German Reenacting Manuals

73 German manuals for training, tactics, equipment, weapons and even military cookbooks have been translated to English for military historians and reenactors. I also have one American manual about the German Army, one German Schwimmwagen manual that is a reproduction (not translated), and 3 German/English dictionaries combined into one volume. These manuals include Tank Identification, Basic Infantry Training, the Unteroffizier Subject training manual, Stick Grenade, Rifle Grenade, March Compass, Field Fortifications, Drills and Commands, Zeltbahn, Marching, Shooting Instruction, Battalion Tactics, Panzergrenadiere Squad Training, Winter Warfare, two U-Boat manuals, Bayonet and Spade fighting, the 1943 Reibert Service Instruction book, Observation and Measuring Equipment, Tank Fighting, Recruit and Family Guide, Signal Flags and Morse Code, the Field Telephone, the field switchboard, security dogs, six WWII German Army issued Field Cookbooks, the Tigerfibel, Pionier Fibel, Mountain Troops, Panzerfaust, Military Bicycle, Prisoner of War, the T34 Russian Tank, MG-262 jet, Rifle Training, Tactics, The Field Kitchen, the Schwimmwagen, and two camouflage manuals.
For U.S. sales, the price you see is the total price - there is no extra postage, handling, or other charges.
Foreign orders are welcome - contact me for a quote for the extra postage cost.

U.S. postage rates were increased on Feb. 1, 2019. It is no longer cheap to send to other countries. I suggest you purchase everything you want at one time to be sent in one packagee to decrease the cost of postage as much as possible. Combining an order with a friend is also a good way to save on postage costs.

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Credit card information can be emailed to me.
If you want several manuals, a discount on postage may be available depending on weight (over 13 ounces). Contact me before paying so I can weigh your order to see if it qualifies for a postage discount. Or, if you send too much money by check or Paypal, I'll refund your discount with your manual or to your Paypal account. Any business has to make a profit to stay in business, but fair is fair.

"Reference words" are just above the price in each ad. Please use these words when ordering to avoid confusion about which manual you would like.

Reenactor & Historical Interest, Non-Gun

CLICK HERE to download the high resolution .jpg file of the German barracks pass, as posted on Facebook.

CLICK HERE to download TM 30-506, a German/English Military Dictionary (Right click the link to d/l the .PDF file)

World War-I era US Civilian Recipes for Conserving Money and Food - Free Download

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Schwimmwagen Transparencies Manual - WWII Era Issue

Leichter Personenkraftwagen K2s, Typ 166 - Light Personel Vehicle K2s, Type 166 (Schwimmwagen). This 1943 dated military issued manual was for the instruction about the infamous amphibious vehicle known as the Schwimmwagen. It has 32 transparencies of the vehicle, which let you see the construction in layers. Lift off a transparency, and see the next deeper layer of the vehicle's construction, while the back view of the previous transparency is on the left page. There are 4 groups of transparencies: the body, motor, rear axle, and front axle. 8.5" H. x 12" W. This manual is an exact reproduction, made by the same publisher that printed it in Germany in 1943. As a reproduction, it is still in its original German language and has not been translated . I have limited quantities available, as I'm importing these, so if I run out, it will take weeks to get more (if I can get them).
These are available ONLY at www.GermanManuals.com.
Please reference "Schwimmwagen" on your order.
$33 - includes U.S. first class postage.
Cover Page 1 Page 3 Page 5 Page 7

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Field Kitchen - WWII Era Issue

The German Army Equipment - H. Dv. 476/3 - The large and small Field Kitchens and the large and small Field Cook Stoves. This manual was originally published in 1932, and has been updated to 1937. This manual, which was to be stored in its special place in the field kitchen is for the field stove itself. The table of contents has the listing, but this tells how to operate the cooker, all about the cooking bath fluid, how to clean and care for the stove, and where everything is to be stored in its compartments. 69 pages, 8.5" H. x 5.5" W.
Please reference "Field Kitchen" on your order.
$18 - includes U.S. first class postage.
Original Cover Cover Contents Page 12 Page 21

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Telescopic Sight 39 - WWII Era Issue

Zielfernrohr 39 - Für den Karabiner 98k D134 - Telescopic Sight 39 (four power) - For the Carbine 98k. This 1940 dated military issued booklet was the instruction manual for the telescopic sight used on sniper rifles. This has no information about how to shoot, it is about the construction, care and use (mounting/dismounting) the scope. See the table of contents picture below. 19 pages, 8.5" H. x 5.5" W.
Please reference "ZF39" on your order.
$6 - includes U.S. first class postage.
Original Cover Cover Pages 16-17

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Pioneer Recruiting Pamphlet - WWII Era Issue

Pioniere - Waffenhefte des Heeres - Pioneers - Branch of Service Issue of the Army I believe this undated wartime booklet was likely to be in a recruiter's office to explain to the new recruits what the pioneers did and to encourage them to pursue a position in this service. 32 pages, heavily illustrated. See the sample pages show below, which are typical of the other pages. 8.5" H. x 5.5" W.
Please reference "Pioneer Booklet" on your order.
$6 - includes U.S. first class postage.
Original Cover Cover Page 13 Page 26

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Reconnaissance and Security - WWII Era Issue - 1942-44

Beispiele für Aufklârungs- und Sicherungsdienst und Unternehmungen in der Verteidigung - Examples for Reconnaissance- and Security Service and Operations in the Defense. This is a 1942 issued/1944 re-issued manual used to train the German soldiers by giving examples of the proper way to do things. 23 pages with 6 color map illustrations in the back. See the sample pages show below, which are typical of the other pages of text. 8.5" H. x 5.5" W.
Please reference "Recon and Security" on your order.
$7 - includes U.S. first class postage.
Original Cover Cover Pages 16-17

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Tank Recognition- WWII Era Issue - 1943

Panzerkennungsdienst - Tank Recognition Service. This is a 1943 issued manual used to train the soldiers to recognize friendly and enemy tanks by their characteristic features. 116 pages with pictures on the right pages, and identifying characteristics on the left pages. See the sample pages below, which are typical for the entire manual. This was originally written as the explanation manual for the slide presentation shown to the troops, but was also used for independent training. 116 pages, 8.5" H. x 5.5" W.
Please reference "Tank Recognition" on your order.
$16 - includes U.S. first class postage.
Original Cover Cover Contents Pages 24-25 Pages 76-77

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U-Boat - WWII Era Issue - 1939

What Everyone Must Know About the German U-Boat - This is written as two friends talking, and one is explaining the details of a U-Boat to the other. Drive system (diesel and electric), torpedoes, submerging, surfacing, firing topedoes by using the periscope, navigation, and steering the boat are all briefly explained.
It's not an operations manual, there are no great revelations in it about tactics. It is a simple manual, meant to describe U-Boat operations to young, draft-age Germans, and includes a few pages at the back about how and where to sign up for the Kriegsmarine. I believe this was meant for the highschool or tradeschool graduate to entice them to enlist. Interesting, but not very technical.
Please reference "U-Boat Must Know" on your order.
$14 - includes U.S. first class postage.
Original Cover Cover Page 8 Page 24

A Brief Outline of Tactics - 1940-41

Kurzer Abrisß der Taktik - A Brief Outline of Tactics. 86 pages of text about how to conduct reconnaissance, defense, offense, pursuit, withdrawal, and the use of artillery in offense and defense. I expected this manual to be very dry reading, but it was actually informative and interesting. See the table of contents and sample pages below. Includes 4 pages of tactical/map symbols in an Appendix.
Please reference "Outline of Tactics" on your order.
$19 - includes U.S. first class postage.
Original Cover Cover Contents Pages 8 Page 46 Pages 74-75

