Reference, Panzerwrecks 12

PANZERWRECKS

Panzerwrecks 12. By Lee Archer and William Auerbach. Soft covers, 98 pages (including both inside covers), 8.25 x 11-inches. Contains one color and 133 B&W photographs. ISBN 978-098418204-6.

By now, a fair number of you guys have heard of the Panzerwrecks series; some of you probably have their titles in your reference libraries. So you and I know what to expect when a new title is released. As expected, this title maintains the superb balance of sound captions and extremely interesting images that are the hallmark of this already classic series.

As usual, the introduction sets the tone for the photos to follow, while also acknowledging the assistance of various archival and personal photo sources. In addition to individual, named consultants who have supplied caption information, the League of Extraordinary Panzermen is cited for its assistance. The usual odd archival image depicting the authors at play is also present; this ones a cracker!

The main stars in this book are the heavies; the Tiger II and its related Jagdtiger. There are no less than seven pages devoted to the former and 11 to the latter. Both subjects are covered in overall and detail fashion. Also included are new views of the notorious Octopus Tiger; the books only color photo depicts this schwerer Panzer as well. Next down the scale is the Panther series. It includes coverage of the Ausf.D, Ausf.G, Bergepanther Ausf.D/A and Jagdpanther. The Ausf.D images detail the tank being presented to the Dutch town of Breda by the Polish 1st Armoured Division; this vehicle still stands as a monument to the Poles. The Pz.Kpfw.IV is represented by the Ausf.C, Ausf.H, late StuG.IV and the Panzer IV L/48 and L/70(V). The Panzer IV L/70(V) has some rather detailed interior coverage and it is also an early version, with Zimmerit. The Pz.kpfw.III is represented with an Ausf.G and an Ausf.J. Its sibling, the StuG.III is present in its Ausf.G configuration as late and final versions. The Pz.Kpfw.II turns up in its SP Wespe form and as the Ausf.b.

Half-tracked and wheeled vehicles are also seen between these covers. These include the Sd.Kfz.250 and 251 armored half-tracks, 8-, 12- and 18-ton half-track tractors, and the armored and un-armored Maultier. A quad 2cm Flakvierling 38 is seen lashed to the load-bed of an Opel Blitz, MG151s are mounted on a US M8 armored car, and, for good measure, several views of an 8-Rad Sd.Kfz.232(fu) are included. The Marder III with Soviet 7.62cm PaK is covered as are several ex-French tanks as well as SPs based upon their chassis.

Considering the disparate photo sources and the equipment used in original image capture, reproduction is very fine. Digital enhancement in the printing process is restrained. Captions are informative and largely fact-based. Several of the books consultants chime in from time-to-time; this is noted where appropriate. I take exception with the caption related to the Panzer IV L/70(V) on page 84, first paragraph, which states that the extraction fan for the gun fumes was on the roof. This is incorrect as the only small round plate on the casemate roof was the cover for the often not-yet-mounted close-in defense weapon.

This little nit-pick is nothing when compared to the quality product that is a typical Panzerwrecks title. This latest addition to the series is a worthy part of the whole.

Frank V. De Sisto

The Panzerwrecks team would like me to remind you that the list price is now $32.95 with a pre-pub price of $29.95 in effect till April 30th for Panzerwrecks 12. List price for PW1 through 10 is still $29.95. The higher price begins from PW11. Note that the price of the older issues has not been re-aligned with the newer prices. Kudos to the Panzerwrecks team for making this distinction.

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.