'Death or Glory'- a new history of the 17th/21st Lancers

Discussion in 'RAC & RTR' started by Kevin Shannon, Oct 25, 2020.

  1. Kevin Shannon

    Kevin Shannon Junior Member

    A new history of the 17th/21st Lancers is due to hit the shelves (courtesy of Fonthill Media) on 21 January 2021. A hardback (17.2 x 24.8 cm) of approximately 200,000 words in length, it includes 128 photographs (32 in colour), 11 full-page sketch maps, 10 of which concern WW2 and are derived from maps and sketches made by those who were there at the time. Appendices include a chronological Roll of Honour, all Commanding Officers, RSMs and Colonels of the Regiment. I’ve had complete access to Regimental archives and the vast majority of source material and veterans’ stories have never before been in the public domain.

    Although ‘Death or Glory’ is a complete history; covering the pre-war years in the UK, Egypt and India; and post-war in Greece and Palestine, BAOR, Aden, Libya, Cyprus, Northern Ireland and the Gulf War; the WW2 era is covered in considerable detail.

    Their role in Home Defence 1939- October 1942; subsequent deployment to Tunisia on Operation Torch (including operations with Blade Force); the advance through Italy and the occupation of Austria in the immediate post-war period, account for 87,000 out of the 200,000 words. Every casualty—killed or wounded—is reported, as are all wartime awards.

    Due to the high cost of printing, the publishers are only going for a print-run of 500, and although they may consider a reprint if there is sufficient demand, this cannot be guaranteed. It will be available from the publishers themselves and the usual online outlets, though Amazon are listing it, but not yet taking advance orders. However, W. H. Smith are already taking orders and offering a 25% discount and free standard delivery P&P to UK buyers. (search Death or Glory on their website)

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  2. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Kevin.

    I do that you have mentioned that it was a tank from 17/21L that pushed the Amazon bridge into position at Cassino on the morning of 13 May 44. And that a Sabre Sqn from the Regt was the very to cross in support of 10 Inf Bde.

    Regards

    Frank
     
  3. Kevin Shannon

    Kevin Shannon Junior Member

    Definitely included, Frank. The tank that pushed the bridge was commanded by twenty-one-year-old Lt Mike Wayne of 4th Tp 'C' Sqn. Sadly, he was killed on 27 May near the Providero Gap when the Regiment was erroneously told by Brigade that the Grenadiers held Monte Picolo and the Gap and were ordered to take up positions in open ground less than a mile from the gap. He was just climbing out of his turret to attend an 'O' group when the enemy dropped a barrage right on top of them.
     
  4. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Kevin.

    Thanks for that extra info. Great to see that the incident gets a mention.

    F
     
  5. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Kevin.

    This is the incident that Mike Wayne was killed in:

    Regards

    Frank
     

    Attached Files:

    Kevin Shannon likes this.
  6. Kevin Shannon

    Kevin Shannon Junior Member

    Harry Buckle, Lt Wayne's driver, described the incident in detail;

    "At this point, the Squadron-leader called a Troop Leaders’ conference. It was to be held at his tank. The area was supposed to be safe. While Troop Leaders began climbing out of their turrets, other members of the crews also came up for a breather. Then without warning, it happened. ‘Crump’, ‘Crump’, ‘Crump’, shells began to rain down and one fell so close to the rear of our tank that it seemed to lift us clean off the ground.
    An anguished cry from Sammy Cutter (gunner) foretold the worst. ‘Harry, Mr Wayne has been killed and Taffy (operator) has been badly wounded.’ For a moment fear gripped me and then I asked what we could do. To make matters worse the turret had jammed and neither young [W.] Robinson the co-driver, nor myself could squeeze through to give any immediate help. It was too unhealthy also to raise one’s head out of the turret.
    Within a few moments of this tragedy I was on the air to tell Major Maxwell what had happened. He couldn’t believe it at first but finally he acknowledged the fact and ordered us a few miles back up the road where he said the doctor was waiting to deal with our wounded man. Mike Wayne had been killed instantly. Chunks of shrapnel had pierced his head and neck. He was buried an hour later by the Padre and what remained of his crew, in a shallow grave just off Highway Six.
    With much difficulty, Taffy [George Evans] was lifted from his turret by his equipment. Partly conscious now, he was in great pain and his face was ashen and contorted. But he never cried out. The doctor looked at him, did what he could and made him comfortable. After loading him into an ambulance, a tired looking Medical Officer turned to us and shook his head. Taffy died a few days later [29 May].
    We ate breakfast, which I cooked on our tank petrol burner. Compo bacon if I remember rightly, with some fried bread and hot sweet tea. The Padre joined us.
    "

    A few hours later, the Aid Post was shelled and the Padre, thirty-one-year-old Rev. Francis Martin mortally wounded.

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