Panzerkampfwagen III Medium Tank 1936-44 (New Vanguard) [Paperback]

Bryan Perrett (Author), David Smith (Illustrator), Mike Chappell (Illustrator), Mike Badrocke (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 26, 1999 | Series: New Vanguard (Book 27)

During the glory years of blitzkrieg the PzKpfw III was the only weapon in the German tank arsenal that really counted. Like Napoleon's vieux moustaches, it did not merely witness history in the making – it made it, from the Channel to the Volga, and from the Arctic to the North African desert. It was the PzKpfw III that brought Hitler to the gates of Moscow and the closest to achieving his wildest dreams. This detailed study delves into the development and employment of the PzKpfw III, as well as its organisation and battlefield experience, illustrated by an examination of the battles in which it took part.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Provides good overall information on the Pz. Kpfw. III Broadly covers the development and characteristics, variants and combat usage of the tank from 1936 to 1944... A relatively inexpensive and readily available resource. Ideal for those interested in a general reference or just looking for some basic knowledge of the Pz. Kpfw. III." -Bill Plunk, Armorama (February 2008)

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.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (February 26, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1855328453
• ISBN-13: 978-1855328457
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 0.2 x 9.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #917,125 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars One of the better books in the "New Vanguard Series", August 17, 2001

By 

Johansson Adrian (Sweden) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Panzerkampfwagen III Medium Tank 1936-44 (New Vanguard) (Paperback)

The book can bee seen as a first read if you want to start learning specificly about the PzIII. Unfortunantley it's a few pages to thin while it gives a good desctiption of the PzIII's operational history on different fronts, the description of the vehicle itself isn't satisfactory. Usually only 1 variant of the tank is mentioned in any great detail unfortunantley these variants vary troughout the book so that it's hard to get a full picture of the PzIII.

On the plus side the book is quite easy to read and has alot of new pictures. It also describes a few not so well known facts about the PzIII and it's cutt away look at the PzIII is quite nice.

Overall description is that if youre an expert on PzIII's there are better books to buy but if you are going to buy your first book on the PzIII and don't know much about tanks this book will be quite helpful.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE 'NEW VANGUARD' SERIES & A GOOD - FAST READ TOO!, January 26, 2007

By 

Heather L. Parisi "Robert and Heather Parisi" (St. Augustine, FL USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Panzerkampfwagen III Medium Tank 1936-44 (New Vanguard) (Paperback)

IN A NUTSHELL:

In this concise, but comprehensive edition, there is a developmental and operational history of the most common [and important] piece of armored hardware in the German Panzers' arsenal. Though, both 'Tiger' and 'Panther' variants were more pwoerfully armed, and armored, as well as of more sophisticated designs, it was this basic medium tank that filled the ranks of the Panzers throughout Europe during WW2 in great numbers.

Panzerkampfwagen III Medium Tank 1936-44 (New Vanguard) by Bryan Perrett, is, [like the other books in this series by Bryan Perrett] a cut-above the usual 'Osprey Military' fare. Divided into two main sections: 'DEVELOPMENTAL HISTORY' & 'OPERATIONAL HISTORY' Perrett lucidly provides both interesting and insightful content through description, quotes and narrative, plus an ample array of photos, illustrations and diagrams. A detailed cut-away section of the tank is provided on 2 full pages and includes excellent detailing and labeling.

BOTTOM LINE:

Although this small volume is hardly the last word on the Panzer 3 Medium Tank, it is a great place to start and delves into the basic important elements including the outcomes of the tank's use, and the evolutionary improvements and develoments that continued during its long mass-production run. Most importantly, Perrett's narrative is filled with very interesting stuff especially in light of the amount of information, data, statistics and documented materials that are included. An excellent read!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not the best Vanguard, October 4, 2008

By 

Byron Geoffrey Farrow (Suzhou, China) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Panzerkampfwagen III Medium Tank 1936-44 (New Vanguard) (Paperback)

I have to say that this isn't, in my opinion, the best title in the New Vanguard series. Approaching the book from a historical and wargaming (as opposed to, say, a modelling) perspective I am looking for information on the tank. By this I mean information on performance, development, variants, armament, deployment, tactics and action. All of that is present to a certain extent in this book (and some excellent colour plates) but the author includes too much extraneous information that should be located elsewhere. For example, the organisation and tactics section is very general, Panzer III's are mentioned only in passing. Similarly the 'In Action' section, a large part of the book, gives brief summaries of the campaigns rather than detailed comments on particular actions by the Panzer III. This is a waste of about a third of the book! If Osprey allowed these books to be 64 pages, or even longer, this could be justified, but in a 48 page book it is a waste.