Challenging the Beast Audiobook By John Dingley cover art

Challenging the Beast

The Story of a Tank Crew at War

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Challenging the Beast

By: John Dingley
Narrated by: Alan Turton
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This is story of a tank crew and troop in a modern war, a type of "Modern Fury” of Brad Pitt fame. The Gulf War of 1990-91 was probably the last major deployment of arms by the UK on such a scale and a larger gathering of armour than the Battle of Kursk in WW II.

This is a personal account of the Gulf War 1990-91 and the liberation of Kuwait and Operation Desert Storm / Operation Granby by a Troop Leader in a front line tank squadron; B Squadron The 14/20th Kings Hussars, 4th Armoured Brigade, 1 British Division. Forward by General Sir Richard Shirreff.

This is not a political or strategic study, but a look at the lives of the men who lived and fought on and from their tanks. It is a personal first hand account of the lives of soldiers in a desert war.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2016 John Dingley (P)2020 John Dingley Arabian Peninsula Middle East Military Military & War Wars & Conflicts

Critic reviews

"No striving after heroics, none of the bull s--t so common among many war memoirs: Just good, plain down to Earth stuff devoid of modern "spin". I thought this an excellent read (John Hollands author of The Dead The Dying and The Damned)
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I’m only a few chapters in but so far, as a US Tank Commander and Master Gunner from the same era, it rings true to me. A real page turner, it’s interesting to see how they do business compared to us. For instance, they have the same 4 crew members as we do, but their loader is second in command of the tank – whereas in the US Army it’s the Gunner. Listening to their boresight procedures is especially fascinating.

One shortcoming, not the author’s fault but maybe Audiobooks’ is this: in the author’s preface he states that if you’re listening on an audio device, to go to the web address sent with the audio file you purchased to view the photos he describes in the text. Well, I’ve looked everywhere I can think of and I find no web address or URL anywhere. I would really like to see the photos, especially since he described them in great detail.

Story very good but web address for photos missing

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I was not disappointed at all. This book is a very well-written and detailed account of The Desert Rats. I was also a tanker in 2nd Cav and I learned much about the brothers that fought beside us. This unit is rich in history and one I would have been proud to serve with. Well Done, Sir.

Excellent account of The Desert Rats

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A very good account of the war, that were close to my own experiences. Well told story and glad for the pictures.

Brought back memories.

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