Customer Reviews

German Automatic Weapons of World War II

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I originally checked out a battered, near-death copy of this book from my local library for some research. I was so impressed, I ordered my own copy for my personal library. The photos are absolutely gorgeous, with detailed shots of live-fire in historically accurate environments and excellent photos of the disassembled weapons as well. I was also very pleased to see the choices made in subject matter. In addition to the commonly documented weapons like the MP-40 series, MG-34 and MG-42 GPMGs and the much-touted MP-43/StG-44, this book also showcased the Mauser Schnellfeuer automatic pistol and both models of the FG-42 paratrooper rifle. Being something of an FG-42 lover, I was quite ecstatic at the amount of coverage lavished on these oft-overlooked weapons. For sheer photographic beauty and good research into the development and utilization of German WWII-era automatic weapons, this book is the gold standard. It may not pack as much detail on individual weapon types as a more specialize book like Senich's "The German Assault Rifle 1935-1945", but the overall coverage is still excellent, and the photographs just launch it over the edge into the required reading zone.

Each page is filled with large, sometimes full page, color photos of actual German automatic weapons of WWII. Also shown in color are close up photos explaining, and depicting the operation, as well as "field stripping" of each weapon. Due to the great photography, this book serves well as a valuable adjunct to the library of any collector/owner of WWII German smallarms, and militaria.

It is very interesting, how an author who only done one other book specifically on guns can make such a good and realistic book on the subject. This book not only gives you a scence of knowledge about the guns after you read the book, but it also gives you a look into the furture of guns. I recommend it to anyone who wants to know more about guns. It is also interesting to note that German weapons have forever changed the course of gun manufactuering. Overall, I think it is one of the best books on guns that I have ever read.

Mr. Bruce, an army veteran, has given us a truly unique text assessing the most influential German automatic small-arms.

Featured within are such significant weapons as the:
-MP 38 and MP 40 submachineguns
-MP 43/STG 44 automatic rifle
-MG34 and MG42 machineguns

Mr. Bruce provides a brief history of the firearm, and an assessment of its accuracy and reliability. The firing tests were made by reenactors suited up as various Wehrmacht troops, all thoroughly portrayed in vivid color photos. There are much depictions of these arms field-stripped, to display the inner-workings, as well as operating instructions!

The final chapter describes how these innovative firearms revolutionized military small-arms in our time. Several nations still use the MG42 machinegun, for example. The U.S. M-60 machinegun traces its heritage to the MG42. The popular Heckler & Koch MP5 traces its ancestry to the MP 40.

A sample of interesting facts from within:
-The MP 38 was the first firearm to feature a folding stock, and a left-hand charging-handle.
-The MP 38 & MP 40 are often inaccurately referred to as "Schmeisser", ...but Hugo Schmeisser did not design it. It was Erma designers Vollmer and Giepel who are responsible for this ground-breaking SMG!

This is a very good about German weapons of World War II. It has very detailed pictures of automatic guns such the MG-42, MG-34, MP-40, MP-44 and many others. I recommend this book to anyone who likes guns.

The photography is excellent, clear concise pictures of real weapons with the added bonus of a little historical background of guns and the units that used them. Nice info on operation and dissassembly. There is very little detail on the accessories and attachments. The tripod for the MG34/MG42 is a fantastic piece of machinery in its own right but very little is said of such things. I suppose that since the book is written about the guns ( and quite nicely I might add) I should be happy. I was hoping to find something covering a little more ground on the accessories though. Over all...Good addition to the library for anyone interested in wwII German weaponry.

I love this book. Each weapon's development is described and, the firing and take-down of each weapon explained. Color photos of re-en-actors with the arms, firing and, taking them down adds to this book's value. The author also took time to explain the influences on the design of German small arms as well as their influence on post-war design. Not to bad for a book of this length.

This book is exactly what I wanted... an overview of each of the submachine guns and light machine guns used by the Germans in WW2. It has very few line drawings/cut aways showing the mechanics of the weapon during fire, it relies on the photos which are superb. There are statistics and data for each weapon without going into minutia.

The book is printed on high quality glossy paper with many excellent color photographs showing each weapon, the ammo used, and what it looks like as you'd take it apart for cleaning. The text is easy even for a novice like me to follow and walks you through the good or bad things about the weapons.

As an added bonus, the last chapter deals with the influences on modern machine guns - the M-60, AK-47, M-16 and MG-3 to name a few. Not only are the weapons shown in clear color photography, but you can see some of the different uniforms and web gear used by the German solders.

So why four stars? It is a bit pricey - maybe that's not fair given the high quality. A keeper yes. I don't think it would be helpful to collectors for research - enjoyment, visual reference, but not in depth enough for buying. Recommended for infantry fans, weapons enthusiasts, students of automatic weapons

I purchased this book with the intent of acquiring some background information on German automatic weapons of WW2 and must say that I was very impressed. The photos were very clear and I especially enjoyed the detail provided by the authors regarding loading, firing, and disassembly. This book makes a very nice companion to Guns of the Reich.

This is a great book! If you ever wanted to see these firearms in action, it's all here. The photos are the best I've seen.