Tank Action: An Armoured Troop Commander's War 1944–45

by David Render, Stuart Tootal

A gripping account of the Second World War, from the perspective of a young tank commander.

In 1944 the average life expectancy of a newly commissioned tank troop officer in Normandy was estimated as being less than two weeks. David Render was a nineteen-year-old second lieutenant fresh from Sandhurst when he was sent to France to join a veteran armoured unit that had already spent years fighting with the Desert Rats in North Africa. Joining the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry five days after the D-Day landings, the combat-hardened men he was sent to command did not expect him to last long. However, in the following weeks of ferocious fighting in Normandy, in which more than 90 per cent of his fellow tank commanders became casualties, his ability to emerge unscathed from countless combat engagements defied expectations and earned him his squadron's nickname of the 'Inevitable Mr Render'.

In Tank Action David Render tells his remarkable story, spanning every major episode of the last year of the Second World War in Western Europe, from the invasion of Normandy to the fall of Germany. Ultimately it is a story of survival, comradeship and the ability to stand up and be counted as a leader in combat.

Genres: World War II, Military Fiction, History, Nonfiction, Military History, Audiobook, Autobiography

320 pages, Hardcover

First published June 16, 2016

Reviews

[Hans]

What was it like to fight in a Sherman tank during the campaign of 1944-1945 in Northwestern Europe?

Obviously, we as readers, will never ever really know, but this book sheds light on what it was like. And it does so in a realistic and convincing way. David Render does not shy away from telling the truth.

Mr. Render shows the world as it looked like at that time, seeing young men going into action inside a tank or as PBI 'Poor Bloody Infantry' fighting alongside his tank. You feel the camaraderie, the tension, the fear, the exhilaration, but also the loss of friends. I also read a lot of things that I had never read or heared being mentioned before. How the British tried to detect and stalk the German panzers in the bocage, how different the tactics in the field were from what the tank men were learning at tank school, and more.

This is absolutely one of the best, if not the best, book I have read on this topic.

Highly recommended!

[Mark Morgan]

This is the third book I've read about the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry and their exploits in North West Europe from D-Day until the end of the war and is another cracking account. It displays the sheer bloody terror and brutality of war, what these young men experienced is hard to take in. David Render grows in confidence and experience as the book progresses but 70 years later (it was written in 2016) he is still effected by what happened. He's not afraid to say how difficult it was to take over as a Troop Commander of 4 tanks after his predecessor had been killed and his new crew didn't particularly like him. It's a very well written book and a great read.

[Gary Marston]

A riveting firsthand account of the liberation of France and occupied Europe from D-day to the defeat of Nazi Germany from an extraordinary survivor with accounts of the people he served with. An unmissable read with some twists of fate leaving a heavy heart, a real sense of loss, and a lasting impression on me; genuinely stunned on occasions. It was very difficult to pause and put this book down.

[Luther Pittman]

A poignant yet enthralling retelling of a young and inexperienced troop leader’s experiences battling through Europe. From the logistical nightmare of the beachheads, the endless lethal hedgerows of bocage country, to the boggy flooded lowlands, and the eventual final push into the German heartland. Render’s descriptions of events are fascinating and excellently told. A must read for anyone interested in history.

[Mitchell]

A brilliant read/listen and really gets you into the action, feelings and thoughts of a WW2 Tank Commander.

Highly recommend for any WW2 or Tank Geeks, especially if the British forces and Sherman tanks are your focus.

[Paul Drinkwater]

Really excellent read. For me, it stripped away the normal large battle details and bought them down to a paragraph, the book preferring to stay with the individual unit action and the incredible bravery of the young commander, David Render.
The Sherman tank was easily assembled, able to be repaired quickly and built in vast quantities, yet it was under armored, with an underpowered gun. However with the skill, training and discipline of many tankers, the Sherman was an effective tank.
Having said all that, the violence and death that haunted these brave men, especially when the tanks brewed up, is told here with a realism reserved for those men such as David who experienced it.
An excellent and important read for anyone interested in WWII

[Robert Hepple]

First published in 2016, Tank Action looks at an Armoured Troop commander's experience of fighting with the British Army against the German Army in NW Europe in 1944-45. Some of the reminiscences are quite harrowing, and unlike many books of this type the technical detail seems spot on. The overall impression to me is that the book is a bit like the movie 'Fury' but without all of the mistakes that the movie had. This makes it a lot more satisfying as a 'warts-and-all' tale of the nitty-gritty detail of tank warfare, although there were some instances where Render and his co-writer were deliberately silent. Very enjoyable.

