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by Jacek Zabielski.
Softcover (8.3×11.7 inches). 132 pages. 2025.
Subtitle: Origins, Organization, and Mechanical Innovation in the Great War
As early as 1902, the Prussian War Ministry offered a prize for the delivery of a truck with 10-ton capacity with two trailers (p12).
As the years passed, a series of trucks, tractors, and other transport vehicles came into use with varying degrees of success.
In pre-war planning for mobilization, the Army could count on 4,000 motor vehicles, of which about 1,750 were trucks. By 1914, the Army could count on German industry turning out 10,000 vehicles, which increased to 15,000 by 1915 (p24). By the end of the war, Germany had built 50,202 trucks, trailers, ambulances, and special purpose vehicles such as ammunition carriers, ambulances, motorcycles, pioneer unit transports, and aircraft towing trucks (p63).
Besides the organizational info that evolved as the war went on, the book contains an impressive photo collection of cars, trucks, tractors, and specialty vehicles. All are supported by informative captions.
The book contains 207 black and white photos, eight color profiles of cars and trucks, one color profile of an artillery piece, and seven black and white organization charts.
Plenty of ideas for tabletop logistics and model dioramas.
Enjoyed it.
— Reviewed by Russ Lockwood
