Sturmartillerie and Panzerjager 1939-45 (New Vanguard #34.) [Paperback]

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

Book Description

Publication Date: November 18, 1999 | Series: New Vanguard (Book 34)

Originally the German assault gun was designed as an infantry support weapon, but the changing conditions of the battlefields of the Second World War forced it to adapt to perform a number of different roles, most importantly as a tank destroyer, although the infantry support role was never wholly discarded. If the much-glamorised Panzer divisions were the sword of the German army then the assault gun and tank destroyer units were its shield. As the Panzers' grip on the battlefield began to fail, though, it was left to the assault gun and tank destroyer crews to take up the burden.

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

Bryan Perrett was born in 1934 and educated at Liverpool College. He served in the Royal Armoured Corps, the 17th/21st Lancers, Westminster Dragoons and the Royal Tank Regiment, and was awarded the Territorial Decoration. During the Falklands and Gulf wars, he worked as defence correspondent for the Liverpool Echo. A highly successful author, Bryan is married and lives in Lancashire.

Product Details

• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing; 2nd edition (November 18, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841760048
• ISBN-13: 978-1841760049
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 0.2 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,008,432 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Nothing gained in tracing two rabits simultaneously, May 15, 2000

By 

Jeensang Jang (U.S.A) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sturmartillerie and Panzerjager 1939-45 (New Vanguard #34.) (Paperback)

When I decided to buy this title, frankly I worried that how well Osprey would jam so broad story into tiny volume in their well known chronicle fashion. Then alas, I had to ease my mind with a small charge with this book. In summary, if you are a novice then you can think that would be enough for that price. If you're hobbist, some nice illustration of the internal scenes of Sturmg 3 and other case for various vehicles will be referable. If you're bit knowledged, don't give any glimpse at this book. Touched here and there without points and no new photo. Just licking over chewing gum!. sorry for crude my English.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Curate's Egg?, April 7, 2003

By 

A. W. Crawford (WI, US) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sturmartillerie and Panzerjager 1939-45 (New Vanguard #34.) (Paperback)

An interesting little book - how it's perceived will depend upon whether you are reading it as somebody new to the New Vanguard series, or if you've read other New Vanguard books.

This is because, unlike so many of the other armor-related New Vanguard titles, it doesn't concentrate on a single vehicle or family of vehicles. It attempts, with varying success, to cover the entire history of WWII German assault guns and tank destroyers in a single 48 page volume.

To do this it skims the surface of the vehicles concerned - if you want to read about the StuG III or the Marder III in technical detail, go check out a title dedicated to the subject. What's covered here is the military doctrine that resulted in the adoption of self-propelled assault guns and tank destroyers, the manner in which they were used, unit structure, and a broad history of the types developed.

The book's major flaws are that you can't really do the subject justice in even a general sense in just 48 pages, and that the book seems to dart around a bit historically - one minute you're reading about Jagdtigers, the next you're back to vehicles based on the Pz.Kpfw. I chassis.

So, not the best title Osprey has ever released, but it's not a complete loss either, since in describing tactics and doctrine it covers some areas that the more technically specific books in the series omit.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Typical Excellent Introductory Study, February 3, 2002

By 

El Cutachero (MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sturmartillerie and Panzerjager 1939-45 (New Vanguard #34.) (Paperback)

The Vanguard series is intended to give a brief introducton to various weapons systems used in the major wars of the 20th century. As such, they include color plates of various paint schemes on campaign, a sectional drawing of a representative vehicle, and plenty of B&W photos in the text. All this is wrapped in an elementary text based on new research in newly opened archives and presented in an attractive format. Useful to war gamers, students, and model makers.