_GOTOBOTTOM
Armor/AFV: Axis - WWII
Armor and ground forces of the Axis forces during World War II.
Hosted by Darren Baker
Study German Half Tracks and Guns
Lada_Niva
Visit this Community
Drenthe, Netherlands
Joined: October 06, 2019
KitMaker: 177 posts
Armorama: 97 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 09, 2020 - 03:49 AM UTC
Dear fellow armor modelers,

Recently I have started with studying German Half Tracks and guns of the Second World War.
I have started my study on the computer, but I'm beginning to notice that I'm probably liking it much more to study with books and other 'old school' studying materials.
The problem is that I'm not knowing any books or so to purchase.
Also, I have started studying these things in the broader picture.
Not like, I pick a modeling kit that I want to buy and go to study that specific topic.
Could you help me out with this problem?
Hohenstaufen
Visit this Community
England - South East, United Kingdom
Joined: December 13, 2004
KitMaker: 2,192 posts
Armorama: 1,615 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 09, 2020 - 04:02 AM UTC
A couple of titles that have been on my shelves a long time and still referred to occasionally:

"German Artillery of World War Two", Ian Hogg, Arms & Armour Press, London, 1975.
"German Half-Tracked Vehicles of World War Two" John Milsom, Arms & Armour Press, London 1975. (Unarmoured halftracks)
"Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two", Peter Chamberlain and Hilary Doyle, Silverdale Books, London 2000 (originally published by Cassell, 1978). (Armoured halftracks)

There are many more, but those should get you started. May be OOP, but try Amazon or Abebooks.

SSGToms
Visit this Community
Connecticut, United States
Joined: April 02, 2005
KitMaker: 3,608 posts
Armorama: 3,092 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 09, 2020 - 04:10 AM UTC
Go to the library.
Do a search on their computer of what books they can get you from other libraries.
RLlockie
Visit this Community
United Kingdom
Joined: September 06, 2013
KitMaker: 1,112 posts
Armorama: 938 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 09, 2020 - 06:16 AM UTC
It’s a huge subject. What sort of half-track (cargo, tractor, personnel, armoured, early, late, SP weapons)? What sort of artillery (infantry guns, howitzers, medium, heavy, anti-tank, anti-air, early, late)?

Do you want text, pictures, drawings, details, service use, development?

Books that cover the whole range probably won’t cover any one of them in much depth.
brekinapez
Visit this Community
Georgia, United States
Joined: July 26, 2013
KitMaker: 2,272 posts
Armorama: 1,860 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 09, 2020 - 10:06 AM UTC
A recent publication that does a good overview of the panzer types used by the Germans, that also includes a nice-sized section on self-propelled guns, armored semi-track vehicles and armored cars, and some support vehicles is 'The Complete Guide to German Armored Vehicles" plus it is rather cheap ($35 US).
It is written and published by David Doyle and is available from his website

David Doyle Books

It lacks field and anti-tank guns themselves as it concentrates on vehicles but it might help with some of the half-tracks and is useful on its own merits as well.
KoSprueOne
Visit this Community
Myanmar
Joined: March 05, 2004
KitMaker: 4,011 posts
Armorama: 1,498 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 09, 2020 - 10:21 AM UTC
Panzer Tracts may be helpful to your research.
http://www.panzertracts.com/

Try looking them up on ebay by type of German half tracks that you are interested in.




Lada_Niva
Visit this Community
Drenthe, Netherlands
Joined: October 06, 2019
KitMaker: 177 posts
Armorama: 97 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 10, 2020 - 01:54 AM UTC

Quoted Text

A couple of titles that have been on my shelves a long time and still referred to occasionally:

"German Artillery of World War Two", Ian Hogg, Arms & Armour Press, London, 1975.
"German Half-Tracked Vehicles of World War Two" John Milsom, Arms & Armour Press, London 1975. (Unarmoured halftracks)
"Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two", Peter Chamberlain and Hilary Doyle, Silverdale Books, London 2000 (originally published by Cassell, 1978). (Armoured halftracks)

There are many more, but those should get you started. May be OOP, but try Amazon or Abebooks.




