Forgotten Armour: Tank Warfare in Burma by Jack Bowsher
Forgotten Armour is a new and exciting appraisal of the role of tanks in India and Burma in the Second World War.
‘Superbly researched and compellingly told’ James Holland
‘Absolutely blistering account of armour in Burma, with a nice mix of narrative and detail. There’s some amazing stories as well, which will make your hair stand on end. Love the chapter ‘’Thunder Run to Meiktila’, which captures the race for Central Burma perfectly. It’s a really polished performance from a brilliant newcomer.’ Robert Lyman
'Jack Bowsher has found a fresh story in a campaign that is itself often overlooked, with a book that explains as much as it reveals.'Al Murray
"As we celebrate the 80th Anniversary of D-Day the attention is inevitably on Normandy, but we also need to remember and celebrate the war winning engagements by Slim’s “Forgotten” 14 Army in the campaigns in Burma and NE India. This fascinating book by Jack Bowser does just that and the attention it brings to the armoured elements of that extraordinary campaign is to be warmly welcomed.I have skin in this business because as a tank soldier by training and profession it is good to see a much needed focus on the vital contribution made to that Far East campaign by armour. I was also privileged to command the British Army’s Second Division, the very division which relieved Kohima in 1944 and have visited the challenging terrain where so many of the described exploits took place.
This well-researched book charts the development of doctrinal thinking and professionalism which enabled the Allies to meet Slim’s advocacy, that the tank could be a battle winner in any terrain except swamp. It is a must read for anyone interested in the ubiquitous use of armour in conflict.
Finally as the President of the Kohima Educational Trust, this fascinating book makes a worthy contribution to one of our Trust’s aims of keeping the flame of remembrance alive, for which I am very grateful." Major General Robert Gordon, President of the Kohima Education Trust and former GOC 2 UK Division
'The employment of British armoured vehicles in Burma deserves to be better known. Jack Bowsher's story of ordinary tank soldiers doing extraordinary things in inhospitable terrain fills this gap admirably. I am sure that Forgotten Armour, of how tank troopers quite literally sped up allied success, will be standard reading for decades to come.' Peter Caddick-Adams
'It is not widely known that the 7th Armoured Brigade fought with great distinction in the Far East after making its name as part of the 7th Armoured Division, “The Desert Rats” early in the war. An experienced fighting brigade, they brought much tactical nous and armoured punch with them. They brought the clever, quick thinking of armoured soldiers too and proved to be able to adapt swiftly. Changing their famous red rat symbol to a jungle green one, they genuinely re-energised the campaign. They overmatched Japanese armour time and again; they raised morale; they were “battle winners”. Courage can be infectious and The Desert Rats have never lacked that vital quality. This book tells a very inspiring tale - and well.' Major General Patrick Marriott CB CBE DL, Commander, 7th Armoured Brigade 2005-2007
Often regarded primarily as an infantryman’s war in dense jungle and through monsoon conditions, the book shows that this is far from the whole story. Using original research from archives, eyewitness testimony, official histories, and recent academic studies, this promise to be a fresh take on the war against Japan.
Beginning with the failure to fully mechanise the interwar Indian Army, and tracing the development of armoured training, logistics and tactics, Forgotten Armour tells the story of the Second World War in India and Burma from the cramped interior of tanks. From 7th Armoured Brigade’s heroic efforts to save the retreating troops in 1942, the desperate struggles at the Admin Box, Imphal, and Kohima, through to the greatest example of modern manoeuvre warfare in the Second World War during the reconquest of Burma.
Once tanks arrived in the theatre, and bunker busting methods were devised, armour proved decisive in their encounters against the Japanese and saved countless Allied lives. It is time to remember the forgotten army’s forgotten armour
ISBN: 978-1-916556-38-6 (hardback/dust jacket/colour images)
ISBN: 978-1-916556-52-2 (hardback/case laminate cover/black&white images)
ISBN: 978-1-916556-43-0 (epub)
Forgotten Armour is a new and exciting appraisal of the role of tanks in India and Burma in the Second World War.
