Review by Terry Ashley

The format of the book has mostly large images, many being just one to a page with the text confined to image captions to maximise the space for the images.

Many of the images are previously unpublished while others have been seen before and give an excellent insight into the ferocity of war and also provide excellent material for the diorama builder with the surrendering images being of particular interest.

Pages 1 to 15 have a series of photos showing the surrender of mixed elements of 11.Panzer-Division and Pz.Jg.Abt.553 at Schwarzback on the Czech/Austrian border with shots of Jadgpanzer 38s, a few Maultiers and a couple of interesting photos of a captured M3 Half-track fitted out with Wurfrahmen 40 mountings.

The next 15 pages have various shots of destroyed Panthers, Panzer IIIs included 4 pages with shots of a converted Panzer III recovery vehicle (a British conversion on a captured vehicle), a couple of a StuG M42 mit 75/18 850(i), StuG M42 mit 75/34 850(i) and Pz.Sfl.1 für 7.62cm PaK36 and a knocked out Sd.Kfz.231 8 Rad.

Pages 31 to 59 show the surrender of the remnants of 1./s.Pz.Jg.Abt512 at Iserlohn, Germany on April 16, 1945 with numerous well known shots of Jadgtigers along with many of the accompanying German soldiers surrendering their arms such as Panzerfausts and MG42s. Other Abt'512 vehicles shown are Bergepanthers, Sd.Kfz.250s and 251s and a couple if interesting shots of captured M3A1 White Scout Car.

The following pages 60 to 86 have further shots of destroyed Panzer II Ausf.F, StuG IV and Panzer IVs, Panthers, a Möbelwagen a couple of StuG III Ausf.Gs and several Sd.Kfz.251s plus two shots of a running Pz.Kpfw.35 R 731(f).

The final pages show the surrender of elements of s.H.Pz.Jg.Abt.655 showing numerous Jadgpanzer IV L/70s and Jagdpanthers.

Conclusion:
Another excellent collection of photos that offer excellent diorama potential as well as conveying the intensity of wartime actions and the surrendering unit photos show the vehicles intact showing the markings of the time as well as good shots of the accompanying personnel uniforms.

The size of the photos allows good details to be shown not only of the vehicle but of the cam schemes including the extensive use of foliage due the Allies air superiority late in the war.
The insightful and informative captions also add to the value of the photos and this series continues to be an invaluable reference for the modeller.

Highly recommended.

Thanks to Lee Archer of Panzerwrecks for the review book.

Page created December 1, 2006