-PDF Download- Tank Craft 42 Jagdtiger Heavy Tank Destroyer EBOOK

JagdTiger Heavy Tank Destroyer

Author: Dennis Oliver

Publisher: Pen and Sword Military

Published: 2024-06-30

Total Pages: 127

ISBN-13: 1399033816

Dennis Oliver uses archive photos and extensively researched color illustrations to examine the markings, camouflage and technical aspects of the Jagdtigers that fought in the last battles of the war. By 1943, confronted by heavier enemy tanks in increasing numbers, German field commanders were asking for a more potent tank destroyer, building on the success of the Sturmgeschütz program. Coincidentally, at this time the Tiger II was well into the development stage and experiments were being undertaking with the huge 12.8cm L/55 gun, originally designed as an anti-aircraft weapon, and the two were eventually combined as the Panzerjäger Tiger ausf B, better known as the Jagdtiger. Going into combat for the first time in January 1945 these massive vehicles were almost impervious to any anti-tank gun in service at the time and the 12.8cm weapon could penetrate the thickest armor. It was the largest armored fighting vehicle to see action during the Second World War and Hitler was so impressed with these gigantic tank killers that he was briefed on the progress of individual vehicles on a daily basis. Drawing on official documentation and unit histories Dennis Oliver investigates the formations that operated these deservedly famous vehicles and uses archive photos and extensively researched color illustrations to examine the markings, camouflage and technical aspects of the Jagdtigers that fought in the last battles of the war. A key section of his book displays available model kits and aftermarket 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 modeller needs to recreate an accurate representation of these historic vehicles.

Panzer IV Medium Tank

Author: Dennis Oliver

Publisher: Pen and Sword Military

Published: 2024-09-30

Total Pages: 68

ISBN-13: 1399033875

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A key section of his book displays available model kits and aftermarket products, complemented by a gallery of beautifully constructed and painted models in various scales. Originally developed to support the infantry formations of the Germany's armored divisions, the Pzkpfw IV medium tank was increasingly pressed into service as a tank killer as stronger and more well-armored enemy vehicles were encountered. By the end of 1943, despite the appearance of the Tiger and Panther, it could be said that the Pzkpfw IV was the most important tank, at least numerically, in the Wehrmacht's arsenal. Mechanically reliable and relatively cheap to produce the tank's large wheel base and turret circumference meant that it could be up-gunned with minimal disruption to production and adapted to a number of different roles including self-propelled anti-tank gun, anti-aircraft tank, bridgelayer and armored recovery vehicle. Although assembly of the Pzkpfw IV was officially terminated in late 1944, as the tank had fallen out of favour with Hitler, production was soon resumed and continued until the final days of the conflict. In Dennis Oliver's latest volume in the TankCraft series he uses archive photos and extensively researched color illustrations to examine the later models of the Pzkpfw IV tank and the units that operated this deservedly famous armored vehicle during the savage defensive battles against the Soviet army on the Eastern Front in the last months of the war. A key section of his book displays available model kits and aftermarket 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 modeller needs to recreate an accurate representation of these historic tanks.Dennis Oliver is the author of over twenty books on Second World War armored vehicles including Panzer IV Medium Tank: German Army and Waffen-SS Normandy Campaign, Summer 1944 and Panther Tanks: Germany Army Panzer Brigades Western and Eastern Fronts, 1944–1945

Heavy Jagdpanzer

Author: Walter J. Spielberger

Publisher: Schiffer Pub Limited

Published: 2007

Total Pages: 200

ISBN-13: 9780764326257

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This volume in the series presents the Wehrmacht's heavy tank destroyers: Ferdinand, Jagdpanther and Jagdtiger with previously unpublished photos and action reports.

The Combat History of German Heavy Anti-Tank Unit 653 in World War II

Author: Karlheinz Münch

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Published: 2022-03-15

Total Pages: 385

ISBN-13: 0811769259

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German Heavy Anti-Tank Unit 653 was equipped with the heaviest tank destroying vehicles of the German armed forces. Initially activated as an assault gun battalion and redesignated in April 1943, the 653 received its first Ferdinand heavy tank destroyers (later modified and renamed Elephants) in May 1943 and went into action on the Eastern Front a month later. In 1944, the unit converted to the even more massive Jagdtiger. The seventy-five-ton, heavily armored Jagdtiger was the behemoth of the battlefield and boasted a 128mm gun-as opposed to the Ferdinand's 88-with a range of more than thirteen miles, making it deadly despite its limited mobility. Outfitted with these lethal giants, the 653 saw service in Russia, Italy, Austria, and Germany. The Combat History of German Heavy Anti-Tank Unit 653 in World War II includes hundreds of photos, many never published before, of Germany's rarely seen tank destroyers, including the Ferdinand, Elephant, and Jagdtiger. Color illustrations focus on unit markings, numbering, and camouflage, and the accompanying text chronicles the unit's combat operations as well as personal accounts from the men who rode in these mechanical monsters.

