Tank Craft 44 Stug III Assault Gun

German Army, Waffen-SS, and Luftwaffe Units Eastern Front, 1944



Author:

Dennis Oliver is a British author and illustrator renowned for his extensive work on WWII armored vehicles. He has written over twenty books that offer detailed insights into vehicle variants, camouflage patterns, and unit histories. Beyond his writing, Oliver actively supports the modeling community by featuring model kits, aftermarket accessories, and galleries of expertly built and painted models throughout his work. His latest title, TankCraft 44, continues this comprehensive approach. 

Book Specifics:

The book is printed in an A4 format (8.5 inches x 11 inches) and features 32 pages in color alongside 100 black-and-white images, all printed on high-quality glossy paper for enhanced visual clarity. The front and back covers are printed on heavier-weight, glossy cardstock. Published by Pen & Sword in May 2025, Tankcraft 44 offers a comprehensive exploration of the German Sturmgeschütz III assault gun, focusing on its deployment on the Eastern Front in 1944. This 64-page volume combines historical analysis, detailed illustrations, and modeling guidance, making it a valuable resource for both military historians and scale model enthusiasts.

Brief History:

The StuG III was Germany's most-produced armored vehicle of WWII, built on a Panzer III chassis with a turretless design. Initially meant for infantry support, it was upgraded to a powerful tank destroyer with a long-barreled 75mm gun. Its low profile and cost-effective production made it highly effective on all fronts. Versatile and reliable, the StuG III played a key role in German defense and ambush tactics. With over 10,000 built, it remains one of the war's most influential armored vehicles. 

Contents:

Even without a formal table of contents, every page has its own title and page number.

Introduction:

The introduction on page 1 provides a historical summary of the assault guns' development, highlighting their transformation from infantry support weapons to dedicated tank destroyers.

The Eastern Front:

Page 2, titled Eastern Front, features a map of Eastern Europe showing city names, the positioning of German armored units in 1944, and the movements of Soviet offensives.

The StuG III Units:

Pages 3-16 provide an in depth look at the German Army units equipped with StuG assault guns. The author explores each unit's background, tracing its formation and operational history throughout the war. The section also examines the organizational structure of these units, detailing how they were integrated into the broader German military system. Additionally, the pages highlight the specific fronts and campaigns where these units were deployed, offering context for their role in various battles and the overall German Strategy. A helpful feature is that the author highlights each unit in bold, followed by a brief description making it easy to locate a specific unit. On page 5, there is an image of Stug III G during the summer of 1944.

Camouflage & Markings:

Pages 17-28 feature full-color profiles showing various camouflage schemes and markings used throughout 1944. The author also points out the locations where the German military placed company numbers, unit insignias, and tactical symbols, information that would be especially useful for modelers when applying decals. On page 27, there is a vivid color illustration of a StuG III Ausf. G, accompanied by detailed descriptions that the author provides for each image.

Model Showcase:

The next section, spanning pages 29-41, features another engaging part of the book -- a gallery of high-quality builds by top modelers, showcasing techniques and configurations appropriate to the period.  Among the featured modelers are Kevin Potts with his 1/35th scale StuG III, Joseph Youngerman with a 1/48th scale StuH 42, and Masahiro DOI, who concludes the showcase with his StuG III build based on Nichimo's 1/30th scale Panzer III Ausf.M kit. Page 31, below, features Kevin Pott's detailed StuG II, showcasing his completed build. 

Modeling Products:

Pages 42-48 feature reviews of available StuG III kits in 1/72, 1/48, and 1/35 scales, highlighting options from manufacturers like Dragon, Tamiya, Takom, and Revell. The section also suggests aftermarket upgrades and accessories from brands such as Aber and Hauler to enhance detail and accuracy. Page 48 shows upgrades by Aber and aftermarket tracks.

Technical Details and Modifications:

This section, pages 49-59 explores the evolution of the StuG III Ausf. G between 1942 and 1945, detailing production changes, field modifications and technical upgrades. Archival photos and expert commentary provide valuable context for modelers and historians, illustrating how these changes appeared in service and how they can be replicated in scale models. A standout example of the StuG III Ausf. G with mounted Schürzen appears on page 56, where the author's side notes detail the specific armored plates mounting hangers, and support rails featured on this vehicle. 

The Kreigsstärkenweissungen:

On pages 60-63, Dennis Oliver includes a concise summary of The Kreigsstärkenweissungen or War Strength Reports of the unit compositions, movements, and combat records during 1944. An example on page 61 is below.

To wrap up up this outstanding reference book, the author provides a product contact list, an invaluable resource for modelers seeking kits, accessories, and further information.

Conclusion:

Tankcraft 44 StuG III is a valuable reference for both modelers and military history enthusiasts. I have included the following bullet points in this conclusion to highlight key strengths of the book:

• Clear historical background on Eastern Front StuG III units in 1944
• Helpful color profiles and marking guides
• Inspiring gallery of expert model builds
• Reviews of kits and aftermarket accessories in multiple scales
• Useful technical data and unit organization charts
• Handy product contact list for further resources

Overall, this title is a valuable addition to any modeler's bookshelf, particularly for those interested in German armor of World War II.

For further information or to purchase, visit:

https://www.casematepublishers.com/9781399033886/tank-craft-44-stug-iii-assault-gun/

Highly Recommended for Beginner to Advanced builders.

Thanks goes out to Casemate Publishing for this review book.

Reviewed by Phillip Cavender, AMPS # 3060

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