Medium Half-tracks - Germany: Books - History and Models

German Medium Half-Tracked Prime Movers 1934-1945

Covers all of the medium half-tracked prime movers used by German forces during WWII.

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Panzergrenadier

With the development of the German Panzerwaffe, military planners realized both the enormous potential of the tank as a breakthrough weapon, but also the issues faced by support units following the attacking force - including the infantry. A tank assault moved rapidly forwards and this required a motorized infantry which could keep pace with the attack and provide all necessary support.
This motorized infantry element for a Panzer division was an integral Schützenbrigade (rifle brigade), and it was equipped with a suitable means of transport - the Schützenpanzerwagen (armoured personnel carrier).

During Operation Barbarossa, German forces were faced by the Red Army and unforeseen weather conditions. With the onset of the harsh Russian winter the operation failed, and the war in the east entered a new phase. From experience gained from the operation, a new arm of the military was created: the Panzergrenadier.

This groundbreaking book describes the development and evolution of the armoured infantry force that accompanied the German Panzers as they crossed the battlefields of Europe, as well as detailing the vehicles and equipment that were developed to support their specialized role.

Contents

Introduction
1. 1936 - A New Infantry
2. The Schützenpanzerwagen
3. 1939 - Poland
4. 1940 - France
5. 1941 - New Challenges
6. 1941 - Variants
7. 1942 - Armoured Infantry
8. 1943 - In Combat
9. 1944 - Defending the Reich
10. Weaponry
Index.

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Sd.Kfz. 251 - 251/9 and 251/22 Kanonenwagen : German Army and Waffen-SS Western and Eastern Fronts, 1944-1945 (Land Craft)

The SdKfz 251 half-track was among the most versatile armoured vehicles of the Second World War. Designed by Hannoversche Maschinenbau AG (Hanomag), more than 15.000 were built in twenty-three variants. These covered roles such as troop carrier, command vehicle, rocket launcher, armoured ambulance, and bridge-layer.

In the first volume of the LandCraft series, Dennis Oliver focuses on SdKfz 251 versions armed with the 7.5 cm gun, first used for infantry support and reconnaissance, and later adapted as tank destroyers as Germany sought to mount anti-tank weapons on as many vehicles as possible.

Using official records and unit histories, the author studies the formations that operated these vehicles. Archive photographs and carefully researched colour artwork explain markings, camouflage, and technical features of the SdKfz 251/9 and 251/22 used on the Western and Eastern Fronts in the final months of the war.
A dedicated section reviews available model kits and aftermarket parts, supported by a gallery of high-quality models in different scales. Technical data and field modifications are also covered, giving modellers the information needed to build accurate replicas.

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Sd.Kfz.6 Mittlerer Zugkraftwagen 5t (Camera On)

During WW2, the German armed forces were the greatest user of half-track vehicles. Such vehicles were used in the Wehrmacht, Luftwaffe and Waffen-SS, where they served as personnel carriers, tractors, combat engineering vehicles, as well as self-propelled carriages for anti-aircraft and anti-tank guns.

One of them was the Sd.Kfz. 6 Mittlerer Zugkraftwagen 5 t. It was designed to be used as the main towing vehicle for the 10.5 cm le.FH 18 howitzer.

This book presents a collection of photographs of different versions from the private archives of German soldiers. The photographs depict vehicles serving on all fronts in a variety of roles.

This profusely illustrated photo-album from the "Camera On" series includes a large number of previously unseen pictures, many from private sources in Germany. Whatever the rules might have said, German soldiers took many photographs.

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Sd.Kfz.7 Mittlerer Zugkraftwagen 8t (Camera On)

During WW2, the German armed forces were the greatest user of half-track vehicles. Such vehicles were used in the Wehrmacht, Luftwaffe and Waffen-SS, where they served as personnel carriers, tractors, combat engineering vehicles, as well as self-propelled carriages for anti-aircraft and anti-tank guns. Sd.

Kfz. 7, Mittlerer Zugkraftwagen 8t (middle half-track vehicle 8 tons) was designed in 1932 by Krauss Maffei and by 1937, the ultimate Km m 11 model was introduced. Approximately 13,600 units were produced until production ceased in 1945, including about 200 built under license by Breda in Italy and even a version by Vauxhall in the UK.

Camera On: a new series of books on the equipment and operations of the German Wehrmacht in WW2. The focus is on the often ignored or overlooked soft-skinned, non-armoured, vehicles used by the German army. This profusely illustrated photo-album includes a large number of previously unseen pictures, many from private sources in Germany.

Whatever the rules might have said, German soldiers took many photographs, and these are the basis for this new series!

"Camera On" is a new series of books on the equipment and operations of the German Wehrmacht in WW2. The focus is on the often ignored or overlooked soft-skinned, non-armoured, vehicles used by the German army. This profusely illustrated photo-album includes a large number of previously unseen pictures, many from private sources in Germany.
Whatever the rules might have said, German soldiers took many photographs, and these are the basis for this new series.

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SdKfz 251 Half Track 1939-45 (Osprey)

Following in the best traditions of German ingenuity in design and construction of armoured vehicles, the SdKfz 251 firmly realised the concept of a competent cross-country tactical vehicle for armoured infantry units. So successful was this half-track that not only did a modified version of it remain in use with Czech forces well into the 1980s but also, ironically, the armoured infantry tactics that the Germans pioneered with it were adopted by Allied forces in the Second World War and helped them to achieve the eventual defeat of Germany.

This book covers the genesis and development of the SdKfz 251, and details the numerous modifications and variations that sprang from combat experience.

Contents: Design and Development - Variants - Training and Organisation - Tactics: Assault - Tactics: Defence - Serviceability.

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