German Reconnaissance and Support Vehicles, 1939–1945

German Reconnaissance and Support Vehicles, 1939–1945

Author: Paul Thomas

Publisher: Casemate Publishers

Published: 2018-09-30

Total Pages: 203

ISBN-13: 1526720906

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

This WWII pictorial history illustrates the full range of Nazi vehicles used in reconnaissance and support missions throughout the war. The German military used reconnaissance and support vehicles widely in the Second World War. This book illustrates the full range of these vehicles with authoritative information and more than 200 rare wartime photographs. Both tracked and wheeled vehicles were employed for reconnaissance and screening. These included light tanks such as the Panzer I and Panzer II, armored cars such as the six- and eight- wheeled Schwerer Panzerspähwagen, and motorcycles such as the famous BMW R75 or the Zundapp KS750. In addition to their recon role they would, on occasion, engage similar light units. Support vehicles such as the tracked Sd.Kfz.2 Kettenkrad, and the renowned Sd.Kfz.251 halftracks were used in the follow-up role, frequently with mounted grenadiers to mop up over-run enemy positions.


German Military Vehicles of World War II

German Military Vehicles of World War II

Author: Jean-Denis G.G. Lepage

Publisher: McFarland

Published: 2014-11-18

Total Pages: 221

ISBN-13: 0786462523

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

This volume presents a cross-section of the most common transport vehicles produced and used by the German army. Tanks plus auxiliary vehicles such as cars, motorcycles, vans, ambulances, trucks and tractors made it possible for the troops to keep moving. These lightly armored or unarmored vehicles--aka "soft skins"--operated behind the front lines, maintaining supply lines, connecting armies with their home bases, and ultimately determining the outcome of battle. Beginning with the development of military vehicles in the early 1930s, this volume discusses the ways in which this new technology influenced and, to some extent, facilitated Hitler's program of rearmament. Nomenclature, standard equipment, camouflage and the combat roles of the various vehicles are thoroughly examined. Individual vehicle types are arranged and discussed by the following classifications: cars and motorcycles; trucks and tractors; half-tracks and wheeled combat vehicles. Accompanied by well-researched, detailed line drawings, each section deals with a number of individual vehicles, describing their design, manufacture and specific use.


Scouts Out

Scouts Out

Author: Robert Edwards

Publisher: Stackpole Books

Published: 2014-01-01

Total Pages: 578

ISBN-13: 0811713113

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Scouts Out is the definitive account of German armored reconnaissance in World War II, essential for historians, armor buffs, collectors, modelers, and wargamers. The first extensive treatment of the subject in English, it features: • Profiles of the armored reconnaissance vehicles that performed vital functions for the Third Reich's war machine • Capsule histories of the reconnaissance elements of panzer and mechanized infantry divisions, including those of the Waffen-SS and Luftwaffe • Firsthand accounts from reconnaissance soldiers • Hundreds of photos, the majority of which have never been published before • Color illustrations of uniforms and insignia


Panzer Reconnaissance

Panzer Reconnaissance

Author: Thomas Anderson

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2023-04-25

Total Pages: 289

ISBN-13: 1472855027

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

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.


Tip of the Spear

Tip of the Spear

Author: Robert J. Edwards

Publisher: Stackpole Books

Published: 2015-11-15

Total Pages: 578

ISBN-13: 081171571X

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

During World War II, German armored reconnaissance laid the groundwork—often through small-unit actions—for the stunning tank and infantry operations that made the German military famous. Robert Edwards's follow-up to Scouts Out, the first extensive treatment of the subject in English, focuses on the battles and personalities found in ranks of the Waffen-SS, Luftwaffe, and other divisions. • Covers armored reconnaissance in Poland, France in 1940, the Balkans, North Africa, the Eastern Front, Italy, and the Western Front • Numerous firsthand accounts and after-action reports • Analysis of recon operations, from tactics and doctrine to vehicles and commanders


Pakwagen SDKFZ 234/3 and 234/4 Heavy Armoured Cars

Pakwagen SDKFZ 234/3 and 234/4 Heavy Armoured Cars

Author: Dennis Oliver

Publisher: Pen and Sword Military

Published: 2022-10-24

Total Pages: 140

ISBN-13: 139906505X

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

"...squeezes a lot of useful information into a modest 64 pages and is a useful addition to any library of German armored cars." — War Wheels Experience in the Polish and French campaigns had convinced the German high command of the value of fast-moving, armed reconnaissance vehicles. But it was realised that many of the early designs were too lightly-armed and development of a heavy eight-wheeled prototype resulted in the Sdkfz 234 series of armored cars, the first of which entered service in late 1943. Built by the firm of Büssing-NAG, these sturdy and reliable vehicles were gradually up-armed and served in the infantry support role and eventually as tank killers, largely as the result of Hitler's desperation to arm as many vehicles as possible with anti-tank weapons. Drawing on official documentation and unit histories Dennis investigates the formations that operated these vehicles and uses archive photos and extensively researched color illustrations to examine the markings, camouflage and technical aspects of the Sdkfz 234/2, 234/3 and 234/4 armored cars that served on the Western and Eastern Fronts in the last months of the war. A key section of his book displays available model kits and aftermarket products, complemented by a gallery of beautifully constructed and painted models in various scales. Technical details as well as modifications introduced during production and in the field are also examined, providing everything the modeller needs to recreate an accurate representation of these historic vehicles.


Puma Sdkfz 234/1 and Sdkfz 234/2 Heavy Armoured Cars

Puma Sdkfz 234/1 and Sdkfz 234/2 Heavy Armoured Cars

Author: Dennis Oliver

Publisher: Pen and Sword Military

Published: 2023-07-30

Total Pages: 154

ISBN-13: 1399050303

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

The lightning advances of the German armored units during the Polish and French campaigns were spearheaded by fast-moving, armed reconnaissance vehicles. But these early designs suffered heavily due to their light weaponry and thin armor and a program was soon underway, led by the firm of Büssing-NAG, which culminated in the development of the Sdkfz 234 series of heavy eight-wheeled armored cars, the first of which entered service in late 1943. These vehicles proved to be rugged and reliable and were gradually up-armed to serve in the infantry support role and eventually as tank killers. This volume of the LandCraft series concludes the story of the Sdkfz 234 series, examining the versions that took part in the last battles of the war. Using archive photos and extensively researched color illustrations Dennis Oliver examines the Sdkfz 234/1 and Sdkfz 234/2 and the units that operated these often neglected, yet important, armored vehicles. A key section of his book displays available model kits and aftermarket products, complemented by a gallery of beautifully constructed and painted models in various scales. Technical details as well as modifications introduced during production and in the field are also examined, providing everything the modeler needs to recreate an accurate representation of these historic tanks.