Reference, Panzerwrecks, Panzerwrecks 4

PANZERWRECKS


Panzerwrecks 4, by Lee Archer & William Auerbach. Soft covers, landscape format, 96 pages. Contains124 B&W photographs. ISBN 978-0-9754183-3-8. Price: $29.95 USD, £16.99 GBP or €25.00, plus shipping. Check web-site for pricing at time of ordering as all UK/EU orders will soon be trading in Pounds Sterling only.


The fourth volume in this unusual, very popular and highly-regarded series has just returned from the printers, and I have been fortunate enough to be able to be “the first one on my block” to receive a review copy. This latest volume encompasses all that we have come to expect from this team of authors and their world-wide network of (insert smiley face here) nefarious miscreants (some of whom are regulars here at ML), who together ferret out and present to modelers some of the most unusual images of late war era German AFVs and military vehicles ever assembled.


The photo content comprises images from official photographic and newsreel sources, as well as veteran’s private collections. Thus, as the authors recount in their introduction, the quality of the originals varies because some of the photographic equipment used was relatively unsophisticated. In addition, enlargements from newsreel footage (most likely 16mm stock) stretch the limits as far as sharpness and clarity are concerned. However, the authors have hit it on the head when they rightly state that these are included for their “history, mystery, geography and content”. In short, some of the images are so rare and unusual that their deletion would be a “crime”!


The book begins with a series of images showing a knocked-out Jagdpanther (7 pages), various Panthers Ausf.D, Ausf.G and Ersatz M10 (a total of 14 pages), variations of the Sd.Kfz.234 (a total of 16 pages), Pz.Kpfw.IV variations (a total of 11 pages), Tiger II (10 pages), StuG.III/Bergepanzer III (a total of 8 pages) and the Sd.Kfz.251 Ausf.D (a total of 6 pages). Interspersed throughout are photos of the Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf.A, Pz.Kpfw.II Ausf.a/1, Renault FT17, Fiat M14/42, Hotchkiss H39, Pz.Kpfw.38(t), 4.7cm PaK(t) (sfl) auf. Pz.Kpfw.35R 731(f) (a “walk-around” series), RSO/01, Sd.Kfz.250, various wheeled and semi-tracked types and a very unusual 8x8 amphibious truck prototype.


Probably the most interesting series contains the different Sd.Kfz.234s, to include one mounting a complete turret from a Pz.Kpfw.II Ausf.L “Lüchs”; another mounts the 2cm Schwebelafette turret commonly seen on the Sd.Kfz.251/17. There is a Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.D that is fitted with mounts for gas cylinders being used as a driver’s training tank; another favorite is a Bergepanzer III with a nifty ambush camouflage scheme that was based on the use of sprayed paint and circular stencils. All of this stuff is great eye candy and quite inspirational.


The text consists of a brief explanation of how the book was produced, along with a lengthy list of contributors and photo sources. The captions are all quite extensive and informative, while where possible, further research has been done to ascertain which unit is pictured, as well as its probable location. There has been lots of “detective work” done here, with the ultimate goal being to inform the reader as well as possible; this is to be applauded, to be sure.


Fans of late-war (or simply “weird”) German AFVs are, of course, going to love this book. For others, who may not have made the effort in the past to acquire these titles, this one is the perfect place to start their collection.


Highly recommended.


Frank V. “Curley Stooge” De Sisto


Panzerwrecks publications are available worldwide from their web-site at: www.panzerwrecks.com. Email Bill Auerbach at: bill@panzerwrecks.com, or Lee Archer at: lee@panzerwrecks.com.


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