Samochody pancerne (2 WŚ) - Niemcy: książki - historia

Germany was at the forefront of the development of armoured cars during the First World War. In the early 1920s, the "Zusatz von Bologne" which was an amendment to the Treaty of Versailles allowed the German Army to produce armoured cars primarily for policing duties and eventually this gave rise to the military Sd.Kfz.13 series in the early 1930s.

This publication covers German 4-wheeled cars in great photographic detail, focusing on the armoured cars and their crews as they dealt with the conditions and circumstances in which they found themselves.
Rare photographs from the author's own collection have been used to illustrate this book; they were taken by ordinary German soldiers not by official army cameramen whose images are already well known to enthusiasts.

Throughout WWII, Germany deployed a range of six- and eight-wheeled armored cars serving various purposes, including reconnaissance, antitank operations, infantry support, and more.
The initial 6-Rad vehicles were constructed on 6 × 4 truck chassis. Recognizing design limitations, subsequent models incorporated specially designed all-wheel-drive power trains. The ultimate iteration, the 234 series, featured a unibody design. Armament progression spanned from 7.92 mm machine guns to 75 mm PaK 40 cannons and 7.5 cm StuK40 howitzers.

Building upon the author's prior work, this volume employs over 250 photographs to explore 12 prominent types of these vehicles. It meticulously examines subtle production changes, providing a comprehensive insight into the evolution of German armored cars during this significant historical period.

Covers the types and usage of the German heavy reconnaissance vehicles Sd.Kfz. 231 (6), 232 (6) and 263 (6)..

Covers the use and design of the Puma and other German reconnaissance vehicles.

Covers the use and design of the German 8-wheeled reconnaissance vehicles (Sd.Kfz. 231, 232, 263 and 233) during WWII.

The swift advancements of German armored units in the Polish and French campaigns were led by agile reconnaissance vehicles armed for speed. However, early designs faced challenges with light weaponry and thin armor, prompting a program initiated by Büssing-NAG.
This effort resulted in the development of the Sd.Kfz. 234 series, heavy eight-wheeled armored cars, with the first entering service in late 1943. Renowned for their ruggedness and reliability, these vehicles underwent upgrades to fulfill roles in infantry support and eventually as tank destroyers.

This volume of the LandCraft series concludes the narrative of the Sd.Kfz. 234 series, delving into the versions that participated in the war's final battles. Through archival photos and meticulously researched color illustrations, Dennis Oliver explores the Sd.Kfz. 234/1 and Sd.Kfz. 234/2, shedding light on units operating these often overlooked yet crucial armored vehicles.

The book includes a section showcasing available model kits and aftermarket products, complemented by a gallery of expertly crafted and painted models in various scales. Detailed technical information and field modifications are examined, offering modelers comprehensive resources for accurately recreating these historically significant vehicles.

Experience in the Polish and French campaigns had convinced the German high command of the value of fast-moving, armed reconnaissance vehicles. But it was realised that many of the early designs were too lightly-armed and development of a heavy eight-wheeled prototype resulted in the Sd.Kfz. 234 series of armoured cars, the first of which entered service in late 1943.
Built by the firm of Büssing-NAG, these sturdy and reliable vehicles were gradually up-armed and served in the infantry support role and eventually as tank killers, largely as the result of Hitler's desperation to arm as many vehicles as possible with anti-tank weapons.

Drawing on official documentation and unit histories Dennis investigates the formations that operated these vehicles and uses archive photos and extensively researched colour illustrations to examine the markings, camouflage and technical aspects of the Sd.Kfz. 234/2, 234/3 and 234/4 armoured cars that served on the Western and Eastern Fronts in the last months of the war.

A key section of his book displays available model kits and aftermarket products, complemented by a gallery of beautifully constructed and painted models in various scales.
Technical details as well as modifications introduced during production and in the field are also examined, providing everything the modeller needs to recreate an accurate representation of these historic vehicles.