Waffen-SS Sniper Instruction- SS Issue - 1942

Die Scharfschützenausbildung der Waffen-SS - Sniper Instruction of the Waffen-SS. A compilation of letters and instructions summarizing the use of snipers in various combat situations and their training, including the table of contents of a 2 week sniper course. This is not a manual about how to shoot a rifle. It is concerning tactics and deployment of the snipers and how they are to achieve their goals, explained by examples of situations of their use.
Please reference "Waffen-SS Sniper" on your order.
$14 - includes U.S. first class postage.
Cover Pages 6-7 Pages 20-21

Sniper Instruction - WWII Military Issue - 1943

Anleitung für die Ausbildung und den Einsatz von Scharfschützen - Merkblatt 25/4 - Manual for the Instruction and Use of the Snipers - Data Sheet 25/4. A German Army issued booklet about sniper training. This is not a manual about how to shoot. It describes the purpose, training, deployment, and use of snipers in combat. With 28 pages it cannot go into great detail, but does cover a broad range of topics. This is the only manual I've seen that is military issued for the sniper program.
Please reference "Army Sniper" on your order.
$9 - includes U.S. first class postage.
Original Cover Cover Pages 5 Pages 14-15

Shooting Instruction with the Rifle - 1940

Schießausbildung Mit Gewehr - Shooting Training with the Rifle. This is the first manual I've seen which goes into extreme detail about exactly how to shoot the German 98k Service Rifle. How to pull the trigger, how to sight the target, how to train to shoot with one eye closed, dimensions for targets... an ooutstanding manual for leaning to shoot the German way. See the table of contents pages to see everything in this manual.
Please reference "Rifle Training" on your order.
$19 - includes U.S. first class postage.
Original Cover Cover Contents Pages 34-35 Page 41 Page 46 Pages 58-59

ME-262 Operating Manual

Me 262 A-1 Bedienungsvorschrift-Fl - Me 262 A-1 Operating Manual-Aircraft. A basic operating manual for the ME-262 German WWII jet. The original series of manuals for the world's first combat jet was 10 manuals ( that I know of, but maybe more). Each was small like this one, and covered specific information. This volume is very interesting, but only 27 pages with 8 fold-out diagrams in the back. See the table of contents picture below.
Please reference "ME-262" on your order.
$12 - includes U.S. first class postage.
Original Cover Cover Contents Page 11 Figure 1

Quick Troops - Anti-tank and Communications Troop Training

Ausbildungsvorschrift für die Schnellen Truppen - Instruction Manual for the Quick Troops. This has about 20 pages on how to train the new recruits for anti-tank and communciations units. It explains how they are selected for their jobs, how they are cross trained, and what they are to be taught for the 12 weeks of their training. See the table of contents and sample pages to understand exactly what this manual is about. 114 pages.
Please reference "Quick Troops - Anti-tank" on your order.
$12 - includes U.S. first class postage.
Original Cover Cover Contents Pages 12-13 Pages 58-59 Pages 102-103

German Red Cross Medic Training Manual

Amtliches Unterichtsbuch über Erste Hilfe - The Official Instruction Book for First Aid. This 1944 dated manual is what was used for instruction to the armed forces first aiders/medics. The German Red Cross taught this course, and this is their class book. According to the Waffen SS stamp inside, it was previously the property of The Freiwillige Geb.-Div. Prinz Eugen, otherwise known as the SS Volunteer Mountain Troop Division Prinz Eugen. 136 tightly packed pages with 100+ illustrations about how to be a good medic.
The original manual had a section for treatment of gas and chemical warfare injuries. Due to lack of interest, this section has been omitted from this translation.
Please reference "Red Cross First Aid" on your order.
$31 - includes U.S. first class postage.
Original Cover Cover Inside Title Page Contents Pages 28-29 Pages 48-49 Pages 80-81

Enemy Tank T 34 - How to Defend From and Attack the T 34

FEINDPANZER Teil 1: T 34 - Enemy Tank Part 1: T 34. How to defend from and attack the T34 Russian Tank. The Germans used a slide projector and slides to educate their troops on a variety of subjects. This manual would accompany the slide presentation, or could be borrowed separately from the military library for self-review. This well-illustrated manual has 43 pages of pictures and explanations to teach the troops how to identify the T 34, exactly what the weaknesses and strengths of the T34 were, and how to attack it. Other manuals in the series were for the U.S. Sherman and British KW I tanks, but I haven't found those manuals yet. Anyone with a source is welcome to contact me at John@GermanManuals.com
Please reference "T-34 Defense" on your order.
$10 - includes U.S. first class postage.
Original Cover Cover Pages 16-17  Pages 28-29  Pages 36-37

Panzerfaust - German WWII Anti-tank Rocket Launcher

Die Panzerfaust - For the German Militia (Volksturm). 32 pages of how to prepare the Panzerfaust for firing, shooting, aiming, and how to install the fuse and primer. This manual covers models 30, 60, and 100 of the German reusable shaped charge launcher.
Please reference "Panzerfaust" on your order.
$6 - includes U.S. first class postage.
Original Cover Cover  Pages 8-9   Pages 16-17

Mountain Troops - WWII Era German Military Issue

H. Dv. 374/1 Ausbildungsvorschrift für die Gebirgstruppen. - Instruction Manual for the Mountain Troops - Vol. 1 - Alpine Technique. 65 pages of how to get along in the moutains. See the Contents page below. How to cut steps in ice, how to climb with and without ropes, cross glaciers, protect your housing from avalanches, and stay out of danger. This has what a mountain troop needs to know about climbing, roping together, descending with and without ropes, and a lot of small details too numerous to list. This manual gives an insight into how difficult being a moutain troop was, and how tough those guys had to be.
Please reference "Mountain Troops" on your order.
$16 - includes U.S. first class postage.
Original Cover Cover  Contents  Page 28 Page 56

Field Switchboard - WWII Era German Military Issue

Der Kleine Klappenschrank zu 10 Leitungen - The Small Switchboard for 10 Lines. 7 pages of text, 4 illustrations, with a chart at the end listing all the tables in this series, some of which are translated, most are not. Sections in this small manual include the individual parts, preparing the switchboard for operation, operation, testing, repair, connection to the postal network, hooking up, and notes for use. 8.5" high x 5.5" wide.
Please reference "Switchboard" on your order.
$5 - includes U.S. first class postage.
Original Cover Page 1

Field Telephone - WWII Era German Military Issue

Der Feldfernsprecher 33 - The Field Telephone 33. This manual has the details about the operation and care of the German field telephone that's in the brown bakelite case with the crank on the side. Operation, wiring schematics, how it works mechanically and electrically, troubleshooting, testing and repairs are all here. The other small manual I have for the field telephone gives the basics; this gives the details. 15 pages of solid text, then 24 illustrations. 36 pages total. 8.5"high x 5.5"wide.
Please reference "Field Telephone 33" on your order.
$15 - includes U.S. first class postage.
Original Cover Cover Contents Page 7 Page 30

Prisoners of War - German WWII Issue

Kriegsgefangene - Prisoners of War. Produced by the High Command of the German Armed Forces. This booklet starts with details about how the Alliance (France, Belgium, and England) in WWI turned the German prisoners of war into a propaganda tool, took advantage of them and the German government, and used their own POWs in German camps as instruments for sowing dissention in the German fatherland. Eventually it gets around to explaining the proper technique and methods used for German POWs to escape, but the main focus of this manual is to incite the German population at the start of WWII into hatred and wariness of foreign prisoners and educate them about the damage that has been done to Germany in both world wars. Interesting reading, but this is not a manual simply about how the Germans were supposed to behave in captivity. Details include French statements about how the French POWs are to burn, destroy, and escape whenever possible, and how the German POWs gave manufacturing secrets to the enemy while working for them.
While it was produced and issued by the High Command of the German Armed Forces, it is not a military manual in the usual sense, rather more of a propaganda/military manual for general circulation among the troops to indoctrinate them to the despicable acts committed by foreigners and comparisons to the honorable German POW behavior. It includes several illustrations of contraband sent to POW camps in Germany. 60 pages, 5.5w x 8.5h.
Please reference "Prisoners of War" on your order.
$14 - includes U.S. first class postage.
Original Cover Cover Page 5 Page 27 Page 33

