US Army Tank Crewman 1941–45: European Theater of Operations (ETO) 1944–45

Osprey Warrior #78

by Steven J. Zaloga, Howard Gerrard (Illustrator)

Revealing what it was like to live and fight in a medium tank during World War II (1939-1945), this book is structured around the career of a single tanker from 37th Tank Battalion, 4th Armored Division. The focus is largely on the crew of an M4 Sherman, though light tank service is also studied. Tank operation required a well- trained and well-coordinated crew. The crew positions and roles of tank commander, gunner, driver, loader, and assistant driver are all covered in detail, together with recruitment procedure, specialist training, and the variety of specialized clothing and personal weaponry.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Military History

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Steven Zaloga is an author and defense analyst known worldwide for his articles and publications on military technology.  He has written over a hundred books on military technology and military history, including “Armored Thunderbolt: The US Army Sherman in World War II”, one of the most highly regarded histories of the Sherman Tank.  His books have been translated into Japanese, German, Polish, Czech, Romanian, and Russian. He was a special correspondent for Jane’s Intelligence Review and is on the executive board of the Journal of Slavic Military Studies and the New York Military Affairs Symposium. From 1987 through 1992, he was the writer/producer for Video Ordnance Inc., preparing their TV series Firepower.  He holds a BA in history from Union College and an MA in history from Columbia University.

Mr. Zaloga is also a noted scale armor modeler and is a host/moderator of the World War II Allied Discussion group at Missing-Lynx.com, a modelling website. He is a frequent contributor to the UK-based modeling magazine Military Modelling. He is a member of the Armor Modeling and Preservation Society.

Reviews

[Javier HG · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tras ver la película "Fury" decidí buscar este libro para saber si lo que salía en pantalla tenía algo que ver con la realidad. Es cierto que no es un libro "profundo" (tiene solo 64 páginas) pero sirve para conocer más sobre cómo luchaban y vivían los carristas del ejército de los EE.UU., durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial.

El libro se centra en la 4ª División Acorazada (parte del 3º Ejército del General Patton), probablemente la mejor división acorazada de los EE.UU., en todo el conflicto por número de victorias e importancia en el avance. Más en concreto Steven Zaloga se centra en el Batallón 37, al mando del coronel Creighton Abrams, famoso por su agresividad, la preocupación por sus hombres y su gestión desde el frente al mando de su tanque "Thunderbolt".

Al contrario que la infantería, la lucha de tanque era algo claustrofóbico. Asados en verano y congelados en invierno, rodeados de olor a gasolina, cordita y de sus propios compañeros, era casi imposible que los carristas se mantuviesen en combate por varios días seguidos antes que ellos o sus propias máquinas colapsasen. Sorprenderá al leerlo que la lucha tanque contra tanque no era tan frecuente, y que solo un 15% de los objetivos destruidos por la 4ª División fueron tanques enermigos.

Un libro interesante y asequible para l@s que le guste la historia militar o que hayan disfrutado con la película "Fury".

[Nick Stasnopolis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good effort by Steven Zaloga. Really this is more about Officers and Creighton Abrams than crewmen. But some great photos and descriptions of life in the Armored Corps in WWII.