Thank you for your reply and your suggestions.
I couldn't find the second title on Amazon.de/nl but I did find the other titles.
The last book you mentioned is expensive if you ask me, almost 80 euro or so.
Are you sure that it is worth that amount of money?
Lada_Niva
Visit this Community
Drenthe, Netherlands
Joined: October 06, 2019
KitMaker: 177 posts
Armorama: 97 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 10, 2020 - 01:59 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Go to the library.
Do a search on their computer of what books they can get you from other libraries.



I'm not a member of the library anymore, because they couldn't the books that I was interested in.
They had to many global books and not enough in-depth books on certain topics.
Otherwise I would have to pay for getting the book to the library to loan it.
Also, wasn't very satisfied with their offer in their collections.
That is why I'm wanting to have my own collection and buy my own books.
That way I also got all the control on what I get and don't get.
Lada_Niva
Visit this Community
Drenthe, Netherlands
Joined: October 06, 2019
KitMaker: 177 posts
Armorama: 97 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 10, 2020 - 02:06 AM UTC

Quoted Text

It’s a huge subject. What sort of half-track (cargo, tractor, personnel, armoured, early, late, SP weapons)? What sort of artillery (infantry guns, howitzers, medium, heavy, anti-tank, anti-air, early, late)?

Do you want text, pictures, drawings, details, service use, development?

Books that cover the whole range probably won’t cover any one of them in much depth.



Thank you for replying.
I was reading some stuff on the internet and I just realised today that I indeed have to split also this topic in more smaller subjects and projects to study.

I think that I will be most interested in tractors, that tow the guns. Because, that is in accordance with my plan to do both subjects. Also personnel and armoured are grabbing my interest I think.

Regarding the guns, I'm most interested in the AT guns, and the field guns of the Germans. Like the 21 cm Mörser 18. Or, some howitzer.

And regarding the study material: I think just some of everything is interesting. If I would have to pick some categories, I would say text, service use and development. Details would be a nice extra.

I hope I provided the answers to you to help me further, with narrowing my scope to get me to the right topic I want/have/need to study.
Lada_Niva
Visit this Community
Drenthe, Netherlands
Joined: October 06, 2019
KitMaker: 177 posts
Armorama: 97 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 10, 2020 - 02:12 AM UTC

Quoted Text

A recent publication that does a good overview of the panzer types used by the Germans, that also includes a nice-sized section on self-propelled guns, armored semi-track vehicles and armored cars, and some support vehicles is 'The Complete Guide to German Armored Vehicles" plus it is rather cheap ($35 US).
It is written and published by David Doyle and is available from his website

David Doyle Books

It lacks field and anti-tank guns themselves as it concentrates on vehicles but it might help with some of the half-tracks and is useful on its own merits as well.



Thank you for suggesting this book.
It might not be that relevant now, but it could certainly become usefull for future projects as reference material.
There are some vehicles in it I have already build.
Some that I wanna build.
So might be usefull as much use in the future.
Thanks again for the suggestion and I will be considering to get this book.
Lada_Niva
Visit this Community
Drenthe, Netherlands
Joined: October 06, 2019
KitMaker: 177 posts
Armorama: 97 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 10, 2020 - 02:19 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Panzer Tracts may be helpful to your research.
http://www.panzertracts.com/

Try looking them up on ebay by type of German half tracks that you are interested in.







Thank you for sharing, I have bookmarked it for later use.
RobinNilsson
Staff MemberTOS Moderator
KITMAKER NETWORK
Visit this Community
Stockholm, Sweden
Joined: November 29, 2006
KitMaker: 6,693 posts
Armorama: 5,562 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 10, 2020 - 03:22 AM UTC

Quoted Text

...
The last book you mentioned is expensive if you ask me, almost 80 euro or so.
Are you sure that it is worth that amount of money?



