Tanks for the Memories: Expanded Second Edition

Rating:
Summary: Oral History at its Best.
Review: In 1984, Tom Brokaw became enamored with the D-Day veterans he was assigned to cover for the fortieth-anniversary of that "longest day." This affection eventually materialized into his best selling book: THE GREATEST GENERATION. In 1988, Steven Ambrose attended a reunion of E Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment and was fascinated by their stories. This led to an award winning book and HBO mini-series: BAND OF BROTHERS. Less known, however, are the growing legions of amateur military and oral historians, whose efforts to break the silence and delve into the memories of a quickly dwindling generation of World War II veterans, are producing significant testimonies. Aaron Elson is one such historian and this book _TANKS for the Memories: The 712th Tank Battalion During World War II_ belongs on the shelf of anyone seriously interested in the American GI. What began as an attempt to learn more about his own father's service in this unit, flowered into oral history at its best. The veterans whose stories fill these pages represent a cross-section of American society; they are true citizen soldiers. From humble beginnings in the 11th Cavalry at Camp Seeley, Calif to a cadre for the 10th Armored Division, the 712th TB would eventually fight in some of the bloodiest campaigns in Northwest Europe. Landing at UTAH Beach on D + 22, the 712th was attached to the hard-luck 90th Infantry Division, whose mauling in the hedgerows of Normandy nearly caused its demise as a fighting unit. Their luck would change, however, and the 90th Division would go on to become one of the best in General George S. Patton's Third Army. And the 712th would be in the thick of the fighting, from the mud and toil of the Saar, to the cracking of the Siegfried Line. Elson allows the veterans to tell the entire story. In fact, with the exception of a "Timeline," maps, and chapters that are arranged chronologically, there is no historical narrative to put the veteran's testimonies in perspective. As a result, those with a minimum of background knowledge of the war in the ETO may be at a disadvantage and would benefit by having an accompanying overview volume of the war handy. Likewise, Elson omits some of the amenities found in other works such as notes and an index. Elson does, however, include a substantial number of photos, both wartime and recent reunions, to put a human face to the stories. Putting the minor stylistic and organizational critiques aside, this book is a gem. Perhaps Elson realizes that nobody can tell what it was like to train and fight in an armored unit in World War II like those who did the actual fighting. For this reason, Elson's book serves not only as a valuable resource to future researchers, but also anyone who ever has asked, or wanted to ask: "what did you do in the war, dad?"

Rating:
Summary: The Voices of the Veterans
Review: Mr. Elson has provided a labor of love and a transparent view into the experiences and the lives of the men who served in the 712th Tank Battalion. Mr. Elson compiled an oral history of the veterans using their own words to describe their service and experiences. The interviews range from the initial training with the horse cavalry to VE day in Czechoslovakia. There is no overview or analysis or second guessing to go with the text, only chapter titles that group stories related to particular events or themes (for example "Blood and Guts" about encounters with Gen. Patton). This is really like sitting down with your own grandfather and his friends and hearing them tell the tales of the second world war, only an audio version of the actual interviews would be more personable. The stories range from the mundane (what it was like to see Patton) to the horrific (what it was like to be in a tank covered with the remains of a friend, maimed by an armor piercing round with the tank on fire). The variety of the GI's experiences is well documented in "Tanks for the Memories".
Mr. Elson's father served and was wounded with the 712th so this topic is close to his heart, and it shows. The tales told by these once young soldiers of battles, lost comrades, killing the enemy, being wounded, missing family and friends, and the fear, boredom, and deprivation of service put a very human touch on this view of WWII. This is not history in the purest academic sense; this is a compilation of hero's tales. If you are interested in WWII, tank warfare, the GI in Europe, or the experiences of men doing their utmost for their comrades and country, read this book.

Rating:
Summary: The Voices of the Veterans
Review: Mr. Elson has provided a labor of love and a transparent view into the experiences and the lives of the men who served in the 712th Tank Battalion. Mr. Elson compiled an oral history of the veterans using their own words to describe their service and experiences. The interviews range from the initial training with the horse cavalry to VE day in Czechoslovakia. There is no overview or analysis or second guessing to go with the text, only chapter titles that group stories related to particular events or themes (for example "Blood and Guts" about encounters with Gen. Patton). This is really like sitting down with your own grandfather and his friends and hearing them tell the tales of the second world war, only an audio version of the actual interviews would be more personable. The stories range from the mundane (what it was like to see Patton) to the horrific (what it was like to be in a tank covered with the remains of a friend, maimed by an armor piercing round with the tank on fire). The variety of the GI's experiences is well documented in "Tanks for the Memories".
Mr. Elson's father served and was wounded with the 712th so this topic is close to his heart, and it shows. The tales told by these once young soldiers of battles, lost comrades, killing the enemy, being wounded, missing family and friends, and the fear, boredom, and deprivation of service put a very human touch on this view of WWII. This is not history in the purest academic sense; this is a compilation of hero's tales. If you are interested in WWII, tank warfare, the GI in Europe, or the experiences of men doing their utmost for their comrades and country, read this book.

Rating:
Summary: Tanks, Mr. Elson!
Review: This book includes a wonderful oral history of the men in the 712th tank battalion. Mr. Elson has also added pictures and stories that will touch the heart of any American that knows anything about the war. Most of the men did not want to be a part of this war, and the stories have stuck with them through thick and thin as if it just happened yesterday. The stories are told in the veterans' own words, and described in such detail that you can feel their fear, and their longing to be home with their families instead of driving a tank. Mr. Elson has done a fabulous job and I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about the war, and especially to historians. Thank you, Mr. Elson!