M18 Hellcat Tank Destroyer 1943-97 (New Vanguard, 97)

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating and complete description of the M18 Hellcat
Review: The M18 Hellcat was a very important tank destroyer used by the U.S. in WWII. Even though it was armed with the 76mm gun used by later M4 Sherman tanks, the Hellcat had a new suspension system, high maneuverability, and high road speed, which enabled it to outmaneuver German Panthers and Tigers where it could fire well-placed flanking shots at its targets. Steven Zaloga does a marvelous job of describing the development and combat performance of the Hellcat. He includes helpful information such as the production numbers and the armor penetration of the 76mm M1A1 gun (compared to the British 17 pounder and the German 75mm gun). What fascinated me the most was Zaloga's detailed description of the combat performance of the M18, especially against German Panthers & Tigers at the battle of Arracourt in mid-September 1944 and the Battle of the Bulge. Zaloga points out the strengths (its reliability and high maneuverability) and deficiencies of the M18 in combat (e.g. its thin armor, the lack of roof armor, and the lack of co-axial machine gun). He also writes about the performance of the M18 in the Japanese theater of operations and post-WWII service. The colored illustrations and plates by Jim Laurier are excellent as usual. If you want a brief but complete treatment of the M18 Hellcat, this is an excellent book to buy. Steven Zaloga is one of my favorite authors on tanks and AFVs.