Panzertruppen: The Complete Guide to the Creation & Combat Employment of Germany’s Tank Force, 1943-1945
In Panzertruppen Vol.2 (1943-1945), Thomas Jentz continues his documentation of 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 quickly advanced in North Africa. Russia’s turn was next when German troops 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 organisation? 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 second volume presents the defensive phase.
Book Data
Authors: Thomas Jentz
ISBN: 9780764300806
Pages: 304
Photos: 47 black & white photos + maps, charts
Language: English (US)
Physical: Hardcover, portrait
Contents
- Introduction
- DEFEAT IN NORTH AFRICA
- SURROUNDED AT STALINGRAD TO THE COUNTEROFFENSIVE TO RETAKE KHARKOV
- REORGANIZATION OF THE PANZERTRUPPEN – OCTOBER 1942 THROUGH DECEMBER 1943
- OPERATION ZITADELLE
- DEFENSE OF SICILY
- THE THIRD YEAR ON THE EASTERN FRONT.
- DEFENSE OF ITALY
- REORGANIZING AND REBUILDING THE PANZERTRUPPEN IN 1944
- INVASION OF NORMANDY TO THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE
- THE LAST YEAR ON THE EASTERN FRONT
- FORMATION OF THE LAST UNITS
- DEFENSE OF THE FATHERLAND
- Appendices