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by Tom Cockle.
Hardback (Horizontal: 12.0×8.5 inches). 123 pages. 2025.
I always enjoy the Through The Lens books — the images are fresh to me and I’ve seen a lot of WWII photos. Better yet, they are printed one to a page, so you can see details on vehicles and uniforms that you cannot on smaller imagery. Finally, the majority are sharp, not blurry. Whatever photo retouching he’s doing, I urge him to keep doing it.
The photos are divided into sections: RSO/1 Tractor, Austria 1945, Sauer RK-7, STuG III of Abt 203, and M-10s in French service. Each section has much to commend, from rarity of image to a reference source for modeling nuances.
The book contains 120 black and white photos.
My favorite? A STuG III rolls into a Russian village, motorcycle rider to the right, the front of a car to the left, and infantry marching towards the open fields. This nicely composed photo (p95) is worthy of a diorama.
Runner up? A RSO with integrated 75mm AT gun (p23). I’ve seen the Germans mount AT guns on lots of chassis, but never on a RSO.
Tied for Honorary Mention: In Austria (p59), a Turan tank, FT-17 (on its side) and upside down T-26. Also in Austria (p60), a row with a Packard P-178 armored car, Belgian T13 B2 tank destroyer, T-15, and H-35 tank. First time I’ve heard of a T13 and T15, although the shot isn’t the greatest, it beats the late-war tanks in various stages of destruction.
Enjoyed it.
— Reviewed by Russ Lockwood
