German Tanks in France 1940

A fully illustrated new assessment of the German tank force that won its greatest victory in France during 1940.

The German conquest of France in 1940 was arguably the Wehrmacht’s greatest military achievement, conquering France in several weeks after having failed to do so in World War I. New Panzer tactics, dubbed 'Blitzkrieg', were at the heart of the German victory.

In German Tanks in France 1940, renowned armour expert Steven J. Zaloga reassesses the armoured force that made the triumph possible. He explains that although the German Panzers won their reputation in France, they were far from being a technological juggernaut. The vast majority were the small PzKpfw I and PzKpfw II light tanks, while the more effective medium tanks, such as the PzKpfw III and PzKpfw IV, were available in relatively small numbers. Their effectiveness had far more to do with training and doctrine than with technology.

With illustrations including unpublished photos and superb new artwork, this book examines the wide range of German tanks employed in France in 1940, as well as their organisation and tactical doctrine.