Tanks in the Battle of Germany 1945

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This study analyzes the final months of tank warfare in World War II as Allied forces advanced into Germany, confronting the Wehrmacht's tanks on their home soil. The crossing of the Rhine signified the beginning of the end for the Third Reich, yet the Wehrmacht fought fiercely until Berlin's fall. The Battle of Germany featured advanced Allied tanks against the remnants of the once-mighty Panzerwaffe, which, despite being exhausted and lacking essential resources, deployed some of its largest and most powerful tanks. The Allies fielded advanced models like the M4A3E8 Sherman, alongside tanks like the Pershing, Comet, and Chaffee, which would see success postwar. In contrast, the German forces relied on a few formidable types, including the Jagdtiger and Tiger II, as well as the more common Sturmgeschütz and Panzer IVs and Vs. However, the crumbling German forces faced shortages in trained crews, replacement vehicles, and fuel. Meanwhile, the well-supported Allied tank forces advanced through Germany using effective combined-arms tactics. This book provides detailed insights into tank numbers, types, and performance, illuminating the organization and doctrine of both sides and revealing how the ultimate tank battles of World War II unfolded.