Forgotten Armour

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'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'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 2005-2007Often 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