Tanks at the Iron Curtain 1946-60: Early Cold War armor in Central Europe

The book "Cold War Tanks: An Illustrated Study of Soviet and NATO Tanks from 1945 to 1990" by Steve Zaloga examines the development of Soviet and NATO armored forces in Central Europe during the early Cold War, focusing on the deployment and technology of tanks such as the Soviet T-44/T-54, British Centurion, and US M26/M46 Pershing. It also considers the influence of post-war doctrine and tactics, regional conflicts, and the development of anti-tank projectiles and missiles.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 48 pages
Publication date: 25 November 2021
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The early Cold War in Central Europe saw a clash of Soviet and NATO armored forces, leading to rapid advancements in technology, tactics, and doctrine. The division between East and West in Europe was a focal point, with tanks playing a crucial role. In this comprehensive study, author Steve Zaloga delves into the deployment of Soviet and NATO tanks during the early years of the Cold War. He highlights the service of a generation of tanks, including the Soviet T-44/T-54, British Centurion, US Army M26/M46 Pershing, and French AMX-13, developed during World War II. The book examines these tanks in detail, along with significant technical trends of the era, such as the development of shaped-charge anti-tank projectiles, the influence of anti-tank missiles, and the introduction of chemical/nuclear protection and night fighting equipment.

Furthermore, the book explores the impact of post-war doctrine and tactics on tank technology and the consequences of regional conflicts like the 1950 Korean War, the war in Indo-China, and the 1956 Mid East War on tank warfare. The study provides a comprehensive analysis of the technological, tactical, and doctrinal developments that shaped the armored forces of the Cold War era.

Introduction:
The early Cold War in Central Europe saw a clash of Soviet and NATO armored forces, leading to rapid advancements in technology, tactics, and doctrine. The division between East and West in Europe was a focal point, with tanks playing a crucial role. In this comprehensive study, author Steve Zaloga delves into the deployment of Soviet and NATO tanks during the early years of the Cold War. He highlights the service of a generation of tanks, including the Soviet T-44/T-54, British Centurion, US Army M26/M46 Pershing, and French AMX-13, developed during World War II. The book examines these tanks in detail, along with significant technical trends of the era, such as the development of shaped-charge anti-tank projectiles, the influence of anti-tank missiles, and the introduction of chemical/nuclear protection and night fighting equipment.

Technical Trends:
The early Cold War era witnessed significant technological developments in tank technology. The introduction of shaped-charge anti-tank projectiles, which were capable of penetrating thick armor, marked a major milestone. Anti-tank missiles also gained prominence, with the Soviet Union developing the Katyusha and NATO introducing the Javelin. Chemical/nuclear protection and night fighting equipment also saw advancements, providing tanks with increased survivability and effectiveness in low-light conditions.

doctrinal Developments:
Doctrine and tactics played a crucial role in shaping tank technology during the early Cold War. The Soviet Union emphasized mass production and doctrinal flexibility, while NATO focused on high-quality equipment and combined arms tactics. The introduction of air power and the development of mobile armored formations further influenced tank warfare.

Regional Conflicts:
Regional conflicts such as the 1950 Korean War, the war in Indo-China, and the 1956 Mid East War had a significant impact on tank warfare. These conflicts demonstrated the limitations of traditional tank-on-tank warfare and highlighted the importance of combined arms tactics and air support.

Conclusion:
The study of the Soviet and NATO armored forces that faced each other off in Central Europe in the early Cold War provides valuable insights into the technological, tactical, and doctrinal developments that shaped the armored forces of the Cold War era. The use and development of tanks were key to the division between East and West in Europe, and the generation of tanks such as the Soviet T-44/T-54, British Centurion, US Army M26/M46 Pershing, and French AMX-13 saw extensive service after the war had ended. The book also considers the influence of post-war doctrine and tactics on tank technology and the effect of regional conflicts such as the 1950 Korean War, the war in Indo-China, and the 1956 Mid East War on tank warfare.

Weight: 170g
Dimension: 184 x 248 x 7 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781472843296