The German Tiger heavy tank dominated battlefields of Europe and was one of the most feared weapons of World War II. Stephen A. Hart's SHERMAN FIREFLY VS. TIGER describes its design and deployment, with chapters offering plenty of technical construction information and analyzing strengths, weaknesses and the use of these tanks in war tactics. It's an excellent survey recommended for any library strong in the mechanics of World War II.

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.

The faults of the American Sherman tank are well documented and often loudly proclaimed by the History Channel. Now here is a balanced look at the British use of a modified Sherman tank with a better gun and how one such tank ended the life of one of the most famous German "tank aces" of WW2. SS soldier Michael Wittmann was hailed by the German press as an example of Nazi superiority. He was a natural leader and excellent tank commander. In his last battle he was thrown into a desperate action and came up against a modified Sherman tank, called a "Firelfy", whose gunner had only fired six live shots before. In the course of the battle the British crew not only destroyed Wittmann's tank, but two other Tiger tanks.

The book starts with technical development information on the Tiger tank, and the US Sherman, with a look at the British efforts to provide better firepower for the M4. Each tank crew is reviewed, then the balance of the volume looks in detail at Michael Wittmann's last battle.

The book is softbound, in the same format as other Osprey volumes. A number of photographs, maps and detailed illustrations support ther text. An easy read, a good value for the money.

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.

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 synopses 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 books 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.