When the amphibious Duplex Drive (DD) Sherman tanks of the 13th/18th Royal Hussars (QMO) touched down on the sand of Sword Beach as the vanguard of the D-Day invasion, ahead of the infantry and Commandos, it was the culmination of an evolution spanning several years. Switching roles from a mounted regiment in India, into a mechanised, armoured cavalry regiment, they fought in France in 1940, then faced an uncertain future, after evacuating through Dunkirk. However, the 13th/18th would subsequently be selected to spearhead the assault on Sword Beach in new, top secret amphibious tanks. Having successfully secured the beach on D-Day, the Regiment became heavily engaged in the battle for Normandy, earning themselves an excellent reputation with the infantry brigades which they supported, before pushing north into the Fatherland. Their casualties from D-Day onwards amounted to 142 Hussars lost, 236 wounded, with many gallantry awards received. In addition to recording the Regiment's achievements during World War II, the story includes the personal testimonies of many of the Regiment's soldiers and officers throughout the war, along with many previously unpublished photographs. AUTHOR: Andrew May was born in Reading, Berkshire, where he lives today with his wife Fiona and two sons, Adam and Glenn. Throughout a career in the technology industry, Andrew has maintained an enthusiastic interest in military history, researching his Great Grandfather's experiences in the First World War and subsequent death at The Somme, and both his Grandfather's and Great Uncle's service in North Africa, Sicily and Italy during the Second World War. It was perhaps inevitable that the compelling story of the 13th/18th Royal Hussars (QMO) would captivate him to such an extent that it resulted in the creation of this book. 105 b/w illustrations
