PMMS

book7046 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


From the prolific Steve Zaloga and following the format of earlier books in the series, this account covers the final campaigns of the US Army in the European Theatre of Operations from the viewpoint of the Armored Force using photos from American archives. There is a short introductory text to set the scene but the photos tell the main story with more than a little help from informative captions. As usual the choice of photos is good, with shots of what could be (if there is such a thing) typical tanks along with several unusual vehicles. These include some LVTs and rare vehicles such as the Aunt Jemima mine rollers, DD tanks, Calliopes and even Sherman Crocodiles as well as a locally-built bridgelayer. A number of themes are highlighted, one being up armouring tanks using sandbags, "expedient Jumbos" using extra plating taken from knocked-out vehicles and even concrete armour. Importantly in this area as with all the photos, the captions point out not only how different units approached this matter but they also tell us details of the unit, date and location which is good news for someone wanting to depict something more specific than just "A Sherman 1945". Unusual markings are also highlighted.

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

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