Panzer Battles : A Study of the Employment of Armor in the Second World War (Mass Market Paperback)

~ F. W. von Mellenthin (Author) "THE GERMAN ARMY entered Poland at 0445 hours on 1 September 1939; the advance of the ground forces was preceded by devastating attacks by the..." (more)
Key Phrases: Afrika Korps, Eighth Army, Fourth Panzer Army (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Vast in scope, keen in its technical appraisal, respectful of history...other military authors should doff their hats and bow. -- Brigadier general S.L.A. Marshall, chief historian of the European theater in World War II

Vast in scope, keen in its technical appraisal, respectful of history...other military authors should doff their hats and bow. --Brigadier general S.L.A. Marshall, chief historian of the European theater in World War II --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

When Sam Donaldson interviewed General Norman Schwarzkopf in his quarters in the Gulf, PANZER BATTLES was one of the books on his desk. A model military history, this is one of the few close looks we will ever have of the tactics, the planning, and the operations of tank warfare from a participant.
It was the decisive victories of the German Panzer divisions in North Africa in World War II that taught the Allies the importance of an integrated combat team consisting of tanks, infantry, and artillery. PANZER BATTLES is a vivid account of the major campaigns of that war, especially the legendary desert battles fought by Rommel, who found the desert to be the perfect terrain in which to wage almost purely theoretical armored warfare with large-scale tank formations.
Here is an unparalleled look at what the American military learned from the experience of fighting in WWII -- experience that was put to use in the Gulf War.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books; Sixth Printing edition (July 12, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345321588
• ISBN-13: 978-0345321589
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #327,974 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb insights into German strategy and operations in WWII., June 28, 1999

By	Harry ([e-mail]) (Salt Lake City, Utah) - See all my reviews

The author does an excellent job in recounting the panzer battles against the British in North Africa, against the Soviets in Southern Russia, and against the Americans in France and Germany. Von Mellenthin's personal account of the strategic and operational level planning are excellent. His clear precise writing and the many maps make this a valuable resource for military historians. The author's analysis of panzer tactics and the evolution of the same is excellent. He presents overwhelming evidence that reinforces the perception that on the tactical and operational level the Germans were geniuses; however, Hitler was a strategic imbecile.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great read for people interested in history and soldiers, February 10, 1999

By A Customer

A very good book covering World War 2 from the perspective of a German General Staff Officer. Especially interesting is Part 2 about the war in the Western Desert. Von Mellenthin describes Rommel's leadership methods, the reasons for victories and defeats. In Part 3 he writes about the Russian theatre, the skills of Generals like Manstein or Balck, who takes the author with him as his Chief of Staff from Corps to Army level in Russia and to Army Group G in the Western Front. I can highly recommend Panzerbattles not only for readers of military history but also for soldiers who want to know more about lessons learned in World War 2.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely terrific, December 7, 2000

By	"[e-mail]" (St. Louis, MO USA) - See all my reviews

This book is an invaluable work in understanding the complexities of warfare. Others have commented on a few possible inaccuracies. While I have not looked into these complaints, there can be no doubt that this book is doubly effective, first as one of the few comprehensive accounts of armored warfare in WWII told from the German Staff Officer's perspective, and second as an excellent guide in understanding the complexities and necessities of waging mechanized war on a large scale.

V. Mellenthin provides dozens of keen insights into the art and science of warfare. Though his comments concerning Rommel and the African Campaign are supposedly the centerpiece of Panzer Battles, I would argue that the most interesting and instructive parts of the book deal with the years 1942-1944 in the Soviet Union while he served with and under Gen. Balck, a less known but superb officer of the War.

Regardless of what theatre of the war in Europe you are interested in, you can't go wrong with this terrific book. So thick are the lessons and so fascinating is the narrative that I have come back to read this book again and again. Don't miss out on it.