Armor Battles of the Waffen-SS

Armor Battles of the Waffen-SS
Author: Will Fey
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
Total Pages: 417
Release: 2021-08-01
Genre: History
ISBN: 0811769178

The Waffen-SS were considered the elite of the German armed forces in the Second World War and were involved in almost continuous combat. From the sweeping tank battle of Kursk on the Russian front to the bitter fighting among the hedgerows of Normandy and the last great offensive in the Ardennes, forever immortalized in history as the Battle of the Bulge, these men and their tanks made history.

Michael Wittmann and the Waffen SS Tiger Commanders of the Leibstandarte in World War II

Michael Wittmann and the Waffen SS Tiger Commanders of the Leibstandarte in World War II
Author: Patrick Agte
Publisher: Stackpole Books
Total Pages: 452
Release: 2006
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 0811733351

Accounts of what it was like to command a tank in combat Contains maps, official documents, newspaper clippings, and orders of battle Volume Two follows Michael Wittmann and his unit into Normandy to defend against the Allied invasion. A week after D-Day, Wittmann achieved his greatest success. On June 13, 1944, near Villers Bocage, the panzer ace and his crew attacked a British armored unit, single-handedly destroying more than a dozen tanks and preventing an enemy breakthrough. The exploit made Wittmann a national hero in Germany and a legend in the annals of war. He was killed two months later while attempting to repulse an Allied assault, but the book continues beyond his death until the Leibstandarte's surrender.

German Tank Destroyers

German Tank Destroyers
Author: Pierre Tiquet
Publisher: Casemate
Total Pages: 193
Release: 2021-08-04
Genre: History
ISBN: 1612009077

An “unusually well-detailed” pictorial history of the entire class of vehicles including the Hornisse, Jagdpanzer 38, Jagdpanzer IV, and Elefant (AMPS). From the early days of World War II, it was clear that the Wehrmacht’s antitank units would need to be motorized as existing horse- or automobile-drawn units were too slow to be effective. Initially, antitank guns were mounted onto available, usually obsolete, tank chassis, such as the Panzerjäger I and II. However, German engineers would soon turn to the heavy chasses of the Panzer IV, the Panther, and the Tiger for their tank hunters. It became apparent during the invasion of France that enemy antitank guns were both more powerful and better armored, and improvement became a priority during Barbarossa as German units faced off against the new Soviet tanks. The appearance of the Soviet T-34 in July 1941 meant that the Germans had to quickly come up with something equally powerful. The result was the motorized panzerjäger, faster and more mobile than older towed versions. This was followed in 1942 by the introduction of the 7.5cm gun. Further designs and modifications were informed by reports from the front line. Some of these conversions were very successful and resulted in fearsome tank destroyers deployed to great effect by the Wehrmacht. The lightweight Hetzer, for example, was based on a modified Panzer 38(t) and entered service in 1944. This small tank became Germany’s main tank destroyer during the final stages of the war, and would continue in use around the world even after 1945. Though they may not have looked that intimidating, the Landser were soon won over, and were comforted to have something reliable to stand between them and the Soviet tanks. This account, illustrated by hundreds of period photos, examines the development and deployment of various models of tank destroyers during World War II. “A very nice reference resource, with lots of detail and diorama inspiration for modelers.” —Military Model Scene

Panzer Aces III

Panzer Aces III
Author: Franz Kurowski
Publisher: Stackpole Books
Total Pages: 338
Release: 2010
Genre: History
ISBN: 0811706540

Chronicles the exploits and battlefield achievements of decorated German tank commanders who led their feared Panzer tank battalions in battle.

Michael Wittmann & the Waffen SS Tiger Commanders of the Leibstandarte in WWII

Michael Wittmann & the Waffen SS Tiger Commanders of the Leibstandarte in WWII
Author: Patrick Agte
Publisher: Stackpole Books
Total Pages: 430
Release: 2006-08-25
Genre: History
ISBN: 0811743365

German Panzer ace Michael Wittmann was by far the most famous tank commander on any side in World War II, destroying 138 enemy tanks and 132 anti-tank guns with his Tiger. In this continuation of his story, Volume Two follows Wittmann and his unit into Normandy to defend against the Allied invasion and provides maps, official documents, newspaper clippings, and orders of battle. A week after D-Day, Wittmann achieved his greatest success. On June 13, 1944, near Villers Bocage, the panzer ace and his crew attacked a British armored unit, single-handedly destroying more than a dozen tanks and preventing an enemy breakthrough. The exploit made Wittmann a national hero in Germany and a legend in the annals of war. He was killed two months later while attempting to repulse an Allied assault, but the book continues beyond his death until the Leibstandarte's surrender.

Stalin's Armour, 1941–1945

Stalin's Armour, 1941–1945
Author: Anthony Tucker-Jones
Publisher: Casemate Publishers
Total Pages: 307
Release: 2021-03-15
Genre: History
ISBN: 1526777940

With over 60 photos, this look at the role of Red Army tanks in Hitler’s defeat “will be of interest to modelers and military historians alike” (AMPS Indianapolis). Stalin’s purge of army officers in the late 1930s and disputes about tank tactics meant that Soviet armored forces were in disarray when Hitler invaded in 1941. As a result, during Operation Barbarossa, the Wehrmacht’s 3,200 panzers ran circles round the Red Army’s tank force of almost 20,000—and thousands of Soviet tanks were disabled or destroyed. Yet within two years of this disaster the Red Army’s tank arm had regained its confidence and numbers and was in a position to help turn the tide and liberate the Soviet Union. This is the remarkable story Anthony Tucker-Jones relates in this concise, highly illustrated history of the part played by Soviet armor in the war on the Eastern Front. Chapters cover each phase of the conflict, from Barbarossa, through the battles at Moscow, Stalingrad and Kursk to the massive, tank-led offensives that drove the Wehrmacht back to Berlin. Technical and design developments are covered, but so are changes in tactics and the role of the tanks in the integrated all-arms force that crushed German opposition.

German Order of Battle

German Order of Battle
Author: Samuel W. Mitcham
Publisher: Stackpole Books
Total Pages: 388
Release: 2007-08-21
Genre: History
ISBN: 0811746542

Narrative histories highlighting organization, combat experiences, and casualties of each division. Lists of constituent units and division commanders. Sources for further reading on each division.