‘Superbly researched and compellingly told’ James Holland
‘Absolutely blistering account of armour in Burma, with a nice mix of narrative and detail. There’s some amazing stories as well, which will make your hair stand on end. Love the chapter ‘’Thunder Run to Meiktila’, which captures the race for Central Burma perfectly. It’s a really polished performance from a brilliant newcomer.’ Robert Lyman
'Jack Bowsher has found a fresh story in a campaign that is itself often overlooked, with a book that explains as much as it reveals.'Al Murray
"As we celebrate the 80th Anniversary of D-Day the attention is inevitably on Normandy, but we also need to remember and celebrate the war winning engagements by Slim’s “Forgotten” 14 Army in the campaigns in Burma and NE India. This fascinating book by Jack Bowser does just that and the attention it brings to the armoured elements of that extraordinary campaign is to be warmly welcomed.I have skin in this business because as a tank soldier by training and profession it is good to see a much needed focus on the vital contribution made to that Far East campaign by armour. I was also privileged to command the British Army’s Second Division, the very division which relieved Kohima in 1944 and have visited the challenging terrain where so many of the described exploits took place.
This well-researched book charts the development of doctrinal thinking and professionalism which enabled the Allies to meet Slim’s advocacy, that the tank could be a battle winner in any terrain except swamp. It is a must read for anyone interested in the ubiquitous use of armour in conflict.
Finally as the President of the Kohima Educational Trust, this fascinating book makes a worthy contribution to one of our Trust’s aims of keeping the flame of remembrance alive, for which I am very grateful." Major General Robert Gordon, President of the Kohima Education Trust and former GOC 2 UK Division
'The employment of British armoured vehicles in Burma deserves to be better known. Jack Bowsher's story of ordinary tank soldiers doing extraordinary things in inhospitable terrain fills this gap admirably. I am sure that Forgotten Armour, of how tank troopers quite literally sped up allied success, will be standard reading for decades to come.' Peter Caddick-Adams
'It is not widely known that the 7th Armoured Brigade fought with great distinction in the Far East after making its name as part of the 7th Armoured Division, “The Desert Rats” early in the war. An experienced fighting brigade, they brought much tactical nous and armoured punch with them. They brought the clever, quick thinking of armoured soldiers too and proved to be able to adapt swiftly. Changing their famous red rat symbol to a jungle green one, they genuinely re-energised the campaign. They overmatched Japanese armour time and again; they raised morale; they were “battle winners”. Courage can be infectious and The Desert Rats have never lacked that vital quality. This book tells a very inspiring tale - and well.' Major General Patrick Marriott CB CBE DL, Commander, 7th Armoured Brigade 2005-2007
Often regarded primarily as an infantryman’s war in dense jungle and through monsoon conditions, the book shows that this is far from the whole story. Using original research from archives, eyewitness testimony, official histories, and recent academic studies, this promise to be a fresh take on the war against Japan.
Beginning with the failure to fully mechanise the interwar Indian Army, and tracing the development of armoured training, logistics and tactics, Forgotten Armour tells the story of the Second World War in India and Burma from the cramped interior of tanks. From 7th Armoured Brigade’s heroic efforts to save the retreating troops in 1942, the desperate struggles at the Admin Box, Imphal, and Kohima, through to the greatest example of modern manoeuvre warfare in the Second World War during the reconquest of Burma.
Once tanks arrived in the theatre, and bunker busting methods were devised, armour proved decisive in their encounters against the Japanese and saved countless Allied lives. It is time to remember the forgotten army’s forgotten armour
ISBN: 978-1-916556-38-6 (hardback/dust jacket/colour images)
ISBN: 978-1-916556-52-2 (hardback/case laminate cover/black&white images)
ISBN: 978-1-916556-43-0 (epub)
Forgotten Armour is a new and exciting appraisal of the role of tanks in India and Burma in the Second World War.
