The German Infantry Handbook 1939-1945

by Alex Buchner, Pioneer (Editor), Covers formations (Editor)

Covers formations, strength, armament, equipment, rank insignia, rifle groups, rifle columns, the company, light infantry weapons, recon, panzerjger units, pioneer, veterinary units, support services and operational histories of the German infantry.

Genres: World War II, Military Fiction

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1991

Reviews

[Deckmaster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite thorough and comprehensive description of the German infantry division. The book gives a full account not only of the combat capabilities of the division, strength, weapons anti tank tactics but also of the back line services: drivers, signal troops, field post and even the bakery and butcher companies. There was even a music band something I didn’t know (musicians doubled as stretcher bearers during combat). Also the best friend, the war horse was mentioned. There were so many horses in a division. More than 5000. It makes you think of the accomplishments of the Wehrmacht and what could’ve been done if it was fully motorised.

There are some things that bothered me. Maybe a few diagrams representing the various units and their changes would’ve been nice.

Also there is sloppy editing. A paragraph was repeated and the signals unit was called an intelligence unit. Some typos also. Typical Schiffer book in other words.

Still a nice addition to any WW2 geek’s library.

[Michael Dorosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good detailed breakdown of the organization of standard German infantry divisions in the Second World War, including all components (infantry regiments/battalions, reconnaissance units, heavy weapons, artillery, medical, supply, field kitchens, bakery, butchers, MPs, staff, etc.)

Would be nice to see this volume redone with photos accompanying the text, but as it stands the photo section is extensive, even if submitted as an appendix.

Would also benefit from more explanations of wartime changes and variants on the established unit strengths presented. One major translational error,translating "signals units" as "intelligence units", and one incidence of a few paragraphs being repeated in another place of the book without explanation. Minor printing gaffe that is easily forgiven. Written by a wartime vet and worth the money.