From Longstop Hill to the Gothic Line with 142nd Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps, 1943-45 – Second to None

Temporarily out of stock

During the Second World War, few units earned as much praise as the 142nd Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps. Formed in 1941 by converting the 7th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, into an armoured unit, 142 RAC carried forward the traditions, loyalty, and pride of its infantry origins, earning the affectionate nickname the ‘Suffolk Tank Regiment.’ Although never officially designated as part of the Suffolk Regiment, the men of 142 RAC never wavered in their allegiance, proudly wearing their ancestor’s badge and keeping the regiment informed of their exploits. Their war was one of support. The Regiment’s squadrons were deployed in fragmented roles, backing infantry across Tunisia and Italy, often in crucial but overlooked operations. Despite their vital contributions, post-war histories scarcely mention their actions, leaving fewer than ten firsthand accounts and limited photographs of their service. Yet their bravery did not go unnoticed at the time, earning the largest number of gallantry awards of any Suffolk Regiment element and the admiration of Canadian allies during the breakthrough of the Hitler Line in May 1944. This long-overdue account brings the story of 142 RAC back into the light, honoring a unit whose spirit, dedication, and familial pride defined their service. From the dusty battlefields of North Africa to the rugged landscapes of Italy, this book celebrates the men of 142 RAC-the forgotten heroes who ensured the success of those they supported and left a legacy of courage and devotion that the Suffolk Regiment continues to cherish.

AUTHOR:
Mark Forsdike has strong links with the Suffolk Regiment. His grandfather served with the 4th Battalion in the Second World War spending three and a half years as a Japanese prisoner of war. Mark is proud to be an honorary member of the Old Comrades Association, Standard Bearer of the Ipswich Branch, and the administrator of the Friends of the Suffolk Regiment. He is the author of Fighting Through to Hitler’s Germany: Personal Accounts of the Men of 1 Suffolk, 1944–1945, The Malayan Emergency: The Crucial Years 1949-53, and A Battalion in Burma: Second Suffolk in Arakan and at Imphal 1943-44 (all published with Pen & Sword Military). An engineer by profession, he lives in Ipswich with his wife and two children.

40 b/w illustrations

ISBN: 9781036148966
Author: FORSDIKE, MARK
Format: Hardcover
Publication date: 01/11/2026
RRP: $80.00
Pages: 232
Dimension: 234mm X 156mm
Imprint: Pen and Sword