For those wanting to learn more about Hungarian mobile forces in WWII, a new hardcover book on the topic was released earlier this month. Titled “Huns on Wheels: Hungarian Mobile Forces in WWII”, this is a self-published work by author Peter Mujzer. The book is described as A4 hardbound format, with 264 pages containing 385 black and white original photos, AFV scale drawings, 14 maps, 34 Order of Battle lists, and 16 pages of colour references for armored vehicles’ profiles and uniforms drawings. The book is available directly from the author who has a facebook page for the book, or he can be contacted at hunsonwheels@yahoo.com.
Book Alert: Huns on Wheels
June 26, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Archive Awareness on Finnish Impressions of T-34/85
June 26, 2015 by Leave a Comment
The blog Archive Awareness posted an interesting article earlier this week reporting on Finnish impressions of the T-34/85 tank compared to the earlier model 1943 version. The Finns seem generally impressed with the vehicle, noting that the quality of the armor is better than on previous versions and also that while the engine is the same as found in previous models of T-34, the quality of construction has improved leading to a slightly higher power output and engine lifespan. The 85mm gun is praised in the report as being “identical to the German 88 mm tank gun in main parameters.” The Finns also praise the refractive telescopic sight on the T-34/85, noting that is “greatly superior to the sight of the model 1942-1943 T-34 tank.”
New Issue of ARMOR released
June 26, 2015 by 2 Comments
Earlier this week the January-March 2015 issue of ARMOR was released in PDF format. The cover story for this issue has the rather scintillating title of “Regional Alignment of Forces and Reconnaissance and Surveillance at Echelons Above Brigade.” The casual AFV enthusiast will probably not find much to catch their eye in this issue, although the article “The Tank is Dead! Long Live the Tank!’ (pg 121-127) may be worthwhile for those with an interest in future US tank development.
The Research Squad
June 25, 2015 by Leave a Comment
For those interested in the technical aspects of WWII tanks, check out the website for The Research Squad.com. The Research Squad are a group who share a common passion towards the preservation and restoration of historical items of interest. Their aim is to professionally document, research and publish studies on significant subjects in a variety of media, for the wider public to enjoy. In addition to their books, they plan for the site to contain large amounts of information in the form of galleries, drawings, diagrams and research projects for free use of wider communities.
To this end they are currently working in close co-operation with The Wheatcroft Collection, a privately owned collection of some 200 plus major military and civilian items. The intention is to publish a series of books on important items within the collection, whilst also working with the collection to raise its public profile via its website.
Panzer wrecks from the Bulgarian Border
June 25, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Last month War History Online ran an update to a story that first appeared way back in 2008 about WWII German tank wrecks on the Bulgarian border. The Bulgarian government had buried more than 40 former Nazi tanks on their southern border as stationary pill boxes during the cold war. In 2008 the Bulgarian government announced that they were unearthing the vehicles and selling them at auction. Over the years, many of the vehicles had fallen prey to scrap metal hunters who removed many of the smaller bits off the tanks. The Bulgarian government cancelled the auction before it happened, deciding instead to keep the vehicles. Currently, these vehicles reside at the Museum of the Battle Glory. Several of the tanks have been partially restored, getting sandblasted, primed and repainted. According to the article, 7-8 vehicles are on display with the rest in storage.
The full article from War History Online can be viewed here.
Here is a video showing these vehicles prior to restoration.
One of the stranger vehicles shown in the photos and the video is what appears to be a Panzer IV turret modified to fit the cannon and mantlet from a SU-76m! (the vehicle on the right painted dark green)
Video footage of Tank vs Infantry fighting in Yemen
June 25, 2015 by Leave a Comment
This video appeared on youtube this week showing footage of Yemeni Houthi forces in combat with tanks from the Army of Saudi-Arabia. The Saudi tanks appear to be of two different types, US built M60 tanks or French built AMX-30.
From the Vault: Tanks and Industry: The Detroit Arsenal, 1940-1954
June 24, 2015 by Leave a Comment
For those with an interest in U.S. World War II tank production, we would recommend taking a look at the book “Tanks and Industry: The Detroit Arsenal, 1940-1954” by Kevin Thornton. The book gives a nice overview of the history of the Detroit Arsenal, the first manufacturing plant in the US built specifically for the purpose of tank construction. Owned by the US Government and operated by Chrysler Corporation, the Detroit Arsenal was designed by famed architect Albert Kahn on built on an 113 acre site in Warren, a suburb of Detroit. During the course of the war, the Tank Arsenal built about a quarter of the 89,568 tanks produced by the United States.
Published in 1995 by TACOM, this book can be viewed in it’s entirety at the Hathi Trust Digital Library site. Click on the image below to go to the Hathi Trust website and view the book.
Bundeswehr receives first production-standard Puma AIFV
June 24, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Jane’s is reporting that the German Army has received their first batch of production standard Puma Armored Infantry Fighting Vehicles at a ceremony at the Unterluss Proving Ground on June 23. Produced by Projekt System & Management GmbH (PSM), the Bundeswehr plans to take delivery of 350 Puma AIFVs by 2020, a number reduced from the original plan for 405. According to the article, the total value of the Puma contract is now EUR4.3 billion (USD4.9 billion) including additional equipment.
The Puma AIFV is the replacement for the current Rheinmetall Landsysteme Marder 1 IFV, which entered service with the Bundeswehr in 1971, although it has been constantly upgraded since then, the latest version being the Marder 1A5 developed for deployment to Afghanistan. The Puma has already undergone a number of major design changes, including modifications to the hull that included adding an additional road wheel either side for improved mobility.
Rebooting graveyard tanks in Ukraine
June 24, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Ukraine Today has posted a video of T-64 tanks being renovated at “a secret depot in the city of Kharkiv.” The video is fairly short and contains some inaccuracies (128mm gun?) but still, it’s worth watching for the footage of the refurbished tanks and the repair facilities.
Sherman tank on display at Pittsburgh Heinz History Center
June 23, 2015 by Leave a Comment
CBS Pittsburgh is reporting on a M4A3E8 Sherman tank which has been put on display outside of the Pittsburgh Heinz History Center as part of their “World War II – We Can Do It” exhibit. This particular tank belongs to a local amateur military historian named John Tippins who loaned the tank for the exhibit. Click on the image below to go to the video.
Tank and AFV News 