Death Traps: The Survival of an American Armored Division in World War II

American Shermans vs. German Panzers

Death Traps is a book about the survival of an America armored division in World War II. Belton Cooper, the author of the book, explains his trials as an ordnance officer while he served in the 3rd armored division. His job was to repair mainly M4 Sherman tanks that had been damaged in battle. The inferiority of American weapons is explained in how the American Sherman tanks stood against the German Panzers. Panzers had thicker armor and faster muzzle velocity than the Sherman tanks so when it came to the battle field the Sherman tanks had little chance of withstanding the superiority of German Panzers. Although a better tank called the M26 Pershing was available it was rejected because General Patton thought that tanks should completely avoid armored divisions on the opposing side. Germans had also laid out mines in the hedgerows which made it even harder for American tanks to maneuver through the rough terrain. Eventually the M26 Pershing was put into combat but it was not at the time that Cooper had wanted them and needed them the most. The major message of the book illustrates that eventually an armored division will eventually have to fight against another armored division and that the use of inferior weapons will only result in a loss. What I liked about the book is that it goes into detail on how the German and American weapons differed and how the Americans suffered because of the inferiority of their weapons. I also liked how it explained how tanks were maintained and how they recovered and repaired the tanks. What I didn¿t like is that even though Americans had a better tank that could better withstand the Panzer it was not used because of the belief that tanks should not fight other tanks. I recommend this book to those that have an interest in weaponry, and especially an interest in the various tanks used in World War II. This book is not for those that lack interest in the details and technicalities of war.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Death

(Hunting grounds)

A good personal history from WWII

I enjoyed this book but found that the author repeated sections such as his comparisons between American and German armor. This was an interesting book and I encourage those interested in that area of history to read this book.

Great Book

I like the different view of this book- an ordnance officer who has to deal with keeping the tanks and other vehicles running, making sure those that are badly damaged get repaired and those that are beyond repair are replaced, all while having to travel back and forth through ground that isn't fully cleared of the enemy.

interesting read.

Well, I'm about halfway through the book and its pretty good but it seems to be a description of the Normandy invasion more than a description of maintaining and recovering Shermans. There is some information in that regard, but so far most of the text is describing the progress of the 3rd Armored division. Anyway, still a good book but didn't seem to match my expectation from seeing the cover and title.

The story that was concealed

Fabulous book. The seamy underside of sending american men to war in inferior equipment. Should be read in conjuction with the biography of MG Maurice Rose.

A reviewer

Everyone is familiar with World War 2. Almost everyone has heard of We Band of Brothers and Citizen Solders other World War 2 classics. Death Traps by Belton Y. Cooper are in a league completely on its own. Its is a compelling story about a lieutenant in the 3rd armored division of the USA army. This novel is about Belton Y. Cooper¿s journey from Normandy to Germany. A well written classic to be, it is worthy of Medal of Honor of books. Along with Cooper¿s story he also includes a huge amount of information about tanks, you will not have known about. This great novel should be stacked among the classics in a book store. This novel has potential to be this. You could pick up this book without knowing anything about World War 2. Then finally come out an expert. For example a little bit of textual evidence of my theory is, ¿A few days later, a lone German Civilian came to headquarters and asked to see the commanding officer. Although he was shabbily dressed, as most civilians were at that time, his bearing and manner suggested that he was well-educated. He told Colonel McCarthy that he had orders from G5 to get the records in the basement. McCarthy smelled a rat.¿ That quote was also my personal favorite of the book. Before I read this book I had a moderate knowledge of World War 2. Now I can safely say that I have become and expert in the 3rd armory division

Could Be Better...

The title will get your attention but all the numbers will run together after awhile.It does have it's merits as the author details his life in the maintenance divison.The awful job of cleaning out a tank with the blood/tissue from battlefield casualties,a smell that never leaves that particular vehicle.And over & over to the point the story just repeats itself.I really had to struggle to finish this book.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

eh.....

This book was not very interesting. There is not much first hand account in this book. Since he was maintenance he tells vague stories that he heard about tanks he has seen. There are many numbers in this book if you like to know figures and number of units. He mostly describes the features of the tanks and few first hand accounts.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Outstanding World War II Book

This is an outstanding World War II book covering the campaign in Western Europe. At one level it is an ultimate 'toys for big boys' with tanks, Me-262's, and even a V-2. Where the book really shines is in pointing out how the lack of military preparedness let to unneccessary casualites and possible extension of the war. Of particular interest is how Patton blustered a comittee responsible for choosing the main battle tank into adopting the M-4 Sherman rather than the the far more capable M-26 Pershing on the basis that he didn't think German tanks would oppose American tanks. The book also shines in explaining the design of armored vehicles.

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