Tank Defense - German WWII Era

Geheim! Vorlaufig Richtlinien fur den Einsatz vonPanzerabwehrwaffen in der Verteidigung - Secret! Provisional Guidelines for the Use of Tank Defense Weapons in the Defense. Secret information Sheet 9/12. March of 1941. 19 pages of all text, with no illustrations, explaining how to defend against armor in combat: where to place your anti-tank traps and obstacles, proper location of Pak and artillery, slope positions, defense positions relative to the main battle line, using the panzerfaust and the panzerschreck, etc.
Please reference "Tank Defense" on your order.
$6 - includes U.S. first class postage.
Original Cover Cover Page 9

US Handbook of the German Army - US WWII

Company Officer's Handbook of the German Army - Originally published by the US War Department as a Restricted manual, this is for the US Army Company officer to help them understand various facets of the German Army. See the table of contents. This manual gives a broad overview of the German Wehrmacht and is surprisingly thorough, with many illustrations. I recommend it for those with both US and German interests. 131 pages, 5.5w x 8.5h. I didn't have to translate this manual, so it is priced accordingly and still includes US postage.
Please reference "US Army/German Handbook" on your order.
$8 - includes U.S. first class postage.
Cover Contents Pages 10-11 Page 32 Page 41 Pages 64-65

Combat Doctrine - German WWII Era

H.Dv. 130/9 - Ausbildungvorschrift für die Infanterie - Leadership and Combat of the Infantry Battalion.HDv 130/9, Leadership and Combat of the Infantry Battalion from 1940 with updates to March of 1941. 84 pages of "how we do it and why we do it this way", explaining combat doctrine in general, attacks, defense, pursuit, cooperation with artillery, engineers, and aircraft, aircraft defense, and armor defense. All text, no illustrations.
Please reference "Combat Doctrine" on your order.
$16 - includes U.S. first class postage.
Original Cover Cover Content Pages 12-13 Pages 44-45

Troop Bicycle - German WWII Era

H.Dv. 293 - Das Truppenfahrrad - The Troop Bicycle. 46 pages of explanation, regulations, care, maintenance, and parts lists for the German military troop bicycle. If you have the bike or just want one, this is for you.
Please reference "Troop Bicycle" on your order.
$12 - includes U.S. first class postage.
Original Cover Cover Contents Pages 12-13 Bicycle 30-31

Basic Combat Instruction - German WWII Era

Grundaufgaben für die Gefechtsausbildung im Infanterie Bataillon - Basic Lessons for Combat Instruction in the Infantry Battalion.
Like it says in the title, this 1942 manual is 48 pages of lessons for the instructors and recruits for basic infantry instruction of how to properly run combat training at the battalion level, with smaller sized units below that included. The easiest way to see what is in the manual is to read a few pages of it. Click on the Pages 31-33 link below to read one of the lessons.
Please reference "Combat Intruction" on your order.
$12 - includes U.S. first class postage.
Original Cover Cover Contents Pages 31-33

Small Situations - German WWII Era

Kleine Lagen und ihre Dürchfuhrung - Small Situations and Their Accomplishment. This 1942 dated manual is a collection of scenarios with one or two lessons to be learned in each situation. It was specifically written to be used by the gefreiter and unteroffizier to train the recruits in the basics of combat situational behavior. See the sample pages - this manual is 146 page of setups, scenarios, and analyses of enemy and recruits actions and reactions. Very few diagrams, lots of text, which explains commands and behavior, and reasoning for the behavior. I have also included a table of 33 German to English translated terms used in the manual (not in the original). Each term is numbered in the text. The table shows the word/phrase number and the page it is on, as well as the English and German terms. My friends who reenact will appreciate that.
Please reference "Small Situations" on your order.
$29 - includes U.S. first class postage.
Original Cover Cover Contents Page 37 Page 117 Page 126

Pionier Fibel - German WWII Era

Pionier Fibel - Engineer Primer. 147 pages of all the basics that a Pionier needs to know. This is a manual for the German pioniers, which equates to the enginneers of the US Army. Five main sections are in this manual, camouflage, crossing rivers, explosives, barricades, and water transportation. There is so much information in this manual, it is best if you see the Table of Contents in the linked pictures below.
Please reference "Pionier Fibel" on your order.
$29 - includes U.S. first class postage.
Original Cover Cover Contents Page 37 Page 43 Page 117 Page 143

Unteroffiziere Manual - German WWII Era

Unteroffizierthemen - Ein Handbuch fur den Unteroffizierunterricht - Unteroffizier Subjects - A Handbook for the Unteroffizier Instruction. From 1943, about 157 pages, with a wide array of information that the German NCO was expected to know about uniforms, ranks, salutes, and weapons, so that he could teach it to the recruits.
This is not a manual for what the unteroffizier should do in combat to command his subordinates. It is a manual about the NCOs teaching the recruits, how they are to be taught, and what they need to learn. It does contain details about the operation of the MG34, 98k, light mortar, MP40, P38, Luger, and gas mask, but the bulk of the manual is about living the recruit life, and learning how to handle barracks life, guard duty, getting along with everyone, and proper military behavior. There is an emphasis placed on uniforms, shouldboards, and insignia, and recognition of it, as well as medals, such as where on the uniform and when they're worn. This is not about anything related to combat training, other than the weapons information that every unteroffizer needs to know.
In some places, the manual gives a list of what is to be taught, but doesn't actually say specifically what is to be said about the subject. The instructor would already know the details and limitations of the listed behavior, and so many subjects are given, but not all the details about each subject. E.g.: "discuss the leave pass (are there train limitations?) is listed as a subject to be discussed, but when, how, and under what circumstances you're not allowed on the express train isn't given.. Details frequently ARE given, just not always. Read the sample pages below to get a feel for the writing style of the book.
Please reference "Unteroffizier Subjects" on your order.
$27 - includes U.S. first class postage.
Original Cover Cover Contents Page 14 Page 60 Page 80 Page 122

Camouflage - German WWII Army Issue

Tarnung- Zusammenstellung von Erfahrungen aus den Kämpfen auf allen Kriegsschauplätzen -Camouflage - Compilation of Experiences From the Fighting in All Theaters of War. A 64 page, very well illustrated manual for camouflage of the men and equipment in combat, bivouac, on the march, etc., including the desert and plains, from 1942. Includes making decoy installations, camouflaging men and vehicles from ground and air observation, town combat, and making artificial camouflage. A very informative manual.
Please reference "Camouflage, Small" on your order.
$14 - includes U.S. first class postage.
Original Cover Cover Contents Page 19 Page 47

Pioneer Leadership - German WWII Era

H.Dv. 220/2 - Führung der Pioniere - Leadership of the Pioneers. 76 pages of text, no illustrations. All about the leadership and command structure for the pioneers (*German military engineers), and what was expected (their duties) from the pioneers. This manual has nothing to do with blowing up bridges, how to make barricades (it does explain where they were to be placed), or in depth details about the actual tasks of the pioneers, other than to explain the command structure for the use of the pioneers, when they are used, how they march, attack, defend, and support locations, with how they prepared for their tasks and were sent into action through the command structure. It does somewhat explain what the tasks of the pioneers were, including their functions on roads and in combat and their duties in helping the infantry prepare for combat. Read the sample pages to see some of what is throughout this manual. An interesting read, as it is not strictly about command control.
Please reference "Pioneer Leadership" on your order.
$15 - includes U.S. first class postage.
Original Cover Cover Table of Contents Pages 26-27 Pages 56-57

