Customer Reviews

The German Infantry Handbook 1939-1945:

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

 

 

wongkong is too harsh with this book. The only major translational error is translating "signals units" as "intelligence units". There is only one incidence of a few paragraphs being repeated in another place, and the book is not as dire as wongkong would suggest.

Will agree that it is not for the faint of heart. Would be nice to see this volume redone with photos accompanying the text, but as it stands the photo section is extensive, even if submitted as an appendix.

Would also benefit from more explanations of wartime changes and variants on the established unit strengths presented.

Not for the amateur historian.

As with many other Schiffer titles, this book is riddled with errors in translation, major proofreading mistakes, and all around editorial sloppiness. The translator has weak grasp of the English language for technical subjects & English/German military terminology. There are also some pages where paragraph after paragraph is repeated. Much of the text in terms of sentence structure, grammar, and word usage is awkward. Data is metric and for readers not accustomed to European measurements and data conventions it is very clumsy. The pictures are not tied in with the text and at times the author chooses to dwell on some odd aspects of German unit organization. There is some good information in this book but it takes a determined and knowledgable reader to find it and not to be discouraged by all the book's flaws.

Although this book is a little lacking on photographs, it still provides a detailed written analysis of German infantry force structure and equipment. It also gives a short history of each of the German units throughout the war. I would recommend this book to historians and report writers. Model builders who require photographic reference will enjoy the photo section at the end of the book.

Excellent primer on standard German infantry divisions (who bore the brunt of the fighting in WW II). No info on specialist units like tank, paratrooper or mountain troops, but what this book does do is give a detailed man for man description of the German infantry division in WW II, including ranks, weapons and equipment.

Translation is a little confusing in places - the Signals units are mistranslated as being "Intelligence" units, but most information will be accurate and easily understood even by those new to German Army subjects. Fascinating photos, though not directly related to the text.

Author was a German infantryman in WW II. Some interesting statistics are also provided regarding a variety of topics.