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Tank Action
- An Armoured Troop Commander's War 1944-45
- Narrated by: Roger Davis
- Length: 11 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Biographies & Memoirs, Military & War
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Publisher's Summary
A gripping account of the Second World War, from the perspective of a young tank commander.
In 1944, David Render was a 19-year-old second lieutenant fresh from Sandhurst when he was sent to France. Joining the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry five days after the D-Day landings, the combat-hardened men he was sent to command did not expect him to last long. However, in the following weeks of ferocious fighting in which more than 90 per cent of his fellow tank commanders became casualties, his ability to emerge unscathed from countless combat engagements earned him the nickname of the 'Inevitable Mr Render'.
In Tank Action Render tells his remarkable story, spanning every major episode of the last year of the Second World War from the invasion of Normandy to the fall of Germany. Ultimately it is a story of survival, comradeship and the ability to stand up and be counted as a leader in combat.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio on our desktop site.
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What listeners say about Tank Action
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Anonymous User
- 2021-09-27
Well worth the listen
First tank memoir I’ve read. It was a great listen. Really puts into perspective how young these guys were in these positions of enormous responsibility-with little training. Would recommend!
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- Amazon Customer
- 2021-08-21
Brilliant
Captain Render gives us a very honest account of the terrors of armoured combat and the price that was paid by a generation of heroes we will never see again. superb detail on tactical combat that is woven into the big picture to allow the listener to understand the strategic situation. Understated and modest but as brave as lion; Captain Render is an inspiration to us all.
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- JimT
- 2019-12-21
Must Read
I have been on a WW2 kick lately, listening to audio books during my lengthy commute. This was hands down the best book I have read/listened to in quite some time. It’s probably better that it was an audiobook, because I likely wouldn’t have gotten much sleep once I started it. As a former tank officer, I appreciate his descriptions of life in an armor unit. He book, like a certain coffee claims to be, was good to the last drop.
3 people found this helpful
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- Mike from Houston
- 2020-02-17
A must read for any tank platoon leader
As the words flowed from the narrator, it took me back to my days as a tank platoon leader. The story is compelling and is repeat with all of the small interactions only known by me who ride steel into battle.
2 people found this helpful
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- per
- 2019-09-22
Very good memoir and thrilling tale.
Very good narrator and good flow of story.
I liked it alot.
Well worth a listen.
2 people found this helpful
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- Geoggsg
- 2020-05-05
One of the best tank combat books I have read
An excellent book. Great detail and pulls no punches regarding command structures, senior officers and other ranks (although I suspect that some names were changed in the latter group). Together, the author and co-writer do an excellent job of marrying the strategic, tactical and personal aspects of tank warfare in NW Europe. After 70 odd years I can forgive the very, very few factual errors - Welsh Guards 2nd btn/Guards Armoured Div liberated Brussels and not the separate 6th Guards Armoured division - my dad was in the second WG Cromwell into Brussels. An excellent memoir from a very brave boy and man about a tremendously accomplished British regiment - The Sherwood Rangers.
1 person found this helpful
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- Michael A. Barnacascel
- 2019-12-24
It Doesn't Get Any Better!
Great story, well read, couldn't put it down. Now I think I shall read it again.
1 person found this helpful
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- RichieB
- 2019-11-30
Engrossing story
It is a rare that I find a personal history entertaining. This story was one such. I found myself emotionally engaged with the author as he experienced bewilderment, shock, humor and loss. The narrator is convincing and perfect for the role of a young man.
1 person found this helpful
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- Midori
- 2019-09-23
A Different Point of View
Many tank novels only feature the American's side.
This was very refreshing. I would highly recommend this book if you are looking for a different point of view on tank warfare in WW2.
1 person found this helpful
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- Daniel Healey
- 2021-08-24
good
excellent narration and interesting story. sometimes gets a bit bogged down describing regimental structure and stuff which can be a bit confusing.
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- Rich GMan
- 2021-06-25
Great audio book!!
This story describes the experience of a green troop commander and his journey to become a veteran leader. I enjoyed the details of every engagement and the challenges of a Sherman tanker against the dreaded Panther tank, 88mm Flak gun, and enemy troops armed with panzerfaust.
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- J.Brock
- 2021-05-17
Excellent
Captain David Render’s story is one of incredible heroism. What’s also refreshing about his story is his humor and self-effacing style of retelling his story of commanding a tank regiment in France, a part of the Sherwood Rangers. Though not initially a part of the Normandy landing, he played a major role in the follow up operation. Though he takes little personal credit for his accomplishments, what he accomplished as a young man barely out of his teens is remarkable. Roger Davis always delivers.