Steel Victory: The Heroic Story of America's Independent Tank Battalions at War in Europe

by Harry Yeide

Book Overview

An account of the American army's tank battalions of World War II traces their campaigns in Normandy, France, Belgium, Germany, and Czechoslovakia, missions that were accomplished under the most... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0891417826
• ISBN13: 9780891417828
• Release Date: December 2003
• Publisher: Presidio Press
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.8" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

Excellent!

A very readable work that covers the relatively undocumented independent tank battallions in the ETO. The previous reviewers are right on the money concerning the strong points of the volume. One minor criticism (of the publisher, not the author): some detailed maps of the smaller scale actions would have been appreicated and provided clarity. I'm a B- amatuer military historian and thought the author's writing style was enjoyable, interesting and well researched. It filled in some of my personal gaps in ETO knowledge.

A Long-standing Gap in the ETO Canon is Filled!

Author Harry Yeide has contributed one of the most gripping reads to hit the ETO lexicon in quite some time. With fast-paced combat narrative, and thorough research, Yeide has filled a long-standing gap in the European campaigns of 1944-45. The author tells the story of the American independent tank battalions that were attached to infantry divisions, and analyses the many tactical, and command and control problems this unique marriage entailed. Unlike America's armored divisions, whose ideal doctrine called for rapid exploitation, and deep penetration, the independent tank battalions moved at the infantry's pace. This homogeneous relationship presented problems throughout the ten month campaigns, as the author competently demonstrates. Yeide's narrative is clean, concise and to the point throughout. Tackling a topic that could easily fill volumes, the author never allows himself to get bogged down in a myriad of facts, or jargon. At just over 300-pages, this work can easily be consumed within a weekend. Undoubtedly, Yeide's gripping narrative is the strongest feature of the book. Organizational appendices add to the resourceful appeal, however, the five-pages of maps are over-simplified. The author hits on several important themes. Foremost, he points out that independent tank battalions were trained only in how to get ashore on D-Day, but not how to conduct operations from then on. Therefore, their primary role, that of supporting infantry, was a learn-as-you-go, on the job training process, throughout the campaigns in France and, Germany. The author touches on several significant technical innovations, such as infantry-tank radio communications, and special weapons. Some of the latter, like shells designed to penetrate concrete, and a tank deployed bangalore torpedo, called a "Snake" proved reasonably effective. Others, like a huge rollers fixed to the front of tanks to detonate land mines, were considered junk by many of the tankers. Yeide shows that for the first half of the campaigns in Northwest Europe, these tank battalions were attached fairly permanently (organic) to their perspective infantry divisions. Later, as manpower shortages were felt, tank battalions were repeatedly detached and attached to a variety of new infantry units. This parcelling out to unfamiliar infantry commanders with varying tactical notions on how to deploy tanks, presented more problems for the tank crews. The author's research is thorough, yet not meticulous. His notes cite sources, but are not explanatory. Yeide leans heavily on unit After-Action Reports (AARs), and quotes many at length. These passages are surprisingly reader-friendly, since AARs are usually dull, as a rule. These documents focus on problems encountered, and lessons learned in tank-infantry cooperation. Some contain insightful participant testimonies, gleaned from interviews after the battle. The ten-page verbatim transcript of radio chatter between tanks and infantry, was pushing this a bit

Historical research of the highest order

Amazingly, no previous work has been written on this topic and Mr. Yeide's work admirably fills this lacuna. This book is an exhaustively researched contribution to military history, yet readable for the non-specialist like myself. Interspersed with historical facts are anecdotes and personal recollections, which add the personal and human dimensions so often lacking in historical accounts. The historic photographs were particularly welcome, and the maps in the beginning helped clarify sometimes confusing battle movements.  The appendices are detailed and will be very useful as a reference. For anyone interested in this sorely neglected aspect of World War II military history, this intelligent, lucid and extensively researched work is a must-read.

Victory with Steel Armor in World War Two

The work is long overdue. Little information was known of the role of the independent tank battalions of world war two until this book was produced. The author has done an exceptional job of reseraching and writing the history of the Independent Armored Forces of the U.S. Army of World War Two. These independent tank battaion were created for the sole mission of support for Infantry. The author exposes how these battalions did their jobs- with great skill , leadership and in anonymity.The author makes the clear distinction between the armored divisions of Gen. Patton fame and the dirt grinding hard slugging tank battalions attached to the infantry and moving at the pace of infantry. This is a good buy for everyone interested in the military forces of world war two and should be an important reference for the subject material.

A Subject Not Previously Covered

Steel Victory covers a subject not covered by previous WWII books; that of the independent tank battalions in Europe in WWII. The armored divisions got all the headlines with their occasional fast advances; but the separate tank battalion did the hard day-to-day job of helping the Infantry divisions painfully gain ground. I speak from experience as tank platoon leader with the 750th Tank Battalion which supported the 104th Timberwolf Division through much of the fighting, as well as the 75th ID and the 99th ID in the Battle of the Bulge.Very little has been written about the job done by the separate battalions, other than an occasional mention in the histories of the divisions they served. Mr. Yeide has done a phenomenal job of digging out the records of each of these battalions. His book will be the recognized source of information on this subject for years to come.