Introduction

War documentary hosted by Brian Matthews and Mark Healy, published by Chronos Films in 1996 with English narration.

Sometimes referred to as, or prefixed with, the ‘German War Files’, ‘The War Archive Collection’ or ‘The War Archives’.

Outline

During WW2, the need for capable and qualified crewmen to work with and maintain the equipment became vital. In order to keep up with the demands of warfare, soldiers and engineers were educated partly with training films. This program shows footage of the Tiger tanks during Operation Citadel, as well as edited highlights of two German Army training films from late 1943 and mid 1944.

Including two major military productions, the first of these films was produced to show how to convert the Panther tank, allowing it to successfully deal with the extensive Soviet defences like those it encountered at its debut in Kursk. The second film from 1944, made for the benefit of personnel serving in Sdkfz 251 D’s and the Panzerjaeger IV, may well be the only footage of this type to survive the war.

Finally there are sequences showing such machines as the late Model Brummbaer which round off this fascinating assemblage of unique footage of German armoured fighting vehicles from the latter part of WW2.

The Panzers: Germany’s Ultimate War Machines Series

You can find a full index and overview of The Panzers: Germany’s Ultimate War Machines here.

Production & Filming Details

• Release Date: 1996.
• Running Time: 52 minutes.
• Rating: Unknown.
• Country: UK.
• Language: English.

Video Link(s)