Featured battle : U-552 vs. USS Reuben James DD-245

Part of Second World War

Date : 31 October 1941

USS Reuben James was escorting convoy HX156 enroute to England when she was torpedoed by U-552. Her forward magazine exploded and she sank quickly, killing between 85-115 men. The Reuben James was arguably the 1st American combatant sunk by deliberate enemy action.

A Short History of 7th Armoured Division

Captains M. Lindsay, M.E.Johnston & N.B.Harris
There are other books about the 7th Armoured Division but non so genuine. This book was written by two serving officers and the photographs sourced by another. It covers the period from June 1943 until July 1945 and was completed and printed by the British Army of the Rhine before the Division was disbanded. The map cover is extraordinarily good being eleven large separate sheets contained in a folder at the end of the book. The reader can readily refer to the appropriate map while reading the text. This is not just a good book it is a great book due in large part to its authenticity and its insights; it is is not all dry facts but speeds along with the Desert Rats with humour and sorrow as appropriate to the action.
Churchill said, of the story of the Desert Rats, ‘May the fathers long tell the children about this tale.’ One cannot but agreed.

British Army of the Rhine, July 1945