Tank Craft #36: Panzer III - North Africa

Author/Artists: Dennis Oliver

Publisher

Pen & Sword

Price

$28.95 from Casemate

Reviewer:

Scott Van Aken

Notes: 64 pages, softcover, 200 illustrations
ISBN: 978-1-399018000

This book from Pen & Sword's series on military vehicles concentrates on the Panzer III in operations during the North Africa campaign. I may have mentioned this before, but I always thought the Panzer III was a medium tank, but the author continuously calls it a light tank. Regardless, the type was quite successful being constantly upgunned and upgraded. Its chassis served as the automotive section for a number of other vehicles, including the StuG and SPGs.

It was fairly effective in North Africa, its main issue be a lack of numbers. Only a set number were sent and once the invasion of Russia got underway, the supply of vehicles and spares pretty much dried up. This book covers the time period from the initial deployment in 1941 until the battle of El Alamein in 1942.

The book covers a standard format for the series with a short history, a look at the units operating the type, as well as a section on the different variants of the tank used during this time and how to identify those variations. There is also a modeling section that provides the building of four kits, mostly in 1/35. This also includes a look at various kits currently available along with some aftermarket pieces.

This is a nice addition to the series and is the type of book to appeal to enthusiasts and modelers alike. Well worth picking up. 

November 2022

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