Monday, May 6, 2019

40M Nimrod Tank Destroyer and Armoured Anti Aircraft Gun (Four Stars)


This book discusses a rare antiaircraft weapon, the Nimrod Tank Destroyer and Antiaircraft Gun fielded by the Royal Hungarian Army and used on the Eastern Front during WWII. Lavishly filled with photos and tables, the book describes the evolution of the weapon system as a dual-use vehicle, for destroying enemy tanks and for engaging aircraft. They were based on the same Hungarian-made chassis as the army's light tank and so could keep up with the armored columns advancing into the USSR. The excellent license-built 40mm Bofors gun gave good service against enemy aircraft, as well as close troop support and the destruction thin-skin vehicles and even (thanks to its rapid-fire capability) light armor. However, it was clear that only larger-caliber guns could take on the KV-1s and the T-34s of the Red Army and after Stalingrad the weapon was retained as a mobile antiaircraft weapon, officially deployed in "autocannon companies."

The only book I've ever seen on this topic, it only lacks one thing: first-hand accounts of the weapon in combat. The weapon system obviously did see combat and it would be interesting to learn how the crews felt about its effectiveness, how well it did against aircraft, how was it deployed against tanks... the book never quite goes there.

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