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by Dennis Oliver.
Softcover (8.3×11.7 inches). 64 pages. 2025.
Subtitle: Assault Gun: German Army, Waffen SS and Luftwaffe Units – Eastern Front 1944
I am always impressed with the TankCraft volumes. They generally follow the same format: Design, development, and deployment (p1-16 and p49-63), a wide variety of color camouflage profiles (p17-28), and model showcase (p29-48 and p64) that provides a cornucopia of color photos of plastic models in various stages of completion. It’s all a marvelous reference work for modelers and wargamers.
This volume on the STuG III is no different. Lots of two-sentence unit histories, visual OOBs of select battalions, and details about various production versions that help modelers create an accurate model.
One typo: the table of contents lists “The Eastern Front 1945” whereas the book is 1944.
One point that I wish had been explained better: from Nov. 1942 on most battalions fielded 31 STuG IIIs (p3), up from the original 28 in the Spring 1942, but four battalions fielded 45 assault guns (p7). Of course, that’s paper strength. As most of the mini-unit histories attest, actual operable numbers were far below most of the time.
The book contains 43 black and white photos, five black and white illustrations, one black and white map, 24 color camouflage vehicle profiles, 89 color photos (model section), and 17 color photos of plastic model box art.
I’ve a 28mm STuG III from Chris Parker Games that I have yet to assemble and paint. This provided a little bit of inspiration.
Enjoyed it.
— Reviewed by Russ Lockwood
