Panther Tanks: Germany Army and Waffen SS, Normandy Campaign 1944

Book excerpt: History buffs, modelers, and wargamers will find “authentic orders of battle and narratives of the actual situations these units faced in Normandy” (Schopenhauer’s Workshop). Central to the German strategy of dealing with an Allied landing in France was the availability of a strong, mobile armored reserve. In June 1944, as part of this force, the Army in the West was able to deploy over 300 Panther tanks, perhaps the best armored fighting vehicle produced by Germany during the Second World War. British and American tank crews found to their horror that the Panthers could often survive numerous hits while a single round from one of their 75mm guns was enough to destroy any enemy tank. In his third book in the TankCraft series, Dennis Oliver uses archive photographs and painstakingly researched, exquisitely presented color illustrations to examine the part these powerful tanks played in the Normandy battles and also the battalions that operated them. As with previous titles in the TankCraft series, a large part of this book showcases available model kits and aftermarket products and accessories, complemented by a gallery of skillfully constructed and painted models. “As with other books in this series there are many excellent photographs and color drawings, with clear text providing all of the background information to the deployment and actions of the Panther in Normandy.”—Firetrench “Very much a modellers book but tied in so well with the details of the tank and the context of the history surrounding it. Good value and well worth adding to your reference shelf.”—Military Model Scene