Trucks - Germany: Illustrated History Books & Guides

Cross-Country Lorries : German Manufacturers (Camera On)

During Weimar Germany's first programme for motorising the Reichswehr from 1926, development of three-axled cross-country lorries with a payload of 3 tons was demanded (in addition to vehicles of other specification).
Three companies were involved in the development of these lorries: Bussing, Henschel and Krupp. The first Henschel model - the Henschel type 33 B 1 - was delivered in 1928.

This profusely illustrated photo-album includes over 150 previously unseen pictures of these vehicles in action, many from private sources in Germany.

Product details

Author:	Alan Ranger
Details:	88 pages, 11.6 x 8.25 x 0.31 in (29.5 x 21 x 0.8 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	150 b&w photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	MMP Books (PL, 2018)
Series:	Camera On (13)
ISBN:	9788365958099

The 'Einheits-Diesel' - WW2 German Trucks (Camera On)

This photo-album in the "Camera On" series contains over 100 photographs of the Leichter Geländegängiger Lastkraftwagen "Einheitsdiesel" (Standard Diesel Lorry).
The development of the standard lorry for the German military started in 1934.

It was planned to develop vehicles with 2, 3 and 4 axles with payloads of 1.5, 2.5 and 4 tons, but in the end only the model with three axles and 2.5 tons payload entered serial production.
Series production started in 1937 and ended in 1940 with more than 14,300 vehicles being built by nine different main vehicle producers. The "Einheits-Diesel" lorries were made identical by all nine manufacturers: Bussing-NAG, Daimler-Benz, FAUN, VOMAG, Henschel, Krupp, Magirus, MAN and Borgward.

"Camera On" is a 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. These profusely illustrated photo-albums include a large number of previously unseen pictures, many from private sources in Germany.

Product details

Author:	Alan Ranger
Details:	80 pages, 11.6 x 8.25 in (29.5 x 21 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	100+ b&w photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	MMP Books (PL, 2018)
Series:	Camera On
ISBN:	9788365281838

Wartime Woodburners : Alternative Fuel Vehicles in World War II

In this age of concern with continuing availability of oil, scientists are working on a number of approaches to alternate fuel sources. These concerns may provoke interest in how some people in gas-starved Europe dealt with such problems throughout the war years, 1939-1945.

One of the most successful innovations, were the so-called "gas producer" vehicles that utilized the by-products of solid fuel combustion, employing such solids as coal, charcoal, turf, and wood to produce fuel gas for a standard internal combustion engine.

This book provides an overview of such vehicles, including those used by the Wehrmacht. Schematics of operating systems and the regulations concerning their use are also included, along with a translated German illustrated operators manual.

Product details

Author:	John Fuller Ryan
Details:	112 pages, 8.9 x 11.4 x 0.67 in (22.5 x 29 x 1.7 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	120+ b&w photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Schiffer Publishing Ltd (USA, 2009)
ISBN:	9780764332401

Klassische Deutsche Nutzfahrzeuge - Enzyklopädie erloschener Marken

This illustrated book presents the development of German commercial vehicles in the early age of motorisation. With the arrival of the combustion engine, traditional carriages became modern trucks, buses, tractors and harvesting machines. In the early 20th century many manufacturers appeared, often for only a short time, yet they produced models that are now regarded as classics.

Author Halwart Schrader introduces brands such as Borgward, Hanomag and Eicher and documents their complete vehicle ranges. The book covers commercial, governmental and agricultural vehicles, supported by historical images and concise background information. It offers a clear overview of an important period in German automotive history.

Pages of the book "Klassische Deutsche Nutzfahrzeuge - Enzyklopädie erloschener Marken"

Product details

Author:	Halwart Schrader
Details:	300 pages, 12 x 9.1 in (30.5 x 23 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	450 b&w and color photos
Language:	German
Publisher:	Motorbuch Verlag (D, 2020)
ISBN:	9783613042858

Deutsche Militärlastwagen - Bis 1945

The Wehrmacht entered the Second World War with a huge number of horses, wagons, tanks and trucks. However, as there were never enough to replace the lost vehicles or even to increase the level of motorization, trucks were considered the army's weak point. And because suitable material was in short supply, all kinds of civilian vehicles were used, regardless of their suitability.

Pages of the book "Deutsche Militärlastwagen - Bis 1945"

This resulted in a hodgepodge of vehicles and brands, most of which were also adopted by the Wehrmacht.
The army is said to have used over 1000 vehicle types - Werner Oswald portrays the most important of these in this book.

Product details

Author:	Werner Oswald
Details:	176 pages, 10.4 x 9.1 in (26.5 x 23 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	220 b&w photos
Language:	German
Publisher:	Motorbuch Verlag (D, 2019)
ISBN:	9783613042162

Allradfahrzeuge - Magirus-Deutz, MAN, Mercedes-Benz

The heavy all-wheel drive vehicles with their three or four axles are the stars on the road and the specialists off-road. These vehicles with their powerful engines are fascinating.
The author traveled all over Germany with great commitment. Here he shows and explains the most spectacular all-wheel drive vehicles from Magirus-Deutz, MAN and Mercedes-Benz. Vehicles that you don't see every day!

