Panzerkrieg : The Rise and Fall of Hitler's Tank Divisions - Hardcover

McCarthy, Peter & Mike Syron

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1841193925 ISBN 13: 9781841193922

Publisher: Constable, 2002

Synopsis

Blitzkrieg. For many the word conjures a vision of massed columns of tanks sweeping through Europe, smashing all resistance, relentless caterpillar treads leaving a trail of devastation in their wake. But the dramatic story of Hitler's tank divisions is more than one of mere mechanical efficiency. It hangs too on those who commanded and fought in them, and believed in their near-invincibility. These are the men who are the focus of this narrative - great generals like Guderian, Rommel, tank masters like Wittmann and Bake, and inspired commanders like Balck and Bayerlein dominate the story of Panzerkrieg. Dispensing with jargon, but including maps, illustrations and detail on uniforms, crew members and mechanical features of the machines, the authors of this volume give an historical overview of all aspects of the subject, both human and technical. They have also benefited from new information available since the opening of the Cold War archives. Emerging from the narrative is the whole vast canvas of the war, as it follows the titanic struggles which ranged between the bocage country of France, the desert wastes of North Africa, and the limitless Steppes of Russia. The development of German fighting vehicles and tactics is charted, and the many myths and misconceptions are exploded. Research and reference to the memoirs of the leading participants contributes to this assessment of the evolution, exploits and eventual destruction of this fighting force.

About this title

About the Author

Peter McCarthy was born in 1974 and works as a journalist in County Waterford. The authors first met when at University College Dublin where they soon discovered that they shared a fascination with the history of the Second World War, particularly that of the German armoured forces. Mike Syron was born in 1977 and works as an archaeologist in County Mayo.

Review

[Panzerkrieg] will please general history readers and enthusiasts alike. Very few specialised histories capture the story of Germany's WWII armoured forces as richly and concisely as this. * Kirkus Reviews * [Shows] very clearly what a powerful influence [Germany's armoured divisions] had in all the theatres of war where they were engaged. * Bill Woodhouse, Tank Magazine *

Edition details

• Publisher: Constable
• Publication date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1841193925
• ISBN 13: 9781841193922
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Illus. With Photos
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 320