Tank Commander

Tank Commander recounts Bill Close's firsthand experiences as a British tank commander during World War II. The memoir covers his service from 1940-1945, including campaigns in North Africa and Europe. Close provides details about the daily realities of tank warfare and life inside an armored unit. His narrative includes technical aspects of tank operations while maintaining focus on the human elements of leading men in combat. The book follows Close's progression from an inexperienced officer to a battle-tested commander, documenting key engagements and the evolution of tank tactics during the war. His account encompasses both the strategic movements of larger formations and the intimate moments shared between crew members. This memoir offers perspective on leadership under extreme conditions and the bonds formed between soldiers in wartime. Through Close's straightforward telling, themes of duty, survival, and the true cost of mechanized warfare emerge.

Readers describe Tank Commander as a candid first-hand account of British tank warfare in World War II. The narrative focuses on Close's personal experiences and observations rather than broad historical analysis. Readers highlighted: - Detailed descriptions of tank operations and battles - Personal perspective on day-to-day military life - Focus on the human side of wartime service - Clear writing style without military jargon Common criticisms: - Some repetitive passages - Limited strategic context - Maps and diagrams could be clearer Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (127 ratings) Amazon UK: 4.2/5 (92 ratings) "Feels like you're right there in the tank with him" - Amazon reviewer "Not a comprehensive history but an honest soldier's account" - Goodreads reviewer Note: Limited review data available online as this is an older military memoir with a relatively small readership.

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🔹 Bill Close was one of only seven survivors from his tank regiment of 24 tanks during the North African campaign in World War II, fighting against Rommel's Afrika Korps. 🔹 The author served in the 3rd Royal Tank Regiment and operated both Crusader and Valentine tanks during his service in the desert warfare of 1941-42. 🔹 Close wrote the book based on his personal diary entries from the war, providing remarkable first-hand accounts of tank warfare in the North African theater. 🔹 The extreme conditions of desert warfare meant tank crews had to deal with not only enemy fire but also temperatures reaching 120°F inside their vehicles, constant sand infiltration, and severe water rationing. 🔹 After surviving multiple tank battles and being wounded, Close went on to serve as an instructor at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, training future generations of British tank commanders.