The story of Britain’s Tank Regiment is one of
struggle, triumph and achievement. During the Second
World War, 1 RTR saw action in the North African desert, in Italy and in North-western
Europe, forming the spearhead of 7th Armoured Division in the
campaigns of 1944 and 1945. Following service with the British Expeditionary
Force in France in 1940 and
later in North Africa, 2RTR fought a heroic rearguard action in
Burma in 1942. During 1944 and 1945,
2RTR took part in the Italian Campaign before ending the war in Austria.
Patrick Delaforce has interviewed some forty veteran officers and men
of both battalions to tell the inspiring story of Britain’s two
premier tank battalions at war. His narrative is interwoven with extensive
interviews with these veterans.