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

by Mike Syron, Mike Syron

For many people the very image of Blitzkrieg is of massed columns of tanks sweeping through Europe, smashing all resistance and leaving a trail of devastation in their wake. Indeed, it was the Panzers' achievements in battle that were largely responsible for Germany's early run of success in the Second World War and, once the tide of war began to turn against the Reich, the Panzers subsequently became the backbone of its defence.

The dramatic story of Hitler's tank divisions is brought to life in this authoritative narrative. Panzerkrieg vividly describes the evolution, exploits and eventual destruction of this superlative fighting force in immensely readable fashion. Particularly accessible to the general reader who wants to know more about Germany's Second World War tank forces, the authors dispense with technical jargon and pedantic detail to give a comprehensive overview of all aspects of the subject, both human and technical. The book gives particular emphasis to the men who fought in and led the Panzer divisions: great generals like Guderian, Rommel and Manstein, tank masters like Wittmann and Bake, and inspired commanders like Balck and Bayerlein.

The whole vast canvas of the war emerges from this narrative, 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 evolution of German fighting vehicles and tactics is fully charted, and the many myths, fallacies and misconceptions that have grown up around the Panzerwaffe are exploded. Extensive research, reference to the memoirs of the leading participants, and original new conclusions all contribute to a comprehensive account that critically examines the achievements, failures, and ultimate legacy of the Panzer divisions.

Features INCLUDE:

The secret pre-war birth and development of the Panzerwaffe
The lightning campaigns in Poland and France
The four bloody years of the Russian campaign, the greatest clash of arms the world has ever seen
The exploits of Rommel and his Africa Corps
Hitler's increasingly disastrous influence on the Panzerwaffe
Disputes between the Panzer officers and their High Command
Portraits of the Panzerwaffe's leaders
Detailed analysis of the great tank battles such as Kursk and the Battle of the Bulge, with clear maps
Comparative rank and organizational charts
Information on the technical evolution of Germany's armoured fighting vehicles, including the development of the mighty Tigers and Panthers
Unique sections on uniforms, crew functions and how German tanks were built
Rare coverage of how the Panzer leaders fared after the war
The legacy of the Panzers

Genres: Military History, History, World War II, Nonfiction

498 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2000

Reviews

[Robert Drumheller · Rating 4 out of 5]

The detailed listing of the tank aces was interesting and informative.

[Jari Havela · Rating 1 out of 5]

En heti ymmärrä, miksi tämä on kirjoitettu.

[Craig Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book covers, in narrative form, the entire formation and execution of the German tank army from 1937 through 1945. Packed with a lot of information, a few more pictures would have been great. The coverage of operations was thorough and contained a battle map for each of the major operations. Appendices include formation variances for each year of the war, a glossary of German terms, and a breakdown of the more famous Panzer Armies.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

9/10 Not having read another history of German tank warfare, I can't think of a better one. It's a balance of a timeline of WWII, a history of tank warfare, and technical data about German tanks and tank related equipment. I suppose if you know the subject well, this is only an overview. For me, it was a good refresher on the history with the right amount of detail I wanted. Also included: photos, glossary, index (with links in the index that work on the Kindle version).

[Matti Karjalainen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Achtung panzer! Ei mitään uutta ja ihmeellistä sotahistoriallisen taivaan alla, mutta ihan pätevä tietokirja kuitenkin Saksan panssarijoukoista toisen maailmansodan eri rintamilla. Heinz Gudreianin asemaa ja merkitystä korostetaan suuresti.

[Mansoor Azam · Rating 3 out of 5]

a good n well written book .

[Art · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basic overview of the Panzer war, A good primer if you are new to panzer combat and tactics but if you have been around this subject anytime there is little new here to see.

[Michael Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overview of panzer battles during World War Two. Also a b brief description of the various types of German tanks and their commanders.

[Steven]

Good overview of the Third Reich's use of a new technology molded into in new strategy.