Peko Publishing Panzer IV On the Battlefield 2

[Mike]

Panzer IV On the Battlefield 2

World War Two Photobook Series

Peko Publishing

 

 

The Panzer IV was developed due to a perceived lack of heavy armour by the Third Reich in the mid 30s, and they began WWII with predominantly light tanks that were often outgunned and relatively lightly armoured compared to their opponents.  Only the Blitzkreig tactics gave them the advantage, and following on from this Hitler became obsessed with the mantra "bigger is better".  The Pz.IV was a pre-war development that succeeded the Panzer III, initially with a short-barrelled 75mm gun with lower muzzle velocity, and later with high velocity long-barrelled armament as the war progressed, plus added frontal armour and spaced "schurtzen" plates to the hull and turret in an effort to pre-detonate shaped warheads large or small.

 

This new volume from Peko's World War Two Photobook Series, and as the name suggests it is primarily a book of photos, which isn't too difficult to divine.  As Volume 2 of the set it covers the more mature variants of the Pz.IV, beginning with the Ausf.G and carrying on through H to Ausf.J with all the variations in fit and finish between the main three factories that were engaged in construction of this, the unsung backbone of German WWII armour.

 

 

It is hardback bound with 112 pages, finished in an overall white cover, which was quite difficult to scan well. The photos are almost without exception full page, with space left only for the captions, which are in Hungarian and English, each one adding valuable insight to the photo, which may not be immediately apparent without it.  For the modeller there are plenty of diorama possibilities, as well as opportunities to see how the crews actually stowed their gear on their vehicles (or otherwise) in real-world circumstances.  Seeing how they come apart when blown up is also useful for diorama purposes, but thankfully there are no grisly scenes accompanying the destroyed vehicles.  Quite a few of the photos are from private collections with attributions in the top corner as appropriate, with substantial quantity of soldiers standing in front of damaged or abandoned vehicles after the fighting is over, plus a number of groups investigating the wreckage after a cataclysmic explosion of the tank's magazine, or demolition by the escaping crew.

 

 

While the contemporary photos are in black and white, even some that were originally taken for American magazine Life in colour, and the detail in which they are depicted would be an absolute boon to any modeller, especially those wishing to go down the route of realism and authentic settings.

 

 

Conclusion

Whether you have the models that you intend to use this book for reference, or have an interest in the subject, this book will give you all the reference pictures and some besides, as well as some inspiration for dioramas.

 

Highly recommended.

 

 

Review sample courtesy of

 

[Beard]

That's an interesting book (and I must resist the temptation to buy it). One small point, your review states that the Panzer IV initially had a 37mm gun; as far a I know it, always had a 75mm as it was designed to deal with strongpoints (the Panzer III was for dealing with other tanks).

[Mike]

You're right - it was initially armed with the short-barreled 75mm gun. I'll amend the review - that'll teach me to check my references first