Panzer Reconnaissance

Osprey Panzer Series

by Thomas Anderson

Using first-hand accounts and rare and unpublished images, this highly illustrated title tells the full story of the German reconnaissance troops in World War II.

When the Wehrmacht was first formed in 1935, tactical reconnaissance was carried out by motorcycle rifle units ( Kradschützen ). However, with the development and large-scale introduction of wheeled armoured vehicles in the late 1930s, motorized reconnaissance battalions ( Aufklärungs - Abteilungen ) were introduced. Equipped with a mixture of armoured cars and motorcycles, they often operated far ahead of battlefront to survey the terrain, observe enemy positions and identify enemy forces – key information required ahead of any armoured assault. In the second half of the war, with Germany on the strategic defensive, armoured reconnaissance troops found themselves increasingly drawn into combat operations, and even holding sectors of the line. At the same time, more modern equipment was introduced with motorcycles phased out and purpose-built armoured personnel carriers ( Schützenpanzerwagen ) introduced.

Renowned armour expert Thomas Anderson draws on first-hand accounts and rare and previously unseen photographs in this comprehensive and fully illustrated study of the Panzer reconnaissance troops, the crucial eyes and ears of the German armoured forces of World War II.

288 pages, Hardcover

Published April 25, 2023

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Mike Glaser · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good examination of German WWII reconnaissance units and vehicles. While mainly focused on mobile divisions, it also looks at other types of foot divisions as well.

[Martin Koenigsberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book - and did a total turnabout as I read it. Thomas Anderson, the author, is a writer on Military topics, particularly WWII and he practices a real minimalism here, using mainly Wehrmacht and Waffen SS sources, photographs, and especially organisation charts to tell the story of Nazi Panzer Reconnaissance as it developed- first before WWII- and then in the war itself. That is to say- the Recon Units of the Panzer Divisions- not the entire army's reconnaissance needs- although there is some content on this too. At first I was annoyed and wanted more of a narrator- but soon I came to appreciate the material telling its own story. This is a "Coffee Table" style book- just jammed with content as the Heer has to consistently up gun, and improve mobility to stay competitive as the war they started drags on. Two wheel drive gives way to 4, 6 and 8 wheel drive, then half tracks and then finally full tracked vehicles are being used in the Recon role. The Radios are also changing- getting better and more ubiquitous throughout the units. Motorcycles play a role- then fade as the war gets more fire power intensive and armour gets a priority.. The story is really interesting and well told, a compelling package about an important part of Nazi military operations.

Right from the start- the British or American reader will notice that "Reconnaissance" means "aggressive forward units" as opposed to Allied armies meaning recon more as in collecting information and passing it on to higher echelons. The Panzer Divisions clearly intended their units to go see tactically and strategically important points- seize them- and then defend them whilst stronger tank , infantry, and artillery units can catch up and consolidate. At the start of the war- the 20mm Cannon is enough firepower to knock out most allied tanks - but soon the 37mm, 50mm, and even 75mm guns of ascending lengths and velocities are needed just to survive. Listening to the Nazi officers discuss their equipment quite honestly is a really great way to get inside the issues and developments as they were being hammered out within the Third Reich hierarchy. There is a tonne of specific information as well as a lot of general developmental background.

There are few adult themes and no graphic injury descriptions in this tome , so this is a fine read for as Junior Reader over about 13/14 years. For the Gamer/Modeler/Military Enthusiast this is a great resource. The Gamer gets to look at the specific org charts for every single Panzer Division's Reconnaissance groups- and these vary a LOT over time, so it worth checking out- lots of good ideas for scenarios and campaigns in the text. For the Modeler, there is all that, but just a load of photos of common and uncommon vehicles of every type discussed in the text. There are a lot of great build/diorama ideas in these pages too. The Military Enthusiast gets an inside view of one of the most important and revolutionary part of WWII warfare- Armoured Reconnaissance . In fact one of the early watersheds was the final dropping of any Horse Cavalry at all from the org charts - done in the early 1930s after experimentation proved it did not work. I enjoyed this book immensely and think it is a good way to learn about this subject.