A History of the Guards Armoured Formations 1941-1945

A History of the Guards Armoured Formations 1941-1945 PDF Author: Charles Richard Trumpess
Publisher: Pen & Sword Military
ISBN: 9781036107888
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Although the Guards Armoured Division and its sister formation the 6th Guards (Tank) Brigade shared a common origin, they went on to forge quite different operational records. One of the units would be tarnished by its failures while the other was applauded for its successes. A month after VE Day, the two Guards' armoured formations would be reunited one last time before being officially disbanded. During the intervening years, the Guards faced criticism, public ridicule, the threat of disbandment, and many other challenges. Nevertheless, these armoured Guardsmen would prevail on the battlefield. In response to the threat of a German invasion of the British Isles, the Guards Armoured Division formed in the spring of 1941. But why convert battalions of Foot Guards, considered by many to be first-class infantry, into an armoured formation? Certainly, many people were sceptical that 'spit-and-polish' Guardsmen could ever adapt to a new armoured role. As the threat of invasion receded, the Guards Armoured Division and 6th Guards (Tank) Brigade embarked on years of training while the war raged elsewhere. This book examines the decision to form the Guards Armoured Division and then keep it at home for an extended period. Once deployed to Normandy, the fighting quickly revealed shortcomings in the Division's training, equipment, and operational procedures. In contrast, when the Churchill tanks of the 6th Guards (Tank) Brigade went into action south of Caumont it was to prove an affirmation of everything they had learnt in training. Over the next ten months, the Guards' armoured formations would celebrate victories and lament failures while fighting their way across northwest Europe. This book examines how the decision to raise a Guards Armoured Division came about, and why the idea met with such strong opposition. It also takes an in-depth look at the training, equipment, and culture of the Brigade of Guards, and how that influenced the two formations' preparedness for war. Once deployed overseas, the book explores how the Guards were able to adapt to changing conditions on the battlefield and adopt new operational and tactical procedures. Finally, the book reveals why the Guards' armoured formations were hurriedly disbanded in June 1945. Additionally, using new archive material, the book discloses why it took over a decade to publish the 'official' history of the Guards Armoured Division.

A History of the Guards Armoured Formations 1941-1945

A History of the Guards Armoured Formations 1941-1945 PDF Author: Charles Richard Trumpess
Publisher: Pen & Sword Military
ISBN: 9781036107888
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Get Book Here

Book Description
Although the Guards Armoured Division and its sister formation the 6th Guards (Tank) Brigade shared a common origin, they went on to forge quite different operational records. One of the units would be tarnished by its failures while the other was applauded for its successes. A month after VE Day, the two Guards' armoured formations would be reunited one last time before being officially disbanded. During the intervening years, the Guards faced criticism, public ridicule, the threat of disbandment, and many other challenges. Nevertheless, these armoured Guardsmen would prevail on the battlefield. In response to the threat of a German invasion of the British Isles, the Guards Armoured Division formed in the spring of 1941. But why convert battalions of Foot Guards, considered by many to be first-class infantry, into an armoured formation? Certainly, many people were sceptical that 'spit-and-polish' Guardsmen could ever adapt to a new armoured role. As the threat of invasion receded, the Guards Armoured Division and 6th Guards (Tank) Brigade embarked on years of training while the war raged elsewhere. This book examines the decision to form the Guards Armoured Division and then keep it at home for an extended period. Once deployed to Normandy, the fighting quickly revealed shortcomings in the Division's training, equipment, and operational procedures. In contrast, when the Churchill tanks of the 6th Guards (Tank) Brigade went into action south of Caumont it was to prove an affirmation of everything they had learnt in training. Over the next ten months, the Guards' armoured formations would celebrate victories and lament failures while fighting their way across northwest Europe. This book examines how the decision to raise a Guards Armoured Division came about, and why the idea met with such strong opposition. It also takes an in-depth look at the training, equipment, and culture of the Brigade of Guards, and how that influenced the two formations' preparedness for war. Once deployed overseas, the book explores how the Guards were able to adapt to changing conditions on the battlefield and adopt new operational and tactical procedures. Finally, the book reveals why the Guards' armoured formations were hurriedly disbanded in June 1945. Additionally, using new archive material, the book discloses why it took over a decade to publish the 'official' history of the Guards Armoured Division.

The Story of the Guards Armoured Division

The Story of the Guards Armoured Division PDF Author: The Earl of Rosse
Publisher: Pen and Sword
ISBN: 152670045X
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 368

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Book Description
Formed in June 1941, the Guards Armoured Division proved that Household Troops could adapt their legendary high standards to a totally new role. Deploying to Normandy in 1944 under Major General Sir Allan Adair, the Division acquitted itself with distinction in the costly Operation GOODWOOD.After the breakout, the Welsh Guards liberated Brussels on 3 September and the Division played a leading role in Operation MARKET GARDEN.In early 1945, the Division fought in Operation VERITABLE, breaking General Schlemms lateral line near Menzelen. The Rhine crossing followed, with the Guards Armoured leading XXX Corps towards Bremen and Hamburg. Guardsman Edward Charlton, Irish Guards, severely wounded, broke up a counterattack and earned the last VC of the European war.The Story of The Guards Armoured Division is a classic account of the Divisions superb fighting record.

