Flammpanzer German Flamethrowers 1941-45 (New Vanguard) [Paperback]

Hilary Doyle (Author), Peter Sarson (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: New Vanguard | Publication Date: September 11, 1995

The first attempt at mounting a flamethrower in a German tank was not the result of an engineering design process but rather occurred as a field expedient, when German troops involved in the Spanish Civil War mounted small back-pack flamethrowers on their PzKpfw Is. The German authorities took up this idea and from early 1939 began to design a flamethrowing tank based on the Panzer II. This was the first in a long line of German tanks to be equipped with flamethrowers. During World War II versions of the Panzer III, Sturmgeschütz and half-track were all given flamethrowers. This book examines their development, weapons and operational use, often using original German combat reports.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

The unrivalled illustrated reference on fighting vehicles, transport and artillery through the ages. Each volume is illustrated throughout, making these books uniquely accessible to history enthusiasts of all ages.

About the Author

Hilary Louis Doyle was born in 1943 and has written numerous books on AFV's including the Encylopedia of German Tanks. Hilary lives in Dublin, Ireland, with his wife and three children. Tom Jentz, born in 1946, is one of the world's leading AFV researchers and is best known for the Encyclopedia of German Tanks. Tom lives in Maryland with his wife and two children.

Product Details

• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (September 11, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1855325470
• ISBN-13: 978-1855325470
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 0.2 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,619,802 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Dry, Dull Look at an Interesting Weapons System!, September 23, 2008

By 

Michael OConnor "Wordsmith" (Wausau, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Flammpanzer German Flamethrowers 1941-45 (New Vanguard) (Paperback)

There are probably few weapons more feared by the infantryman than flamethrower tanks. Not surprisingly, the German Army, who deployed the first man-portable flamethrowers in WWI, experimented with flamethrower-equipped AFVs and fielded various tank and half-track models during World War II. Authors Doyle and Jentz chronicle the German WWII experience in FLAMMPANZER, part of Osprey's 'Fighting Armor of WWII' series.

On the plus side, FLAMMPANZER has some great photos and artwork on the Panzerkampfwagen II(F), B2(F), Mittlere Flammpanzerwagen, etc. And several after-action reports give the reader somewhat of an idea of how those fire-breathing metal monsters performed in combat. If only the text was as interesting as the artwork! Unfortunately it's dry as a bone and reads like a Tank School tech manual. Dull, dull, dull.

FLAMMPANZER only sells for $15.95 so it's your call, folks. But I give it a thumbs-down.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good but Dry Overview of these Vehicles..., May 10, 2011

By 

Yoda (Hadera, Israel) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Flammpanzer German Flamethrowers 1941-45 (New Vanguard) (Paperback)

In its 48 some pages this book, in a very succinct manner, provides a very good overview of the development of German Flame throwing tanks over the course of the war, from its beginning to its end. The book provides an excellent overview of all the major types of flame throwing vehicles showing how the Germans started out originally converting vehicles that had become obsolete (i.e., Panzer I, II, IIIs) and later in the war converting personnel carriers and Hetzers to this role. There are also 8 pages of color camouflage schemes that would be of interest to modelers.

The book not only covers the physical characteristics of these vehicles but how, tactically and doctrinally they were utilized and under what conditions they were most useful (or not). There are also discussions of combat experiences. This is done quite well through the use of translations of German field reports. Most impressive.

The only real weakness of the book is that it is quite "dry". The book does a good job at discussing technical and historical issues but never seems to bring the vehicles or their actions to life. Nevertheless, this reviewer still highly recommends the book to anyone interested in a good succinct introduction to the topic.