Military Dictionary - German Issue

German Picture/Language for the Soldier, Wehrmacht Phrase Book, and Soldier Dictionary for Field Use. I originally reproduced these three dictionaries with a total of 76 pages, and then found that some of the pages were missing from the back of the Bildsprecher dictionary I had. I have now acquired the full dictionary (thanks go to 42rocker from Florida) and have added the missing pages. This trio of dictionaries now has 132 pages. Two of the dictionaries are military issue German/English dictionaries, the other one is a private purchase picture dictionary. All have been scanned and duplicated in this single manual for your convenience. They show the names of common items, the names of common items in English, etc. A very nice compilation, reasonably priced. 76 pages, 7"W x 5.5"H, with most pages showing 2 pages of the original manuals. See the pictures below.
Please reference "Dictionary" on your order.
$9– includes U.S. first class postage.
Original Covers Sample from Dictionary 1 Sample from Dictionary 2 Sample from Dictionary 3

The TigerFibel - WW2 German Army Issue

TigerFibel - The Tiger Primer. 92 pages + folded posters about the operation and care of the Tiger tank, translated to English in the original booklet format, but at a slightly larger size to make reading easier (7" H x 8.5" W). This manual was originally printed in full color with cartoonish illustrations - a very risqué manual in its day. It has been reproduced in its beautiful full color with all original illustrations and extra sheets showing the danger zones of different tanks.
Please reference "Tiger Fibel" on your order.
$25 - includes US first class postage.
Original Page 1 Cover Contents Original Page 40 Page 40 Page 68 Page 73

Security Dogs - WW2 German Army Issue

Die Verwendung von Sicherungshunden - The Use of Security Dogs. 36 pages of how guard dogs, tracking dogs, and watch dogs were used and tested in the German WWII Army. While it doesn't go into full detail about training, it does explain exactly how the dogs were tested, and does have some details about training. Much can be inferred from the testing about how the dogs were trained.
Please reference "Security Dogs" on your order.
$9– includes U.S. first class postage.
Original Cover Cover Contents Page 18 Page 27  Page 35

Field Telephone - WW2 Era

Communications Instruction Table V - Field Telephone 33 and Office Adapter 33. Most of the often seen field telephones still work, if you know what to do with them. This little manual (8 pages) explains the setup, operation, and troubleshooting of the bakelite boxed field telephone, and the Office Adapter 33, which was used for connecting to both field phones and the post office phone network of wartime Germany. This manual provides the basics for getting a pair of phones talking.
Please reference "Field Telephone" on your order.
$4 – includes U.S. first class postage ($3 with any other manual).
Original Front Page Front Page

Correct Marching - WW2 Era

Denckler Manual - Richtig Marschieren - Correct Marching, and all that thereto applies. If you march, you must do it correctly, of course. SA, SS, and military marching discussed in detail. 20 pages.
Please reference "Correct Marching" on your order.
$6 – includes U.S. first class postage.
Original Front Cover Contents Pages 6-7

Signal Flags and Morse Code - WW2 Era

Winken und Morsen - Literally: Waving and Morse Code. 16 pages of how to make your own, or use the issued equipment for flag and Morse communications, how it is taught, and information for using Morse Code with lights, etc. This also has procedures for initiating or responding to a message, protocols for how to handle errors, and more. It includes charts with the positions of the flags for each letter and number, and the full Morse Code dot/dash chart for all the letters and numbers.
Please reference "Denckler Signal Flags" on your order.
$6 – includes U.S. first class postage.
Original Cover Cover Contents Page 6

Soldier and Family Guide to Life in the German Armed Forces - WW2 Era

Wegweisen für den Soldaten und seine Angehörigen in allen Lebenslagern - Guide for the soldier and his family in all situations. 55 pages of a very unique manual which explains how to apply for leave, how to write your will, what to do if the train taking you back to the post is late, how to file a grievance against a superior officer, and many other things too diverse to list. See the table of contents for this one. This has great details not found in anything else I've translated. This is a WW2 (1943) privately written manual by an Oberfeldwebel and Oberregierungsrat. Read pages 40-41 below to get a good idea of the depth of the content of this manual. It also has several examples of forms and letters for the family and soldier to deal with the wartime agencies and armed forces.
Please reference "Soldier Guide" on your order.
$12 – includes U.S. first class postage.
Original Cover Cover Contents Page 30 Pages 40-41

Signals Table - WW2 Era

Sichtzeichentafel 2 - Signals Table 2. A short subject, covered very briefly. How to use the signal staffs (wands). This little booklet (4 pages) shows the basic signals given with a pair of signal staffs, and also a description sufficiently complete to make your own set.
Printed on one sheet of heavy paper, folded in the middle. 8.5"H x 5.5"W.
Please reference "Signals Table" on your order.
$3. - includes US first class postage. Add to any other order for $2.
Pages 1 & 4  Pages 2 & 3

Camouflage - German WWII Army Issue

Tarnung alle Waffen - Camouflage of All Weapons. This 1944 dated picture book was originally the companion manual for the glass slide series for the education of the German soldiers in camouflage, but was also available for use by itself for troop education. Most pages have pictures on the right page and captions on the left, with some having other arrangements. There are 219 pictures with captions to explain camouflage for the men, equipment, vehicles, and housing, in both summer of winter. This manual is labeled "For Service Use Only" on the cover, and marked iside "This is a secret article. Misuse is punishable." The Germans obviously took good camouflage very seriously.
221 pages, paperback, 8.5"H x 5.5"W.
Please reference "Camouflage - Large" on your order.
$30– includes U.S. first class postage.
Original Cover  Cover  Contents  Pages 66-67  Pages 78- 79  Pages 84-85  Pages 140-141

Shooting Instruction - WW2 Military Issue

H.Dv. 240 Schießvirschrift für Gewehr (Karabiner) leichtes Maschinengewehr, Pistole, etc. - Shooting Manual for the Rifle (or Carbine), light Machinegun, Pistol, etc. This 1937 dated shooting instruction manual was used far into the actual war years, starting its use with its issue in 1934, and updated for the 1937 edition. This is the manual that tells how the shooting school and shooting training was conducted and is one of the manuals (such as HDv 130/2a) that is the foundation for everything else. Shooting theory, recruit shooting, officer shooting, competition shooting, scenarios for training with the rifle, M.G. and pistol. Detailed paperwork and charts are in the appendices to show how it's all supported, recorded, and forwarded up the chain of command. 188 pages, paperback, 8.5"H x 5.5"W.
Please reference "HDv 240 Shooting Manual" on your order.
$31– includes U.S. first class postage.
Original Cover  Cover  Contents  Pages 12-13  Page 49  Page 53  Page 125  Page 132

Shooting Instruction - WW2 Era

Die Schießausbildung - The Shooting Instruction. This 1941 dated shooting manual is not only about how to shoot, but has great details for the company commander about how to manage the shooting school for school combat shooting, and combat shooting, as well as beginning instruction. It gives the theory of the best way to teach shooting, how to run the courses, types and methods of control of the targets and their selection, referees, and how to manage the people running the school. It lists several training scenarios and methods used to teach the recruits proper use of their weapons (rifle, MG, and MP). 100 pages, paperback. This manual is much more interesting than it sounds. It isn't directed strictly at the recruit, although there is plenty in this manual for the recruit to learn, but the leutnant will be especially interested in reading this to learn the process of shooting training for the recruits. I refer to this manual as "Shooting School" to better represent the subject and to better clarify it from the manual above.
Please reference "Shooting School" on your order.
$18– includes U.S. first class postage.
Original Cover Cover Table of Contents  Pages 14-15 Pages 72-73  Pages 92-93

