Deborah and the War of the Tanks, 1917

Deborah is a British First World War tank that rose from the grave after taking part in one of the most momentous battles in history. In November 1917 she played a leading role in the first successful massed tank attack at Cambrai. Eighty years later, in a remarkable feat of archaeology, the tank's buried remains were rediscovered and excavated, and are now preserved as a memorial to the battle and to the men who fought in it. John Taylor's book tells the tale of the tank and her crew and tracks down their descendants to uncover a human story every bit as compelling as the military one.

“Deborah’s story is a fascinating one, both her wartime service and eventual recovery. This book covers the tank’s crew and the battalion to which it belonged. Just as interesting is the attention paid to the research used to find the tank and tell its story to the world. It is a fitting tribute to both veterans of the war and the modern enthusiasts who toil to commemorate their service and sacrifice.” - Military Heritage

"A very compelling read, combining narrative flow with excellent research. It is well annotated, well illustrated and indexed and weaves a constant thread between history and the tales of Deborah's recovery." - Society of Friends of the National Army Museum