German Tanks in Barbarossa 1941 cover

Description

A detailed, illustrated study of Germany's Panzer forces that invaded the Soviet Union, explaining how and why they performed as they did.

Operation Barbarossa, Nazi Germany's huge and fateful invasion of the Soviet Union, was the culmination of nearly two years of European conquests. By the time of Barbarossa, Germany's Panzer forces had honed their Blitzkrieg methods of fast-moving warfare, but fighting across the wide expanses of eastern Europe would present them with their greatest challenge yet. While the Germans overran the Red Army at the start of the campaign, Barbarossa would end in failure.

Written by one of the world's experts on armoured warfare, and presenting newly uncovered data on the forces involved, this book explains the doctrine, organization, and technical capabilities of the Panzer forces, with a short overview on the armour of other Axis forces including Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Finland, and Italy.

The speed and shock value of the Panzer divisions was essential for the Wehrmacht to prevail over the Red Army in a brief campaign of annihilation. Packed with archive photos and superb original tank illustrations, this book explains how problems with the Panzers were a significant reason for the eventual failure of Barbarossa.

Table of Contents

CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
DOCTRINE AND ORGANIZATION
TANKS OF GERMANY'S ALLIES
-Romania
-Hungary
-Slovakia
-Italy
-Finland
TECHNICAL FACTORS
-PzKpfw IV during Operation Barbarossa
-PzKpfw III
-PzKpfw IV
-PzKpfw 38(t)
-PzKpfw II
-PzKpfw I
-Panzerjäger
THE CAMPAIGN
-Barbarossa unleashed
-Blitzkrieg bogs down
-On to Kiev
-Operation Taifun
BATTLE ANALYSIS
FURTHER READING
INDEX

Product details

Published Jun 19 2025
Format Ebook (PDF)
Edition 1st
Extent 48
ISBN 9781472864383
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations Illustrated throughout with 40 photos and 8 pages of colour illustrations
Series New Vanguard
Short code NVG 339
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Steven J. Zaloga

Steven J. Zaloga received his BA in History from U…

Illustrator

Felipe Rodríguez

Felipe Rodríguez Náñez (aka Felipe Rodna) lives wi…

Resources

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