Baxter, Ian The Panzerwaffe

Vehicles, Equipment, Weapons, Uniforms and Insignia

This is a richly illustrated chronicle of the German armored forces in the Second World War. From the beginnings of the Blitzkrieg in Poland in 1939 to the desperate final days of the war in 1945, this comprehensive volume illuminates the development of the armored forces and their support units. This includes the organization of a Panzer division, lists of light, medium, and heavy tanks, including assault guns, tank destroyers, anti-aircraft guns, and half-tracks. With over 200 rare and previously unpublished photographs, as well as forty detailed color profiles, photos, and illustrations, the book also covers the uniforms of tank and assault gun crews, vehicle camouflage schemes, the use and application of Zimmerit anti-mine paste, and division insignia. With insightful text and detailed captions, this book provides a detailed look at how the tactics and technology of the armored forces adapted to the changing course of the war. Tanks were often converted into fast, self-propelled artillery and anti-aircraft vehicles. These were gradually supplemented by fearsome heavy vehicles like the Panther and the Tiger. From the brutal battles on the Eastern Front at Kursk to their role in defending the beaches against the Allied landings on D-Day in the West, the book explains the key components of this effective fighting machine and is an indispensable reference work for military historians, model builders, and military enthusiasts alike.