The Tanks: The History of the Royal Tank Regiment, 1976-2017 Hardcover – Illustrated, 15 Sept. 2017

In terms of a narrative of the deployment and activity of the different sub units and the evolution of their role I couldn't fault this. Where I was a bit disappointed was in not getting a sense of the evolving technology and the challenges of its procurement and introduction to service. Well worth a read, and pretty shocking in places, such as th degree of cannibalisation of the tank fleet that was needed to field the tanks needed in the Gulf War.

An excellent book packed with information and some nice pictures. definitely a must for enthusiasts of modern British military history.

Good book for ex and serving tankies

Amazing gift

Just as i expected - and full of the sort of information that i needed to know

This book is sub-titled The History of the Royal Tank Regiment 1976 – 2017. This is the fourth book in the series that records the history of the RTR and author Charles Messenger acknowledges that, as parts 1 and 2 were written by Sir Basil Liddell Hart and part 3 by Major Ken Macksey, he follows in very distinguished footsteps. He does not disappoint. With 19 years as a Regular Officer and 13 years as a Territorial in the Royal Tank Regiment in this period, and forty books on defence matters in his portfolio, Charles Messenger was an obvious choice to write this volume in the series.The book starts with four Royal Tank Regiments based mainly in Germany in the middle of the Cold War and ends with the 100th anniversary in 2017 with a single Regiment of Challenger 2s. In the period between these dates Messenger outlines in some detail the conflicts that the Regiments have fought in both as mounted and dis-mounted troops. The early part of the book looks at NATO rearmament and the Regiments stationed in Germany as well as numerous tours in Northern Ireland when the “Troubles” were at their height as well as service in Cyprus as part of United Nations Operations.The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 seemed to signal the end of possible wars between states but it actually saw the move from the Cold War to hot wars with the Regiments playing vital roles in what would become known as Gulf War One and the horrific civil war in Yugoslavia with RTR tanks operating in Bosnia and Kosovo.OpTELIC saw the regiments return to Iraq for the Second Gulf War and although the war ended after a few weeks in 2003, the Regiment was amongst the last troops to leave the Theatre in 2009. But there was little time to rest as the Regiment deployed to Afghanistan for Op HERRICK and served with distinction there in the most difficult of conditions. The book ends with a look at the present past and future and the RTR reduced to a single Regiment.This book is no dull chronology of a British Army Regiment. It records not only the numerous operational tours but describes the changes in equipment and how that equipment and tactics used by the RTR have matured in the furnace of active service. It has been a very challenging period for all of the British Army with the RTR literally in the vanguard of all major operations. But it has not been an easy path, the Regiment has had to fight not only the Queen’s enemies but has suffered from continuing Defence cuts and the book does not shy away from controversy and allows the voice of Tankies of all ranks to be heard – often for the first time.Members of this most illustrious Regiment both past and present will treasure this volume. Those with no connection to the RTR will come away full of admiration for those that choose to go into battle in a metal box. This is a marvellous read and highly recommended for all interested in military matters.

Having now read the book I was disappointed by the large number of grammatical/spelling errors as well as factual ones which throws into doubt the facts that I was unaware of which maybe incorrect without my knowledge. I f you can live with these mistakes then I'm sure for former Tankies it will sit nicely on their bookshelves.