Introduction

Caraktere Presse & Editions continue to expand their range with this new WW2 Arsenal series dedicated to tanks and mechanized warfare. The first volume in the series is focused on the German tanks, i.e. tanks built either in Germany or in Czechoslovakia after the annexation of this country. So the Beute panzers are not covered there.

Review

The paperback book comes in the A4 format and is printed on semi-mat coated paper. The text is provided in full English and a French version exists as well.

Throughout the 192 pages, the author, Laurent Tirone, goes into the details and characteristic features of the various German tanks and their versions (Ausf). Note that the variants (Berge panzer for instance) are not covered in this book.

Each family of tanks is introduced by a general historical overview. Then the author presents each version with a short text focused on the evolutions from the previous version. In addition a technical datasheet gives you the details about the manufacturers, the armor specifications, the automotive components and radio, the automotive capacities and the armament. A number of pictures and one or more 4-view color drawings illustrate each version.

All in all, the volume provides the reader with 202 pictures (many of them being previously unseen) and 52 4-view color drawings. In addition, over 60 color profiles illustrate the Panzer III, the Panzer IV, the Panther, the Tiger I and the Tiger II.

Conclusion

As a conclusion, this encyclopaedia is highly recommended as it is a great introduction into German armor of the World War 2. It bodes well for the future of the new series started by Caraktere Presse & Editions.