I’ve just about worn out the keyboard on my computer searching the web and figured I’d give FSM a try. I know that many of you have extensive research libraries and might be able to help.
I’m trying to track down titles for good reference books that contain comprehensive listings of organizational structure during WWII. In particular, I’m looking for complete German Army Group breakdowns throughout the war. Ideally, I’d like to have books that list all units down to at least the Division level and even the Battalion or Brigade level. I’m also looking for similar reference books for the allies, including the British, Russian, and U.S. forces, but these aren’t as high a priority at the moment.
Obviously, the perfect book (IMHO) would be one that lists every Order of Battle, for every combatant, in every theater, throughtout WWII. However, this may be a tall order.
Any assistance you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
Have you tried contacting the museums of the groups involved? You know, the records section at Maxwell AFB would probably have what you want for the USAAF. Just a thought.
However, I think your suggested sources will be pretty much limited to individual units, divisions, etc. I’m looking for single books that cover everybody.
After another 3 hours on the Net, I did locate (and purchase) two books by George F. Nafziger:
The German Order of Battle: Infantry in World War II
The German Order of Battle: Panzers and Artillery in World War II
These appear to be the most comprehensive guides to the German regular forces in WWII. There is a 3rd volume covering the Waffen SS and other units, but I’ll have to wait a while before buying it because it’s REALLY expensive.
Now I’m looking for similar books for the allies. Any ideas out there?
A series of books published by Almark in the U.K. had some good reference items for Allied Forces. Markings, Units etc. I have bought a few from eBay over the past couple of years. Check with abebooks.com (I think) used book seller on-line has a lot of varied books that may be of interest to you.
Excellent advice you gave me! Although the Almark titles were not exactly what I was looking for, the abebooks.com search engine did provide me with three outstanding titles. I’ll have to save my pennies though…all three books are over $100.00 each and one of them can’t be had for less than $140.00.
No problem. I look for a lot of varied subjects all the time. Used book shops are the best place to start. I like looking for the older reference types prior to all the resin and photoetched availability. I find the old tried and true methods sometimes save you a lot of hard earned dollars.
A word of caution with regards to abebooks.com they can be as you have seen very pricey. I had a few reference books stolen earlier this year in a break in and looked at replacing them through abebooks and one copy was $210.00 for a Sheperd Paine book on figures. Needless to say my insurance wouldn’t spring for it. I did find it in a small book shop for $7.50 an mint condition as well as a First Edition Tom Clancy Hunt for Red October Hard Cover for $8.00 in mint condition. That was a really good day in the shops.
If there are particular titles you want searched out let me know and I will have a look here in the local shops. Lots of good reference on many subjects and best of all you buy in Canadian Dollars it’s cheaper even with postage to the U.S.
Email me and let me know if I can be of assistance.
It’s not so much that books can’t be cheaper it’s that the seller “assumes” he/she has the only copy in the world and charges the unwary buyer the outrageous price for it as “collectible”.
That’s why I check out the smaller hometown type used book shops.
As a side note a great reference for World War II diorama ideas on all fronts find a set of “The War Illustrated” published as a magazine during the war and bound into ten volumes after. Apparently it has recently been re published and retails for $200.00 for the set. However a used set from the 1940’s can be found for half that.
Just some information to stick in the “some day file”
gburdon
It’s possible to find that set of books at your local library. My hometown is a small place ( about 4000 people ) and our library has a set of those books available for check-out. Yours may too. Find some pics with good diaroma ideas and zap-off a photocopy for your records. A whole lot cheaper than buying the books.
I am a very frequent visitor to the library around home. I live in a “village” according to the city planning department, however I have seen no gnomes or sprites about. The local library is quite well stocked for such a small community.
It is a shame that someone has signed out some of the best reference books and never returned with them. Including Hunnicutt’s Sherman reference.
This is why I save my pennies and buy my own copies of reference books.