Publisher's Synopsis
The appearance of the tank amidst the mud of the trenches during World War I must rank as one of the most significant moments in the history of warfare. Further development of the tank and other armoured fighting vehicles was such that by the opening years of World War II the speed and destructive power of Germany's Panzers became shatteringly evident. Since then, an amazingly diverse range of tanks has appeared on the military stage, together with evolved tactics for fighting with them, and against them. This superb reference volume describes the development of tanks, the most potent weapons of the world's ground forces for almost ninety years. The introductory chapter describes the development of the tank, comments on the major tank battles throughout several wars, explains how new weapons have been produced in an attempt to defeat these highly mobile armoured vehicles, and also reveals the countermeasures tank designers have evolved to protect tanks and their crews. The volume contains entries on over 100 major tanks, presented in chronological order, and includes the famous Sherman and Royal Tiger of World War II.;The work is complemented by rare historical photographs, dramatic contemporary action shots and colour profiles. This volume will be a superb reference book for any military enthusiast.
