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The history and development of Fahrtruppen are explained by Generalmajor und Chef der Fahrtruppenabteilung im OKH showing that this hard-to-find book was approved by high-ranking Wehrmacht officers!

This is an excellent hard cover example of the 1943 Nazi book called Fahren und Kämpfen (Driving and Fighting) about Motorized Troops in the Replacement Army and Supply Troops for Frontline Service. It was written by Oberleutnant Schmitz and Major Temmesfeld. both active duty officers and members of the Oberkommando des Heeres (OKH).  The 6 x 8-½ inch, 192 page book has a short introduction by the Generaloberst und Chef der Heeresrüstung und Befehlhaber des Ersatzheeres and a foreword by Generalleutnant und Inspekteur der Fahrtruppe im OKH - both accompanied by photo portraits.

There are chapters about the processing of recruits in civilian clothes to active Wehrmacht service (from civilian suitcase to military backpack), education and military life, R & R outings (accompanied by a photo of Nazi soldiers entering the famous Hofbräuhaus beer hall in Munich), and then active service.

Wonderful photos not found in other Nazi Wehrmacht books show barracks life, learning how to shoot and repair truck engines, service in the North African desert and in the snow on Norway, building emergency bridges, military columns, horse troops and even military art and interior design of eating facilities for Nachschubtruppen. Wonderful illustrations by artist Matouschek.

While this Third Reich military book focusses on the logistics involved of keeping the Army and Waffen-SS in business, it also highlights the importance of personal spirit, that members of the supply trains have to be pro-active and clever about solving unexpected problems, have to help each other, etc.

Published by Mens-Verlag in Höchstadt (Aisch) in 1943, this is a rare hard cover book in very good condition.