This is #10 in the very popular 'Duel' series and this time, it takes a look at the German Panzer III and the US M3 Lee tanks during the Kasserine Pass battles of 1943. This was the last German victory in the desert before they were driven out of North Africa just a few months later.

It was also a major learning experience for the American Army, which seemed to do just about everything wrong during this conflict. However, one has to learn and part of the training of the units involved did not include open country, desert warfare. It was also a battle that showed American generals that one could not rely on set strategy and that the moment plans got underway, there was always something that would upset them and make them obsolete.

One thing learned was that the M3 Lee was not the tank that was needed in modern warfare against the Germans. Though it had a superb 75mm main gun, the limited traverse of the weapon put those who used it at a distinct disadvantage. Though not as heavily armed, the Panzer III (which in reality was more of a light tank than a medium one) had the benefit of considerable updating and generally had very experienced crews. Though heavily outnumbered in both troops and equipment, the German tank corps was able to route the inexperienced US Army and do considerable damage in terms of destroyed US equipment.

In line with other books in this series, the author takes a look at the design and development of both of the tanks, then looks at the strategic situation in which these weapons found themselves in early 1943. There is a section on the technical specifications of the two tanks, followed by a piece on the training of the combatants as well as what it was like to be a member of a tank crew. One doesn't think about such things, but it was pointed out that there are no, well, relief facilities in a tank. Members had to use what was available when the tank was buttoned up (sometimes for days) and spillage could be a problem. I found it funny that the US crews generally used empty metal ammo cans, dumping them out when full, much to the disgust of the infantryman who found one, thinking it would be a useful thing to have!

The book then goes on to detail this initial major combat between the two forces, following up with an analysis of the event and what came afterwards.

All of this is superbly illustrated with maps, cutaways, and period photographs, making this edition a must-have for those interested in the combat capabilities of these two machines.

May 2008

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