Description:
This title examines the emergence of the first modern tank, the Renault FT. It is a little known fact that France fielded more tanks in World War I than any other army. However, France's early tanks suffered from poor mobility and armor compared to their contemporaries. Indeed, their initial use on the Chemin des Dames in 1917 was a bloody fiasco. In spite of initial set-backs, the French army redeemed its reputation with the Renault FT.
The Renault FT pioneered the modern tank design, with armament in a revolutionary central turret and the engine in the rear. More importantly, the Renault was designed to be cheap and easy to manufacture. Discover the history of the early French armor developments and their triumphant new design, the Renault FT, that helped to turn the tide of war in the favor of the Allies.Brief description: Steven J. Zaloga is a senior analyst for Teal Group Corp., an aerospace consulting firm, where he covers missile and drone technology as well as international arms transfers for clients in the aerospace industry and the government. He served for more than two decades as an adjunct staff member with the Strategy, Forces, and Resources division of the Institute for Defense Analyses, a federal think-tank, retiring in 2021. He is the author of numerous books on military technology and history, including NVG 294 Allied Tanks in Normandy 1944 and NVG 283 American Guided Missiles of World War II. He currently lives in Maryland, USA.
Review Quotes:
"This book is definite read for anyone who wants to learn just about everything there is to know in a concise format about the French Tanks of WWI. Tank enthusiasts, modelers performing research or history buffs will find this book very interesting." --www.mataka.org (January 2011)
"I would recommend this book to anyone with a general interest in the history of tank warfare and highly recommend it to anyone with a particular interest in WW I allied tanks." --Roger Rasor, IPMS/USA "An excellent look at early tanks and tank warfare. It makes for a book that is an absolute must for any armor enthusiast." --Scott Van Aken, Modeling Madness "...an excellent survey that offers insights on the design, construction and history of early French armor developments." --The Midwest Book Review