Brazen Chariots: An Account of Tank Warfare in the Western Desert, November-December 1941

With both great humanity and great humility, Crisp presents a memoir of the Crusader battles that is both hilarious and moving. He finds the time to present the odd humorous moments (ie "the mysterious pigeon", "the silk pyjama incident") along with a tale that shows the men on the ground understood more of the high command than vice-versa. Furthermore, he memories check out well with history so he either fleshed them out with some research when writing or took enough notes at the time to present first-person history accurately. I think I've read it ten times so far, it's that good.

This little book, "Brazen Chariots" is the best first-hand account by any tank commander in North Africa in the British 8th Army. The author, South African cricket star Robert Crisp, was the top tank "ace" of 8th Army's successful Operation Crusader offensive of late 1941 (credited with at least 8 German tanks).

It gives a clear and precise account of what being inside a tank was like and the technical problems involved in tank fighting of that era. It also provides valuable insight into the command of armored formations, in particular why the British "left hook" attempt to outflank Rommel at the end of Crusader failed: the "left hook" commander, Brigadier Alec Gatehouse of 4th/22nd Armored Brigade, was afraid to confront the Panzerarmee and was willing to give away his position in Rommel's rear, alerting Rommel to retreat.

It should be noted that it was Crisp's driver who gave the M3 US-built Stuart tank its alternative name, the Honey, by exclaiming something like: "Lord love us, what a honey !".

Contrary to the impression many readers have, the Stuart, while dubbed a "light" tank by the US Army,was vastly superior to the then German and British light tanks (Panzer I, II) both in armor thickness and gunpower. The 37mm gun of the Stuart had a vastly more powerful armor penetrating ability not only of the puny 20mm guns of these earlier light tanks, but was also considerably more powerful than the German 37mm gun (a lower velocity gun on early versions of Panzer III)and roughly equal to the British 40mm (2-pounder) gun or the German short 50mm gun (on some versions of Panzer III).

In Crusader, the US 37mm gun gun was only inferior to the German long 50mm gun (just then appearing) or the German short 75mm gun (on Panzer IV). Checking tables of armor penetration and armor thickness, it was equal to or slightly superior to most German (and all Italian) tanks in Crusader. However, it was Crisp's keen observation and skill in picking off stray German tanks that enabled him to destroy so many.

This book is infused with action. It is a very personal account of tank combat against superior machines and odds. The author is likable and sometimes humorous. I enjoyed his British figures of speech.

My only complaint is that the book is too short. That is a reader's highest compliment.

I recently finshed reading this book, and thoroughly enjoyed it. It provides a gripping, first hand account of just what it was like to be a member of a tank crew, during the early, confusing, and often deadly battles of the war in North Africa. This book provides the human view that is so often missing from the more conventional histories of armies or battles. Hightly recomended!

Going over my list Introduction to Tank Warfare list, I'm surprised I left this one off. This is one of the books I read as a kid that is partially responsible for me becoming a tanker myself.

Crisp gives a great first person account of being a tank commander during Operation Crusader in 1941. This book is great for the vivid descriptions of battles where he survived, though under-gunned and under-armored compared to his Panzer opponents, by using terrain and mobility to advantage. However it is also an accurate account of the mundane activities between battles without becoming boring in the process. All this is accomplished with Crisp's characteristically British flair where he continually relays how important was the need for British troopers to brew their regular pot of tea.

This is a short volume that gives an almost day by day account of the campaign in a very readable fashion. While detailed enough to keep any expert turning the pages, it is also basic enough for the casual reader who just wants a good 1st person account of the War in North Africa.