{"product_id":"german-marders-of-world-war-ii-by-steven-j-zaloga-9781472872142","title":"German Marders of World War II","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eGerman Marders of World War II\u003c\/em\u003e offers a detailed exploration of the Marder family's role in mobile antitank firepower, combining the outstanding 7.5cm antitank gun with existing light tank chassis. This book is fully illustrated, shedding light on their design and use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe introduction of T-34 and KV tanks in 1941 pressured the Wehrmacht to deploy a more powerful antitank gun, the 7.5cm PaK 40. Despite its effectiveness, the towed gun was heavy, difficult to manoeuvre, and exposed to enemy fire. Simultaneously, several light tanks became outdated, yet their chassis remained valuable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn this book, armour expert Steven J. Zaloga delves into how these obsolete tanks and the new gun were combined to develop the Marder series of tank destroyers. The Marder I employed captured French Chenilette Lorraine chassis, and later other French light tanks, such as the Hotchkiss H39 and FCM36, while the Marder II utilised the PzKpfw II chassis. The Marder III was the most notable type, using the Czech PzKpfw 38(t) chassis.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Marder family's production peaked in 1942, making up over 18 percent of new German Panzers, with production winding down in 1944. This book, filled with rare photographs and original artwork, examines the Marders' designs, capabilities, and uses. It also explores the lesser-known and largely unsuccessful late-war attempts to produce further self-propelled 7.5cm PaK 40 vehicles on half-track, armoured car, and tractor chassis.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48317947937004,"sku":"9781472872142","price":29.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781472872142-german-marders-of-world-war-ii-1.jpg?v=1788750156","url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/products\/german-marders-of-world-war-ii-by-steven-j-zaloga-9781472872142","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}