German Vehicle/Tank Markings Books

[old smokie]

any good books out there about German Vehicle/Tank markings

[Steve J]

Flames of War did a good, simple intro guide quite a few years ago which I found useful. It could be worth checking out their website to see if there is any info there. Hope this helps?

[d_Guy]

Smokie, fsn might be able to help with this also but you need to work "Centurion" into the question. It works like a summoning spell apparently. 

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

THe ancient Airfix guide was a pretty good source, also Osprey vanguards, series 1 tends to be better that the current ones. The official system worked like this

RHQ - R01, 02 etc

Btn HQ I or II the 01, 02 etc. The Btn recce Plt would be I or II 11, 12 etc.

Companies started  with the company number, which ran consecutively though the regiment - 1-4 in 1st Btn, 5-8 2nd, and if there was a 3rd btn 9-12. Where there were only 3 companies in each btn it seems that they still started with 1, 5, and 9.

Platoon numbers started with the company number followed by platoon no and vehicle no - thus 1st platoon commander in 1st company would 111, and the junior vehicle 115.

Apart from the radio call signs tanks carried arm of service symbols and divisional flashes.

Light armour followed the above, with the addition of the white number plates.

Soft vehicles omitted the radio call signs, but did display the divisional and arm of service symbols.

Arm of service symbols were the map tactical signs.

IanS

[fsn]

You might have more luck if you narrow down your request - what year? which front? SS or Heer? Which Division? etc.

For a general series "Panzer Colors" is an old  three book set(?)  by Bruce Culver and Bill Murphy which comes highly regarded.  

There are good books on specific campaigns. I have Blitzkrieg, by Steven J Zaloga which covers all armies
https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Books/Steven-J-Zaloga-Blitzkrieg-Camouflage-1939-1940-Paperback/B00RWM4P3W/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1497446732&sr=1-3&keywords=zaloga+blitzkrieg

I suspect D-Day to Berlin: Armour Camouflage and Markings of Allied and German Armies, 1944-45 by Terry Wise would be just as good
https://www.amazon.co.uk/D-Day-Berlin-Camouflage-Markings-1944-45/dp/185409212X/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1497446438&sr=1-4&keywords=german+camouflage

Some links here may be of use:
http://www.flamesofwar.com/hobby.aspx?art_id=287
http://ftr.wot-news.com/2015/02/24/german-camouflage-and-tactical-markings-part-i-by-agarestretiak/
https://mistertretiakpresents.wordpress.com/2015/03/26/world-war-2-german-camouflage-and-tactical-markings-part-2/

Gratuitous Centurion picture - but it is a Canadian Cent in Germany.

[SV52]

any good books out there about German Vehicle/Tank markings

Nice introduction:

http://charlesmccain.com/2010/08/license-plates-and-vehicle-identification-marks-of-the-wehrmacht/

Loks interesting but no idea if any good:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0855240865?ie=UTF8&tag=charlesmccain-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0855240865

[old smokie]

thanks all

should have said 1943-45 all fronts - Eastern, Africa, Europe

[fsn]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0855240865?ie=UTF8&tag=charlesmccain-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0855240865

Ooh! I've got that one! Slim but full of juicy info! Covers:

1: Org & Div signs
2: AFV Tactical insignia
3: Tactical insignia fro other vehicles
4: Vehicle Camo

Appendix 1: HQ & Command flags
Appendix 2: AFV weight panels

[Ithoriel]

I got some books with the dosh I got when I retired, including

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wehrmacht-Divisions-1939-45-Essential-Identification/dp/1904687466

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Panzergrenadier-Divisions-Essential-Vehicle-Identification/dp/1905704291/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=9YBS6CFGH0VK557YXWVP

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Soviet-Tank-Units-David-Porter/dp/1906626316/ref=pd_sim_14_5?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=E9SSJK7B1GHCHBCV50RD

Nice potted histories of the units with pictures, organisation charts and the like. There are others in the series.

[fred.]

German markings - especially what is visible in 10mm are fairly simple.

The 3 digit turret numbers (as detailed above) these could be in a red/black/white, and solid or outline format.
And small german crosses, sometimes black with white outline, sometimes just a black outline.
Both usually on the sides - turrets for tanks.
Sometimes only 1, sometimes both, sometimes none.


The pictures on the book covers above give a good idea.