This 213 page book is an oral history of the 712Th. Tank Battalion during its eleven months at the front in Europe during WW II. It consists almost entirely of first person narratives painstakingly compiled by author/editor/collator Aaron C. Elson from interviews with surviving members of Companies A and C of the 712Th. There's a liberal sprinkling of b/w photos - both then and now, and several maps - sketch and theater - illustrating the engagements detailed in the book, but the heart of Tanks for the Memories is the narratives themselves.

Elson limits his comments to chapter introductions - scene setting to place the narratives in context. In one chapter, "Tigers", three battalion members describe three short engagements with the German heavies, in deadpan "Yeah, we were there" tones. In another three chapters, the assault on Hill 122, in all its confusion, is described by the participants. The chapters (there are 32 of them) tend to be short and focused.

Tanks for the Memories doesn't try to tell history - it tries, in the words of tankers who were there, to paint the reader a picture of what happened to a US tank battalion in the ETO. I think it succeeds admirably. Available from your local game shop (have 'em order it!) or directly from the author at 125 Prospect Ave., Hackensack, NJ 07601, in paperback for $12.50. Highly recommended! - BILL RUTHERFORD

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