Fonthill- The Panzer Archives Vol. 1

Panzer II-IV, Praga TNH-P (Panzer 38(t)), E-100, Mouse 1-Man Tank, and Armoured Cars

Book Specifics

Author: Craig Moore

Price: $34.95

ISBN 978-1-03619-065-1

Hardcover, 184 Pages, 6.75 x 9.75 in, 183 mono illustrations

What's Inside

This is the first volume in a series of books regarding declassified British documents analysing captured enemy armoured vehicles and tanks which were used to determine their mechanical specifications and abilities, and most importantly, how to destroy them. This vital information was then passed on to battlefield officers via briefings and technical summaries attached to General Orders. After the war, these secret reports were sent for storage to different archives around Britain and have now been released. Volume 1 is broken down into the following chapters:

Introduction

1. British Testing of the Czechoslovakian-built Praga TNH-P 8-ton Tank (Panzer 38)t)) in 1938
2. The Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf. A Light Tank
3. Poison Gas Bullet Attack Trials on the Panzer III
4.  Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf. D
5. Wire-mesh Skirting on German Tanks
6. The E-100 Super-heavy Tank
7. Fiat Ansaldo Autoblinda AB 41 Italian Armoured Car Trials
8. The Wilton-Fijenoord Pantserwagen Armoured Car
9. The Mouse: A German One-Man Light Tank Proposal
10. Schildkröte Panzerspähwagen Light Amphibious Turtle Armoured Car

Each chapter contains the report with findings and is accompanied by either reference photos or charts, diagrams, and technical drawings.

Chapter 1 explores each position in the Czech tank, as well as the hull, engine, and trials.

Chapter 2 on the Panzer II contains the report which contains field trials on the tank- including conditions, specifications including dimensions, hull and turret armor thicknesses, armament, engine in detail. 

Chapter 3 has one of the more morbid topics I have read from the Allied side- and that is evaluating the chemical weapons testing on the Panzer III, including the airflow and ventilation characteristics inside the tank when exposed to Hydrogen Cyanide gas in Squirt A.T. Portable Mk. I form, in aircraft bombs, hand grenades, and .303 ammunition. Some tests were done with dyed water standing in for the chemicals, while others required the use of animals including goats, guinea pigs, and rabbits left in crew positions to see how effective the chemicals were.

Chapter 4 follows essentially the same formula as Ch. 2 for the Panzer IV and there are some great reference photos included of interior positions...

Chapter 5 is shorter and highlights the effectiveness (or lack) of wire-mesh and schürzen skirts.

Chapter 6 focuses on the E 100 (Entwicklung 100) Super Heavy tank partially build prototype captured at war's end and includes an interrogation of a German engineer on the project and includes loads of photos of components of the unfinished beast. This is by far one of the most extensive chapters in the book.

Chanpter 7 looks at the Italian Autoblinda AB 41 and has only a few photos to accompany the performance report of the sample.

Chapter 8 showcases a rather unusual Dutch-built armoured car designed by Krupp in Germany. Earlier today when I was in town I was parked next to what seemed a descendent of this strange bird, but it ended up being just a Cybertruck.

Chapter 9- the one-man Mouse tank was only a paper project with no real built examples considering the Sd.Kfz. 251 series of halftracks did the job more effectively and with more consistent success.

The last chapter focusing on the Turtle armoured car was of interest in the amphibious trials-- getting into the water on the inside of this thing took some serious courage...

Conclusion

Overall, this book was interesting in getting an idea of how research was so vital in breaking down the performances and more importantly, the weaknesses, behind some of the armor encountered by the Allies. This information was then passed down to commanders in the field to help formulate counters and gain battlefield success. Modelers and armor enthusiasts will find the photos inside of interest as well as the textual information, despite the technical jargon at times bogging one down. A second volume, featuring the Jagdpanther, Jagdtiger, Panther and Bergepanther is due out in late fall of this year.

Recommended for modelers and enthusiasts of German armor.

Thanks goes out to Casemate Publishing for this review sample.

Reviewed by Michael Reeves, AMPS Albany

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