Hi all, I am intrigued by someone on twitter who posted a pic of Chariots of the Lake (published... 2003?) about the DD tanks. Is there a better book out there about the development of the DDs and their use? I gather it covers both.
Swimming Shermans: Sherman DD amphibious tank of World War II (New Vanguard Book 123) Kindle Edition by David Fletcher Tony Bryan (Illustrator) Format: Kindle Edition $10 on Amazon........no, I’m not selling books, but not very expensive IMHO
Not bad - though I understand that Chariots of the Lake covers the Valentine and (!!) Tetrarch DDs as well. On the other hand I'm not at all sure where I would find a copy of this book and I'm sure the book by Fletcher is available.
Check yer own book-buying thread... My book-buying "problem" It's a slightly strange 'local history' book, but worth it for niche interests. Very good on the testing carried out at Fritton. Units involved, locations etc., but don't expect a complete history of Straussler's work. Lots of interesting nuggets in there, but presented as a slightly wider narrative. Is it the be-all-&-end-all of DD work? No. Is it very much worth having on the subject? Yes. If... You can find it. Stephen Fisher & I bought the last two copies that'd been regularly knocking about on local sites for a while, and I'm guessing Mr G on Twatter just got lucky. Seen it for crazy prices, but ought to turn up occasionally for a more sensible tenner or so. Ought to... but now it's been mentioned a few times recently on the Interwebz, & I'm convinced dealers (or their algorithms) notice. Always find that DD stuff is scattered. The Fletcher Osprey is alright, but again - no real in-depth study. Following Straussler's name usually the best way to find written reference, but like the man himself it's not the most easy subject to properly pin down re. technical development, despite some very good websites on it. Think Dick Taylor's 'Into The Vally' & Rich Anderson's 'Cracking Hitler's Atlantic Wall' contain the most serious attempts I have on DD work, though obviously it's present in assorted other things by Fletcher etc. Doubtless other titles will occur. Got a feeling Wheels & Tracks has a solid article in there too.
Remembered I scanned in a few pages so Mr Fisher could have a shufti before getting. Contents page, which might help: Notice not all that much specifically on development, though the rest of the text is full of bits & pieces.
Forgot. Mr F sent me a link re. somebody maybe working on a more 'full-on' DD 'publication' (Which could be a book, a leaflet, a website? Who knows...): Good site (He's deffo got a copy of Chariots...). Intro Dates to 2014, though. No sign of anything from him in normal publication that I can immediately see. Duplex Drive Tank Introduction
Hmm. Could even be the appendix in here, which is written by him. (Opens straight to pdf) Suffolk Archaeology -Tank Training Site, Fritton Lake Somerleyton, Ashby & Herringfleet ... https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiPucvF25XvAhVD3KQKHbWxA_QQFjAWegQIFxAD&url=https://suffolkarchaeology.co.uk/reports-pdfs/2013_052.pdf&usg=AOvVaw1mYpPtHI-vZ2PF6i9sxNbw Actually rather good, Some nice pictures.
Well found Adam, excellent stuff in there, thanks for posting the link up. Kind regards, always, Jim.
The section of the .pdf (link in Adam's post above) regarding the story of DD Valentine T67595 is excellent stuff. All credit to the Staff at Suffolk County Council for digging into this, it's a mighty piece of work. Kind regards, always, Jim.
Thanks. I'll have a look at these when I'm more awake. The DD tank was definitely an important technical feat. For me it took reading a book about Salerno and the suffering there to understand the pressing need for supporting armour right away.
