A7V Tanks (WW 1) - Germany: Books - History, Types and Construction

German Panzers 1914-18

Panzer warfare is synonymous with the Wehrmacht of World War II.

This book examines the story of the Panzer's more mysterious ancestors, the little-known panzers of the Great War. Germany was very slow to develop armored vehicles compared to Britain and France. Efforts to catch-up proved difficult, and only a few dozen German A7V tanks were completed in time to take part in the final campaigns of 1918. As a result, the majority of German panzer units actually used captured British tanks, the Beutepanzer.
This book traces the development of German panzers of the World War One, including the A7V and its intended but unfinished stablemates.

Contents: Introduction - Early Roots - The Early Tank Program - The Cambrai Shock - A7V Variants ·Panzers in Training - Into Combat - Rebuilding the Tank Units - German Armored Cars in Combat - Final Tank Battles - Plan 1919 - Further Reading - Color Plate Commentary - Index.

The German Tanks in WW I - The A7V and Early Tank Development

This book covers the earliest forms of German armored fighting vehicles used primarily in WW I, including the A7V tank.

Mark IV vs A7V - Villers-Bretonneux 1918

The German A7V and the British Mark IV were similar in weight, size, and speed, but differed significantly in armour, armament and maneuverability. The A7V had thicker armour, and had nearly double the horsepower per ton. The Mark IV's pair of side-mounted 6pdr cannons forced the vehicle to present its side arc to an enemy in order to fire one of its main guns. Possessing twice as many machine guns as the Mark IV, the A7V had a frontally mounted 57mm gun that proved capable of defeating the Mark IV's armour. The Mark IV's rhomboid design proved superior in crossing trenches, climbing obstacles and moving over rough terrain.
As the first tank-versus-tank engagement in history, the fighting around Villers-Bretonneux showcased the British Mark IV and German A7V designs. Although not purpose-built to combat enemy armour, both vehicles proved the viability of such operations, which during the postwar period led to key advances in suspension, armour, gunsights, ammunition, and command and control. While the British continued to develop their armoured forces, German armour development never materialized, and only in the postwar period did they address the issue.

This book describes the A7V and the Mark IV in detail.

Contents: Introduction - Chronology - Design and Development - Technical Specifications - The Combatants - The Strategic Situation - Combat - Statistics and Analysis - Further Reading - Index.

Le char allemand A7V

L'A7V est le seul char allemand de la Première Guerre mondiale, ce qui s'explique par le manque d'intérêt du général Ludendorff pour les blindés. Il n'a été construit qu'à une vingtaine d'exemplaires, ce qui n'a pas empêché son emploi dans toutes les grandes batailles de 1918, à commencer par l'opération Michael, le 21 mars. Son petit nombre a empêché qu'il puisse jouer un véritable rôle tactique sur le terrain.

Ce livret de 32 pages, illustré d'excellentes photographies d'époque et d'illustrations en couleur d'Éric Schwartz fait partie d'une série de monographies parues chez Ysec Éditions sur les armes et les véhicules de la Grande Guerre.