties the proponents of armored warfare faced between the World Wars. The experience of Walter Christie and his tanks and the U.S. Army reminds one of the experience of Maxim. The Soviets adopted Christie's suspension system and of course the Germans adopted Maxim's Machine Gun. Heinz Guderian's experiences during this period are also very interesting. I especially enjoyed chapter 15, The Legate. Maksey does a much better job (Historical Accuracy) than Nigel Hamilton in describing the American actions post Kasserine Pass, and especially those of the US 34th Division around Fondouk Pass. While Hamilton, as always writing in deference to Montgomery and the British, expounds on the difficulties of the US 34th Division to clear the pass to allow the passage of the UK 6th Armored Division, he purposely fails to mention these difficulties were caused by the failure of British Infantry to clear the high ground north of the pass. It was refreshing to read history written by someone that stuck to the facts and had no hidden agenda. A great book.