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Osprey Duel #2

Sherman Firefly vs Tiger: Normandy 1944

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The German Tiger heavy tank was a monster of a machine that dominated the battlefields of Europe. One of the most feared weapons of World War II, the Tiger gained an aura of invincibility that was only shattered by the introduction of the Sherman Firefly during the summer of 1944. Specifically designed by the British to combat the Tiger, the Sherman Firefly was based on the standard American M4A4 Sherman medium tank, but was fitted with a powerful 17-pounder gun which made it a deadly opponent for the Tiger.

This book describes the design and development of these two fierce opponents, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses and assessing their tactics, weaponry and training. Innovative gun-sight artwork puts the reader "inside" the tanks during famous real-life battle scenarios, including the infamous Panzer ace Michael Wittman leading four Tigers into battle against eight Fireflies, a clash of steel that was a victory not only for superior Allied numbers, but also for Allied tactics and engineering.

80 pages, Paperback

First published September 18, 2007

34 people want to read

About the author

Stephen A. Hart

23 books1 follower
See also works published as Stephen Ashley Hart

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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Profile Image for Antonio Bernarda.
81 reviews6 followers
December 25, 2020
Tiger vs Firefly narrates the duel between the legendary World War 2 german tank and the opponent who defeated the mighty german machine. A well summarized analysis that puts the two tanks into perspective so one can better understand the duel.
82 reviews12 followers
May 21, 2018
Useful comparison of two key tanks of the Second World War.
Profile Image for Steven Peterson.
Author 19 books328 followers
April 18, 2010
Another slender volume in the Osprey Duel series. The subject this time? Tanks. The beefed up Sherman Firefly versus the famous German Tiger.

The standard Sherman was underpowered in terms of its artillery. The Firefly was equipped with a much bigger cannon, serving as a tank destroyer. It was more formidable in combat against Tigers than the mainline Sherman.

This book discusses the effectiveness of the Firefly in combat with the Tiger tank. The book proceeds by discussing the development of the two tanks. There are also comparisons between the two, in terms of specifications, shells used, and so on. The information provides a useful basis for understanding the two. After a discussion of other issues, the book culminates with the description of the tank battle of early August 1944 in France.

A nice addition to the Osprey series.
Profile Image for David Cooling.
21 reviews
November 17, 2014
Light read about the development and use of two adversary tanks of World War 2. Informatative to anyone with a passing interest in the conflict in Normandy during 1944; in particular the events around the death of German track ace Michael Wittman. Aimed at the modelling community.
Profile Image for David Bystricky.
27 reviews8 followers
November 27, 2015
Good reading if you are interested in WWII topics and like to go into the detail. You'll encounter a lot of details about tech specs, tactics and significant battles, as well as pictures and maps. It also gave me a taste to make plastic models of both tanks...
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews

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