Hetzer - Jagdpanzer 38 Tank Destroyer

Author: Dennis Oliver

Publisher: Pen and Sword Military

Published: 2021-08-04

Total Pages: 151

ISBN-13: 1526791196

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By 1944 the German army was on the defensive on all fronts and Allied bombing was putting increasing pressure on the nation's industrial output. Since the earliest days of the war the Germans had experimented with mounting anti-tank weapons on obsolete chassis and one of the most successful of these would prove to be the Jagdpanzer 38, more often referred to today as the Hetzer. Small and unimposing the Hetzer's appearance belied its effectiveness. Armed with the powerful 7.5cm L/48 gun, the same weapon fitted to the Jadgpanzer IV, the Hetzer featured armour sloped armour plates of up to 60mm thickness and was capable of a top speed of 42 kilometres per hour. Almost 3,000 examples were assembled and its low cost and ease of production meant that it was Germany's most important tank killer of the late war period. In his latest book in the TankCraft series Dennis Oliver uses archive photos and extensively researched color illustrations to examine the Hetzer tank destroyers and the units of the German Army and Waffen-SS that operated them during the last months of the Second World war. A key section of his book displays available model kits and aftermarket 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 modeller needs to recreate an accurate representation of these historic tanks.

Jagdpanther Tank Destroyer

Author: Dennis Oliver

Publisher:

Published: 2018-01-08

Total Pages: 64

ISBN-13: 9781526710895

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Combining the destructive firepower of the 88mm gun with the outstanding mobility of the Panther series, the Jagdpanther is quite probably the best-known tank destroyer of the Second World War. In the vehicle's first action on 30 July 1944, three Jagdpanthers managed to destroy eleven British tanks in a vicious two minute fire fight near the village of Les Loges in Normandy, cementing the Jagdpanther's reputation as a potent tank killer. In his fifth book in the TankCraft series, Dennis Oliver uses contemporary photographs and meticulously researched, superbly presented color and monochrome illustrations to tell the story of these heavy self-propelled antitank guns and the units which operated them in the German defense of the Western Front. As with all the books in the TankCraft series, a large part of this work showcases available model kits and after market products, complemented by a gallery of expertly constructed and painted models. Technical details as well as modifications introduced during production and in the field are also explained giving the modeler all the information and knowledge required.

Jagdtiger

Author: Andy McHale

Publisher: Leandoer and Eckholm

Published: 2009-04-15

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9789185657018

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The Jagdtiger was a logical extension of the creation of Jagdpanzer designs from tank designs such as the Jagdpanther from the Panther tank. The Jagdtiger used a boxy superstructure on top of a lengthened Tiger II chassis. The resulting vehicle featured very heavy armor and the powerful 128-mm PaK 44 L/55 gun capable of defeating any tank fielded in World War II, even at long ranges. The Jagdtiger suffered from a variety of mechanical and technical problems due to its immense weight and underpowered engine. Despite these shortcomings, it was still very effective in defensive roles. It wasn't just the biggest vehicle of the war, but it had the biggest gun with the greatest caliber. And its power to kill tanks would be great even on the modern battlefield. So why wasn't it successful? Why didn't they build more of them? Which units used it? Were there any modifications on the model? These questions and many more are answered in this second release of our new Tech series.

United States Tanks and Tank Destroyers of the Second World War

Author: Michael Green

Publisher: Pen and Sword Military

Published: 2021-12-30

Total Pages: 395

ISBN-13: 1526787482

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This comprehensive and superbly illustrated book describes in authoritative detail the characteristics and contribution to victory of these formidable American fighting vehicles. Only after the Nazis invaded Poland and France did the United States Government authorize mass production of tanks. By the end of the War American industry had built nearly 90,000 tanks, more than Germany and Great Britain combined. The first big order in May 1940 was for 365 M2A4 light tanks, the initial iteration of the Stuart series, with almost 24,000 constructed. The Stuart series was supplemented by almost 5,000 units of the M24 Chaffee light tank. There was also the failed M22 Locust light tank intended for airborne operations. The M4 series of medium tanks, best known as the Sherman, were the most numerous with some 50,000 in service with not only the American military but British and other Allied armies. It was not until later in the war that the M26 Pershing heavy tank was built. Initially the US Army doctrine saw tanks as primarily for the exploitation role. Later the concept of tank destroyers evolved to counter large scale German armored offensives. These defensive AFVs included the half-track-based 75mm Gun Motor Carriage M3 and the full-tracked M10, M18, and M36. This comprehensive and superbly illustrated book describes in authoritative detail the characteristics and contribution to victory of these formidable fighting vehicles.

M10 and M36 Tank Destroyers 1942–53

Author: Steven J. Zaloga

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2012-08-20

Total Pages: 120

ISBN-13: 1782002375

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The US Army had a unique tactical doctrine during World War II, placing the emphasis for tank fighting on its Tank Destroyer Command whose main early-war vehicle was the M10 3-inch Gun Motor Carriage, based on the reliable M4A2 Sherman tank chassis. This durable and versatile vehicle saw combat service from the North Africa campaign in 1943. By 1944, its gun was not powerful enough and it was rearmed with the new 90 mm gun, becoming the M36 90mm Gun Motor Carriage. This book details one of the only US armoured vehicles capable of dealing with the Panther and Tiger during the Battle of the Bulge.

Seek, Strike, and Destroy

Author: Christopher Richard Gabel

Publisher:

Published: 1986

Total Pages: 104

ISBN-13:

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In the seventy years that have passed since the tank first appeared, antitank combat has presented one of the greatest challenges in land warfare. Dramatic improvements in tank technology and doctrine over the years have precipitated equally innovative developments in the antitank field. One cycle in this ongoing arms race occurred during the early years of World War II when the U.S. Army sought desperately to find an antidote to the vaunted German blitzkrieg. This Leavenworth Paper analyzes the origins of the tank destroyer concept, evaluates the doctrine and equipment with which tank destroyer units fought, and assesses the effectiveness of the tank destroyer in battle.