{"product_id":"crusader-vs-m1340-north-africa-1941-42-9781472861092","title":"Crusader Vs M13\/40: North Africa 1941-42","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThis illustrated study assesses the British Crusader and the Italian M13\/40, two medium tanks that played crucial roles in World War II's Desert War.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Making its combat debut in North Africa during December 1940, Italy's M13\/40 medium tank was armed with a 47mm main gun. Its British opposite number, the Crusader I, was armed with a 2-pdr (40mm) main gun; it entered the fighting in June 1941. While the M13\/40 could fire armour-piercing rounds but also high-explosive ammunition against infantry and towed-gun targets, the Crusader could only fire armour-piercing ammunition. In this book, David Greentree charts the evolution of these two tanks as the Desert War raged on. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWhile the Crusader III, making its debut at the Second Battle of El Alamein in October 1942, was armed with the much more effective 6-pdr (57mm), the M13\/40 could not be upgunned or uparmoured; new types such as the US-built M3 Grant tipped the balance in favour of the British. Joined in the front line by the similar M14\/41, the M13\/40 soldiered on; as the M4 Sherman also entered British service, the Italian tanks were largely wiped out as the Axis forces retreated from Egypt. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eFeaturing all-new full-colour artwork, archive photographs and expert analysis, this engaging study assess the origins, development and combat effectiveness of these two mainstays of the Desert War during 1941-42.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDavid Greentree\u003c\/b\u003e served in the Royal Air Force in Oman and Afghanistan. His many titles for Osprey include \u003ci\u003eBritish Airborne Soldier vs Waffen-SS Soldier\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eBritish Destroyer vs German Destroyer\u003c\/i\u003e. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cb\u003eJohnny Shumate\u003c\/b\u003e works as an illustrator in Tennessee. His greatest influences are Angus McBride, Don Troiani and ?douard Detaille. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cb\u003eAlan Gilliland\u003c\/b\u003e writes, illustrates and publishes fiction (www.ravensquill.com), as well as illustrating for several publishers (alangillilandillustration.blogspot.com).\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Osprey Publishing (UK)","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50892409438482,"sku":"9781472861092","price":16.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_7242ddf2-30bd-413d-abfa-5ce8f32572f2.jpg?v=1738189762","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/crusader-vs-m1340-north-africa-1941-42-9781472861092","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}