Hitler's Panzers: The Complete History 1933-1945
Anthony Tucker-Jones traces the evolution of the panzers from their modest beginnings to the most powerful German tanks used in World War II.

Often it is assumed that Hitler’s panzers stormed into action perfectly formed, driving through the armies of the Poles in 1939 and the French in 1940 and defeating them. The dramatic blitzkrieg victories won by the Wehrmacht early in the Second World War – in which the panzers played a leading role – tend to confirm this impression. But, as Anthony Tucker-Jones demonstrates in this illustrated, comprehensive and revealing history of the panzers, this is far from the truth.

As armoured fighting vehicles the early panzers were no better than – sometimes inferior to – those of their opponents, but their tactics rather than their technology gave them an advantage. Later on German tank designers developed technically superior tanks but these could not be built fast enough or in sufficient numbers. For all their excellence, they were overwhelmed by the American Shermans and Soviet T-34s that were produced in their tens of thousands.

This is the story Anthony Tucker-Jones relates as he traces the evolution of the panzers from the modest beginnings in the 1930s to the Panzer IVs, Panthers and Tigers which were the most formidable German tanks of the war. Not only does he cover their design and production history, he also assesses their combat performance and gives a fascinating insight into the decision-making at the highest level which directed German tank design.
1132759349
Hitler's Panzers: The Complete History 1933-1945
Anthony Tucker-Jones traces the evolution of the panzers from their modest beginnings to the most powerful German tanks used in World War II.

Often it is assumed that Hitler’s panzers stormed into action perfectly formed, driving through the armies of the Poles in 1939 and the French in 1940 and defeating them. The dramatic blitzkrieg victories won by the Wehrmacht early in the Second World War – in which the panzers played a leading role – tend to confirm this impression. But, as Anthony Tucker-Jones demonstrates in this illustrated, comprehensive and revealing history of the panzers, this is far from the truth.

As armoured fighting vehicles the early panzers were no better than – sometimes inferior to – those of their opponents, but their tactics rather than their technology gave them an advantage. Later on German tank designers developed technically superior tanks but these could not be built fast enough or in sufficient numbers. For all their excellence, they were overwhelmed by the American Shermans and Soviet T-34s that were produced in their tens of thousands.

This is the story Anthony Tucker-Jones relates as he traces the evolution of the panzers from the modest beginnings in the 1930s to the Panzer IVs, Panthers and Tigers which were the most formidable German tanks of the war. Not only does he cover their design and production history, he also assesses their combat performance and gives a fascinating insight into the decision-making at the highest level which directed German tank design.
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Hitler's Panzers: The Complete History 1933-1945

Hitler's Panzers: The Complete History 1933-1945

by Anthony Tucker-Jones
Hitler's Panzers: The Complete History 1933-1945

Hitler's Panzers: The Complete History 1933-1945

by Anthony Tucker-Jones

eBook

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Overview

Anthony Tucker-Jones traces the evolution of the panzers from their modest beginnings to the most powerful German tanks used in World War II.

Often it is assumed that Hitler’s panzers stormed into action perfectly formed, driving through the armies of the Poles in 1939 and the French in 1940 and defeating them. The dramatic blitzkrieg victories won by the Wehrmacht early in the Second World War – in which the panzers played a leading role – tend to confirm this impression. But, as Anthony Tucker-Jones demonstrates in this illustrated, comprehensive and revealing history of the panzers, this is far from the truth.

As armoured fighting vehicles the early panzers were no better than – sometimes inferior to – those of their opponents, but their tactics rather than their technology gave them an advantage. Later on German tank designers developed technically superior tanks but these could not be built fast enough or in sufficient numbers. For all their excellence, they were overwhelmed by the American Shermans and Soviet T-34s that were produced in their tens of thousands.

This is the story Anthony Tucker-Jones relates as he traces the evolution of the panzers from the modest beginnings in the 1930s to the Panzer IVs, Panthers and Tigers which were the most formidable German tanks of the war. Not only does he cover their design and production history, he also assesses their combat performance and gives a fascinating insight into the decision-making at the highest level which directed German tank design.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781526741592
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Limited
Publication date: 10/01/2024
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 240
File size: 38 MB
Note: This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Anthony Tucker-Jones is a former defense intelligence officer and a widely published expert on regional conflicts, counter-terrorism and armored and aerial warfare. He is the author of over thirty books, is security and terrorism correspondent for intersec – The Journal of International Security, and has freelanced for Channel 4 News.

Table of Contents

List of Plates vii

Introduction 1

Part I Designing Tractors 7

Chapter 1 Goodbye Versailles 9

Chapter 2 Going Farming 17

Chapter 3 We Need a Tank Killer 25

Chapter 4 A Blind Alley 33

Chapter 5 Tank Killer Par Excellence 41

Chapter 6 Bring Me a Tiger 49

Chapter 7 I Want a T-34 59

Part II Off to War 71

Chapter 8 Blitzkrieg Babies 73

Chapter 9 Panzers in North Africa 83

Chapter 10 Panzers on the Steppe 97

Chapter 11 Failure at Kursk 105

Chapter 12 An Italian Sideshow 115

Chapter 13 Panzers in Normandy 119

Part III Sturmgeschütz Not Panzers 127

Chapter 14 Fiddling While Rome Burns 129

Chapter 15 Firmly on the Defensive 141

Part IV Wasted Opportunities 147

Chapter 16 The Last Hurrah 149

Chapter 17 To the Bitter End 157

Chapter 18 No Wonder Weapon 161

Appendices 171

A Panzer, Assault Gun and Tank Destroyer Production 173

B Panzer and Panzergrenadier Divisions 175

C Panzer I Variants 179

D Panzer II Variants 183

E Panzer III Variants 189

F Panzer IV Variants 197

G Tiger I and II Variants 205

H Panther Variants 213

Bibliography 219

Index 223

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