Introduction
In Panzer-Rgt./Abt.18 on the battlefield, Tom Cockle looks at this German unit and their vehicles. Many type of vehicles will appear in this book but the key role was played by the Tauchpanzers. The hardcover, landscape formatted book’s brief introduction is followed by more than a hundred mainly unpublished photographs, published in the highest possible quality. Both the introduction and the captions are bilingual (English / Hungarian).
Review
This offering from Peko Publishing is authored by Tom Cockle and is volume 26 in the World War II photo book series. The contents of the book are presented to you over 112 pages and is provided in a landscape style, and pleasingly is a hardbacked book offering. This release is a duel language offering in Hungarian and English, with Tom Cockle having provided a dedicated introduction to the books contents and vehicle covered. There are no chapters as such, but as you would expect Tom Cockle has provided very nice captions for every photograph with his words being provided in both languages as indicated.
The photographs in the title are all black and white period offerings, which provide the viewer of snap shots is time of this early tank performing its duties and the crews living with and working on the Panzer in the field and its supporting vehicles. This book covers Panzer Regiment 18 and its use of the Panzer II for the most part from the early days of the Blitzkrieg through to combat on the Eastern front. In Tom Cockle’s own words very little information is available on the units actions during World War II, however, the introduction provided does give you some clear information so that the modeller could replicate the Panzer II in a particular finish and setting and know that what they have replicated using the book is a reflection of the vehicle in the field.
Conclusion
Peko Publishing's book presentation here is for the person who likes to have specific information covering what they are looking at, and a picture of a decent size and quality to enable you to pick out and replicate very specific details. I did find that some of the pictures were a little on the fuzzy side, but those are few and far between. This title will really appeal to those that are more interested in photographs rather than reading about the vehicle or unit.