Panzer - A revolution in warfare (Roger Edwards)

review by Jonathon Fitzgerald

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I believe this is a well done book. A good companion to the Panzertruppen series. This book has several sections that describe the history and forming of the Panzer Divisions, units in the Panzer Divisions and battles and campaigns.

There is a section that shows the history of every Motorised, Panzer Grenadier and Panzer Division. This has a brief description of events, battles and dates. The section on the different units in the Panzer Division is good. It goes into detail on the Panzer Grenadier, Panzer Aufklarung, Panzer Pioniere, Panzer Artillerie and also signals and transport. There is a section on Air Support as well.

The campaigns and battles are described in detail with the use of maps. Order of Battles are given for these campaigns and battles. There is a section showing maps with some descriptions and then a section with more descriptive text divided into the different Panzer Armies.

A well done book, I like it, but I do have a few nitpicks:

• More detail could have been in the Panzer Division unit histories. How about day to day events and Corps and Army listings to go with it?
• There are some mistakes throughout the book on certain things, for example, the Panther is said to be 50 tons (I thought it was 45 tons), the Tiger is said to be 62 tons (I thought it was 56 tons) and the Tiger II is said to be 70tons (I thought it was 69 tons).
• Battle and Campaign section is good but can be more detailed. There are some battles that are covered more than others and some battles not mentioned that should be covered.
• Not enough attention given to Panzer Units that were not attached to a Panzer Army. What I mean is, the Battles and Campaign section is divided into each Panzer Army. The Panzer units actions are decribed. The units not in the Panzer Army are described, but not in enough detail for me. I guess I just love detail, eh?! ;)
• Not enough attention given to independent units like sPzAbt, StuG Abt, sPzJag Abt etc. Me with my details again!!

All in all I think this book is good!! This and the Panzertruppen make a good match! There are some gaps in info and sometimes not enough detail but that is all. The mistakes in weight can be due to different measuring...U.S. and U.K. ton maybe? Good price...$20 Canadian!!!

Book data

EDWARDS, Roger. Panzer - A revolution in warfare, 1939-1945. London : Arms and Armour Press, 1989.
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All contents written by Christian Ankerstjerne unless stated otherwise