Beutepanzers of World War II

Illustrated with original artwork and archive photos, this is the history of Germany's extensive use of captured tanks in World War II.

In Beutepanzers of World War II, Steven J. Zaloga, one of the world's leading armour authorities, uncovers the history of one of the least-known aspects of Germany's World War II Panzers: the extensive use of captured armoured vehicles, known as "Beutepanzer". The best of these came from the fall of France, with the Somua S 35 and Panhard 178 proving popular in German service. Others, such as the antique Renault FT, were utilised for secondary tasks, such as anti-partisan missions and airfield protection. Most curious of all were the "Becker conversions", a private venture of a German artillery officer with family industry, who mechanised his unit’s towed artillery and went on to oversee the modernisation and up-gunning of many French Beutepanzers. These played a particularly important role in Normandy in 1944.

Although the Wehrmacht captured large numbers of Soviet tanks, these saw very limited service, with most sent to the smelters. When Italy switched sides in September 1943, the Italian AFV industry continued producing tanks and AFVs for the Wehrmacht. Tanks and AFVs captured from other Allied armies, including Britain and the US, were generally used on a small, improvised scale.

Illustrated with superb new profiles and some rare archive photos, this book offers a concise guide to an intriguing element of World War II armour.