Stretcher Bearer Instruction Manual - WW2 Military Issue

Ausbildungsvorschrift für Krankenträger und Sanitätskompanien - Instruction Manual for the Stretcher Bearer and Medical Company. This is not a first aid manual, rather it explains the duties of the stretcher bearers and their helpers. It tells how recovering wounded takes place, how the stretcher bearer groups operate, and how the wounded are carried around obstacles back to the troop dressing station. 32 pages, with 24 illustrations.
The 1939 Red Cross First Aid manual (140 pages) I got is filled with outdated medical treatments and no information pertaining to the German army itself, so I'll keep looking for something better.
Please reference "Stretcher Bearer" on your order.
$11 – includes U.S. first class postage.
Original Cover Cover Page 16 Page 24

Close Combat - WW2 Military Issue

D 103 - Merkblatte für die Ausbildung im Nahkampf - Data Sheet for the Instruction in Close Combat. A brief overview of the instruction of the troops in close combat. 6 pages of text and 6 pages of pictures. No great revelations are here, but it's still an instresting little booklet, priced accordingly. 8.5"h x 5.5"w.
Please reference "Data Sheet for Close Combat" on your order.
$4 – includes U.S. first class postage. Add to any other order for only $3
Original Cover Cover Page 2 Page 8

Tank Fighting - WW2 Military Issue

HDv 469/4 - Richtlinien für Panzerbekämpfung - Guidelines for Tank Fighting. How to destroy those pesky tanks, from information learned on the Eastern Front (Russia). Duties of each tank fighter, schooling, training, equipment, decisions, security, what to watch out for, tank cover holes, smoke grenades, fire bottles (Molotov Cocktails), it's all in here. 56 pages, paperback.
Please reference "Tank Fighting" on your order.
$15 – includes U.S. first class postage.
Original Cover Cover Contents Pages 14-15 Page 20

Stick Grenade User Manual - WW2 Era

Denckler Manual - Die Handgranate 24 - The Hand Grenade 24, for the classic German stick hand grenade. Reformatted to 24 pages for easier printing, but containing all the original text and the numerous graphics. Describes in detail the preparation of the live grenade and training grenade for use (installing the pull cord, fuse, explosive capsule, etc. If you ever wanted to know how the grenade actually worked, this is it. It wasn't just a bang on a stick.
Please reference "Denckler Hand Grenade" on your order.
$6 – includes U.S. first class postage.
Cover Page 10

Observation and Measuring Equipment - WW2 Military Issue

Beobachtungs- und Vermessungsgerät Heft 3 - Observation and Measuring Equipment, Vol. 3. Description and use manual for the M.G. Telescopic Sight (MG. Z.), M.G. Aiming Circle, M.G. Aiming Fixture, M.G. Measuring Triangle, M.G. Aiming Assembly, Measuring Triangle 34, Aiming Fixture 35, Emergency Sight for the 3.7 cm Pak, and the Aiming Fixture for the Light Mortar (1936 production). 62 pages, 8.5"H x 5.5"W. This manual provides a thorough description and limited instructions for use of the above equipment.
Please reference "HDv. 448/3" on your order.
$14 – includes U.S. first class postage.
Original Cover Cover Contents Page 11 Page 16 Page 26 Page 41 Page 46 Page 54 Page 60

Rifle Grenade User Manual - WW2 Military Issue

Merkblatt über Handhabung, Mitführung und Verwendung der Gewehrgranaten - Data Sheet for Handling, Carrying Along, and Use of the Rifle Grenade. All about the various rifle grenades (high explosive, anti-armor, propaganda), identification, operation, and use, as well as the rifle grenade launcher iteself. 51 pages, with 22 pages of illustrations. Softcover, 8.5"H x 5.5"W.
Please reference "Rifle Grenade" on your order.
$12 – Includes U.S. first class postage.
Page 11 Contents Page 32

RG 34 (Tobacco Can) Rifle Cleaning Kit Manual - WW2 era Military Issue

H.Dv 256 Reinigungsgerät 34 - Cleaning Kit 34 - for the 98k rifle. This manual details the proper use of the tobacco can cleaning kit and how to clean and care for the rifle bore. How to properly use the cleaning and oil brushes, the oil dropper, the cleaning chain, and cleaning wicks.
This manual also applies to the cleaning kit for 5.6 mm. This manual was originally 32 pages and is now reformatted to 23 pages, softcover, 8.5"H x 5.5"W.
Please reference "Cleaning Kit" on your order.
$6 – includes U.S. first class postage.
Original Cover Cover Contents Page 7 Page 18

Field Cookbook - WW2 Military Issue

Feldkockbuch - Field Cookbook. This is WW2 German Army issue (H.Dv. 86) and is dated from 1941. Fully translated to English, now you can taste the field kitchen food made according to the original recipes. 114 pages, including a full-color fold out "Seasoning Herb Table" page at the back of the book, so the Field Cook could recognize herbs in their natural growing appearance. This is the official army manual on how to prepare the food, and what makes a good meal for the Soldiers. Lot's of cabbage, but a lot of other interesting recipes and cooking tips too. I originally printed this with a lighter blue cover, but have changed it to a darker blue to better match the original book. The inside is exactly the same with no modifications. 8.5"H x 5.5"W, paperback.
Please reference "Cookbook" on your order.
$17 – includes U.S. first class postage.
Cover Contents   Page 111 Original Cover

Field Cookbook - Africa Corps - WW2 Military Issue

Feldkochbuch für warme Länder - Field Cookbook for Warm Countries, for permanent use with the field kitchen and for the information of the Commander, Unit Leader, and Medical Officers. June 30, 1942. The standard cookbook above has been so popular that when I found this cookbook for warm countries, I knew I had to have it. It is a fine complement to the H.Dv. 86, with a section specifically for Libya and similar territories, but the recipes apply to field kitchens everywhere.
This cookbook doesn't compete with or duplicate the above cookbook. This is a little less of an army manual and a bit more of a recipe book, with many pages of specific cooking directions and portions. Besides advice and recipes for cooking in warm climates, the recipes andmethods fully apply to everywhere the field cook had to go, and it even has a page of German/Italian cooking related words so the Italian and German cooks can get along in the kitchen. Early in the manual there are warnings about sanitation, bad water, flies, and sandstorms, then there are pages of tips to make the cook's life easier, such as making an oven or big pot from a gasoline drum. After that, are about 30 pages of detailed recipes, including many recipes specifically for cooking in the mess tin and lid.
At the end, it has 10 pages of plant pictures (black and white, no color) and descriptions of the local (North Africa) plants and preparation tips, with the name of the plant in German, Italian, Arabic, and Egyptian. If you liked the above cookbook, I think you'll like this one even more, regardless of what troops you need to feed. Originally 104 pages in small format, now 64 pages, 8.5"H x 5.5"W, paperback.
Please reference "Africa Cookbook" on your order.
$15 – includes U.S. first class postage.
Cover Contents Page 10 Page 14 Page 40 Original Cover

Field Cookbook - Improvised Cooking - WW2 Military Issue

Feldkochbuch - Field Cookbook for Improvised Cooking and Baking in the Colonies. This manual is WW2 German Army issue and is dated from 1941. Bread making for the mess kit, making sour dough bread, general cooking principles for preparing each type of food.
Please reference "Colonies Cookbook" on your order.
$8 – includes U.S. first class postage.
Original Cover Cover Contents Page 8

Field Cookbook - WWII Era Issue - 1943

Zubereitung der Kost - Food Preparation. This is a 1941 issued recipe book for the field cooks, 8.5" H. x 5.5" W. 24 pages of actual recipes to feed the guys from the field kitchen. There are sections for Meatless Dishes, Meat Dishes, Making Dips (gravies), Fish, Using Agar Powder, and Practical Tipes for Improving the Food.
Please reference "Food Preparation" on your order.
$9 - includes U.S. first class postage.
Original Cover Cover Pages 8-9

