21st Panzer Division (Spearhead Series)

by Chris Ellis (Author)

• Used

  Paperback
  2001

  $8.39

  The new Spearhead series is designed to look at the cutting edge of war, dealing with units capable of operating completely independently in the forefront of battle. Each volume in the series examines the chosen unit's origins and history, its organisation and order of battle, its battle history theatre by theatre, its insignia and its markings. Also covered are biographies of the most important commanders of each unit. Each title ends with an assessment of unit effectiveness - as seen by the unit itself, by its opponents and the light of more recent historical research. The books also include a detailed reference section with a critical bibliography, a listing of relevant museums and web sites, information about re-enactment groups and memorials. Formed in North Africa in August 1942 from the 5th Leichte Division, the 21st Panzer Division fought in all the major battles of the desert war, including the Afrika Korps' advance to El-Alamcin, the fighting retreat to Tunisia, and operations against the American forces at Kasserine, until it was destroyed around Tunis in 1943. It was again completely annihilated in the battle of the Falaise Gap. Again reformed 21st Panzer would end its days on the Eastern front, where it surrendered to the Russians at Cottbus; southeast of Berlin, in April 1945. This varied and chequered history involves some of the fiercest fighting of World War 2 and makes 21st Panzer the ideal subject to start Ian Allan Publishing's Spearhead series.