Tank Action
An Armoured Troop Commander's War 1944–45
Stuart Tootal author Captain David Render author
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Orion Publishing Co
Published:18th May '17
Should be back in stock very soon
A gripping account of the Second World War, from the perspective of a young tank commander.
In 1944, David Render was a nineteen-year-old second lieutenant fresh from Sandhurst when he was sent to France. Joining the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry five days after the D-Day landings, the combat-hardened men he was sent to command did not expect him to last long. However, in the following weeks of ferocious fighting in which more than 90 per cent of his fellow tank commanders became casualties, his ability to emerge unscathed from countless combat engagements earned him the nickname of the 'Inevitable Mr Render'.
In Tank Action Render tells his remarkable story, spanning every major episode of the last year of the Second World War from the invasion of Normandy to the fall of Germany. Ultimately it is a story of survival, comradeship and the ability to stand up and be counted as a leader in combat.
'Extraordinary youth, unbelievable bravery and humbling heroism: David Render and his crew are the real deal. His book with Stuart Tootal more than delivers' -- Damien Lewis, bestselling author of Zero Six Bravo and Operation Mayhem
'[A] remarkable and gripping tale of heroism' -- John Ash * BRITAIN AT WAR *
'During the invasion of Normandy in 1944, the life expectancy of a junior British officer in a tank regiment was two weeks. Courtesy of luck, 100 cigarettes a day and some quickly acquired nous, 19-year-old Second Lieutenant David Render survived the killing fields of France. His comrades dubbed him "the inevitable Mr Render" and this is a fine and honest memoir of a young man at war. Render ducks neither the thrill of leading an M4 Sherman into battle nor the carnage its 75mm gun delivered. He is now 92. To you sir, a salute' -- John Lewis-Stempel * EXPRESS *
'Render's book is particularly good at explaining the tactics of tank warfare . . . His first-hand account of his experiences - brilliantly written with Stuart Tootal - is not only wonderfully informative on the nitty-gritty of a key element of the Allied victory, but as gripping as the very best war fiction' -- John Harding * DAILY MAIL *
'An incredible memoir' * FAMILY TREE MAGAZINE *
[Render's] first-hand account of his experiences - brilliantly written with Stuart Tootal - is not only wonderfully informative on the nitty-gritty of a key element of the Allied victory, but as gripping as the very best war fiction. -- John Harding * DAILY MAIL *
ISBN: 9781474603287
Dimensions: 198mm x 128mm x 30mm
Weight: 252g
352 pages