📖 Overview
George Forty was a British military historian and author who specialized in tank warfare and World War II history. He served in the British Army from 1945 to 1971, reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Royal Tank Regiment.
During his writing career, Forty authored over 50 books focused on military vehicles, tanks, and battlefield tactics. His works include detailed technical guides and historical accounts, with notable titles such as "Tank Action," "German Tanks of World War Two," and "US Army Handbook 1939-1945."
As curator of the Tank Museum in Bovington, Dorset from 1971 to 1989, Forty developed extensive knowledge of armored warfare which informed his writing. His books are known for their thorough research, technical accuracy, and inclusion of detailed photographs and illustrations.
After retiring from the Tank Museum, Forty continued writing and contributing to military publications until his death in 2016. His work remains a valuable resource for military historians, enthusiasts, and researchers studying armored warfare and World War II military operations.
👀 Reviews
Readers consistently note Forty's deep technical knowledge and attention to detail in his military histories. Reviewers on Amazon and military history forums highlight his ability to explain complex tank mechanics and battlefield tactics in clear terms.
What readers liked:
- Comprehensive technical specifications and diagrams
- First-hand military experience informing the analysis
- High-quality photographs and illustrations
- Clear explanations of tactical concepts
- Accuracy and thorough research
What readers disliked:
- Writing style can be dry and academic
- Some books lack narrative flow
- Technical details sometimes overwhelm the historical narrative
- Limited coverage of human elements/personal accounts
Ratings across platforms:
Amazon: Average 4.3/5 across titles (based on ~500 reviews)
Goodreads: Average 3.9/5 (based on ~300 ratings)
One military historian reviewer noted: "Forty's technical precision makes his works invaluable reference materials, even if they aren't always engaging reads." Multiple reviewers cite his "Tank Action" and "German Tanks of World War Two" as his strongest works.
📚 Books by George Forty
The First Victory: Libya 1941 - Chronicles Operation Compass and the British success against Italian forces in North Africa.
Tanks Across the Desert - Details the desert war campaigns in North Africa from 1940-1943.
Desert Rats at War - Covers the history and actions of Britain's 7th Armoured Division in World War II.
US Army Handbook 1939-1945 - Reference work examining the organization, equipment, and operations of American forces in WWII.
Tank Action - Documents major tank battles of World War II across multiple theaters.
World War Two: Tanks - Technical guide covering tank development and deployment during 1939-1945.
German Tanks of World War Two - Details German armored vehicles' specifications and combat history.
Japanese Army Handbook 1939-1945 - Reference guide on Imperial Japanese Army organization and equipment.
The Reich's Last Gamble: The Ardennes Offensive - Analysis of the German offensive in December 1944.
Patton's Third Army at War - Operational history of the US Third Army under General Patton in 1944-45.
Tanks Across the Desert - Details the desert war campaigns in North Africa from 1940-1943.
Desert Rats at War - Covers the history and actions of Britain's 7th Armoured Division in World War II.
US Army Handbook 1939-1945 - Reference work examining the organization, equipment, and operations of American forces in WWII.
Tank Action - Documents major tank battles of World War II across multiple theaters.
World War Two: Tanks - Technical guide covering tank development and deployment during 1939-1945.
German Tanks of World War Two - Details German armored vehicles' specifications and combat history.
Japanese Army Handbook 1939-1945 - Reference guide on Imperial Japanese Army organization and equipment.
The Reich's Last Gamble: The Ardennes Offensive - Analysis of the German offensive in December 1944.
Patton's Third Army at War - Operational history of the US Third Army under General Patton in 1944-45.
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David Fletcher specializes in tank warfare history and served as historian at The Tank Museum in Bovington. His work covers the development of armored vehicles from WWI through modern times with emphasis on British tanks.
Chris Bishop produces reference works on military vehicles and weapons systems across multiple conflicts. His books contain technical specifications and operational histories of combat vehicles used by various nations.
R.P. Hunnicutt authored definitive works on the development of American armored fighting vehicles. His ten-volume series provides detailed technical data and chronicles the evolution of U.S. armor from WWI through the Cold War.
Roger Ford focuses on military technology and mechanized warfare across the 20th century. He examines both the technical aspects of military vehicles and their combat applications through multiple conflicts.