The Black Bull: Regiments at War Series

The 11th Armoured Division with its dashing 'Black Bull' insignia led the British Army in the campaign to liberate North West Europe in 1944 and 1945. They distinguished themselves in Normandy - the summer of 1944 - in the ferocious battles of Operations 'Epsom', 'Goodwood' and 'Bluecoat', followed by the famous 200-mile Great Swan to capture Antwerp. During 'Market Garden' they protected the Allied right flank and then were the only British amor in action in the Ardennes. Uniquely equipped with new Comet tanks they smashed across the Rhine, the Dortmund-Ems Canal and the rivers Weser, Aller (liberating Belsen concentration camp) and Elbe, to meet the Russians on the Baltic. Led by their brilliant GOC, Major General 'Pip' Roberts DSO, MC the division suffered 10,000 casualties including 2000 killed in action and, a rare honor, were awarded two Victoria Crosses. This book tells the story of the Division in the words of over 100 soldiers who fought with it, showing what it was really like to be in combat during that extraordinary campaign to liberate Europe 50 years ago. This is a story of the courage and comradeship of ordinary men plunged into an extraordinary situation.