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The Tanks At Flers

£95.00 GBP
Now available: Trevor Pidgeon’s definitive work on the first use of the tank in warfare, updated and republished as a boxed collector’s edition.

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Description

The Tanks at Flers: An Account of The First Use of Tanks In War at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Somme, 15 September 1916.

Now available: Trevor Pidgeon’s definitive work on the first use of the tank in warfare, updated and republished as a boxed collector’s edition. 

The Tanks at Flers: An Account of The First Use of Tanks In War at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Somme, 15 September 1916 was first published in 1995 following years of meticulous research, but has been out of print for many years.

Drawing on war diaries, operational orders, plans, field maps, correspondence, first-hand accounts, and photographs from both sides, his was the first work to appropriately commemorate the officers and men of the world’s first tank unit.

The Tanks at Flers begins with the genesis of the tank, its trials and acceptance into service, the selection of tank crews and their training before examining the action at Flers-Courcellete.

Readers will learn how the tanks were deployed in support of the infantry divisions, and how they and their crews faired with the fighting described in detail.

Each chapter closes with a Field Guide which takes the reader step by step over the battlefield as it is today so readers might follow in the footsteps of the tanks as they went into action.

The Tanks at Flers has been updated and enriched with new research by historian Stephen Pope, author of The First Tank Crews and is essential reading for anyone with an interest in the First World War and the development of the tank.

Each copy comes boxed with rescanned A2 maps and a new foreword from The Tank Museum’s David Fletcher.

Reviews (22)

Customer Reviews

Based on 22 reviews
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D
D.B.
Great updated version

I thought the original two volume work on the Tanks at Flers, by Trevor Pidgeon, published in 1995, was excellent, but this updated version includes additional material and research by Stephen Pope, and is very impressive. An essential reference work to have to fully understand the ground breaking first use of the tank in action. The book, the presentation box and maps are of really high quality and well worth the investment of purchasing this set. Highly recommended to all WW1 and tanks enthusiasts!

W
W.L.
My review of "Tanks at Flers"

Letter to authors of “Tanks at Flers”
Keep in mind it was first reading of your text.
Incredible work, definitive on subject of September 15, 1916 first use of tanks, level of details is absolute. Photographic material in incredible. Maps very, very good. Interesting addition, rare in other publications, “Field Guide”, which should make field trip to Flers much more fruitful.
On technical side. Book printing clear, paper thick will last for years, binding very good, photographs as good as they were in 1916.
Personally, but that is me, I would like to see map at the beginning of each chapter showing fragment described in addition to maps attached. Makes it easier to read.
I am grateful to be able to read this book.

Two problems:
‒ Correct me if I am wrong, but numbers of tanks in description under photograph at page 77 is switched.
Is: 523 (Henriques) and 533 (MacPherson)
Should be: 533 (Henriques) and 523 (MacPherson)

‒ Page 174 – 175. Lt. Braunhofer his reminiscence from September 15, 1916 and his infantry regiment and division numbers
Is: description puts lt. Braunhofer in the 5. Bavarian Infantry Division
My opinion:
1. quotation is from War Diary of the 5. Infantry Regiment (Bavarian) which means 5. Infanterie-Regiment „Großherzog Ernst Ludwig von Hessen“, which was a part of 4. Königlich Bayerische Division, which participated in Battle of the Somme
2. map on page 175 description states: “für den Kampf der 10./5. J. R.” what, to me, means 10 Company, 5. Rifle Regiment and this regiment was a part of 4. Königlich Bayerische Division (4. (Royal) Bavarian Infantry Division)
3. it would mean that lt. Braunhofer (no first name) was a member of 4. (Royal) Bavarian Infantry Division not 5. Division, again please correct me if I am wrong

Sincerely,
Witold J. Lawrynowicz

J
J.M.
Excellent

The author has literally left no stone unturned , to unveil the path of every single of the 50 tanks at Flers. This is supplemented by interesting facts about the development of this new war-machines. A very intetesting read in a attractive new outfit with a very good full-colour picture-section in the middle. Highly recommended to everyone who is interested in tank-history in detail.

G
Giacomo O.
Amazing book!

A must have to fully understand the first use of the tank in combat, the box and maps are awesome and really high quality. Suggested to all the tanks enthusiasts!

J
J.W.
Fantastic

Great book filled with lots of detail, maps, and pictures. A must have for those interested in WW1.

123
TM Publications

The Tanks At Flers

£95.00 GBP

The Tanks at Flers: An Account of The First Use of Tanks In War at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Somme, 15 September 1916.

Now available: Trevor Pidgeon’s definitive work on the first use of the tank in warfare, updated and republished as a boxed collector’s edition. 

The Tanks at Flers: An Account of The First Use of Tanks In War at The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Somme, 15 September 1916 was first published in 1995 following years of meticulous research, but has been out of print for many years.

Drawing on war diaries, operational orders, plans, field maps, correspondence, first-hand accounts, and photographs from both sides, his was the first work to appropriately commemorate the officers and men of the world’s first tank unit.

The Tanks at Flers begins with the genesis of the tank, its trials and acceptance into service, the selection of tank crews and their training before examining the action at Flers-Courcellete.

Readers will learn how the tanks were deployed in support of the infantry divisions, and how they and their crews faired with the fighting described in detail.

Each chapter closes with a Field Guide which takes the reader step by step over the battlefield as it is today so readers might follow in the footsteps of the tanks as they went into action.

The Tanks at Flers has been updated and enriched with new research by historian Stephen Pope, author of The First Tank Crews and is essential reading for anyone with an interest in the First World War and the development of the tank.

Each copy comes boxed with rescanned A2 maps and a new foreword from The Tank Museum’s David Fletcher.

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