The Guards Armoured Division

The Guards Armoured Division PDF Author: Gerald Lloyd Verney
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : World War, 1939-1945
Languages : en
Pages : 192

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Book Description


Soviet Defensive Tactics At Kursk, July 1943

Soviet Defensive Tactics At Kursk, July 1943 PDF Author: Colonel David M Glantz
Publisher: Pickle Partners Publishing
ISBN: 1786250438
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 84

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Book Description
In his classic work, On War, Carl von Clausewitz wrote, “As we shall show, defense is a stronger form of fighting than attack.” A generation of nineteenth century officers, nurtured on the study of the experiences of Napoleon and conditioned by the wars of German unification, had little reason to accept that view. The offensive spirit swept through European armies and manifested itself in the regulations, plans, and mentality of those armiehe events of 1939, 1940, and 1941 in Poland, France, and Russia respectively again challenged Clausewitz’ claim of the superiority of the defense and prompted armies worldwide to frantically field large armored forces and develop doctrines for their use. While blitzkrieg concepts ruled supreme, it fell to that nation victimized most by those concepts to develop techniques to counter the German juggernaut. The Soviets had to temper a generation of offensive tradition in order to marshal forces and develop techniques to counter blitzkrieg. In essence, the Soviet struggle for survival against blitzkrieg proved also to be a partial test of Clausewitz’ dictum. In July 1943, after arduous months of developing defensive techniques, often at a high cost in terms of men and material, the Soviets met blitzkrieg head-on and proved that defense against it was feasible. The titanic, grinding Kursk operation validated, in part, Clausewitz’ views. But it also demonstrated that careful study of force organization and employment and application of the fruits of that study can produce either offensive or defensive victory. While on the surface the events of Kursk seemed to validate Clausewitz’ view, it is often forgotten that, at Kursk, the Soviets integrated the concept of counteroffensive into their grand defensive designs. Thus the defense itself was meaningless unless viewed against the backdrop of the renewed offensive efforts and vice versa. What Kursk did prove was that strategic, operational, and tactical defenses could counter blitzkrieg.

German Battle Tactics on the Russian Front, 1941-1945

German Battle Tactics on the Russian Front, 1941-1945 PDF Author: Steven H. Newton
Publisher: Schiffer Military History
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 280

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Book Description
10) Army Group South (7 April-7 May 1945) by Lothar Dr. Rendulic (army group commander).

The Soviet Airborne Experience

The Soviet Airborne Experience PDF Author: David M. Glantz
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
ISBN: 1428915826
Category : Government publications
Languages : en
Pages : 232

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Book Description
Contents: The Prewar Experience; Evolution of Airborne Forces During World War II; Operational Employment: Vyaz'ma, January-February 1942; Operational Employment: Vyaz'ma, February-June 1942; Operational Employment: On the Dnepr, September 1943; Tactical Employment; The Postwar Years.

Maneuver and Firepower

Maneuver and Firepower PDF Author: John B. Wilson
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Government publications
Languages : en
Pages : 496

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Book Description


Integration of the Armed Forces, 1940-1965

Integration of the Armed Forces, 1940-1965 PDF Author: Morris J. MacGregor
Publisher: Government Printing Office
ISBN: 9780160019258
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 672

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Book Description
CMH Pub 50-1-1. Defense Studies Series. Discusses the evolution of the services' racial policies and practices between World War II and 1965 during the period when black servicemen and women were integrated into the Nation's military units.

The Soviet Strategic Offensive in Manchuria, 1945

The Soviet Strategic Offensive in Manchuria, 1945 PDF Author: David Glantz
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1135774994
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 515

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Book Description
Volume I covers in detail the background, strategic regrouping, and strategic planning and conduct of the offensive.

Mobility, shock, and firepower: The Emergence of the U.S. Army's Armor Branch, 1917-1945

Mobility, shock, and firepower: The Emergence of the U.S. Army's Armor Branch, 1917-1945 PDF Author: Robert S. Cameron
Publisher: Government Printing Office
ISBN: 9780160872419
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 588

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Book Description
From the Preface: The following pages provide a narrative analysis of the U.S. Army's development of armored organizations and their related doctrine, materiel, and training activities in the period 1917-1945. This period marked the emergence of clear principles of armored warfare that became the underpinning of the Armor Branch, influencing armored developments long after World War II ended. A unique style of mounted maneuver combat emerged that reflected a mix of tradition an innovation. In the process, American military culture changed, particularly through the adoption of combined-arms principles. Conversely, political actions, budgetary considerations, and senior leadership decisions also shaped the course of armor development. The emergence of an American armored force involved more than simply tank development. It included the creation of an armored division structure steeped in combined-arms principles, organizational flexibility, and revolutionary command and control processes. Parallel developments included the establishment of specialized units to provide antitank, reconnaissance, and infantry support capabilities. Several Army branches played a role in determining the precise path of armored development, and one of them-the Cavalry-became a casualty as a result.