Japanese Tanks 1939–45

The Japanese Army used tanks to great effect in the build-up to World War II. Inspired by European designs, in the 1920s and 1930s an innovative Japanese tank program facilitated their campaigns in China prior to the Pacific War. During the ensuing war against the Allies tanks were deployed imaginatively in jungle terrain previously thought impassable by such vehicles, being integral in Malaya and the capture of Singapore. Steven J Zaloga uses detailed and colorful artwork and photographs to explore these designs, explaining their neglect in favor of the naval priorities that left Japanese tanks outmoded by Western designs.

“"The content is, as you would expect from Steven Zaloga, well written and easy to follow...Useful single-volume summary with colour notes and plates. Wide range of photographic coverage. Best viewed as a single-volume primer and source for further reading in-depth. Worthwhile colour illustrations." -- David Maynard, Armorama (February 2008) "Japanese tanks are much maligned as under-protected and under-gunned. While this may be true after early 1942, Japanese tank technology was actually in the forefront in the 1930s ... This book has separate sections on six different tanks with photos of each vehicle ... A separate chapter discusses WWII development and deployment of tanks and the final chapter has several different sections detailing Japanese armor use in eight different theaters of the Pacific War ... This is a great book ... [and] a must for anyone interested in the Pacific War." -- Michael Koznarsky, Historical Miniature Gamer (Issue 11) "Author Steven J. Zaloga is widely acknowledged as one of the foremost authorities on armor and has put his expertise to use in this book. Each type of tank is detailed along with modifications and variants... it is a book that I can most higholy recommend to the enthusiast and modeler alike." -- Scott Van Aken, modelingmadness.com (August 2007)”

"The content is, as you would expect from Steven Zaloga, well written and easy to follow...Useful single-volume summary with colour notes and plates. Wide range of photographic coverage. Best viewed as a single-volume primer and source for further reading in-depth. Worthwhile colour illustrations." --David Maynard, Armorama (February 2008)

"Japanese tanks are much maligned as under-protected and under-gunned. While this may be true after early 1942, Japanese tank technology was actually in the forefront in the 1930s ... This book has separate sections on six different tanks with photos of each vehicle ... A separate chapter discusses WWII development and deployment of tanks and the final chapter has several different sections detailing Japanese armor use in eight different theaters of the Pacific War ... This is a great book ... [and] a must for anyone interested in the Pacific War." --Michael Koznarsky, Historical Miniature Gamer (Issue 11)

"Author Steven J. Zaloga is widely acknowledged as one of the foremost authorities on armor and has put his expertise to use in this book. Each type of tank is detailed along with modifications and variants... it is a book that I can most higholy recommend to the enthusiast and modeler alike." --Scott Van Aken, modelingmadness.com (August 2007)

Steven J Zaloga was born in 1952, received his BA in History from Union College, and his MA from Columbia University. He has published numerous books and articles dealing with modern military technology, especially armored vehicle development. His main area of interest is military affairs in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe in World War II, and he has also written extensively on American armored forces. Steven lives and works in Maryland.

Peter Bull graduated from art college in 1979 and has worked as a freelance illustrator for over 25 years. He has created both traditional and digital art for publishers worldwide, and also runs the Peter Bull Art Studio, based in Kent, UK, which he founded in 1975. Peter Chesterton has worked closely with Peter Bull on the subject matter of this book.

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