Armoured Warfare in the British Army 1939–1945

Richard Taylor's "Find, Fix and Strike: Armoured Warfare in the British Army 1939-1945" offers a comprehensive examination of how British armoured forces evolved and operated throughout the Second World War. The book presents a detailed analysis of doctrine, equipment, and combat operations that defined British tank warfare during this critical period in military history.

Taylor structures his work around the British Army's tactical approach to armoured warfare, examining how doctrine developed from the pre-war period through to the final campaigns in Northwest Europe. The title itself references the operational methodology that British forces attempted to implement: locating enemy formations, fixing them in position, and delivering decisive strikes with concentrated armoured power. This framework provides readers with insight into both the theoretical foundations and practical realities of British tank operations.

The book traces the evolution of British armoured doctrine from its interwar roots, when theorists like J.F.C. Fuller and Basil Liddell Hart influenced thinking about mechanized warfare. Taylor examines how these ideas were tested and often found wanting in the early campaigns of the war. The defeats in France in 1940 and the initial setbacks in North Africa exposed significant deficiencies in equipment, training, and tactical application that the British Army would spend much of the war addressing.

One of the work's strengths lies in its detailed coverage of the North African campaigns, where British armoured forces faced their most sustained test against German and Italian opponents. Taylor analyzes the learning curve that British commanders and crews experienced in the desert, where open terrain and mobile warfare created conditions that favored armoured operations but also exposed tactical and technical shortcomings. The book examines how British forces gradually adapted to German tactics and improved their coordination between tanks, infantry, and artillery.

The technical aspects of British armoured warfare receive substantial attention. Taylor discusses the various tanks employed by British forces, from the early Matilda and Crusader models to the later Churchill and Cromwell designs. The book addresses the persistent challenges British tank designers faced in matching German armour and firepower, particularly when confronting Tigers and Panthers. The controversial decision to rely heavily on American Sherman tanks also receives analysis, including both the advantages this provided in terms of reliability and numbers, and the limitations in firepower that resulted.

Taylor's examination extends beyond hardware to explore the human dimension of armoured warfare. The book considers training methods, crew dynamics, and the particular stresses of tank combat. The claustrophobic conditions inside tanks, the constant threat of fire when hit, and the physical and mental demands placed on crews all receive attention. These elements help readers understand the realities faced by the men who operated these machines under combat conditions.

The Italian and Northwest European campaigns are covered with attention to how British armoured forces adapted to different terrain and operational challenges. The difficulties of employing tanks in the mountainous Italian terrain contrasted sharply with the North African experience, requiring different tactical approaches and often relegating armour to supporting roles. The Northwest Europe campaign following D-Day receives detailed treatment, examining how British armoured divisions operated in the bocage country of Normandy and later in the more open terrain beyond.

The book also addresses organizational and command issues that affected British armoured performance. Taylor examines the debates over how to structure armoured divisions, the relationship between tank and infantry units, and the command decisions that influenced operations at critical moments. The sometimes strained relationships between commanders and the impact of leadership on unit effectiveness form part of this analysis.

Taylor's work benefits from research in primary sources and official records, providing authoritative grounding for his analysis. The book engages with the operational realities and doctrinal debates that shaped British armoured warfare without becoming overly technical or inaccessible. The narrative maintains focus on how theory translated into practice and how experience shaped subsequent operations.

"Find, Fix and Strike" serves as a thorough study of British armoured warfare during the Second World War, examining both successes and failures with balanced perspective. The book offers valuable insights for readers interested in military history, the development of armoured warfare, or the British Army's experience in the Second World War. Taylor's systematic approach and detailed research make this work a solid contribution to the literature on this subject.