The Casemate Short History Series presents readable and entertaining introductions to military history topics.
Tanks made their first appearance on the battlefield in September 1916 and have captured the public imagination ever since. Other countries scrambled to develop tanks of their own, and by the time war broke out again in 1939, a wide variety of tanks, and tank tactics, had been developed around the world. In World War II tanks were integral to the fighting in almost every theater, and the war saw the vast tank battles of El Alamein and Kursk. Tank crews were feted for their fortitude and bravery in fighting in such difficult and dangerous conditions. Tank development continued apace during the Cold War and tanks have featured in most modern conflicts. From the slow and clumsy Mark IV, through the terrifying Tiger and nimble Sherman Firefly to the Challenger 2, this book covers the development of tanks, and how they have been used in warfare through the two world wars and beyond.