The North Irish Horse (NIH) was formed in 1900 for the Boer War and in 1908 it was allocated to the Special Reserve as there were no Territorial units for Irish regiments. It served on the Western front in the Great War, was disbanded in July 1922 and reformed in September 1939 in the Supplementary Reserve. In January 1943 the regiment sailed for N Africa to join the First Army which had landed in Algiers in the previous November, and in February the regiment reported to 25th Tank Brigade. At the end of that month it fought its first major action playing its part in repulsing a German attack on Beja and Djebel Abiod. The regiment came through the N Africa campaign with flying colours, having done exceptionally well in the capture of Longstop and supporting 4th Indian Division in the final break through to Tunis. The NIH remained in N Africa for a further year till April 1944 when it embarked for Italy where it saw plenty of action, breaking through the Hitler Line in support of the Canadians, taking part in the advance to Florence and in the Gothic Line battles. At this point (August-September 1944) the narrative includes a complete nominal roll of the regiment, by squadrons, and again at the capture of Forli in November 1944. The roll is given again when the regiment was on the Winter Line, December December 1944, and was transferred to 21st Tank Brigade. The nominal roll of those present for duty is given for the fourth time at the final phase in April 1945 when the war in Italy ended. The Roll of Honour lists twenty of all ranks killed in N Africa and fifty-three in Italy. There is a list of Honours and Awards, including mention in despatches, but there is no index, which would have been useful.

Sent to France in August 1914, the North Irish Horse (NIH) was the first British reservist regiment to see action Ð at Le Cateau Ð before fighting as rearguard on the long retreat to the outskirts of Paris. Over the next four years they fought with distinction, playing a role in many of the major battles, including Ypres, Somme, Passchendaele and Cambrai, and were heavily involved in the final Advance to Victory.?How fitting that this, the first history of this famous cavalry Regiment's superb record in The Great War, should be published to coincide with the centenary of the conflict. It not only describes the Regiment's actions by squadron but concentrates on the officers and men; their backgrounds, motivation and courageous deeds and sacrifices. The author places the Regiment's achievement in the context of the overall war and reflects on the effect that unfolding political events in Ireland had on the Regiment and its members.?The North Irish Horse in the Great War draws on a wealth of primary source material, much unpublished including war diaries, personal accounts, letters and memoirs. In addition to compiling this long overdue account of the NIH, the author succeeds in painting a valuable picture of The Great War at the fighting end.

The North Irish Horse was created after the Boer War and first saw action in the early days of the Great War, fulfilling divisional or corps cavalry duties, although one of its officers earned the VC with the newly-created Tank Corps. During the Second World War, the Horse was a tank regiment that gained distinction in Tunisia and Italy. Post-war it was reformed as an armoured car TA regiment that survives to this day. Its story is one of courage and dedication in the face of danger and difficulties.

Sent to France in August 1914, the North Irish Horse (NIH) was the first British reservist regiment to see action at Le Cateau before fighting as rearguard on the long retreat to the outskirts of Paris. Over the next four years they fought with distinction, playing a role in many of the major battles, including Ypres, Somme, Passchendaele and Cambrai, and were heavily involved in the final Advance to Victory.How fitting that this, the first history of this famous cavalry Regiment's superb record in The Great War, should be published to coincide with the centenary of the conflict. It not only describes the Regiment's actions by squadron but concentrates on the officers and men; their backgrounds, motivation and courageous deeds and sacrifices. The author places the Regiment's achievement in the context of the overall war and reflects on the effect that unfolding political events in Ireland had on the Regiment and its members.The North Irish Horse in the Great War draws on a wealth of primary source material, much unpublished including war diaries, personal accounts, letters and memoirs. In addition to compiling this long overdue account of the NIH, the author succeeds in painting a valuable picture of The Great War at the fighting end.

A biography on the unique military career and decorations of the British general Strick. He commanded no fewer than three armored regiments in World War II. Major-General Eugene Vincent Michael Strickland CMG, DSO, OBE, MM, CStJ, Star of Jordan – Strick – rose from penniless hardship to great military distinction. He was a tank man, a war hero who fought in France, North Africa and Italy during World War II, and whose name is revered even today among regiments that he commanded. His is the extraordinary tale of a man who gained a Regular Commission in the Indian Army from Sandhurst, but resigned soon afterwards. After a series of intriguing adventures, he then enlisted as a private soldier in the Royal Tank Corps. In May 1940, he played a major part in the counterattack at Arras, where two British infantry tank battalions held up the German advance for three days, enabling the success of the Dunkirk evacuation – and perhaps saving Britain from ultimate defeat in the process. Strick's outstanding success as a troop-sergeant in France saw him immediately (re-)commissioned, and his rise to high command was then swift. He commanded the leading Squadron of North Irish Horse in Tunisia 1943, and then commanded the North Irish Horse in its greatest battle, the breaking of the Hitler Line, in Italy in 1944. He served in seven regiments and had four regimental commands. This book focuses on his experience during World War II, drawing out the unique qualities required of leaders in close-combat battle, the particular demands of armored infantry cooperation, and how an individual can make a success of such a rapid rise through the ranks during wartime. This fine story of adventure and achievement is brought alive by Strick’s remarkable correspondence – he wrote home to his family every second or third day throughout the war, except when action was too fierce to write – supplemented by the recollections of his comrades and years of archival research. More than a portrait of a gifted and morally courageous man, this biography also offers an insight into the arts of command and tactical control, and the difficulties of a family life fragmented by war.