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PANZERWRECKS
Panzerwrecks 6, German Armour 1944-45. By Lee Archer and William Auerbach. Soft covers, landscape format, 8.25 x 11-inches, 96 pages. Contains 119 B&W photographs. ISBN 978-09754-1836-9.
The latest collection of photos from the Panzerwrecks team (aided and abetted by various and sundry notables within our hobby) continues in the now standard format of the series. This means that many of the photos contained therein are printed one to a page, allowing the small details to be easily seen. Likewise, a great deal of effort has been expended to tweak the images using current computer software in order to make the printed page as useful to modelers as possible. So, reproduction is as good as it’s going to get.
The brief introduction (with the usual whimsical photograph) sets the stage for the following four featured segments:
• Panzerjäger and Flakpanzers of Meppen.
• Panzer Remnants on a Czech Road.
• Flammpanzer 38 in and out.
• Quick Fix: Rocket Firing SPWs.
But, before getting to those sets of photos, the authors devote the first few pages to some odds and ends, including additional images of vehicles that have appeared in previous books of the series, as well as three photos each of a StuG.III Ausf.C/D and Panzerjäger I, and a Panther Ausf.G. Then they get into the meat and potatoes of this volume.
The “Meppen” vehicles include new photos of AFVs belonging to s.Pz.Jag.Abt.655, to include Jagdpanthers (some with the very late drive sprocket hub), various pieces of ordnance, a line of armored SWSs with 3.7cm FlaK43s, Sd.Kfz.7s with 2cm Flakvierling 38 and an absolutely fantastic shot of a Flakpanzer IV Möbelwagen. An intervening but un-named segment features photos of various types including Italian Semovente, StuG.III and StuG.IV, Pz.Kpfw.IV, Panthers, Tiger I, Tiger II and Jagdtiger. Ths is followed by several images of a train carrying a variety of German and Soviet AFVs.
The “Czech Road” section depicts several variations of the Sd.Kfz.251 Ausf.D, Sd.Kfz.7, Sd.Kfz.11 and an Sd.Kfz.234. This is followed by unrelated images of RSOs, Jagdpanzer 38, Panthers, Panzerjäger IV/70(A), StuG.III and a static Pz.Kpfw.II turret.
Next up is the section depicting a well-known pair of Flammpanzer 38s. But, the neat part is that there is a series of images of the vehicles’ internal layout as well as components of the flame projector disassembled by the US technical intelligence team for evaluation. As far as this reviewer knows, these have never been seen in print before. Yet another intervening section depicts a Karl Mörser captured by US troops, various Pz.Kpfw.IIIs and IVs, some half-tracks and a great shot of an Sd.Kfz.234/2 “Puma”, showing the markings to an excellent degree.
The last section describes a US Army experiment with a captured Sd.Kfz.251 Ausf.D. This has parts of its superstructure cut away and a part of a 7.5cm PaK40 added (sideways) so that several banks of launch tubes from a US “Calliope” can be fitted. Photos show the crews doing the modification in an almost step-by-step manner, with the last few depicting the firing trials.
As usual, the photo captions are first rate, being quite informative. Where possible, units have been identified and locations given. Odd features are noted and several captions are enhanced with the notes made by the veterans who created the original images.
As always, these books are a gold-mine of information as well as a visual feast. Modelers who have an interest in late war types or rare and unusual variations of standard types which survived until the end, will find much of interest between these covers.
Highly recommended.
Frank V. Curly 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.
