A Detailed Tactical Execution Manual of the German Wehrmacht for Officers’ Use on the Eve of World War II. Published by “Ludwig Voggenreiter Verlag Potsdam”, the official publishing house in Germany responsible for disseminating strategic military information. A folded cardboard chart, extending to 75 cm, printed on both sides. Rare.
A detailed tactical manual printed on thick cardboard, featuring a wide range of “Taktische Zeichen des Heeres” – tactical symbols of the German Army for classified military use. The term “Heeres” refers specifically to the German land forces (Wehrmacht) between 1935–1945. The manual provides an extensive breakdown of dozens of tactical symbols, including:
Infanterie – Infantry command, Panzerjäger – Tank hunters, armored and artillery units Machine gun companies, grenadiers, and reconnaissance units
Anti-tank units with distinct symbols for command posts and soldiers
Gebirgsjäger – Mountain troops specialized in combat in high-altitude regions, Kavallerie und Aufklärungstruppen – Cavalry and reconnaissance units.
Additionally, symbols for logistical and engineering services (Einheiten), veterinary units, and horse treatment and horse camp facilities appear in detail. Barrier Services (Zeichen für Sperrdienst): Symbols depicting battlefield obstacles such as barbed wire, anti-tank barriers, mines, and natural blockades like felled trees or ruins. Water Crossings and Bridges (Zeichen für Flußübergänge): Symbols illustrating floating bridges, mobile bridges, and military water-crossing infrastructures. Different icons indicate whether a bridge is under construction, operational, or in use. Combat Map Symbols (Zeichen für Stellungskarten): Depicting battle positions, artillery posts, machine gun emplacements, ammunition depots, and medical stations. Tactical Boundaries (Zeichen für taktische Grenzen): Representing divisional, corps, and army boundaries, as well as enemy identification zones and attack targets.
Logistics & Strategic Planning: The final section focuses on logistics and battlefield infrastructure, serving as an aid for officers responsible for establishing, maintaining, and managing combat infrastructure. Also included are special symbols depicting different types of weapons, such as machine guns, anti-tank weapons, and combat engineering units. It provides command structures for battalions and brigades, with a clear emphasis on mechanized formations, highlighting the German military’s readiness for warfare.
The use of these symbols was essential for field commanders to communicate and understand force arrangements. They were also used in military maps and operational plans to coordinate movements, attacks, and defensive strategies. The scope and precision of these symbols reflect the Wehrmacht’s highly organized approach to battlefield management and logistics.
12 pages (folding cardboard extending to 75 cm in length, 17 cm in height). Good condition.
