Military Model Scene

Title: The Armour of Hitler's Allies in Action 1943-1945
Author: Ian Baxter
Publisher: Pen & Sword
ISBN: 978-1-39908-554-1

Another new book in the Images of War series from Pen & Sword and another from author Ian Baxter. This is a 127-page soft-cover book, packed with archive photos, in the usual style for the series.
After a brief Introduction, this one is split across 4 chapters plus 2 Appendices. Each of the chapters has a few pages of text to provide the background and then a set of archive photos which contain much more information in their detailed captions. The first chapter is Joining the Axis Powers, talking through how, following the German invasion of Russia in June 1941, so three other countries found themselves drawn into joining in too. Then 1 chapter each for Romania, 1943-44, Bulgaria, 1944, and Hungary, 1943-45. Much of the photo content shows German supplied armoured vehicles, with plenty of Pz IVs, Tiger Is, Stugs and such like. However, there are also a good selection of other types, such as Praga tanks (better known perhaps as the Pz 35(t) and Pz 38(t)), Toldi, Nimrod, captured Russian T-60s and more. While many of the AFVs will be familiar, the different National markings offer a more unusual option. Then to round things off, the appendices add the Order of Battle for all three nations and the second has details a a wide selection of profile artwork (not in colour sadly) illustrating tanks used by these Axis powers.
While there are plenty of books featuring Pz IVs and Tiger Is in particular, it is different to see them with alternative national markings when in use by these other Axis allies, that makes this one just a bit different.
Thanks to Pen & Sword for our review copy.

Robin