Mark IV vs A7V: Villers-Bretonneux 1918
By Chris Banyai-Riepl
Duel Series 49
Author: David R. Higgins
Publisher: Osprey Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-78096-005-0
Binding: Softcover
Pages: 80
When one talks of tank battles, visions of North Africa or the Eastern Front during the Second World War undoubtedly come to mind. But tanks got their start in the previous war, and this latest Duel title helps bring that into focus. The book pits the British Mark IV against the German A7V at Villers-Bretonneux in 1918 in typical Duel Series fashion.
For those new to World War One armor, this book forms a great introduction. The Duel format means that each tank is covered in a varied manner, including the actual development and construction, armament and ammunition configurations, and operational history. Once the individual vehicles are documented, the book then pulls the reader into the duel between the two.
As tanks were a latecomer to the First World War, they had some fairly unique challenges to overcome, as the front was covered with trenches and barbed wire. Each side viewed their tanks as achieving different goals, and their designs reflected that. Still, when faced with one another, the outcome was hardly a given, and this book goes into detail on that very subject.
Throughout the book are copious amounts of photos that help illustrate these early tank designs. More impressive, though, are the illustrations, as these both put some color to the tanks and put them in action. From the color profile illustrations to the detailed maps to the impressive painted scenes, these visuals definitely make the book worthwhile.
The duel between the Mark IV and the A7V is a fascinating one, and it is great to see Osprey tackle this pairing in this series. My thanks to Osprey Publishing for the review copy.