Background

The most important Soviet tank design of the early post WW2 period was the T-54/T-55 series of tanks, and these tanks were exported in large numbers to Soviet client states including Syria and Egypt. The 1967 and 1973 Arab/Israeli wars were disastrous for the combined Arab armies, and Israeli forces captured hundreds of intact examples of the T-54/55 tanks. Not wishing to look a gift horse in the mouth, the Israeli military developed a procurement program designed to put these captured tanks back into Israeli service. Over the years the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) fielded the Tiran 1, 2, 4 and 5. The Tiran 1 was an unmodified T-54, and the Tiran 2 was an unmodified T-55. The Tiran 4 was a modified T-54 with new jerry can and stowage boxes added to the exterior of the vehicle, as well as a change to the loader’s hatch, and the addition of turret mounted exterior machineguns. The Tiran 5 was the same modification program as the Tiran 4, but for the T-55 tank.

Background

The British Churchill tank was one of the most important tank designs introduced by the British after the start of the Second World War. Following the collapse of the French armies at the hands of the invading Germans utilizing Blitzkrieg tactics, British forces lost most of their front line military equipment in France in May 1940. The British reevaluated their previous views on the purposes and uses of tanks following these losses, and came up with more modern designs, the Churchill tank being a prime example. It was heavily armored, and with the introduction in 1943 of the Mk.VII, better armed, sporting as it did a 75mm main gun capable of firing both high explosive and armor piercing rounds. In preparation for the D-Day Invasion in June 1944, various “specialized” tanks were dreamed up, including a flame throwing version of the Churchill, named the Crocodile.

This book goes into great detail about the history and combat experience of the first US tank destroyer battalion. It takes you from the unit’s formation to the Kasserine pass to Anzio, Operation Dragoon to the final attacks on the Third Reich, this is the fascinating story of the men and machines fighting against Germany’s best. This book tells the technical details and origins of the 601st Tank Destroyer Battalion, it allows you to be at the front during the European war.

As the war developed it become very clear that the allies needed to have a way to defeat the German panzers on the battlefields. The answer was the formation of a new type of battalion, the Tank Destroyers.

"The Panzer IV – Panzerkampfwagen IV – was one the foremost German fighting vehicles of the Second World War, and this volume in the TankCraft series is an ideal introduction to it. With detailed captions, text and illustrations the book tells the story of the technical development of the Panzer IV and the numerous variants that went into production. In addition it describes how this vehicle evolved from infantry support to become the backbone of the Panzer units. It was modified and upgunned to face ever-increasing enemy threats, and it proved to be so diverse and effective that it earned a unique tactical role on the battlefield.

When you think about armor in the Vietnam war you almost always think about the M113, especially in it’s ACAV fit. A vehicle designed to bring the troops close to the battle under some armor protection turned into a combat vehicle

This 48-page soft cover book focuses on the use of the M113 during the Vietnam war not only by the US but also the ARVN and Australian forces.

The book starts off with design and development that led to the M113 and the major variants of the vehicle which were many including versions equipped with a mortar, flame thrower and Vulcan 20mm cannon. They were also used as Fitters vehicles, Command centers and bride layers.

The Combat History section covers operations by the South Vietnamese, US and Australia and ends with a brief section regarding South Korean, Thailand and the Philippines use of the vehicle in country.