Both the 17-pdr "Achilles" and the "Jagdpanther" were arguably the best self-propelled anti-tank guns used by the British, Canadian and German forces fighting in north-west Europe in 1944-45. Specially commissioned artwork and carefully selected photographs tell the story of the development, combat use and legacy of the two types in the closing stages of the Second World War in north-west Europe. The "Achilles" was based on the mobile, lightly armoured M10 design, which was originally developed for the US Army. Its main armament, the 17-pounder QF anti-tank gun, was mounted in a fully rotating turret. In contrast, the impressive 8.8 cm PaK 43 cannon of the "Jagdpanther" was mounted in a fixed casemate. Both "Achilles" and "Jagdpanther" were manned by artillerymen instead of tankers and were anti-tank guns, not tanks or assault guns. Their main purpose was to take out enemy tanks, not to attack infantry or lead an attack or pursuit. Sometimes they faced each other, notably in the fighting in the Reichswald in February 1945, and this fully illustrated work tells the story of their development and tactical use, and what happened when these two very different designs clashed in battle.
Group
Books (first-hand)
Author
Baldwin, Frank/Chasemore, Richard (Illustr.)
Title
Jagdpanther vs 17-pdr Achilles. North-West Europe 1944-45
Details
English text, numerous colour illustrations, some colour plates. 80 pages.