80 Euros is a large sum of money, almost two 1/35 kits of modern tanks....
The book is over 270 pages packed full with information
so I think a cost of less than 30 cents per page is perfectly reasonable. Maybe you could find a used one somewhere but consider the cost per page instead
marcb
Visit this Community
Overijssel, Netherlands
Joined: March 25, 2006
KitMaker: 1,244 posts
Armorama: 1,226 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 10, 2020 - 03:33 AM UTC
You've chosen a very wide subject.
Not sure what you mean by guns. Artillery? AT guns? Rifles?
The Panzertracts titles are the best available.
The old Waffen Arsenal titles are worhtwhile getting as well.

https://www.librarything.com/series/Waffen-Arsenal
phil2015
Visit this Community
Illinois, United States
Joined: July 27, 2015
KitMaker: 502 posts
Armorama: 325 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 10, 2020 - 03:37 AM UTC

Another title to investigate, although it is more specialized than what you've said you want is _Scouts Out_.
SSGToms
Visit this Community
Connecticut, United States
Joined: April 02, 2005
KitMaker: 3,608 posts
Armorama: 3,092 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 10, 2020 - 04:20 AM UTC
"Halftracked Vehicles Of The German Army 1909-1945" by Walter J. Spielberger.
"German Artillery of World War Two" by Ian Hogg.

These two books will provide you with all of the information, technical data, and photographs you need on your subject of study. The Spielberger book is pricey but more than worth every penny. It covers every artillery tractor and armored halftrack, plus many more you never heard of. The Hogg book is of course the compendium of the subject by the master of artillery.
165thspc
#521
Visit this Community
Kentucky, United States
Joined: April 13, 2011
KitMaker: 9,465 posts
Armorama: 8,695 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 10, 2020 - 02:01 PM UTC
If you are on Facebook check out a blog site there entitled:

"German Halftrack and Softskin Research"



Also a website called "Achtung Panzer!"

http://www.achtungpanzer.com
Hohenstaufen
Visit this Community
England - South East, United Kingdom
Joined: December 13, 2004
KitMaker: 2,192 posts
Armorama: 1,615 posts
Posted: Friday, September 11, 2020 - 05:35 AM UTC

Quoted Text

The last book you mentioned is expensive if you ask me, almost 80 euro or so.
Are you sure that it is worth that amount of money?



I didn't pay anything like that for mine. Mine is softback with a cover price of £20 and I'm sure I didn't pay that; I think I got it in a cheap bookshop. Having said that, as I said I've had them a long time so they may be OOP. There are always booksellers at military fairs and re-enactments, it's worth haunting them.
brekinapez
Visit this Community
Georgia, United States
Joined: July 26, 2013
KitMaker: 2,272 posts
Armorama: 1,860 posts
Posted: Friday, September 11, 2020 - 06:14 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

A couple of titles that have been on my shelves a long time and still referred to occasionally:


"Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two", Peter Chamberlain and Hilary Doyle, Silverdale Books, London 2000 (originally published by Cassell, 1978). (Armoured halftracks)






Thank you for your reply and your suggestions.
I couldn't find the second title on Amazon.de/nl but I did find the other titles.
The last book you mentioned is expensive if you ask me, almost 80 euro or so.
Are you sure that it is worth that amount of money?



I have that book as a pdf file. The book I mentioned by David Doyle is basically a modern version of it but includes more non-tank vehicles. It is a good book but either of these is helpful.
RLlockie
Visit this Community
United Kingdom
Joined: September 06, 2013
KitMaker: 1,112 posts
Armorama: 938 posts
Posted: Friday, September 11, 2020 - 06:49 AM UTC
EoGT is now pretty old and even the second edition was basically a reprint which Hilary was unable to update with the new data that had come to light since.

That was some time ago so it won’t be reflective of what is now known.