[Jim Carter]

I've read this twice, so it gives you an idea of how good it is. David Render joined the Sherwood Rangers a few days into D-Day. At just 19 years old he was assigned to a Sherman Tank and its crew who were somewhat older and battle hardened than him. He tells how he won his crew over and with them survived the break out from Normandy and the road to Berlin. I used this to help plan a trip to Normandy earlier in the year. Good companions to this are 'Brothers in Arms' (a super book on the Sherwood Rangers) and 'Normandy '44' by James Holland.

[Robert M. Roth MD]

British Sherman tank warfare

This is an interesting and enjoyable book about tank warfare from the battles of Normandy through the end of the war. Seen through the eyes of a junior troop commander, he provides a commendable perspective. The book is accompanied by maps and photographs in the Kindle edition.

Unfortunately, the book was written 70 years after the war and one does not get the sense of immediacy that I was hoping for. The memoir by Stuart Hills would be an excellent companion book as they both served in the Sherwood Rangers.

[Sophie Cimon]

This book is a good insight on how a tank regiment works, who does what and what goes where. I felt the narrator was too dry, too matter of facts. The big focus point were always on the battles and logistics. Since it’s a first hand account, I would have preferred to learn about how it felt to be there, how was the relations between the crew. The more personal aspects were brush a little bit too quick. Maybe it was just the way it was back then, as the narrator said: they were desensitized about deaths. But still …

[Matt]

The memoirs of a young man embarking on the adventure of a lifetime. Thrust into the world of armour warfare in WW2. Taking command of veteran tankers before he has even turned 20, the contempt and disdain he faced from them until he won them round.
Great insight and memoir of a tank commander fighting through Europe. Told in a way where you can imagine the sight, sound, and smells without being over descriptive.

[Stuart Ayers]

An extremely frank and readable account of a young tank commander’s war starting from D Day and extending through the Battle of Normandy through the liberation of Paris and to the capitulation of the Nazi regime. Remarkable detail and somber information laced with the familiarity you experience from the reminiscences of an individual.

[Connor Murphy]

Good memoir detailing the experiences of a British armoured troop commander in northwest Europe from D-day to VE-day. Seems very legit as there are no signs that the stories have been hammed up to give it an extra bit of drama. If you enjoyed this you should definitely read Jake Wardrop's Diary as it covers the war in North Africa as well as North West Europe.

[Colin Macmillan]

Best tank fighting history of NWE

[JP]

Quick read. Very honest, candid and at times humorous.

[P Squires]

Excellent!

This is a cracking read for tankies. This book gives a great account of life as tank crew in the Normandy campaign and after.

[Jo]

Absolutely fascinating

[Peter Lingley]

Factual account of the final month's of the

second world war, a well written and informative account of British soldiers who gave everything for peace in a terrible war.

[James Back]

A brilliant account from someone who was there. Relateable for those with military experience. Would recommend.

[Jonathan]

What a book should be a movie, an absolute eye opener on the operation of a tank from DDay to the end. Unbelievable bravery of a tank crew and it’s commander.

[Mark Bradshaw]

As a tank commander this could not fail to resonate. Finished it with a moist eye.

[Will Kenny]

Not a bad book to read more for people wanting to read more about a regiment. Worth a read but not one I would revisit.

[Glen]

An awesome view into the life of a front line tank troop commander.

[Tamás Lehoczky]

Very good personal account on the tank battles of the Western Front.

[Craig Main]

A very unique perspective of a young soldier's war.

At times humorous and at other times poignant.

[john wozniak]

A superbly written personal account of WW2

We owe so much to leaders like David Render. He, and the Sherwood Rangers went through hell. This is one of my all-time favourite books.

[Matthew Okuhara]

This is one of the most unique perspectives of WW2; a young officer during the final years of the war.

[Michael Birley]

A Superb depiction of the realities of war. Amazing to reflect how young they were.

[Matt]

Cracking good read, whether you are a student of WW2 or just wanting to understand what are older generation went through, this is a must read.

[Harry Barnes]

Gripping story of a tank commander.