Product details

Author:	Michael Schauer
Details:	144 pages, 9 x 6.7 in (24 x 17 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	285 b&w and color photos
Language:	German
Publisher:	Verlag Podszun (D, 2010)
ISBN:	9783861335641

Eilschlepper und Strassenzugmaschinen - 1903-1956 (Typenkompass)

One advantage of road tractors is that they do not have to stand still for long periods of time because they do not have to wait for their load to be unloaded. Their counterpart in agriculture was so-called express tractors, which could drive along the roads at a higher speed than normal tractors to transport their load.

Pages of the book "Eilschlepper und Strassenzugmaschinen - 1903-1956"

In this Typenkompass, Wolfgang Gebhardt presents the most important express tractors and road tractors in Germany since 1903: the historical arc is spanned from the first road tractor to the first Lanz traffic (express) bulldogs in 1923 to the year 1956, when the Unimog dominated the remaining market.

Product details

Author:	Wolfgang H. Gebhardt
Details:	128 pages, 8.1 x 5.5 in (20.5 x 14 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	125 b&w and color photos
Language:	German
Publisher:	Motorbuch Verlag (D, 2019)
Series:	Typenkompass
ISBN:	9783613041776

Klassische Lastwagen im Alltagseinsatz

This book showcases historical trucks captured by renowned photographer Udo Paulitz during his active years. It features large-format images of trucks, some adorned with chrome, used in commercial or government service.
From Borgward and Faun to Kaelble and rare exotic models, these robust vehicles evoke nostalgic memories of an era when truck drivers needed considerable physical strength.
This reprint of a unique book captivates truck enthusiasts with exceptional and timeless photographs of historical trucks. Accompanying texts take the reader back to a time when the economy was booming and machines were getting bigger and more powerful.

Product details

Author:	Udo Paulitz
Details:	140 pages, 12 x 8.9 x 0.67 in (30.5 x 22.5 x 1.7 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	many color photos
Language:	German
Publisher:	Heel-Verlag GmbH (D, 2024)
ISBN:	9783966647304

Tanklaster des Wirtschaftswunders - So kam der Kraftstoff zum Kunden

In the 1950s to the 1980s they were omnipresent: small and large tank trucks that supplied the constantly growing network of petrol stations with fuel and brought heating oil to private households for the cold season.
Today, the iconic trucks with tank trailers have almost disappeared from the streets, because heating with oil has lost its appeal and deliveries to petrol stations are shifted to off-peak times wherever possible.

It is not without reason that the large tank trucks of this period are considered the pinnacle of bodywork construction. In this illustrated book, thanks to numerous archive photos, you will experience how the major fuel brands such as Shell and Esso shaped the appearance of the highly specialized vehicles.
It also becomes clear what a tough job the tank truck drivers had to do, who not only covered long distances but also handled hazardous substances on a daily basis. Immerse yourself in a piece of German post-war history!

• Exciting look at the heyday of mobility during the economic miracle
• An overview of the various models of tank trucks: From Büssing to Mercedes and Schwelm to MAN
• Fuel and heating oil transport in the post-war period: Interesting insights into the tough everyday life of tank truck drivers
• With 240 photos, some of which have not been published, from private and company archives

Product details

Author:	Ulrich Biene
Details:	184 pages, 11.2 x 8.7 x 0.98 in (28.5 x 22 x 2.5 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	240+ b&w and color photos
Language:	German
Publisher:	Delius Klasing Verlag GmbH (D, 2022)
ISBN:	9783667123565

Zugmaschinen bei Circus- und Schaustellerbetrieben

They are hidden behind brightly lit circus facades, modern carousel giants or simply parked in a side street: the tractors, the indispensable helpers of the travelling trade.
For most circus or fairground visitors they remain undetected. They are used when the fairground still or already resembles a huge construction site.

Pages of the book "Zugmaschinen bei Circus- und Schaustellerbetrieben"

Marc Trappe was already travelling with his camera to folk festivals in Germany in the 1990s and visited well-known circus companies. Around 600 were selected from his collection of many thousands of photographs, showing a wide variety of vehicles, often with very special body variants.
The author explains the vehicles, provides technical data and looks behind the scenes of the exciting travelling trade. A treasure trove for all commercial vehicle enthusiasts and at the same time a fascinating illustrated book.

Product details

Author:	Marc Trappe
Details:	240 pages, 11.2 x 8.5 x 0.91 in (28.5 x 21.5 x 2.3 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	600 color photos
Language:	German
Publisher:	Verlag Podszun (D, 2023)
ISBN:	9783751610650