Tank Tracks to Rangoon: The Story of British Armour in Burma

By Bryan Perrett

Fighting in a somewhat forgotten corner of Empire during the Second World War, the British and Indian armoured regiments called upon to harness the power of tank warfare to extreme new levels did so in an effort to outwit an army until that point considered invincible - the Imperial Japanese Army. Their collective efforts were heroic and massively effective, giving the Japanese a taste of mechanised warfare from which they never recovered. 

Bryan Perrett describes the full course of the armoured units' efforts, illustrating the importance of the mighty 7th Armoured Brigade; a 'magnificent formation' in General Slim's estimation. In a conflict that saw much development in the field of tank design and production, Perrett illustrates the practical repercussions of such advances in this most extreme of wartime environments. Detailed research has produced hard evidence of the Japanese use of gas against British tanks, and countless instances of Japan's human-bomb anti-tank technique. Above all, this book shows to what extent the tank can prove a decisive weapon in the unlikeliest areas.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pen and Sword
• Release date: Apr 30, 2014
• ISBN: 9781473835153

Bryan Perrett

Bryan Perrett was educated at Liverpool College. He served in the Royal Tank Regiment and was awarded the Territorial Decoration. A professional military historian for many years, his books include A History of the Blitzkrieg and Knights of the Black Cross: Hitler's Panzerwaffe and its Leaders. His treatise Desert Warfare was widely consulted during the Gulf War. His most recent works, including Last Stand!, At All Costs! and Against all Odds! examine aspects of motivation. During the Falklands and Gulf Wars, Bryan Perrett served as Defense Correspondent to the Liverpool Echo. He is the author of The Hunters and the Hunted (2012), Why the Germans Lost (2013) and Why the Japanese Lost (2014), all published by Pen and Sword Books.

Reviews for Tank Tracks to Rangoon

[dinadansfriend · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

A workmanlike account of a neglected theatre. The Armour of XIV Army was useful, but severely limited by the terrain for the most part of the war in the Far East. this is a necessary book for the student, but not very engaging.

[robpalmer-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The role of armoured units and formations in the Burma campaign is often overlooked. This book addresses this issue with a well written, narrative text. Key battles are covered, with several personal accounts included. Well recommended if you are interested in the Burma campaign.