Sherman Firefly vs Tiger: Normandy 1944 (Duel) by Stephen Hart
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Book Reviews of Sherman Firefly vs Tiger: Normandy 1944 (Duel)
Book Review: Excellent overview of the Firefly and Tiger
Summary: 5 Stars
When I first saw this book listed in Amazon I bought it right away. I was not disappointed. Though it is brief (77 pages of text), Stephen Hart does a commendable job of tracing the history and development of both the Sherman Firefly and the Tiger 1 tank. He also provides the armor penetration stats for the 17 pounder gun (Firefly) and the 88mmm cannon (Tiger). What I enjoyed reading the most was the combat performance of the Firefly against the Tiger tank in Normandy in 1944. Hart goes into detail how Wittmann's Tiger tank decimated the whole armoured battalion of the British. Hart describes in detail the combat engagements of the Firefly in battles such as the advance to St. Aig-nan (where Wittmann's Tiger met its destruction at the hand of British Fireflies) and the Battle for Le Petit Ravin (where the Firefly engaged Panzer IVs and the Panther). At the end of the book, Hart provides chart analyses of the battles involving the Firefly and Tiger tanks, specifying the tank losses. There is a bibliography that points the reader to more resources for further reading. Interspersed throughout the text are beautiful colored plates of both tanks (done by Jim Laurier and Howard Gerrard).
Hart gives tank buffs some great info that is not featured in other Osprey books. He gives a brief synopsis of tank aces for the Tiger (e.g. Michael Wittmann, Otto Carius) and for the Firefly (e.g. Wilfred Harris).
The contents of this book are as follows:
Introduction
Chronology
Design and Development
Technical Specifications
The Strategic Situation
The Combatants
The Action
Analysis of the battle
The Aftermath
Bibliography
Index
This book is a welcome addition to any tank buff's and military historian's library, since there are so few books written on the Sherman Firefly in such detail. I highly recommend it.
Book Review: Osprey's Firefly-Tiger 'Duel' Scores a Bull's Eye!
Summary: 5 Stars
Osprey's new 'Duel' series scores a hit with Stephen Hart's Sherman Firefly vs. Tiger volume. Since the Firefly was specifically developed to take the measure of Tigers, a blow-by-blow comparison is entirely appropriate. Hart's book is an interesting, educational, nicely-illustrated look at how these two metal monsters were developed and then utilized in combat.
The Tiger had been dominating European battlefields for two years before the Brits fielded the Sherman Firefly model. As befits a wartime expedient, the Firefly had all the shortcomings of a Sherman but boasted the Tiger-killing 17-pounder cannon. In face-offs the Tiger had heavier armor and its 88m cannon versus the Firefly's 17-pounder, thinner armor but greater mobility and speed.
Hart does a marvelous job of relating each tank's history, strengths/weaknesses, tactics and battlefield exploits. I found it fascinating, for example, that the Firefly's back-blast was so bright that it temporarily blinded the crew, a failing that higher command accepted because of the cannon's tank-killing potential. Likewise, the 17-pounder's HE performance was so poor that British tank squadrons only wanted one or two Fireflies assigned to each troop despite the fact that the standard Sherman couldn't compete with the Firefly's Tiger-killing abilities.
As an example of how the two fared against each other, Hart uses the legendary 8 August 1944 engagement that pitted the WWII's greatest tank commander, Michael Wittmann, against a lone Firefly. It makes for fascinating reading.
Thus far, I have only read two 'Duel' titles. I was rather critical of the P-51 vs. FW-190 match-up but, if Stephen Hart's Firefly-Tiger volume is an example of what the series aspires to be, I'm definitely going to check out more of the titles. And so should you!
Book Review: Great WW-2 Tank Warfare!
Summary: 5 Stars
The "Sherman Firefly VS Tiger", by Stephen A Hart, is a must read for military historians and students alike. The German Panzer tank commanders were used to having a field day, as their Panthers, and tigers would cut through the M4 Sherman tanks like swiss cheese. The german tanks were by far superior in armour protection and firepower. The American Sherman tank was no match for the tanks of the axis powers, but what it did have going for it was a vast majority in numbers built, and a better track record for reliability. The Sherman proved to be a more adaptable tank when changes were needed for every occasion. The British, in the summer of 1944 rolled out its first sherman firefly variation, equipped with a seveteen pounder main gun. For the first time, German tankers in their massive lumbering Tiger tanks, had something to fear about the Sherman Tank. The Sherman was much more agile, and usually did well in city limits, as opposed to the Tigers which were better suited for the open field. The 17 pound main gun finally made the tiger vulnerable, and the moral of the British tankers increased dramitically, as reports of Firefly's destroying Tigers was filtering through. Legendary Tiger tank Commander Michael Wittman eventually met his demise at the hand of the Sherman Firefly, during a fierce battle, that is well documented in this book. The firefly became the envy of every American Sherman Tanker, who still had to do battle with 75/76mm shermans. This book proves to be a captivating read, that is full of great rare photo's and paintings, as well as thoughtful insight by the author. I highly recommend this book as a must for anyones military library.Book Review: Outstanding Review of Tiger (I) and Firefly tanks
Summary: 5 Stars
This is an outstanding resource on both the German Tiger (I) and the British Sherman Firefly tanks.
Most people know about the German Tiger tanks, which were so notorious that the recorded kills by Allied armies of the Tigers far outnumbers their actual production.
The Sherman Firefly, based on the U.S. Sherman tank (which was no match for the Tigers) and specifically built to defeat the fearsome Tigers, is less well known.
This book does an excellent job of describing the characteristics of both tanks and their battlefield records, particularly when matched against each other. Also included are accounts of tank aces for each model.
Book Review: Sherman Firefly vs. Tiger
Summary: 5 Stars
This Osprey book arrived in good order, along with four other military books. Besides naval warfare, my other major interests of WWII have centered around armored warfare, especially the dreaded TIGER! Since I taught a warfare class in school and used table-top simulations, this book would have been an asset to that era of warfare. This book, along with some videos, would have helped explain the strengths and weaknesses of the various armored behemoths facing off in the hedgerows of Normandy. This is an outstanding book. Very pleased with the service and books provided by Amazon. Thanks. B.L.
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