Concord Publications

Panzer Divisions in Battle, 1939-45

by  Tom Cockle

Reviewed By  Marc Blackburn, IPMS# 42892

MSRP: $110 HKD [Approximately $14.17 USD] ISBN: 962-361-165-X Website: Concord Publications Concord Publications has released another volume in their popular “Armor at War” series. This particular issue is titled “Panzer-Divisions in battle, 1939-1945.” The seventy-two page booklet has black and white photographs and a set of full color profiles of a selection of German tanks and armored fighting vehicles that match the date span of the book. In the brief introduction, the author states that the Russian Front will be covered in a separate book. However, the photographs in this volume do include some shots from Russia, as well as every corner of Europe where Panzers clashed with the Grand Alliance. Do we need another book on panzers? Concord Publications certainly thinks so because this particular offering in their popular series seems to offer something for everyone. Obviously a book of this size is by no means meant to provide exhaustive photographic references of every panzer that was in service. Instead, like most Concord Publications, it touches on a wide variety of subjects that will be helpful to most modelers as well as Panzer “buffs.” The book is roughly organized around types of vehicles, beginning with prime movers and the 251 series of half-tracks. From half tracks section, there are a few pages devoted to armor cars; but the bulk of the book is filled with information about tanks – from the Panzer I to the King Tiger. The last two pages feature captured vehicles (primarily French) in German service. There are some things missing from this brief volume. If it is meant to offer a brief overview of Panzer Divisions, there are some vehicles absent from these pages. Anyone interested in modeling soft skin vehicles will be disappointed. The authors chose not to include photographs of logistical and support vehicles. Curiously, assault guns and tank destroyers are also absent from these pages. I am not sure if this means they will be covered in a future volume or not. I guess we have to wait and see For anyone familiar with the Panzer arm, some of the photographs featured in this publication have been seen before, but there are many that are new to me. Many of the photographs were taken in the field, so while you get a sense of the ‘look’ and ‘feel’ of these tanks and AFVs, there are not many close ups. A fair number of the photographs’ details are obscured by shadows, so those of you stricken with AMS will have to look elsewhere. It seems that the choice of photographs certainly will provide inspiration for diorama builders. Finally, the color profiles identify the colors used, so they should be easy to replicate, even though many of them are from unknown units. My thanks go to “Military in Scale” editorial staff and to IPMS/USA for providing this issue for review.