Brothers in Arms

One Legendary Tank Regiment's Bloody War from D-Day to V-E Day

James Holland

• Publisher: Atlantic Monthly Press
• Year: 2021
• ISBN:
  9780802159090
• Topic: Geschichte
• Subtopic: Zweiter Weltkrieg

The renowned historian and author of Normandy '44 recounts the operations and personal experiences of the legendary Sherwood Rangers during WWII. One of the last cavalry units to ride horses into battle, the Sherwood Rangers were transformed into a "mechanized cavalry" of tanks in 1942. After winning acclaim in the North African campaign, they spearheaded one of the D-Day landings in Normandy and became the first British troops to cross into Germany. Their courage, skill and tenacity contributed mightily to the surrender of Germany in 1945. Inspired by Stephen Ambrose's Band of Brothers, historian James Holland profiles this extraordinary group of citizen soldiers. Informed by never-before-seen documents, letters, photographs, and other artifacts from Sherwood Rangers' families, Holland offers a uniquely intimate portrait of the war at ground level. Brothers in Arms introduces heroes such as Commanding Officer Stanley Christopherson, squadron commander John Semken, Sergeant George Dring, and others who helped their regiment earn the most battle honors of any in British army history. Weaving their exploits into the larger narrative of D-Day to V-E Day, Holland offers fresh analysis and perspective on the endgame of WWII in Europe.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Contents
• By the Same Author
• Dedication
• Note on the Text
• List of Maps and Aerial Photographs
• Note on Maps and Aerial Photographs
• Maps from The 8th Armoured Brigade
• Principal Personalities
• Prologue
• Part I: Summer – Normandy
• Part II: Autumn – Belgium and the Netherlands
• Part III: Winter
• Part IV: Spring – Germany
• Postscript
• Images
• Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations
• Appendix 1: Make-up of an Armoured Regiment
• Appendix 2: Commanders within the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry, D-Day to VE-Day
• Appendix 3: Medals Won by the Men of the Sherwood Rangers, D-Day to VE-Day
• Appendix 4: The Tanks: The Sherman and the Firefly
• Appendix 5: Letter from Major John Semken to Mr Heenan
• Notes
• Selected Sources
• Acknowledgements
• Picture Acknowledgements
• Index
• Copyright
• Back Cover