The Royal Canadian Armoured Corps: An Illustrated History

by John K. Marteinson, Michael R. McNorgan

The Royal Canadian Armoured Corps, which encompasses Canada's tank and armoured car regiments, has a proud past. Lavishly illustrated with photos, war art, maps and diagrams, this book traces the history of the RCAC from its cavalry ancestors through World War I and the interwar period that saw the advent of the tank and other new forms of armour.Most of the book deals with World War II as Canadian armoured units played important roles in the defeat of the Third Reich. Finally, the RCAC has been involved in most of Canada's military commitments since then, including peacekeeping duties.This is a large, authoritative, profusely illustrated book that is a must for all libraries and collectors of books in military history.

Genres: History, Canada

448 pages, Hardcover

First published October 15, 2000

Reviews

[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't read the whole thing because I was just using it to track the progress of the Governor General's Footguards (part of the 4th Canadian Armoured Division) during WWII. My Grandpa was a tank driver during the war, and it was fascinating to be able to look (for example) at a map of the Battle of the Falaise Pocket and have a pretty good idea of where he was having a really stressful day back in August 1944.

I'd say that there are more gripping histories of WWII, but this is a good book if you care more about what particular Canadian armoured troops were doing.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a basic introduction to the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps in the Twentieth Century. Dry like much military history. It is more "nuts and bolts" than "guts and glory." Nonetheless, I found some of it fascinating.