Illustrated with original artwork and archive photos, this is the history of Germany's extensive use of captured tanks in World War II.
In this book Steven J. Zaloga, one of the world's leading armor authorities, uncovers the history of one of the least-known aspects of Germany's World War II Panzers: the extensive use of captured armored vehicles, “Beutepanzer.” The best came from the fall of France, and the Somua S 35 and Panhard 178 proved popular in German service. Others, such as the antique Renault FT, were used for secondary tasks such as anti-partisan missions and airfield protection. Most curious of all were the “Becker conversions,” a private venture of a German artillery officer with family industry, who mechanized his unit’s towed artillery and went on to oversee the modernization and upgunning of many French Beutepanzers. These would play a particularly important role in Normandy in 1944.
Although the Wehrmacht captured large numbers of Soviet tanks, these saw very limited service, and most were sent to the smelters. When Italy switched sides in September 1943, the Italian AFV industry continued producing tanks and AFVs for the Wehrmacht, while tanks and AFVs captured from other Allied armies including Britain and the US were generally used on a small, improvised scale.
Illustrated with superb new profiles and some rare archive photos, this is a concise guide to an intriguing element of World War II armor.
By:
Steven J. Zaloga
Illustrated by:
Felipe Rodríguez
Imprint: Osprey
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions:
Height: 246mm,
Width: 180mm,
Spine: 4mm
Weight: 160g
ISBN: 9781472859389
ISBN 10: 1472859383
Series: New Vanguard
Pages: 48
Publication Date: 07 January 2025
Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
(Subject to confirmation) Early Blitzkrieg Beutepanzer (Poland, Belgium, Netherlands) The French Connection (French 1940 equipment) The French Connection: Becker Conversions War in the East- Barbarossa Beutepanzer War in the East- Battlefield Expedients The Italian Connection (Production of Italian AFVs for Germany) Allied Rarities (Use of captured British and US tanks and AFVs) Further Reading
Steven J. Zaloga received his BA in History from Union College and his MA from Columbia University. He has worked as an analyst in the aerospace industry for four decades, covering missile systems and the international arms trade, and has served with the Institute for Defense Analyses, a federal think tank. He is the author of numerous books on military technology and history, including NVG 298 German Tanks in Normandy 1944. He currently lives in Maryland, USA.
Reviews for Beutepanzers of World War II: Captured tanks and AFVs in German service
The superb artwork and Zaloga’s well-chosen archival photographs make this a book well worth adding to your library. * Military Modelcraft International * a fascinating topic * Military Model Scene * Outstanding detailed artwork from Felipe Rodriguez * Tankette *
