Panzer IV vs Sherman Book Review

By David L. Veres

Review

Osprey’s “Duel” series continues with a superb study of armor clashes in the wake of World War II’s Normandy invasion – Panzer IV vs Sherman: France 1944, number 70 in the popular range.

Contents follow the publisher’s proven prescription. Author Steven J. Zaloga superbly sets the stage with introductory notes and chronology – then segues to design histories and technical remarks on both vehicles. Text next turns to “combatants” – the impacts of crew vehicle positions and unit organizations on battlefield performance.

Coverage hits climax with the author’s thrilling account of Operation Cobra – the epic attack by U.S. Army armor on attenuated Nazi panzer forces in northeast France. Narrative superbly snares the speed and chaos of battle. And absorbing anecdotes capture the ferocity of fighting. Outnumbered, out-gunned and without air support, German forces faced awful odds. Their inevitable defeat followed.

Zaloga’s splendid study concludes with instructive statistical analyses, tactical factors summary and bibliographic comments. Richard Chasemore’s terrifically informative illustrations – as well as photos, extended captions, sidebars, charts and map – supplement text.

Osprey’s “Duel” titles deftly distill larger historical lessons through a hic stans prism of two participating technologies. Admirably indexed, this awesome effort deserves a place in every armor enthusiast’s library.

Roundly recommended.

My sincere thanks to Osprey Publishing for this review sample!