Soviet Armour Since 1945

by Bryan Perrett

This book covers the development of the Soviet armored corps, its tanks, missiles, and tactics and theories since the end of World War Two.

160 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

Bryan Perrett was born in 1934 and educated at Liverpool College. He served in the Royal Armoured Corps, the 17th/21st Lancers, Westminster Dragoons, and the Royal Tank Regiment, and was awarded the Territorial Decoration.A professional military historian for many years, his books include "A History of the Blitzkrieg" and "Knights of the Black Cross - Hitler's Panzerwaffe and its Leaders". His treatise Desert Warfare was widely consulted during the Gulf War. His most recent works, including "Last Stand, At All Costs" and "Against all Odds" examine aspects of motivation. During the Falklands and Gulf Wars Bryan Perrett served as Defense Correspondent to the Liverpool Echo. His books are widely read on both sides of the Atlantic and have been translated into several languages.

Reviews

[Sleepy Boy]

Good pictorial overview of Soviet Armor. Perfunctory text.

[Martin Koenigsberg]

When Brian Perret wrote this in 1986/87, I'll wager he had NO IDEA that the Soviet Union would collapse only a few years later (1989-91). On the other hand, with the exception of the Semi-Mythical "Armata" tank, this book still essentially describes the Russian Federation and Soviet Successor States' tanks forces so the book is a strange mix of Cold war relic- and modern warfare source. Perret, a prolific military writer on WWII and Cold War topics, traces the history and development of Soviet Armour- from the T34-85 (85mm gun- not the year), and JS-3 Tanks that bested the "Big Cats" of the Nazi Panzer Force to the T54/55, T-62, and T-72/74s that were the staples of the Cold War - and the many brush fire wars of the period where proxies used the gear designed for the Fulda Gap to fight in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. There's history- description of development and a bit about tactics and strategy. It's not just tanks, of course -but Armoured Personnel Carriers, mobile AA and Artillery vehicles, Engineering vehicles and Prime movers. It's compelling- and it is well written.

If there is a major weakness it is in the photos. For the time, the b/w pics, a mix of Russian Propaganda and Allied Intel/BrixMis period photos in all their grainy glory were fine. There are no colour shots- and this just shows the age of the book. It's great for what it its- but many readers will be left wanting more. Still- the Bibliography and other content is good enough to make this a strong offering.

With no adult themes and no violence described intimately - this is a fine book for any Junior reader over about 8 or 9. For the Gamer/Modeller/Military Enthusiast, a mixed bag. The history of Proxy armies using the weapons up until 1986 is also a great place for the wargamer to find interesting struggles of the era they might not have encountered. This is a great book however for getting a strong basis in Soviet/Warsaw Pact Gear and Doctrine if you are taking on Team Yankee/Fate Of A Nation/'Nam/Northag/Red Storm Rising or BattleGroup Modern and you're confused between your BTR, your BRDM and your BMP/BMDs. This book will satisfy that need- but there might be more modern sources with more colour pics.