The Panther Tank

During its 22 months of service beginning in July 1943, Germany's Panther tank proved more than a formidable opponent for the superior numbers of Allied tanks and ground-attack aircraft amassed on both the Eastern and Western Fronts. Illustrated with archival photographs, color paintings, and diagrams, this history of the highly mobile and well-armed Panther spans the period from its conception through its production run of 5,500 by war's end. The book exhaustively explores the people and events behind the development and rushed production of the Panther and its variants, as well as the tank's evolving role and battle record in Germany's last-ditch attempt to salvage victory. Key features of the Panther's design and layout are explained and illustrated, as are the tactics used by tank commanders in key battles.