Hitler's Light Panzers At War (Images Of War - Rare Photographs From Wartime Archives)

This first release with Pen & Sword Books by Panzerwaffe Historian and rare Image Collector Paul Thomas examines through the use of his own personal photo collection the Wehrmacht's Leichte Panzer divisions and their Armoured Fighting Vehicle's (AFV) development, operational tactics, and use from their formation through to their first use in the Spanish Civil War, and all the way through to the end of the Second World War. These often out gunned and out armoured AFVs were nonetheless greatly loved by their crews both for their high manoeuvrability, and for their high road speeds over rugged terrain in all types of conditions. This skill made them particularly useful for long range reconnaissance or scouting patrols ahead of an advancing main battle force - a role which they carried out until the strategic situation made such use superfluous (1943-44). Another advantage was their light weight which meant that they could be easily transhipped by both sea and air transport methods, including by glider, and in turn they served all across Europe from the fields of France through to the flat plains of The Ukraine, and to as far afield as Norway, Denmark, North Africa, Tunisia, Greece, Crete, Yugoslavia, Italy and Sicily. Their roles covered the whole gamut of service life from training drivers, through to assisting in anti-partisan operations and carrying out frontline duties. Some of the models covered include vehicles like the Skoda Works Czechoslovakian manufactured and designed AFVs, which after that Country was occupied by the Reich were thought of so highly by the Panzerwaffe that they took them over and called them the Panzerkampfwagen 35 or 38(t). Other AFVs covered included the Panzerwaffe's earliest AFVs, the Panzerkampfwagen I and II and all their many derivatives including their modification into highly efficient self-propelled artillery. Hitler's Light Panzers at War is a highly illustrated record of the German light tank from its beginnings in the 1930s to the key battles it fought in Poland, France, North Africa, Russia and North Western Europe. The book analyses the development of the light Panzer, which ranged from the Panzer I, II and the Czech build Panzer 35 amp; 38t. It describes how the Germans carefully utilized the development of these light machines for war, and depicts how these tanks were adapted and up-gunned to face the ever-increasing enemy threat.#8232;#8232;Using 250 rare and unpublished photographs together with detailed captions and accompanying text, Hitler's Light Panzers At War provides a unique insight into the many variants that saw action on the battlefield. It provides a vivid account of light Panzer operational deployment from the early Blitzkrieg campaigns to the final demise of the Nazi war machine. [Elib] Hitler’s Light Panzers at War is a highly illustrated record of the German light tank from its beginnings in the 1930s to the key battles it fought in Poland, France, North Africa, Russia and North Western Europe. The book analyzes the development of the light Panzer, which ranged from the Panzer I, II and the Czech build Panzer 35 & 38t. It describes how the Germans carefully utilized the development of these light machines for war, and depicts how these tanks were adapted and up-gunned to face the ever-increasing enemy threat. Using 250 rare and unpublished photographs together with detailed captions and accompanying text, Hitler’s Light Panzers At War provides a unique insight into the many variants that saw action on the battlefield. It provides a vivid account of light Panzer operational deployment from the early Blitzkrieg campaigns to the final demise of the Nazi war machine. Covers all the light tanks in use by the Nazis from the 1930s to the final surrender. Rare images and comprehensive text make this a 'must have' book for collectors, war gamers, model makers and WW2 enthusiasts.