Ampersand's Allies & Axis #32

Ampersand publishing, has been producing this series for quite a while, though this is the first edition I have seen. The series contains photo articles on two different vehicles, one Allied and one Axis, hence the name. This is mostly a photo book and thanks to the landscape format, the images reproduced are both large and quite clear. You also don't have images running across 'the trench', something that makes me wince when I see it.

The first subject is the M20 Tank Transporter. This vehicle was produced by Diamond T for a British requirement, but was found to be so useful that it was soon adopted by the US as well. Basically, it could hall a Sherman or other similar size and weight tank. There were variations in both the truck and the trailer, which is fully covered not only in the history section, but also in the photos that are provided.

The other subject is the StuG III and its use in Finland. The Finns had requested some of these assault guns early in the war, but it wasn't until the middle of the war that some were finally delivered. These were eventually used with great success against the Soviets and were quite useful in stopping Soviet advances late in the war. It was this ability to halt the Red Army that led to a favorable armistice with them and Finland was not subjugated as were other Eastern European nations post war. Also part of this section are the stories and photos of several German StuG units that found alongside the Finns.

As mentioned, all the photos are large and clear and show detail that you just don't see with many other publications. It is a great reference for the modeler and enthusiast alike.

July 2015

Review copy courtesy Ampersand Publishing. Get yours today at this link.

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