Field Cookbook - Data Sheet - WW2 Military Issue

Merkblatt für den Feldkoch - Data Sheet for the Field Cook. 15 pages WW2 German Army issue, dated from 1939. Briefly explains how to operate the field kitchen (firing, the kettle, etc.), general information about quantities and cooking times for preparing the food.
Includes the 10 commandments for the field cook.
Please reference "Cookbook Data Sheet" on your order.
$6 – includes U.S. first class postage.
Original Cover Cover Contents Page 8

Field Cookbook - German 6th Army- WW2 Military Issue

Kochbuch fürs Feld - Cookbook for the Field (with consideration of meatless cooking). Originally 23 small format pages, now 8.5" x 5.5" and 16 pages. I thought this was going to be some sort of vegetarian cookbook, but it is actually full of detailed preparations of regular foods, with some meatless cooking included. A surprisingly good little recipe collection, with dishes not in the other cookbooks above.
Please reference "6th Army Cookbook" on your order.
$6– includes U.S. first class postage.
Original Cover  Cover  Contents  Page 10

Flare Pistol - WW2 Era

Die Leuchtpistole by Denckler - The Flare Pistol. How the flare pistol works and how to use it. Explains proper technique for firing, cartridge packaging, the single and double star cartridges, and the illumination flare cartridge. 15 pages with several illustrations.
Please reference "Flare Pistol" on your order.
$6 - includes U.S. first class postage.
Cover Table of Contents Page 4   Page 11

The Gas Mask 30

Die Gasmaske 30 - Another in the Denckler series from 1942, this manual is specifically about the gas mask model 30, but the information is mostly the same for all models. Originally 30 pages, reformatted to the standard U.S. size, resulting in a 24 page manual. See the table of contents for details.
If anyone has a copy of H.Dv. 395/2a (for gas mask models 30 and 38), I'd like to borrow or scan it to see if it is worth translating.
Please reference "Gas Mask 30" on your order
$7 - includes U.S. first class postage.
Original Cover Cover Contents Pages 12-13

Zeltbahn User and Specification Manual - WW2 Military Issue

Vorschrift für die Zeltaustrüstimg des Mannes (H.Dv. 205/1) - Regulations for the Tent Equipment for the Men (The Zeltbahn). This is an English translation of an original German Army issue Zeltbahn (triangular shelter section) manual. This cover is dated from 1932, but the revision updates listed inside the back cover of this manual show it to be current to Oct. 26, 1942. This manual was the officially issued manual for the German Heer and land-based Kreigsmarine units.
The details of manufacturing, waterproofing, and inspection are impressive in this manual. It contains the full requirements for making a Zeltbahn, right down to the weight of the rope tied at the corners. It includes specs for the tent poles and pegs, locations of the button holes, even the proper thread used to sew on the buttons.
Besides being the spec manual for constructing a Zeltbahn, it's also a user's manual. If you're the proud owner of a correct Zeltbahn and want to know how to properly wear it, or construct a 4 man, 8 man, or house tent (for your command post, of course), maybe use it as a flotation device to flee from the Russians (late war use), or make a litter to carry your wounded, it's all in this detailed manual. 21 sketches, plus dimensioned drawings of the Zeltbahn, pegs and poles are all in this 31 page manual. Even the aluminum grommets have dimension drawings showing the specifications for the Wehrmacht approved design.
This manual contains all the text and graphics of the original manual. A very interesting read about one of the truly unique and useful pieces of German field equipment.
Please reference "Zeltbahn" on your order.
$12 – includes U.S. first class postage.
Cover Contents   Page 14 Original Cover

March Compass - WW2 Era

Denckler Manual - Der Marschkompass - The March Compass, for the always useful magnetic compass. Originally a pocket sized book at 4"W x 5.5"H, with 29 pages, reformatted to 23 pages at 5.5"W x 8.5"H. This shows how to use the compass, how to find north using the stars and how to find south with your wristwatch or pocket watch. Includes suggestions for traveling point to point when the destination isn't visible from the start, and a lot of little tips to help you navigate with the best. It even explains the magnetic deviation points on the German march compass (you knew about those, right?), and where in Germany the dots apply for the deviation.
Please reference "Denckler March Compass" on your order.
$6 – includes U.S. first class postage.
Cover Contents Page 6 Original Cover

March Compass A - WW2 Military Issue

H.Dv. 362 Marschkompaß A - March Compass A, for the military issued march compass with the big white A on the cover. This shows how to use the march compass, of course, but is more technical in its use for terrain and map use, as it explains the differences between magnetic north, geographic north, and deviations as shown on military maps. It has several examples of using the compass with maps and in the country. This manual and the above Denckler manual really don't cover too much of the same information. 8.5" x 5.5", 24 pages.
Please reference "Military March Compass" on your order.
$6 – includes U.S. first class postage.
Cover  Contents Page 9  Page 14  Page 19

Maps and Map Reading - WW2 Era

Karten- und Geländekunde - Maps and Topography. Another fine Denckler manual is now in English. This 27 page manual explains map scales, map reading, map terrain, road and railroad symbols, ground contour lines, and how to determine your own position and navigate in the country using the compass, sun, stars, and landmarks. In short, this is where to start to learn about German maps and navigation.
How to properly draw terrain sketches and other types of maps for combat and reconnaissance assignments, what colors are used, how maps and sketches are labeled, and what shouldn't be on the sketch, are all nicely explained. This is a beginner's manual and gives the basics on how its all done. Many map symbols are shown in some of the 15 illustrations in this manual, but it is an instructional manual, not just a manual listing the map symbols.
Please reference "Map Reading" on your order.
$6 – includes U.S. first class postage.
Cover Contents Page 8 Page 21 Original Cover

Marksmanship - WW2 Era

Denckler Manual - Wie werde ich Meisterschütze? - How do I become a marksman? Proper aiming, breathing, grip, clothing, pulling the trigger, eating habits, etc., written by a self-proclaimed (perhaps famous back then?) marksman. Includes 7 pages at the back on Walther weapons (KKW, Olympic rifle, etc.) 26 pages. 5.5"W x 8.5"H.
Please reference "Denckler Marksman" on your order.
$6 – includes U.S. first class postage.
Original Cover Cover Page 13 Page 23

Battalion Tactics (advanced instruction) - WW2 Era

Taktik in Rahmen des verstärkten Infanterie Bataillons - Tactics in the Context of the Reinforced Infantry Battalions. A guide for study, and a reference book for Active Officers, Officers of the Reserve, and Officer Candidates. 268 pages (paperback) of how to run a Battalion, written in 1941 by two Major Generals from the German Army.
This book is about managing the troops at the battalion level, dealing with reinforcements, march formations such as aircraft march depth and the sequence of the troops for the march, housing, written and verbal orders, meals, the advance guard, reconnaissance, deployment, security during march, attack and defense tactics on a large scale, assessing the terrain for tactical purposes, how to issue written and verbal orders, and on and on. Includes many large fold-out terrain maps with tactical symbols showing the deployment and situations in the numerous examples, which teach the why and how of troop management at the battalion level, and explains the differences between attached and supporting troops, and the differences in commanding them.
If you're looking for some light reading, this isn't it. If you want to know what the officers were taught and the work involved in commanding a battalion, this is a must read. This is a translation of a classroom textbook written for the officers. It's serious, detailed, and written for teaching the proper German way of managing a battalion and interacting with the other army units. The reader who has an interest in the advanced education of the German officer, and wants to understand the art of battlefield commands, orders, and tactics, will best appreciate this book. This gives a new insight into how the German officers were taught the discipline skills for which they were so well known and respected. Example scenarios include security during rest, attack from a prepared position, attack from the march, defense, pursuit and withdrawal, with details, considerations, reasons, and conclusions about each situation. This book tells how it was done, what would be a mistake, and the reasons why it should be done a certain way with examples of the orders that should be issued as the battle progresses. This is a combined 6th and 7th improved 1941 edition, having first been published in 1936; therefore, this book was used to train the Wehrmacht before and during WWII.
This is not a squad-level tactics book, showing how the 10 guys in your reenacting squad should attack and defend against those pesky Amerikaners. If you need that manual, get the Panzergrenadier squad training manual below.
This book will be sent by priority mail, since it's too heavy (over 13 ounces) to be sent as first class mail. About 8.5" high x 5.5" wide, 268 pages including 9 large fold-out maps at the back (5 with the original red colored tactical map markings indicating enemy troop positions), and numerous other sketches, maps and diagrams. This book was originally hard covered, but has been faithfully reproduced in English as a paperback, with all text and graphics of the original.
Recommended prior reading is HDv 130/2a below (helpful but not mandatory), which will give you an understanding of some of the basics that this higher level book expects the reader to know. This was a 7 month project (evenings, weekends, and holidays).
From Jim Dickson, a gun magazine writer who has had reviews published of several of these translated manuals and books: "You did a magnificent job translating this. It captures the electricity of the battalion in battle and should be required reading by every officer in our military."
Please reference "Battalion Tactics" on your order.
$37 - includes U.S. Priority Mail postage. Foreign sales: $54 - includes international first class mail. (US postage rates to foreign countries went up Feb. 1, 2019.)
Cover Contents Page 19 Page 57 Page 67 Page 140 Page 231 Page 266 (Map) Original Cover

