Panzer IV on the Battlefield 2, WWII Photobook Series Vol.16, by Craig Ellis (Peko Publishing)

Panzer IV on the Battlefield 2 (Volume 16 in WWII Photobook Series) is Craig Ellis’ second book on the Panzerkampfwagen IV (Sd.Kfz.161) for Peko Publishing; the first was Volume 10. It contains large format black & white photos of all Lang (Long barreled) Ausfuhrungs of this well-known Panzer. It serves as a pictorial guide for modellers and buffs to better identify which Panzer you are looking at in a picture.

It is a hardcover with a glossy finish in an A4 (11.6 x 8.3 x 0.5 inches/30 x 21,6 x 1,2 cm) landscape format. There are 112 full page pictures from the wartime archives – many not seen before of the Panzer IV in service. 

The photographs come from private collection of Peter Kocsis and Archive of Modern Conflict. Most photos are new and unknown to us and a few of those we have seen before were of a much lower quality.

Each page features one large picture, with an explanatory description of the type & variant, the production series, along with specific vehicle details, location and date.

Panzer IV is called the «workhorse» of the German army during the WW2. From North Africa to the Eastern front it was a ubiquitous tank on the various battlefields of WWII, as it was performing various tasks and underwent many modifications and developments. One of the most important changes was a change from short-barrelled 75mm gun, which was originally intended for infantry support, to long-barrelled 75mm gun based on the time-tested Pak40, therefore improving anti-tank capacities of Panzer IV on the Eastern Front. This volume tackles long barreled IVs only, leaving early employment as infantry support weapon for a future title.

From Panzer IV Ausf F2 to Panzer IV Ausf G, H & J, the change of variants was accompanied by the delay of implementations by the factories producing Panzer IV and this caused a mix of various elements seen on the photographs. The recent volume from PeKo Publishing is addressing those changes and factory differences (by Vomag, Nibelungen & Krupp).

Using many photos the book takes a historical overview of this strategically important tank. Description and definition of all the different Long barreled Ausfs are included, both within the introduction and captions. It applies recent findings to the analysis and commentary of the photographs. These include the authors' own research into unit specific stowage and factory production differences, which feature for the first time within the context of a monograph looking at the vehicles overall evolution. Information that should be invaluable to both historians and modelers.

The format of the book is hard cover, with strong sewn quality binding. Text is bilingual (Hungarian and English). In the introduction (three pages) the author explains in detail the observations and specific features which will be then used to identify vehicle variants on the photographs. Different aspects of Panzer IV Ausf G. and Ausf. H from Vomag, Krupp and Nibelungwerke are given in a table and this is a very useful and easy to use reference by the modeller. 

The introduction is followed by 100 large size (full page) photographs, each with a large, explanatory caption, which points out important features seen on the vehicles, allowing identification of production series. The story starts with a number of Ausf F2. and there is plenty of detail that would serve as a basis for your next model – unique features, original camouflages and various weathering effects seen on the photographs. For example winter vehicles show huge accumulations of mud and snow. We also see vehicles undergoing engine or general maintenance, turrets being lifted/hoisted by half-tracked cranes (nice diorama idea!), etc. 

From Ausf. F2 the book moves to Ausf. G. and the mixed features of different variants/series are explained. Most of the photos are previously unpublished. Many examples carry additions by the crews, e.g. wires to keep the hatches shut, chains on stowage boxes for additional personal items, individual stowage and uniform. Of particular interest are some IVs prior to Kursk offensive, other being dismantled in Italy and some being mixed up vehicles with earlier turrets on later sassis!

Next, the book follows the introduction of side skirts and their evolution. Ausf. G, early Ausf. H are shown. Some tanks appear as destroyed, while others are being on maintenance or operational. There are also photographs of tanks with zimmerit, including normal, unusual/wavey or even experimental zimmerint on side skirts and these late war Panzers have quite interesting camouflages, both factory and field applied. Nice photos also with tanks layered with many track links or tree trunks for extra protection. 

At the end, there are the Ausf Js. Those have late type of side skirts (mesh) and one example shown has all the skirts camouflaged with local foliage - rare and inspiring combination for a model - although this camouflage net obscured most detail! We also liked photos showing panzers almost totally camouflaged/covered by bushes and branches. Crews and personnel are featured in many photos with great uniform detail.

In Conclusion…

If you like Panzer IV, or you are building a model of it, do not miss this great photobook from PeKo. The images are new to us and narration from Craig Ellis make the book an excellent addition to any library dedicated to Panzers. Truly inspiring, original material – Highly recommended!

Panzer IV on the battlefield 2 - World War Two Photobook Series (Vol.16)

Author: Craig Ellis

Dual Hungarian-English languages

Landscape Format (21,5cm height x 30cm wide)

112 pages, Hardcover

Price: €28.95

ISBN: 9786155583087

You can order it fast & easy on the PeKo Publishing website here.

It is really worth following Peko website to see what comes next.