Panzergrenadier Divisions 1939-45

by Chris Bishop

Illustrated with detailed artworks of Wehrmacht vehicles and their markings with exhaustive captions and specifications, The Essential Vehicle Identification Guide: Panzergrenadier Divisions, 1939-45 is the definitive study of the equipment and organization of Germany's motorized army divisions during World War II. Organized chronologically by division and formation date, the book describes in depth the various models of tank and other armored and soft vehicles in service with each panzergrenadier division, with listings of unit commanders, vehicle types and numbers and unit structure. Each divisional section is further broken down by campaign, accompanied by orders of battle, a brief divisional history of the campaign and any specific unit markings. Every motorized division is featured, including the elite Grossdeutschland and Fallschirmjager Herman Goring divisions.

With information boxes accompanying the full-color artworks, all drawn to the same scale for easy comparison, The Essential Vehicle Identification Guide: Panzergrenadier Divisions, 1939-45 is a key reference guide for modelers and military history enthusiasts with an interest in the motorized divisions of the Wehrmacht.

REVIEWS

..".useful in providing a clear history of every unit in one place... beautiful introduction to the motorized divisions... a nice "big picture" type of overview, useful to those looking beyond individual units or specific battles. ...a valuable addition to any armor library" Internet Modeler, 10/07

..". a worthy addition to anyone's library along with Mr. Bishop's Companion volume The Essential Tank Identification Guide: Wehrmacht Panzer Divisions 1939-45 ."Armchair General 02/2008

"highly recommended and could stand as a basic overall reference book on the Panzergrenadier Divisions"IPMS, 10/07

Genres: History, World War II, War, Military History

192 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2007

Reviews

[Brett C]

This was an excellent overview of the Panzergrenadier Divisions. It follows the same format as the other books in the Vehicle Identification Series. The introduction gave a brief history of the mobile warfare and the concept of mobilized infantry. The concept of blitzkrieg with rapid and flexible assault was put into practice with the occupations of Austria (1938) and Czechoslovakia (1939). Then it became a mastered principle with the invasion of Poland in 1940. Complete history of Grossdeutschland Division was covered in this volume.

Although many vehicle types were used, the typical vehicle associated with motorized infantry was the German SdKfz Sonderkraftfahrzeug, which means 'Special Purpose Motor Vehicle'. There are lots of models but most associated was the SdKfz 250/1 Schützenpanzerwagen 'Light armored half-track personnel carrier' manufactured by Leichter.

These vehicles were used in both Panzer and Panzergrenadier divisions.

Each chapter explained and showed a color picture of what particular equipment. This equipment is the same used in Waffen-SS and Wehrmacht Panzer divisions. These included tanks (Panzerkampfwagen), Volkswagen armored cars, trucks, halftracks, mortar platoons, armored reconnaissance (Aufklärungs-Abteilung) teams, self-propelled "tank hunters, Panzerjäger", artillery, motorcycles with the sidecar, and support battalions (signals, medical, admin, maintenance, and combat engineers).

This book covered many numbered units of motorized infantry divisions. Each unit presented was given a brief introduction, vehicle insignia, a list of commanders, and breakdowns of combat action. These campaigns were broken down by areas of responsibility: the invasion of Poland, France, North Africa, the Italian Campaign, and Yugoslavia; and specific combat engagements like Operation Barbarossa and the Eastern Front, Operation Typhoon, the Caucasus, Sicily, the Balkans, Normandy and the Ardennes, Tunisia, and the last summer offensive.

Each vehicle was given a colored-template for historical accuracy. The pictures included the name, brief role in combat, specifications (crew, dimensions, engine size, speed, range, radio equipment), weapons specifications (ammunition, traverse, elevation, sight, turret, hull).

I would recommend this because of it was simple but fact-driven. This is my sixth book by Chris Bishop and I would suggest anything by him. I like his style because he presents the information clearly and concisely. Thanks!

[Michael Dorosh]

Not a bad book at all; good thumbnail sketches of the divisions and some details on organization, vehicles, training, weapons, vehicle markings, etc. Not comprehensive by any means, but a good general grounding in the various topics, and fairly complete as far as providing histories of the main PzGren divisions.

[Paul Tisserant]

Superb reference book.