German Army Basic Infantry Instruction (Rifleman) - WW2 Military Issue

H.Dv. 130/2a - Ausbildungsvorschrift für die Infanterie, Heft 2a - Instruction Manual for the Infantry, Volume 130/2a - The Rifle Company, 1942. The original version of this manual is the most commonly found German infantry manual today, but of course it was printed in German, and the information was lost to anyone who couldn't read German in the old type style (that means just about everybody, including most Germans). This manual is now available in English for those with historical or reenacting interest who don't read the old German, and also for those who read German, but find that reading the old German text is more work than it needs to be.
Different revisions of the H.Dv. 130/2a were published from 1935 to 1942 to educate the German Soldier on the basic instructions of his military service. The 1941 edition was a major update, but had many errors in it which were often corrected by handwriting in the margins. The 1942 edition contained all the corrections and is what is offered here.
This was originally a pocket sized book, printed at 4"W x 5.5"H, with 258 pages, but has been reformatted to a U.S. standard 5.5"W x 8.5"H with 197 pages, and still contains all the text and graphics of the original manual. The H.Dv. stands for Heer Dienst Vorschrift (Army Service Manual), which means that this was an officially published manual for the German Army soldiers. It had the dark blue cover so often seen on infantry instruction manuals (see the picture below of the original manual cover).
The whole book was printed in Fraktur font, which besides being in German, isn't that easy to figure out what the letters are anyway. Fraktur font is available for download to use on your computer - see the "Links and D/L" page.
This manual shows how to salute, when it's proper to give the "German salute" (recognized in the old movies by the right arm being stuck in the air at an angle and "Heil!" being announced), how to position your feet, how to run messages, proper formations, what to do in case of capture, safety and operating standards for guns, the egg grenade, Panzerbüchse (8mm high powered anti-tank/armor rifle), using the mortar, different types of deployment, how to march, and on and on. There is so much information in this manual that you'll need to look at the Contents pages I have linked below. It takes nearly 6 pages just for the Table of Contents.
THIS is a heck of a manual, and a primary source of information of how it was done in the day. Several members of the reenacting crowd have been after me to translate this "required reading for the Landser" book, so I finally spent over 3 months of my evenings, weekends, and holidays and got it done.
If this and the manual below sell enough to be worth the work, I'll translate a few other manuals of the same genre. These manuals and the Reibert book below are the most thorough source of the original information about the wartime German Soldier's training and duties the German Army ever made.
Your reenacting impression deserves this manual. Even just as a general knowledge history book, it's fascinating to know how the German sergeants and officers were responsible for leading their men in combat, they didn't just order the men to go fight and then following along toward the rear or at a safe distance. At the back of the book is a table with the English and German commands side by side, which are footnoted throughout the book. If you reenact, you'll be able to use the original German words for the commands. The Reibert manual below is not just an extended version of this manual, but there is some duplication. Neither manual alone is sufficient, both are highly recommended.
For instruction on squad combat, you'll want the Panzer Grenadier manual below.
Please reference "HDv 130/2a" on your order.
$32 – includes U.S. first class postage.
Get the 130/2a and 130/11 (below) together for $42.
Cover Original Cover Contents 1 Contents 2 Contents 3 Page 53 Page 155 Page 187

German Army Combat Instruction - WW2 Era

Lehrbeispiele für das Gefecht - Instructive Examples for Combat. 1940. 95 pages with numerous examples of how to command the troops in various combat situations. Company, platoon, and squads are covered, with training scenarios including referee decisions and behavior. It sounds a little dry, but this I actually found this manual very interesting and enlightening about the details of combat management and tactics not covered in the other manuals.
Please reference "Combat Examples" on your order.
$19 - includes U.S. first class postage.
Original Cover Cover Contents Page 23 Page 44-45 Page 70-71

German Army Basic Infantry Instruction (Machine Gunner) - WW2 Military Issue

H.Dv 130/3a- Ausbildungsvorschrift für die Infanterie, Heft 3a - Instruction Manual for the Infantry, Volume 130/3a - The Machinegun Company, 1942. The perfect companion manual for H.Dv. 130/2a above. While there is a little duplication, this manual is specifically written for the machine gunner and is 95% new material not contained in other manuals. 132 pages.
Please reference "HDv 130/3a" on your order.
$20 - includes U.S. first class postage.
Cover Contents Page 10 Page 36 Page 40 Page 85

German Army Basic Infantry Instruction - WW2 Military Issue

H.Dv. 130/11 - Ausbildungsvorschrift für die Infanterie, Heft 11 - Feldbefestigung der Infanterie - Instruction Manual for the Infantry, Volume 11 - Field Fortifications of the Infantry. This 43 page manual is one of the less common manuals in the 130 series, but required reading for the reenactor. It shows how to make a gunner hole, how to add a hideout to it, how to properly set up a squad full of troops in their gunner holes, decoy holes, construction techniques, and shows a close-up view of the "Lafette Board", used to lower the rear of the MG mount for easier concealment.. See the table of contents listing below.
Please reference "HDv 130/11" on your order.
$12 - includes U.S. first class postage. If ordered with the above 130/2a or 130/3a manual, $10.
Cover Original Cover Contents Pages 22-23

German Army Basic Infantry Instruction - Individual - WW2 Era

Denckler - Exerzieren un Kommandieren - Drills and Commands. Another fine manual from the Denckler series showing how to properly stand, salute, march, give the German greeting, goose step (drill or parade march), and perform the basic moves with the rifle (order arms, present arms, etc.), spacing, pace, and length of steps in march formations, what is allowed when "At Ease!" is ordered, the proper way to load and unload the rifle, and mount the bayonet. This also includes the vocal timing of how to properly give commands (Feldwebels take note). There are a lot of basics explained here: pivots, turns, about face, how to stand at attention, and how to properly follow the inspecting superior with your eyes as he passes in front of the troops, the details tthat the new recruit must learn to be a proper member of the Wehrmacht.
A surprisingly informative manual for its 31 pages with many illustrations, this manual is a "must have" for the reenactor to know that his impression is correct. A table has been added at the back of the manual listing the 39 commands (which have been numbered throughout the book) in both English and German so that reenactors can use the correct German language commands for their impression.
Please reference "Drills and Commands" on your order.
$10 - includes U.S. first class postage.
Cover Contents Pages 12-13 Pages 20-21

