Review by Terry Ashley

As with Panzerwrecks 1 this second volume is devoted to images of destroyed or disabled German armour in the last years of WWII.

The format of the book has mostly large images, many being just one to a page with the text confined to image captions to maximise the space for the images.

Many of the images are previously unpublished and give an excellent insight into the ferocity of the engagements resulting in the state of the vehicles in the photos and also provide excellent material for the diorama builder with most of the photos being from the European (France to Germany) and Italian theatres.

The book starts with a series of photos taken in a vehicle dump with a group of US MPs “playing/posing” amongst the wrecks (boys will be boys) with some interesting shots of Panthers and other later vehicles.

The next few pages have various shots of destroyed Panzer IVs and StuG IIIs and IVs which show some of the features of the later types and this is followed by 15 pages showing flatbed train wagons captured intake with an assortment of German vehicles heading to the front such as Sd.Kfz.10, Sd.Kfz.251/17, Sd.Kfz.251/22 and other assorted vehicles. Of interest are the numerous shots of Italian vehicles (again on flatbed cars) used by Pz.Abt.202 such as StuG M41 mit 75/18 850(i) and M42s still with their 47mm guns.

The remainder of the book has assorted shots of disabled and destroyed vehicles such as Hetzer, numerous Panthers, Panzer IV/70, Wirbelwind and Mödelwagen, Flakpanzer 38(t), Sd.Kfz.7/2, 15cm Panzerwerfer 42, Marder II, Wespe, RSO, Sd.Kfz.250/251s including some shots of children playing inside a disabled 251/21 showing some interior details.

Of interest are the numerous shots of civilians going about their “business” surrounded by vehicle wrecks paying scant attention to the vehicle as they had more important things of their minds at the time such as surviving. But it conjures up thoughts of what modellers of today would be doing if transported back in time with all these vehicles just laying about?

Conclusion:
Another excellent collection of photos that offer excellent diorama potential as well as conveying the intensity of wartime actions with the size of the photos allowing good details to be shown not only of the vehicle but of the cam schemes including the extensive use of foliage due the Allies air superiority late in the war.
The insightful and informative captions also add to the value of the photos and this series should prove an invaluable reference for the modeller.

Highly recommended.

Thanks to Lee Archer of Panzerwrecks for the review book.

Page created April 24, 2006