Panzer Tracts and Nuts & Bolts tend to be my starting points, although the Spielberger books are also good. A lot of books (on many subjects but particularly German kit) are rehashed by authors and publishers keen to have a piece of the market but who have not done much if any original research. Hence they repeat old myths and thus perpetuate them.
Ringleheim
Visit this Community
Florida, United States
Joined: September 04, 2009
KitMaker: 184 posts
Armorama: 183 posts
Posted: Friday, September 11, 2020 - 07:14 AM UTC
To the OP: if you are interested in German guns from WWII, you must watch this video as a mandatory requirement!

And turn your speakers up as loud as they go.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_bGczFQIOc
Lada_Niva
Visit this Community
Drenthe, Netherlands
Joined: October 06, 2019
KitMaker: 177 posts
Armorama: 97 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 12, 2020 - 03:47 AM UTC

Quoted Text

You've chosen a very wide subject.
Not sure what you mean by guns. Artillery? AT guns? Rifles?
The Panzertracts titles are the best available.
The old Waffen Arsenal titles are worhtwhile getting as well.

https://www.librarything.com/series/Waffen-Arsenal



I see behind the titles in yellow color, that the common knowledge isn't English or something?
What does that mean?
Because I can only read Dutch or English.
Lada_Niva
Visit this Community
Drenthe, Netherlands
Joined: October 06, 2019
KitMaker: 177 posts
Armorama: 97 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 12, 2020 - 03:51 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Another title to investigate, although it is more specialized than what you've said you want is _Scouts Out_.



Do you mean this book? https://www.amazon.de/-/nl/dp/0811713113/ref=sr_1_1?__mk_nl_NL=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&dchild=1&keywords=Scouts+Out&qid=1599925770&sr=8-1
Lada_Niva
Visit this Community
Drenthe, Netherlands
Joined: October 06, 2019
KitMaker: 177 posts
Armorama: 97 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 12, 2020 - 03:59 AM UTC

Quoted Text

If you are on Facebook check out a blog site there entitled:

"German Halftrack and Softskin Research"



Also a website called "Achtung Panzer!"

http://www.achtungpanzer.com



Thank you for sharing this website with me.
I have bookmarked it for later.
I'm not on Facebook because I'm caring about my online privacy. And Facebook is just evil and not respecting their users or their privacy or data in any way, so no I'm not on Facebook.
Lada_Niva
Visit this Community
Drenthe, Netherlands
Joined: October 06, 2019
KitMaker: 177 posts
Armorama: 97 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 12, 2020 - 04:01 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

The last book you mentioned is expensive if you ask me, almost 80 euro or so.
Are you sure that it is worth that amount of money?



I didn't pay anything like that for mine. Mine is softback with a cover price of £20 and I'm sure I didn't pay that; I think I got it in a cheap bookshop. Having said that, as I said I've had them a long time so they may be OOP. There are always booksellers at military fairs and re-enactments, it's worth haunting them.



Sadly there aren't any interesting or good events in my area to go to and that have these kind of interesting stuff for sale. I'm almost buying everything for at least my scale modeling via internet.
Lada_Niva
Visit this Community
Drenthe, Netherlands
Joined: October 06, 2019
KitMaker: 177 posts
Armorama: 97 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 12, 2020 - 04:06 AM UTC

Quoted Text

EoGT is now pretty old and even the second edition was basically a reprint which Hilary was unable to update with the new data that had come to light since.

That was some time ago so it won’t be reflective of what is now known.

Panzer Tracts and Nuts & Bolts tend to be my starting points, although the Spielberger books are also good. A lot of books (on many subjects but particularly German kit) are rehashed by authors and publishers keen to have a piece of the market but who have not done much if any original research. Hence they repeat old myths and thus perpetuate them.



That is interesting to read.
You mean that I can better take a look at the newer books and titles?
And that I must not buy those old books?
I hope you can explain some more to me about your comment, because I'm probably not getting fully what you are wanting to say.
Thank you in advance.
 _GOTOTOP