Panzertruppen Vol.1 (1933-1942)

Panzertruppen: The Complete Guide to the Creation & Combat Employment of Germany’s Tank Force – 1933-1942

In Panzertruppen Vol.1 (1933-1942), Thomas Jentz looks at the creation and deployment of the Panzerwaffe.

In September of 1939, the world was astounded by Germany’s ability to defeat Poland in less than a month. With the world still puzzled by the suddenness of this event, Denmark, Norway, Holland, Belgium, and France fell in rapid succession to the German onslaught, leaving Britain in shock. Greece and Yugoslavia were rapidly overrun in April of 1941, while German-Italian forces advanced rapidly in North Africa. Russia’s turn was next when German forces began pulverising their forces in June of 1941.

How had Germany achieved victory after victory, often against numerically superior enemy forces? The answer came in two words: Panzer and Blitzkrieg. How and when had Germany built its Panzer forces and trained them for the Blitzkrieg? When was each Panzer unit formed? What was their organization? Why were Panzer units disbursed among the Panzer Divisions, leichte Divisions, and Armee-Korps? When were the various types of Panzers developed? What were their armament, armour protection, and capability? How many of each type were produced? What tactics did they use? How successful were they in combat?

This is the only book that provides detailed answers to these and other questions about how German tankers fought in World War II. Thomas Jentz found the answers to these questions by digging through original records for the past twenty-five years. The content of this book is derived solely from these original records consisting of war diaries, reports, and technical and tactical manuals written during the war. The story is told as recorded by those responsible for decisions in developing the Panzertruppen and by those who fought in the Panzers. As work on this book progressed, it became apparent that the story of the Panzertruppen was divided into two distinctly separate phases; offensive and defensive. This first volume presents the offensive phase up to October 1942. A second volume covers the defensive phase to the end of the war.

Book Data

Authors: Thomas Jentz
ISBN: 9780887409158
Pages: 288
Photos: 200 black & white photos + maps, charts
Language: English (US)
Physical: Hardcover, portrait

Contents

• Introduction
• DEVELOPMENT OF THE FIRST GERMAN TANKS AFTER WORLD WAR I
• THE FIRST PANZER UNITS AND PANZER-DIVISION
• CREATION OF THE FIRST THREE PANZER-DIVISIONS
• PANZER-BRIGADES, MOTORIZED INFANTRY AND LEICHTE DIVISIONS
• TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT AND ITS EFFECT ON ORGANIZATION
• TACTICAL CAPABILITIES OF THE PANZERS
• PANZERS IN THE SPANISH CIVIL WAR
• EXPANSION OF THE PANZERTRUPPEN – FROM 1936 TO 1 SEPTEMBER 1939
• TACTICS EMPLOYED BY A PANZER-KOMPANIE
• FALL WEISS – 1 SEPTEMBER 1939
• REORGANIZATION – OCTOBER 1939 TO MAY 1940
• OPERATION WESERUEBUNG – 9 APRIL 1940
• FALL GELB – 10 MAY 1940
• REORGANIZATION – JULY 1940 TO JUNE 1941
• OPERATION MARITA – 6 APRIL 1941
• OPERATION SONNENBLUME – 1941
• OPERATION SONNENBLUME – 1942
• OPERATION BARBAROSSA – 22 JUNE 1941
• REORGANIZATION – JULY 1941 TO OCTOBER 1942
• OPERATIONS IN RUSSIA – THROUGH OCTOBER 1942
• Appendices