Jack Bowsher – författare

A fully illustrated survey of tank warfare in the Burma campaign, and how the Allies developed tank-led all-arms warfare in the most unlikely theatre.The role of Fourteenth Army’s tanks in Burma is one of the least-known aspects of the ‘Forgotten War’. From February 1942 to May 1945, as the British and Indian armies fought first in retreat and then on the offensive, armour was key to battling Japanese infantry, bunkers, and anti-tank guns.Jack Bowsher draws on years of research to assess how tank warfare developed in Burma, starting with the improvised heroics of 7th Armoured Brigade, who were diverted suddenly to its defence. Their first offensive use was in 1943 at First Arakan; although a disaster, this was the catalyst for transforming armour in the theatre. In 1944, equipped with more powerful medium tanks, armoured units were decisive in turning back the U-Go invasion of India: at Imphal and Kohima incredible efforts were made to get tanks into action in the mountains where they overwhelmed the Japanese. By 1945 tanks were spearheading Fourteenth Army’s offensive, most notable in the Battle of Meiktila, where all-arms columns, led by the 255th Indian Tank Brigade, struck the Japanese 80 miles behind the front line.Packed with original illustrations of the tanks involved and archive combat photos, this is an essential guide to how tanks proved themselves in the difficult terrain of Burma.

Forgotten Armour is a new appraisal of the role of tanks in India and Burma in the Second World War. Often regarded primarily as an infantryman's war in dense jungle and through monsoon conditions, The book shows that this is far from the whole story. Using original research from places such as the National Archives, eyewitness testimony, and official histories, as well as more recent academic studies.Beginning with the failure to fully mechanise the interwar Indian Army, and tracing the development of armoured training, logistics and tactics, Forgotten Armour tells the story of the Second World War in India and Burma from the cramped interior of tanks. It will show that much of the effort of the war was built around getting armour to the front and keeping it there. Once tanks arrived, and bunker busting methods were devised, armour proved decisive in their encounters against the Japanese, and saved countless Allied lives. It is time to remember the forgotten army's forgotten armour.

Forgotten Armour is a new appraisal of the role of tanks in India and Burma in the Second World War. Often regarded primarily as an infantryman's war in dense jungle and through monsoon conditions, The book shows that this is far from the whole story. Using original research from places such as the National Archives, eyewitness testimony, and official histories, as well as more recent academic studies.Beginning with the failure to fully mechanise the interwar Indian Army, and tracing the development of armoured training, logistics and tactics, Forgotten Armour tells the story of the Second World War in India and Burma from the cramped interior of tanks. It will show that much of the effort of the war was built around getting armour to the front and keeping it there. Once tanks arrived, and bunker busting methods were devised, armour proved decisive in their encounters against the Japanese, and saved countless Allied lives. It is time to remember the forgotten army's forgotten armour.