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Product Description
Product Description
"Troop Leader" is a unique account of one man's experience of the battle for Europe in 1944 and 1945. Bill Bellamy was a young officer in the 8th King's Royal Irish Hussars from 1943 to 1955. He served in 7th Armoured Division in the North West Europe campaign, landing in Normandy on D+3, fought throughout the Battle for Normandy and into the Low Countries as a troop leader in Cromwell tanks, and was latterly a member of the initial occupying force in Berlin in May 1945. Against the rules, Bill kept diaries and notes of his experiences. His account is fresh and open, and his descriptions of battle are vivid. He witnessed many of his contemporaries killed in action, and this life-altering experience clearly informs his narrative. The accounts of tank fighting in the leafy Normandy bocage in the height of summer, or in the iron hard fields of Holland in winter, are graphic and compelling.
About the Author
BILL BELLAMY was a regular officer with the 8th King's Royal Irish Hussars from 1943 until 1955, when he was forced to take early retirement on health grounds. He then pursued a successful career in industry and was managing director of a number of companies. Now retired, he remains busy in a wide range of different activities. He lives in Northamptonshire and this is his first book.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Well written, thoughtful, and readable, - and without bravado. This is (with Stuart Hill`s memoir) one of the better accounts of a young officer`s experience in the NW European 1944 to 1945. I particularly like Bellamy`s description of the occasion when he "ticked off" both his commanding officer (Col Cuthy Goulburn, 8 Hussars) and his brigadier (Brigadier Loonie Hinde 22 Amd Bd) for giving away the position of his camouflaged tank by walking up to it.
He got away with it -both men had a sense of humour, and were quite un-pompous. Also, of course, Bellamy was right. But, he was told by his adjutant "not to do it again!"
Recommended
Andrew Sanders
He got away with it -both men had a sense of humour, and were quite un-pompous. Also, of course, Bellamy was right. But, he was told by his adjutant "not to do it again!"
Recommended
Andrew Sanders
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book does not tell of mighty clashes of armour or glamorous dashes across France.It deals with the day to day business of tank men. Sometimes seemingly uneventful days,until the death of a friend is mentioned. Imagine fixing the tracks on a tank in the pouring rain,in the mud and then having to just get back in covered in mud and carry on as usual. If you are interested in tank warfare read this book. It may not 'wow' you, but it will make you think about what men like this quietly endured.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A story of hopes and fears in tank warfare during the last months of WW2. Very evocative for me as I lost a favourite uncle, also in the Armoured Division, who died just weeks before the end of hostilities.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Eminently Readable
Bellamy's book is partly an extension of his diary and partly his recollections. His writing style is engaging, faithful and sincere. Read more
Published 3 months ago by D. Jones
Glad I wasn't there.
I enjoyed reading Bill Bellamy's account of his service during the war. His writing style makes you feel like you would have been friends with him had you known him. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Mr Shh.
Tankers
Enjoyable if sobering read. Glad I was not old enough to have served in tanks during the war.
Published 16 months ago by Sqn Ldr Raymond Leach
Quietly Superb.
One thing I've found in the years I've been studying military history, and in particular World War Two, is that quite often, the very best accounts of life in war which one can... Read more
Published on 2 July 2009 by Mr. D. Hamilton
A real soldier's story of Normandy and beyond.
From a less than glamourous start to the campaign, Bill Bellamy finds himself in the thick of the action. Read more
Published on 14 Jun 2009 by M. Malin
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