WWII German Intelligence Pocket Handbook Taschenbuch Britisches Heer (1941)

Original German WWII military intelligence field manual issued by the General Staff of the German Army (Generalstab des Heeres Fremde Heere West).

This pocket-sized handbook was intended for front-line use and provided German troops with detailed intelligence on the British Army and Commonwealth forces, including South African units and equipment active during the early stages of the Second World War.

Details:

• Title: Taschenbuch Britisches Heer

• Translation: Pocketbook of the British Army

• Edition: 15th Edition (15. Auflage)

• Printed: July 1941

• Service Issue Stamp: October 1941

• Printer: Reichsdruckerei (Berlin)

• Language: German

Content Highlights:

• Organisational listings of British and Commonwealth forces

• Extensive references to South African infantry and artillery units

• Unit abbreviations, deployment structures, and brigade groupings

• Equipment identification, including armoured vehicles used in Africa

• Intended for field intelligence and enemy identification, not propaganda

Condition:

• Original wartime item with heavy field wear

• Torn and worn covers, age toning, dirt and handling marks

• Original stamps and handwritten wartime annotations present

• All consistent with genuine operational use during WWII

Condition reflects authentic front-line service, which adds to historical value.

Historical Significance:

This handbook dates to 1941, a critical period during the North African campaign, and is particularly significant for its detailed intelligence on South African forces, which are seldom documented in surviving German intelligence publications.

Rarity:

• Scarce original WWII German intelligence publication

• Far less common than propaganda booklets or post-war reprints

• Highly sought after by collectors of:

  • WWII militaria

  • German General Staff material

  • South African military history

  • Intelligence and reconnaissance artefacts

A genuine and important WWII intelligence artefact with strong research and collector appeal.

International shipping available.
Sold as-is due to age and historical nature.