Brazen Chariots

Hard to put down. Crisp accounts a month of tank battles against German Panzers and Italians, until he is wounded the last day from enemy fire and ends up going home. He begins as a Lieutenant in the British Army, then is promoted to Captain and then battalion commander. The American "Stuart" tank (the "Honey", so named by the Brits, because of it's ruggedness and dependability compared to their British tanks) advanced their fighting prowess. There was always the danger of the feared German 88 to deal with, so the new "Honey" gave them some reassurance with it's speed. There are terrifying moments of survival and the loss of companions along with wonderful serene departures. The desert battles were typically unorganized, much to do with the leadership. The Brits and the Germans alike were regularly getting lost in the sameness of the desert. Crisp did his best out on patrol, with no brass looking over his shoulder. He was just doing his job and he did it well.

Excellent account of a citizen soldier in the Thrid Royal Tank Regiment in the early phase of the war in North Africa. This was just after the Brits got the American M3 Light tanks. These were a pretty good match for the German Mk II but up against even an early Mk IV your odds were not very good. The little 37 mm shells would just bounce off. I've just got to quote one short passage. 'This first action was very typical of a number of those early encounters involving cavalry regiments. They had incredible enthusiasm and dash, and sheer exciting courage which was only curbed by the rapidly decreasing stock of dashing officers and tanks. 'Very early on in that campaign I learnt when to be gallant and when to be discreet, and how to employ both characteristics to bhe best advantage of myself.' Great story, well told. It confirms chance on the battlefield. Bullets are flying all around. Some go here, some go there, some people die. Major Crisp didn't die. But after being wounded in Normandy and evacuated the King asked if this was going to hurt his bowling (he was a champion cricket player), 'No sir,' he replied, 'I was hit in the head.'

Brazen chariots is an excellent nonfiction work about British crews that operated American M3 light tanks in the western desert in WWII. Robert Crisp describes the action of the daily battle (swanning about the blue) as well as the activity in the evening when men of battle attempt to get some rest while the mechanics and fitters prepare the armour for another day's battle. Major Crisp tells it like it was- the humor and the sadness. He daringly retells his own combat decisions and the results (which are not always flattering to himself). I've read this book several times over the years. I always find it refreshing and exciting. I regret that I only have a paperback issue. Highly recommended for anyone interested in Ameican M3 light tanks, British warfare tactics in the desert and leadership in combat.

I admit to having known Bob Crisp. Somehow his book does not give justice to the man. He writes in a modest manner which suggests that he only 'did his bit' as the British would say. This is far from the truth, as this book became virtually a set text for the Israeli army. For anyone wanting to know more about the confusion of desert tank warfare, this is the book to read.