Panzer III—German Army Light Tank

Book excerpt: “Concentrates on the Panzer III as operated during the invasion of the Soviet Union . . . a mixture of history, camouflage and models . . . well done.” —ModelingMadness.com The Pzkpfw III tank was the mainstay of the Panzer divisions during the Blitzkrieg era, which could fairly be said to have ended with the Germans’ failure to take Moscow in the winter of 1941. Although less heavily armored than many of its opponents and somewhat outgunned by the latest Soviet types, the Pzkpfw III was at the forefront of the advances made over almost impossible distances during the summer and autumn and provided the core of the armored reserve that fought the defensive battles of the winter months. In Dennis Oliver’s latest volume in the TankCraft series he uses archive photos and extensively researched color illustrations to examine the Pzkpfw III and the units that operated this deservedly famous armored vehicle along a 1,000-mile front during the battles of Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union. A key section of his book displays available model kits and after-market products, complemented by a gallery of beautifully constructed and painted models in various scales. Technical details as well as modifications introduced during production and in the field are also examined, providing everything the modeler needs to recreate an accurate representation of these historic tanks. “This book will prove invaluable for model makers and military historians interested in this often overlooked but important AFV. This is another great addition to the TankCraft series and is highly recommended to all.” —Miniature Armoured Fighting Vehicles Association