Handbook on German Military Forces

This highly insigtful reprint of war department intelligence on Germany's WWII militery is really quite helpful for those interested in German militery things of WWII. Covers as much as the US could learn about Germany's armed forces down to the most trivial of things such as field kitchens and rations. And will provide the reader insights into the mindset of the American militery intelligence of the period. Covers weapons uniforms ranks and decorations, unit formations in some detail, as well as background in regards to Training and mindset. One can feel the respect American Intelligence Officers felt for their enemy as well as their pride in the intelligence they had assembled for allied officers to defeat them. It has some mistakes in regards to German navy warrent officers, (Actual rank titles Deckofficer and Oberdeckofficer) and a few other areas but otherwise pretty good. A must have for anyone interested in WWII.

This an outstanding book of facts and data whose main scope is the German Army. Although the name of the book refers to the whole German armed forces in reality the coverage is wide for the Army, light for the Air Force and almost non-existent for the Navy. The information it contains is extremely detailed (in particular in tables of organization and equipment of many divisions) and on the whole very accurate (although not without the ocassional flaw: a schwärme is referred as a tactical unit of 5 airplanes but in reality was a 4 airplane unit). Although it provides information from 1939 to 1945 the information relating to the tables of organization, tactics, equipment and uniforms refers mainly to the period 1944-45. For example, you can find the TO & E of an army and SS panzerdivision in 1944 but not in 1939 or 1940. Also, it is important to note that due to the nature of the book it is mainly a WHAT and HOW book (provides data and factual information )but is not a WHY book. That is, you will notice that a motorized infantry battalion differs organizationaly from a regular infantry battalion but it is not explained WHY. Other books give the explanation. This is not a problem with the book, it is just its scope. Overall it is a highly recommended book for anyone interested in the details that are not covered in most WW2 books.

The book is very useful on the basic knowledge of german military force. The book has much emphasis on the development of what is to come, and less on what has been utilized. It is a great resource for wwii history buffs and/or wwiionline game players.

This is the ultimate guide to German forces in the Second World War. Although produced late in the war, it covers the old type of infantry division. I thought that was a nice touch. This book teaches us not only about Germans, but what their contemporary counterparts were thinking. Want to crawl around indide the heads of American Intelligence Officers from another era? This is the book.

Stephen Ambrose in his excellent Introduction says "Without question, this is the authoritative work on the German Army from 1939 to 1945". Exactly. This reprint of a restricted 1945 War Department Publication is packed with so much information in its 635 pages that it is hard to briefly describe: organization, tactics, fortifications, weapons, equipment, all superbly organized and illustrated, and with an added index. There is a color section of uniforms and insignia - all the land mines and how to deactivate them - full descriptions of airplanes, tanks, and vehicles - ananysis of the SS organization - the recruitment, training, and pay of the soldier - his psychology. A glossary of military terms and abbreviations. There is even a color chart of medal ribbons! If there is one book which is essential for WWII buffs, military history writers and readers, collectors, and modellers, this is it. Most highly recommended.