‘Superbly researched and compellingly told’ James Holland
‘Absolutely blistering account of armour in Burma, with a nice mix of narrative and detail. There’s some amazing stories as well, which will make your hair stand on end. Love the chapter ‘’Thunder Run to Meiktila’, which captures the race for Central Burma perfectly. It’s a really polished performance from a brilliant newcomer.’ Robert Lyman
'Jack Bowsher has found a fresh story in a campaign that is itself often overlooked, with a book that explains as much as it reveals.'Al Murray
"As we celebrate the 80th Anniversary of D-Day the attention is inevitably on Normandy, but we also need to remember and celebrate the war winning engagements by Slim’s “Forgotten” 14 Army in the campaigns in Burma and NE India. This fascinating book by Jack Bowser does just that and the attention it brings to the armoured elements of that extraordinary campaign is to be warmly welcomed.I have skin in this business because as a tank soldier by training and profession it is good to see a much needed focus on the vital contribution made to that Far East campaign by armour. I was also privileged to command the British Army’s Second Division, the very division which relieved Kohima in 1944 and have visited the challenging terrain where so many of the described exploits took place.
This well-researched book charts the development of doctrinal thinking and professionalism which enabled the Allies to meet Slim’s advocacy, that the tank could be a battle winner in any terrain except swamp. It is a must read for anyone interested in the ubiquitous use of armour in conflict.
Finally as the President of the Kohima Educational Trust, this fascinating book makes a worthy contribution to one of our Trust’s aims of keeping the flame of remembrance alive, for which I am very grateful." Major General Robert Gordon, President of the Kohima Education Trust and former GOC 2 UK Division
'The employment of British armoured vehicles in Burma deserves to be better known. Jack Bowsher's story of ordinary tank soldiers doing extraordinary things in inhospitable terrain fills this gap admirably. I am sure that Forgotten Armour, of how tank troopers quite literally sped up allied success, will be standard reading for decades to come.' Peter Caddick-Adams
'It is not widely known that the 7th Armoured Brigade fought with great distinction in the Far East after making its name as part of the 7th Armoured Division, “The Desert Rats” early in the war. An experienced fighting brigade, they brought much tactical nous and armoured punch with them. They brought the clever, quick thinking of armoured soldiers too and proved to be able to adapt swiftly. Changing their famous red rat symbol to a jungle green one, they genuinely re-energised the campaign. They overmatched Japanese armour time and again; they raised morale; they were “battle winners”. Courage can be infectious and The Desert Rats have never lacked that vital quality. This book tells a very inspiring tale - and well.' Major General Patrick Marriott CB CBE DL, Commander, 7th Armoured Brigade 2005-2007
Often regarded primarily as an infantryman’s war in dense jungle and through monsoon conditions, the book shows that this is far from the whole story. Using original research from archives, eyewitness testimony, official histories, and recent academic studies, this promise to be a fresh take on the war against Japan.
Beginning with the failure to fully mechanise the interwar Indian Army, and tracing the development of armoured training, logistics and tactics, Forgotten Armour tells the story of the Second World War in India and Burma from the cramped interior of tanks. From 7th Armoured Brigade’s heroic efforts to save the retreating troops in 1942, the desperate struggles at the Admin Box, Imphal, and Kohima, through to the greatest example of modern manoeuvre warfare in the Second World War during the reconquest of Burma.
Once tanks arrived in the theatre, and bunker busting methods were devised, armour proved decisive in their encounters against the Japanese and saved countless Allied lives. It is time to remember the forgotten army’s forgotten armour
ISBN: 978-1-916556-38-6 (hardback/dust jacket/colour images)
ISBN: 978-1-916556-52-2 (hardback/case laminate cover/black&white images)
ISBN: 978-1-916556-43-0 (epub)