JAGDPANZER

Thomas Anderson

Publisher: Osprey Publishing

Web: www.ospreypublishing.com

ISBN: 978-1-47285-736-1

Hardback: 272 pages

RRP: £35.00

Just the name of Thomas Anderson on a book about German Panzers is a sufficient recommendation on its own account that this publication will be superb. And indeed, it is.

Another author who will be very familiar to the readers of Iron Cross (see the ‘Editor’s Choice’ feature article by Thomas Anderson in this issue), Thomas is a leading specialist on the subject of German armoured fighting vehicles of the Panzerwaffe during the Second World War and this book joins four other titles already published in this series: Panzergrenadier, Panzer Reconnaissance, Panzer III, and Panzer IV. As with these previous four books, the latest offering is also superb.

This study uses archival sources and after-action reports to explore in detail the evolution and deployment of the many variants of the Jagdpanzer, the whole assembled in an exceptionally well thought out manner and giving as full an account of the vehicle as one is ever likely to find.

Supplemented by hundreds of superb images, and a number of supporting diagrams, the book comprises chapters dealing with Antitank Defences 1935 – 1939, Panzerabwehr to Panzerjäger, Russia: 1941 – 1943, The First Jagdpanzer and leading on to chapters dealing with the Jagdpanther, Jagdpanzer 38, and the Jagdtiger. Also featured are sections on weaponry and the various opposing Allied and Soviet types.

Thomas’s writing style makes this a readable and engaging book, as well as being one which will surely become a classic in the genre of Panzer related books. It will also be a title that will be very hard for anyone to surpass in view of Thomas’s extensive knowledge and access to a photo archive that is truly second-to-none.

In short, this is a wonderful book. It is also a book which the reviewer would eagerly purchase were he not in the fortunate position of having a review copy land in his office! It is a book which remain on the editor’s reference shelf, and it is also one he most heartily recommends. Reviewed by Andy Saunders

Illustrations: ✔ References/notes: ✘ Appendices: ✔ Index: ✔