Military Model Scene

Title: Panzer Reconnaissance
Author: Thomas Anderson
Publisher: Osprey
ISBN: 978-1-4728-5502-2

This new book adds yet another to this first class series of references on German military vehicles of WW2 by author Thomas Anderson and publishers Osprey. A 288-page hardback book, though for those who like them, it is also available in e-book formats.
These days we are accustomed to the idea of drones and satellites to carry out a variety of reconnaissance missions, but these didn't exist in WW2 so the physical role of 'boots on the ground' to see what they could find was a vital element for any army. The German army made very good use of their reconnaissance units and their work and their equipment is explained in detail within the book. After the Introduction there are 10 chapters. It starts by looking at the developments between WW1 and WW2, as the German army started to use Armoured Cars, initially simple machines such as the Kfz 12, both in basic format and also a variant equipped with radio, and a distinctive bar aerial frame. As it got to WW2 there were newer, fully enclosed, 4-wheel drive cars, such as the Sdkfz 222 and 223. There is a good explanation of the organisation of the Motorized Battalion. There are lots of original organisation charts which feature throughout the book. Moving on, it goes through the various stages of the war, with the invasion of Poland in 1939, France in 1940, then both North Africa and Russia. For the heavier vehicles there are both the 6- and 8-wheel armoured cars. Things changed in 1943 and with new equipment and revised organisations. The ew equipment included later versions of the 8-wheel cars and an increased use of new tracked vehicles for greater off-road capability. It is rounded off with a final chapter looking at the variety of foreign equipment, captured by the German forces, and in enough numbers that they were put into service with German units.
As well as the main text, the use of original organisation charts, there are a host of archive photos, most of which have not been published before, all with useful captions. Another super reference on German AFVs of WW2 in this series of books from Thomas Anderson and Osprey. For those interested in the German armoured forces of WW2, wargamers and modellers alike, this is one I'd recommend without any hesitation.
Thanks to Osprey for our review copy.

Robin