7046
US Tank Battles in Germany 1944-45
by Steven J Zaloga
Concord Publications Co.
'Armour at War Series' No 7046
ISBN 962-361-075-0
Soft cover, 72 pages 188 b/w photos, 16 color plates
Review by Peter Brown
The range of vehicles covered is wide, Shermans in many forms of course make up the largest single type but in a variety of forms from older 75mm through to final-model M4A3(76)HVWW. Alongside these are Stuarts, a few Pershings, M31 and M32 Tank Recovery Vehicles, M10, M36 and M18 Tank Destroyers, M8/M20 armoured cars and a few halftracks. Some views also show the same vehicles from different angles which is ideal for modellers. Interestingly, even a few captured German vehicles in American use are included, and there are also several of German AFVs though mostly knocked-out to balance those of destroyed American tanks. Several German subjects are also depicted in the colour plates, though these mostly cover American subjects and even one of an ex-American Sherman in Germany service. Colour scheme matters are also detailed in the photo captions, which shows that not all vehicles were plain Olive Drab.
Although uniforms are not within the books' remit, most photos include crews and many also show supporting infantrymen which are all worthy of study, and several photos will also be useful for anyone wanting to put their models into a diorama setting. This should not be seen as simply a collection of photos with a few notes on each and some colour views, as it has been put together by someone knowledgeable on the subject who is prepared to provide detailed supporting information which lifts it far above a straight photo study.
Page created 1 November 2002