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Book Review
Histoire de la Panzerwaffe
Batailles et Blindés Hors Série 30 Histoire de la Panzerwaffe De Koursk à Berlin
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by: Olivier Carneau [ BISON126 ]

Introduction

This special issue of the Batailles et Blindes series is dedicated to the history of the German armored troops of WW2 and concludes the study started with the special issue #29. Coming in the usual format with a soft cover, it is written in French only and covers the period 1943 to 1945.

Review

The study is divided into 3 chapters. In the 116 pages, the author included 162 pictures, 30 color profiles, 1 4-view drawings and 36 tables and charts. The first chapter is entitled Le tournant de l’été 1943, Summer 1943 turn, and covers the period 6 July to 23 August 1943. The main focus is the battle of Kursk and its immediate consequences for the Panzerwaffe. It also deals with the new front created by the landing of the Allied in Italy.

The second chapter is entitled Europe occupée, la citadelle assiegée, Occupied Europe, the besieged citadel, and covers the year 1944. It focuses on the reorganization and equipment of the Panzer and PanzerGrenadier Divisions of the Wehrmacht and the Waffen-SS. Of course the main operations of this period, Overlord on the western front and Bagration on the eastern front are covered. The chapter concludes with the operation Wacht am Rhein.

The third and last chapter is entitled Le crépuscule de la Panzerwaffe, Panzerwaffe “sunset”, and covers the last months of the war till the fall of Berlin. Starting with the operations in Eastern France (Nordwind), the chapter then deals with the last offensive operations on the eastern front. In terms of equipment, the effects of the allied bombing on the German industrial complex prevent the production of the numerous tanks the Panzerwaffe needed. Instead, the period German industry issued more and more Panzerjäger which were more affordable in terms of resources. At the end of the war, the Panzerwaffe suffered the loss of nearly 30000 tanks and Panzerjäger.

Conclusion

This second volume demonstrates the long decline of the Panzerwaffe. Again, the numerous pictures and data provided by the author are really useful either for the modelers or those oriented to the history of the WWII.
SUMMARY
Highs: Numerous tables and charts about the organization of the Panzerwaffe and its evolution during the period covered.
Lows: Lack of maps which would help understand the main operations.
Verdict: A good reference which constitutes (with the first volume) a great introduction to this peculiar topic.
Percentage Rating
90%
  Scale: N/A
  Mfg. ID: M02031
  Suggested Retail: 14.90 €
  PUBLISHED: May 30, 2016
  NATIONALITY: Germany
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 82.86%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 87.46%

Our Thanks to Caraktère Presse et Editions!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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Copyright ©2021 text by Olivier Carneau [ BISON126 ]. All rights reserved.


Comments

ULIX-VM
good title and the text so good but you can need to understand the french language first.
MAY 30, 2016 - 02:26 AM
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