Panzer Aces II: Battles Stories of German Tank Commanders of WWII (Stackpole Military History Series) [Paperback]

Franz Kurowski (Author), David Johnston (Translator)

Book Description

Series: Stackpole Military History Series | Publication Date: September 10, 2004

Sequel to the well-regarded Panzer Aces

Chapters on Hermann von Oppeln-Bronikowski, Kurt Knispel, Karl Nicolussi-Leck, and other great commanders

With the same drama and excitement of the first book, Franz Kurowski relates the combat careers of six more decorated German Panzer officers. Extensively researched, these gripping accounts follow the men and their tanks across three continents into some of World War II's bloodiest engagements. They campaigned with Rommel in the deserts of North Africa, participated in the monumental tank battle at Kursk, and, maneuvering only by muzzle flashes, fought frightening small-unit contests in the dark of night. Master tacticians and gutsy leaders, these men are legends.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Franz Kurowski served as a reporter in the German Army during World War II and has since written over one hundred books. He lives in Germany.

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Stackpole Books (September 10, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811731758
• ISBN-13: 978-0811731751
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #559,111 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent 1st person accounts, July 4, 2005

By 

Sci-fi and history reader (NJ, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Panzer Aces II: Battles Stories of German Tank Commanders of WWII (Stackpole Military History Series) (Paperback)

Another excellent book of 1st hand accounts of those who served and fought. The book could be improved with some maps of the major battles of where each of those aces had fought. The book series provides excellent detail on the challenges of an individual soldier, a leader, and the mundane tasks that become hazardous under fire.

One example is how in one battle on the eastern front, the tank throws a track after hitting a mine. While under fire, the crew dismounts, repairs the track, gets back into battle and later gets stuck again, unable to participate in operation. Another experience is how nearing the surrender of Germany, a command group goes from the factory to pick up new armored fighting vehicles and has to go searching for fuel and ammunition while avoiding the advancing American units.

These real first hand accounts are not found in history books which give the overall view of the battles and campaigns. These accounts are a good way to learn and study individual leadership and heroism in the face of danger.

If one compares these first person accounts with other history books, a good analysis of each battle can be developed and examined.

This book is not as good as Panzer Aces I or Infantry Aces however.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Panzer Aces II, August 18, 2011

By 

William Dale (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Panzer Aces II: Battle Stories of German Tank Commanders in World War II (Stackpole Military History Series) (Kindle Edition)

Panzer Aces II: Battle Stories of German Tank Commanders in World War II (Stackpole Military History Series)



If you are interested in German Panzerwaffe forces of World War II you will enjoy this book as I have. The book is about the life and times of Tank Commanders who lived through some of the toughest tank battles of the war. What I really liked was that the book contained the stories of a few tank commanders that I knew very little about such as Kurt Knispel and Johannes Kummel. The way the stories are written brings to life the events and times they lived through from the soldier's personal point of view, rather than just historical facts. The book made me realise how tough the years between 1939 and 1945 where on the men who served in the German Tank Arm and their foes. The stories and battles as presented by the book create vivid images in the readers mind. It made me realise the hardship both physically and emotionally that the soldiers lived through during the conflict. I would highly recommend this book to those interested in the subject of World War II.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Panzer Aces II, December 29, 2010

By 

Bookie - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Panzer Aces II: Battles Stories of German Tank Commanders of WWII (Stackpole Military History Series) (Paperback)

Great arm chair read. All the men, units, and events in the stories are true. First person narration is often used and the accompanying photographs are interesting. Many of which are from personal collections of the veterans themselves and have never been published before. The book provides an interesting window that allows one to see how the "other side" lived, thought, and fought. Sometimes makes you wonder how anyone survived the indescribable horror of the Russian winter, let alone fight in it. It is the second in an exciting series of three books to date and well worth the purchase.