Ampsersand Group German Panzer II Visual History

[Mike]

German Panzer II

A Visual History of the German Army's World War II Light Tank

Ampersand Group via Casemate UK

 

 

The Panzer II originated as a temporary design to field while the larger tanks that were in development were completed, but due to Hitler's use of Blitzkrieg to overrun the majority of Europe, it saw widespread service until the larger Panzer III and more powerful Panzer IV reaches service.  It also saw service in heavily modified forms until the end of the war, being used as a gun platform for some Self-Propelled Gun projects, and the more advanced Luchs, which used some technology that would be seen in the later developments.

 

 

This book from Ampersand by the prolific David Doyle carries on the format of the Visual History series, with 168 pages of great photos from contemporary sources, which by their era are of course all black and white.  The book contains over 170 photos in total, with many of them large and highly detailed.  The pages are split between the following types with a useful potted history given on both types in the introduction:

 

• PzKpfw. II Ausf. a
• PzKpfw. II Ausf. b
• PzKpfw. II Ausf. c and A-C Early
• PzKpfw. II Ausf. c, A, B, C modified
• PzKpfw. II Ausf. D
• PzKpfw. II (F) Ausf. A & B
• PzKpfw. II Ausf. F
• PzKpfw. II Ausf. G
• PzKpfw. II Ausf. J
• PzKpfw. II Ausf. L Luchs (Lynx)

 

While the contemporary photos are in black and white, the preserved examples are photographed in full colour, and the detail in which they are depicted would be an absolute boon to any modeller, especially those wishing to go for ultimate realism.

 

 

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.

 

ISBN: 978-1-944367-06-0

 

Review sample courtesy of