Product Description

Like most of his comrades, Ken Tout was just 20 years old in Normandy 1944. Not until the 1980s did he feel able to gather their memoirs in three Hale books, "Tank!", "Tanks, Advance!" and "To Hell with Tanks". Now these adventures are condensed into this one continuous narrative. Follow the very ordinary young lads of the Northamptonshire Yeomanry through the massive enemy defences on Bourguebus Ridge, to the snows of the Ardennes, the night crossing of the River Rhine, when Sherman tanks were traded in for amphibious Buffaloes, and final roll-call in Zwolle's Grote Kerkl, where they celebrated with liberated Dutch citizens. The author graphically describes the total experience - the heat, noise and smells - inside the Sherman tank, nicknamed by their enemy the 'Tommy Cooker'. Hit in the engine the Sherman exploded within seconds, instantly cremating any crew members unable to escape. These were not professional soldiers but young conscripted lads willing to 'do their bit', knowing that their Shermans were outgunned by the enemy's much heavier Tiger and Panther tanks. "By Tank: D Day to VE Days" vividly recalls, in one complete volume, the whole experience of battle with utter authenticity: the fear, confusion, boredom, excitement and grief. Ken Tout's books attracted plaudits such as 'masterpiece', 'a very special book', 'one of the best books ever written on the subject' and was described as a Second World War classic, and are now being read by the grandchild generation of those young tank crews of 1944-5.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #78464 in Books
• Published on: 2007-04-29
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 256 pages

About the Author
After theological college Ken Tout worked for many years overseas with voluntary organizations, including Oxfam, HelpAge International and the Salvation Army, and latterly as a consultant to the United Nations Unit on ageing. He has a PhD in gerontology and in 1994 was awarded the OBE for services to the elderly mainly in developing countries. He lives with his wife Jai in Essex.

Customer Reviews

One of the finest WWII Combat Memoirs!
I was very happy to discover this memoir - one of the few truly detailed accounts of tank warfare in Europe. It is moved into a league of its own by the poetic soul of the author, who writes with rare perception and insight. For me it ranks with the very best of the Second World War memoirs (e.g. Sajer's Forgotten Soldier and Stiles' Serenade to the Big Bird).

By Tank- Ken Tout.
An excellent book, chronicling the authors experiences as a gunner in the notoriously inadequate sherman tank. Unlike other similar books, this puts you firmly in the hot seat. Battles are vividly described- from the gunners point of view. The sounds, smells, limited sight and above all the mindbending terror that gripped all tank crews. Undoubtedly the best book i have read on the subjet, so good i wrote a review- i can't recommend it highly enough.

This author paints pictures with words
By Tank - D to VE Days
This author really does paint pictures with words! When specific battle sequences are happening he builds up the picture, little by little, until the full drama hits you between the eyes. When describing day to day events, his writing is every bit as interesting (and not, as in many of today's war memoirs, filled with foul language!). To feel as though you are actually there, you must buy this book. Once started, it's difficult to put it down again.