Panzertaktik - German Small-Unit Armor Tactics - Hardcover

Wolfgang Schneider

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0921991525 ISBN 13: 9780921991526

Publisher: Fedorowicz (J.J.),Canada, 2000

Synopsis

Hard cover, large format (9"x12"), 512 pages, 600+ black and white photos, maps and diagrams. Wolfgang Schneider has written the definitive account of German Army small-unit tactics in World War 2. Using period training manuals, after-action reports, countless interviews with Panzer veterans and his own experiences as a highly successful armor commander in the Bundeswehr, Schneider describes period Panzer tactics and couples this narrative with related maps and diagrams and hundreds of exciting photographs. Indeed, the photographs alone are worth the price of the book. Drawing on many previously unpublished sources, the photos illustrate all of the concepts presented in the text.

Concentrating at the battalion level and below, Schneider discusses the major types of small-unit operational art — the offense and the defense — as well as road marches, reconnaissance, command and control, working with other arms of service, life in a tank, armor training and gunnery and the future of armor. The text provides useful insight into armor tactics for both the layman and the armor professional.

This title plugs a gap in the available literature, since very little has been written on the topic for the general public by soldiers who are intimately familiar with the demands of armored warfare.

This is the third title written by Wolfgang Schneider for J.J. Fedorowicz Publishing. It joins the hugely successful titles, Tigers in Combat and Tigers in Combat 2, as an indispensable reference work on World War 2 armor.

About this title

Review:

Wolfgang Schneider has achieved a rare feat considering the mountain of books dealing with the panzers in WW2. He actually adds to contemporary understanding of the tactical supremacy achieved by German tank units. Most readers will be familiar with the technical superiority of the Tiger and Panther during the later half of the war. Likewise, every military historian emphasises the critical importance of the Blitzkrieg ('Lightning War') tactics in enabling Germany's early victories. Less well understood is how the tactical superiority of the panzer units was actually achieved at the level of individual small units (single vehicles up to Company size deployments). The book presents a combination of many previously unpublished photographs, excerpts from troop manuals and explanatory text all working together to reveal the detailed operational tactics of the panzers. The book is divided into chapters each dealing with a single phase of tactical deployment - from reconnaisance and unit movements through deployment to offensive and defensive operations and gunnery. Individual sections deal with such topics as command and control,camouflage, breaching obstacles, selection of positions, observation and gunnery. Embellished with many new photographs, excellently reproduced and often at full page size, this book puts you right in the turret of the Tigers. Highly recommended reading for those wishing to better understand the panzers' legendary dominance of the WW2 battlefield. --Neil Patrick

As the title implies, the book covers the variety of tactics employed by German small armour units in the Second World War. However, this book is not a dry analysis of armour tactics, far from it. It is a lavishly illustrated photobook as well. The book contains over 600 photographs, a good majority of which have not been published before. Photo reproduction is very good and most of them are printed at a maximum of 2 per page with a good smattering of full page prints. On a 9" x 12" page, this means large clear images where lots of details can be seen. Chapter summary: Chapter 1: Offensive Operations Chapter 2: Defensive Operations Chapter 3: Unit Movements Chapter 4: Reconnaissance Chapter 5: Command and Control Chapter 6: Logistics and Maintenance Chapter 7: Combined Arms Operations Chapter 8: Life in a Tank Chapter 9: Training and Tank Gunnery Chapter 10: Armour Tactics - Today and Tomorrow Each chapter includes a large amount of images which illustrate the points being discussed in the text. For example, in the Logistics and Maintenance chapter, the various scenarios and situations are shown with vehicles in various states of recovery and repair. Those who are looking for interesting photos of the Famo with Sdh116 trailer have come to the right place. The book is filled with images that I have never seen in print before, some of which have been added as thumbnails at the bottom of this page. The coverage is extensive ranging from recovery vehicles to every class of panzer produced during the war. The amount of unique Panther images is breathtaking as well as one particular image I found of a late Panzer IV Ausf J equipped with Thoma shields in action, not as usually seen sitting knocked out on the side of the road. Throughout the book there are a large variety of diagrams showing actual combat actions with reference to what particular scenario is being discussed in the text. The author's own personal experience with tanks is evident as his writing style is much more "hands on" and easy to read as opposed to being too theoretical, academic and dry. A refreshing change and quite welcome to those of us who haven't had the chance to serve on a tank. Some people seem put off from spending [this price] on a book, but yet are content with spending [more] to own 4 inferior quality soft cover reference books filled with small photos that have been published elsewhere numerous times. Page for page, photo for photo this book represe --By Andrew Dextras

Well, one of the reviews stated there wasn't enough Tactics and strategy explained in this treatise on German small armor unit tactics. Only over 100 pages? How many pages of pure Tactics does one need? Within 15 minutes of receiving this book I learned more about Armor and Armored tactics than I ever have, not to mention all I have yet to learn from it. It is an incredible book the likes of which are rare indeed. Patton would loved to have had this book. It is a primer and not only explains the doctrine behind German armored warfare, but offers actual battle reports, applications, and reviews to illustrate the doctrines used and the methodology employed. As any combat vet knows, no plan survives first contact with the enemy. Apparently PanzerTaktiks does just that, German Armor was VERY effective when practiced according to these tactics. History is the proof. I Strongly suggest this book to Armor enthusiasts, military historians, Wargamers and anyone who wishes to better thier understanding of Small Unit Armored Tactics. --By Kevin Perry

About this edition

• Publisher: Fedorowicz (J.J.),Canada
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0921991525
• ISBN 13: 9780921991526
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 512