Soviet Tanks at Stalingrad 1942–43: (345 New Vanguard)

Examines and analyses how the Soviet tank forces that fought at Stalingrad were rejuvenated in the months leading up to the battle, and the role they played in this iconic campaign. The Stalingrad campaign was a major turning point of World War II. The German Sixth Army's 22 divisions and 250,000 troops were encircled and destroyed, while the Soviet 62nd Army's desperate defense of the city and the suffering of the starving German troops receives much justifiable attention. Here, Soviet armor expert William E. Hiestand draws attention to the less-covered element of the battle: the reborn Soviet tank and mechanized corps that delivered the death blow to Hitler's hopes. He explains how in summer 1942, the Soviet tank forces were failing to reach their potential; despite being equipped with superb T-34 and heavily armored KV-1 tanks, the Red Army's newly formed tank corps were unable to integrate their armored thrusts with supporting infantry and artillery, and their disjoined attacks were repeatedly shattered. By November 19, however, Soviet organization, command and control, training, and tactics had matured, allowing the Fifth Tank Army to launch the decisive penetration through the Romanian Third Army. Packed with rare archive photos and superb profiles of the tanks involved, this book shows that it was at Stalingrad that the Red Army's armored spearhead evolved into a force that could dominate the Eastern Front.

Table of Contents:
CONTENTS INTRODUCTION DOCTRINE AND ORGANIZATION TECHNICAL FACTORS T-34 (76mm) KV-1 and KV-1S T-60 and T-70 Lend-lease tanks THE CAMPAIGN Kerch and the second battle of Kharkov Operation Fall Blau and the drive to Stalingrad Stalingrad, Uranus and Winter Storm Operation Little Saturn Operation Mars Tigers at the front BATTLE ANALYSIS FURTHER READING INDEX

About the Author :
William E. Hiestand has worked for over 30 years as a US Department of Defense analyst, focusing on military issues and serving in a wide variety of analytic, leadership and representational roles. He holds an MA in History from Cornell University, and has a lifelong interest in military history with a particular focus on 20th-century armoured and mechanized operations and Soviet military history. He lives near Washington DC. Steve Noon is a renowned artist specializing in military history.

Review :
Photos, artwork of tanks, gunboats and armoured trains; recommended. a key strength is the nine charts of data on technical characteristics, organisation and tank strengths.