Instruction for the Panzer Grenadier and Panzer Troops

Ausbildungsvorschrift für die Panzertruppe - HDv 298/3a - Instruction Manual for the Panzer Troops - Leadership and Fighting of the Panzergrenadiere. Volume 1: The Panzergrenadier Battalion. This manual contains a surprising amount of basic tactical rules and how the panzer grenadiers and leadership are to behave in specific situations. One of the 12 appendices explains radio secrecy, what must be encoded, and what can be disguised in radio, phone, and telegraph traffic.
Dated August 5, 1944. 145 original pages, 115 in the new format, containing all text and illustrations of the original, including a few pages with color. This manual covers subject material not found in any other manual I've translated. This manual and the one below are must haves for those interested in the Panzer Grenadier troops. Check the table of contents for a complete listing of subject matter.
Please reference "Panzer Troops" on your order.
$20 - includes U.S. first class postage.
Original Cover Cover Contents Page 13 Page 36 Page 81

German Army Infantry Instruction - Panzergrenadiere Squad Level Combat Training - WW2 Era

Gefechtsausbildung der Panzergrenadiere - Combat Instruction for the Panzergrenadiere {Motorized Rifleman}. A collection of tasks for the guidance of the recruit instructor in the combat instruction in the context of the squad with 2 light MGs, armored and unarmored. 196 pages, dated 1944, with 28 sketches.
This book is filled with 21 lessons for the instructors to use as scenarios for training the recruits, and explains the how and why of combat operations with detailed practical examples, and the proper behavior of the squad members.
This is an exceptional manual for learning how the German Soldat was trained in realistic combat situations. Training scenarios include the squad in attack (near, medium, and far distances, armored and unarmored), the squad in defense, the squad as combat sentries, reconnaissance (armored and unarmored), night fighting, and lots more - you really need to see the table of contents below.
It has been a while since I enjoyed translating a book this much. This one is a "must have" if you want to know how the German soldier was trained to fight in the field. Most of the sketches have the enemy represented in red, which has been reproduced in this book.
This manual is written for the recruit instructors as a guideline for teaching the recruits, who are expected to already know the basics.
Recommended prior reading is H.Dv. 130/2a (above), as it is an excellent basic training manual. HDv. 130/11 (above) is also referenced in this book. Now you can read about the WWII German training as close to real thing as you'll ever get.
Please reference "Squad Training" on your order.
$32 - includes U.S. first class postage.
Original Cover Cover Contents Page 28 Page 95 Page 169

Winter Warfare - WW2 Military Issue

Taschenbuch für den Winterkrieg - Pocketbook for Winter Warfare. 1943 reprint. Originally 415 pages, this is not the small edition, nor the abbreviated edition, but the complete version nearly one inch (2.5 cm) thick. The original manual is 4" W x 4.75" H with 415 pages, the translated manual is 5" W x 8.5" H with 283 pages, containing all original text and graphics. Formatting it a little bigger than the original makes it cheaper to print.... Cheaper is good. This book is commercially printed as a paperback book only (no hard cover edition).
A big thanks to Thomas Gulliver from the UK for sending his winter warfare manual to me so that I could translate the pages missing in my copy.
Please reference "Winter Warfare" on your order.
$38 - includes U.S. first class postage. To Canada: $45. To UK and EU: $58. (US postage rates to foreign countries went up Feb.1, 2019.)
Original Cover Cover Contents Page 10 Pages 88-89 Pages 134-135 Pages 196-197 Pages 252-253

Service Instruction in the Army - WW2 Era
(The 1943 Reibert Book)

Der Dienstunterricht im Heere - Service Instruction in the Army, Edition for the Riflemen of the Infantry Company. This book (at 448 pages it can't exactly be classified as a manual) starts with several pages about German history to give you the background of the German culture, then it goes into everything including guard duty, how to arrange your locker, when and how to salute, proper haircuts, how to correctly select the size of your boots, exactly how the field cap is worn, where your clothing name tags are supposed to go, grievance procedures, ranks, how to make your bed, how to properly load your backpack, MG, rifle, mortar, and pistol details, how to use the reins and spurs, ..... it goes on and on, finishing with how to properly drive a wagon and ride your horse.
This is the ultimate book for explaining how to do it and do it right. This is such an informative book, that it is one of the few books that has been reprinted in the original format and is still available today. The reprint of the original 1940 German language edition is available from sellers such as Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble, but this 1943 edition was originally published 3 years later (therefore it is a war time edition), and is now in English. I think that will help a bit for people more interested in later war details, and is especially useful for those who can't read the old German. If you're only going to buy one book, this should be it.
Originally 343 pages with a lot of really small type, this book is now 448 pages of English in 11 point type so that it is easier to read.
Please reference "Reibert" on your order.
Paperback: $50, hardcover $70. Includes priority mail US postage. For first class postage: to Canada, add $13.00, all other countries add $17.00. (US postage rates to foreign countries went up Feb. 1, 2019.)
I cleaned my office and found one box of Reibert hard cover books. When these are gone, the hard cover version will no longer be available due to the high printing costs.
Cover Table of Contents 8 Sample Pages 10 Sample Pages

Close Combat Instruction - PDV. 42 - WW2 Police Issue
(Rifle and Spade Fighting)

Vorschrift für Ausbildung im Nahkampf mit der blanken Waffe - Standards for the Training in Close Combat with Edged Weapons. A 1944 police manual for training in the art of close combat with the rifle, mounted bayonet, and spade. This has 100 diagrams in 93 pages of text explaining proper body position and footwork, and how to fight rifle to rifle (with and without the mounted bayonet), rifle to spade (long and short spade), and spade to spade. Proper use of the sally, cover, hack, strike, and counter strike are all explained in detail.
A very unique manual for non-shooting, hand to hand methods of fighting. 93 pages.
Please reference "Close Combat Police" on your order.
$18 - includes U.S. first class postage.
Cover Table of Contents Page 14 Page 53 Page 87

Close Combat Instruction - Merkblatt 25/3 - WW2 Military Issue

Anleitung für den Nahkampf und die Handgranatenausbildung - Instruction for Close Combat and Hand Grenade Training. From April 15, 1944, this is an excellent hand to hand combat manual, showing how to break holds with eye gouging, knees to the groin, explains breaking choke holds, defense against spades and daggers, offensive moves of the same type, and even shows how to use the MP40, MP44, and MG34/42 on horseback. It is stamped with the circular eagle stamp on the original cover indicating that this manual is from the Waffen SS Unterführer School in Laibach (see Original Cover, below). It doesn't get much better than this.
This one is very well done, with lots of drawings showing how to defend yourself from the guy in the pointy hat with a star on front (Russian).
Originally about 70 pages in small format, now 80 pages at 5.5"W x 8.5"H.
Please reference "Close Combat SS" on your order.
$17 - includes U.S. first class postage.
Original Cover Cover Contents Page 20   Page 28 Page 34 Page 65

U-Boat Commander Handbook - WW2 Military Issue

M.Dv No. 906 - Geheim! Handbuch für U-Bootskommandanten - Secret! Handbook for the U-Boat Commanders. From 1942, this secret classified manual is a bit off the normal path for me, but I thought it would be an interesting manual, and it certainly proved to be that way. When to surface, when to dive, when to stay up or down, periscope use, posting lookouts, how to deal with approaching aircraft, weather conditions, attack techniques, evasion techniques, lots of very interesting details about what to do as the commander of a U-Boat.
This manual was originally about 100 pages with wide margins, slightly reformatted and with lesser margins to make it 79 pages.
All text, no illustrations. A very unique look at the U-Boat world.
Please reference "U-Boat Commander's Manual" on your order.
$19 - includes U.S. first class postage.
Cover Contents Preliminary Remarks

Shooting instruction manuals are available under the Rifles/Pistols section on the Gun Manuals page.

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Contents of this page © 2019 by John Baum, 5678 State Rt. 45, Lisbon, OH 44432 USA