The Panzer Legions: A Guide to the German Army Tank Divisions of World War II and Their Commanders

(Hardback)

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Description

Hitler's tank divisions were some of his most feared troops and most lethal weapons in the taking and securing of territory during World War II. From success to failure, in victory and in defeat, each division played a role in Hitler's campaign against the Allies. This is the first guide to chronicle the history of each division from its inception to its destruction. With painstaking research and attention to detail, Mitcham describes the formation and organization of each, then discusses its overall combat history. He also includes a career sketch of every panzer divisional commander. While this reference will serve as a valuable research tool, it contains more than facts and figures. Mitcham assesses the performance and quality of each division, including how and why it changed over time. He evaluates strengths and weaknesses during different phases of the conflict in terms of manpower, vehicles, and armor quality. He also analyzes commander performance and its impact on overall efforts. The story follows the panzer legions until their ultimate disposition-destruction or disbanding. Includes a comprehensive index of individuals, units, battles and campaigns.

Reviews

.,."the value of this new book lies in Mitcham's description and detailed histories of all major Panzer formations, including Panzer armies, Panzer corps, and all forty-eight individual tank divisions...Mitcham offers organizational data as well as descriptions of obscure engagements at the war's end that have remained unknown until now...a worthy addition to anyone's military history reference library."-Army History
...the value of this new book lies in Mitcham's description and detailed histories of all major Panzer formations, including Panzer armies, Panzer corps, and all forty-eight individual tank divisions...Mitcham offers organizational data as well as descriptions of obscure engagements at the war's end that have remained unknown until now...a worthy addition to anyone's military history reference library.-Army History
The book presupposes considerable familiarity with the history of World War II in the European Theater, but is worthwhile for anyone interested in history of that war or the history of armor.-The NYMAS Newsletter
"The book presupposes considerable familiarity with the history of World War II in the European Theater, but is worthwhile for anyone interested in history of that war or the history of armor."-The NYMAS Newsletter
..."the value of this new book lies in Mitcham's description and detailed histories of all major Panzer formations, including Panzer armies, Panzer corps, and all forty-eight individual tank divisions...Mitcham offers organizational data as well as descriptions of obscure engagements at the war's end that have remained unknown until now...a worthy addition to anyone's military history reference library."-Army History

Author Bio

SAMUEL W. MITCHAM, JR. is an internationally recognized authority on Nazi Germany and the Second World War and is the author of more than 15 books on the subject, including Why Hitler (Praeger, 1996) and The Desert Fox in Normandy (Praeger, 1997), as well as several dozen articles. A former army helicopter pilot and company commander, he is a graduate of the U.S. Army's Command and General Staff College. He has been a professor of geography and military history since 1984. He lives in rural Louisiana.