Doherty - British Armoured Divisions and their Commanders, 1939-1945

To all who served in armour, especially those who lost their lives.

For heroes have the whole earth for their tomb; and in lands far from their own, where the column with its epitaph declares it, there is enshrined in every breast a record unwritten with no tablet to preserve it, except that of the heart.

First published in Great Britain in 2013 by
Pen & Sword Military
an imprint of
Pen & Sword Books Ltd
47 Church Street
Barnsley
South Yorkshire
S70 2AS

Copyright Richard Doherty 2013

ISBN 978-1-84884-838-2
PDF ISBN: 978-1-47382-953-4
EPUB ISBN: 978-1-47382-674-8
PRC ISBN: 978-1-47382-630-4

The right of Richard Doherty to be identified as the Author of this Work
has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and
Patents Act 1988.

A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

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O nce again I express my thanks to Brigadier Henry Wilson, publishing manager of Pen and Sword Books, at whose suggestion I researched and wrote this book and whose encouragement and enthusiasm ensured that it was completed.

Along the way I also had the support and assistance of many individuals and organizations to make the book possible. Not least of these was the Tank Museum at Bovington where the encyclopaedic knowledge and infectious enthusiasm of David Fletcher MBE, the resident historian, provided answers to many questions and produced copies of obscure documents.

The records of the armoured divisions and their constituent formations and units reside at the National Archives at Kew. As ever the staff of the Reading and Search Rooms were courteous, professional and knowledgeable. Likewise, the staff of the Imperial War Museum at Lambeth were helpful and professional; the assistance of Mr Roderick Suddaby, head of the Department of Documents, was especially appreciated.

Bob OHara and his team at the National Archives have often helped me with my research, especially when a trip to Kew has not been possible while he and I have often put the world to rights over a cup of tea in the cafeteria. My thanks are due to Bob and his team for all their work.

In tracking down titles that were long out of print but essential for my research I was able to call on the help of the Londonderry Central Library and the Belfast Central Library, as well as the Linen Hall Library in Belfast. To all three I offer sincere thanks. Particular thanks for obtaining rare titles are also due to Valerie Jamieson, Head Librarian, Library and Information Services, HQ 38 (Irish) Brigade and to the Prince Consorts Library, Aldershot, as well as to Major (Retd) Noel Nash MBE.

Andy Shepherd was kind enough to read the manuscript at various stages and to offer informed comment that kept me focused on the main effort, and to Andy I offer a special word of thanks.

Frank Small was helpful with information on the armament of tanks and in providing an image for the photographs section of the book and I am grateful for his help. The maps were drawn by Tim Webster, whose patience, understanding and interest is much appreciated. David Rowlands, military artist extraordinaire, provided images of a number of his excellent paintings for use in the book as well as for the jacket, for which I am indebted to him. David also allowed his painting of 1st Royal Tank Regiment at Beda Fomm to be used on the jacket and I am especially grateful for this kindness.

The Pen and Sword team are always able to turn a manuscript into a well presented book and deserve much praise for their efforts. To Matt Jones and the production team and to Jon Wilkinson for his jacket design I extend my gratitude.

Finally, I am always grateful for the patient support of Carol, my wife, our children, Joanne, James and Catrona, and our grandson Caran, without which it would have been impossible for me to write this book.

Richard Doherty
Co. Londonderry
January 2013

MAP 1 France 1940: 1st Armoured Division under French command south of the Somme

MAP 2 Cyrenaica and Western Egypt

MAP 3 Operation COMPASS: the Battle of Sidi Barrani, 8-10 December 1940

MAP 4 February 1941: The Battle of Beda Fomm

MAP 5 Operation BATTLEAXE, 15-17 June 1941

MAP 6 Eighth Armys first offensive: Operation CRUSADER

MAP 7 The Gazala Battlefield May-June 1942

MAP 8 (a) Gazala Battles. Phase A, 27-28 May 1942

MAP 8 (b) Gazala Battles. Phase B, 31 May - 5 June 1942

MAP 9 The Battle of Alam el Halfa, 30/31 August - 7 September 1942

MAP 10 The final Battle of El Alamein, the breakthrough plan, Operation LIGHTFOOT, October-November 1942