Oliver, Dennis Panzer IV, Medium Tank. German Army and Waffen-SS Normandy Campaign, Summer 1944

When the Allied armies landed on the Normandy beaches on 6 June 1944 the backbone of the armoured reaction force awaiting them was made up of 758 Pzkpfw IV tanks, a number which represents almost half the fully-tracked vehicles available for the defence of the West. The first models of these tanks had entered service in November 1937 and although replacements had been considered, the original design was continually up-gunned and up-armoured. Perhaps lacking the glamour of the Panther and Tiger, the most recent variant, the Pzkpfw IV Ausf H, was at least the equal of the best British and American tanks. Drawing on official documentation and unit histories Dennis Oliver investigates the formations that operated these deservedly famous vehicles and uses archive photos and extensively researched colour illustrations to examine the markings, camouflage and technical aspects of the Pzkpfw IV tanks that served on the Western Front during the critical summer of 1944. A key section of his book displays available model kits and aftermarket products, complemented by a gallery of beautifully constructed and painted models in various scales. Technical details as well as modifications introduced during production and in the field are also examined, providing everything the modeller needs to recreate an accurate representation of these historic vehicles.

The latest variant, the PzKpfW IV Ausf H, was at least on a par with the best British and American tanks, if not as glamorous as the "Panther" and the "Tiger". Based on official documents and unit histories, Dennis Oliver examines the formations that deployed these justifiably famous vehicles. Using archive photographs and extensively researched colour illustrations, he examines the markings, camouflage and technical aspects of the Panzer IV used on the Western Front during the critical summer of 1944. An important part of the book shows available model kits and retrofit products, complemented by a gallery of beautifully built and painted models in various scales. Technical details as well as modifications introduced during production and in service are also explored, providing everything the modeller needs to recreate an accurate representation of these historic vehicles.