BACKGROUND: The German army went to great lengths to ensure its personnel were provided with the best in-depth training that was available at the time. The training took many forms and in an attempt to replicate the most realistic combat conditions possible the German army used live fire training exercises and found a one percent training fatality rate as acceptable, reasoning it was better to remove inadequate personnel in training as opposed to having them risk other lives in actual battle. Besides the live field training and exercises the Germans also utilized numerous official training manuals and booklets for all of the specific branches of service within the army. The official army training manuals were authorized and distributed by the H.Dv., Heeresdruckvorschriftenverwaltung, (Army Regulations Administration), under the control of the OKH, Oberkommando des Heeres, (High Command of the Army), and the OKW, Oberkommando des Wehrmacht, (High Command of the Armed Forces). Of Note: Besides the official training manuals there were also numerous semi-official and unofficial training booklets with the most famous being the Reibert series of training booklets. These semi-official and unofficial training booklets generally gained the approval of the High Command and were encouraged to stimulate interest in joining the Armed Forces.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: One hundred eighty-four page book with a mid-weight tan cardstock cover, with the brown printed title, "Reiter-ABC für Schützen-und Felddienst", (Cavalryman’s-ABC for Marksmen and Field Service). The front cover also features brown printed artwork of two uniformed and helmeted soldiers, mounted on horseback, aiming their rifles. The The Gothic script, German text, book is the second, revised and expanded edition and was compiled by, "von Manteuffel Rittmeister und Eskadronchef", (Mounted Captain and Calvary Troop Chief), and published by the "E.S. Mittler & Sohn", firm in Berlin in 1934. The book is divided into six main chapters with numerous sub-section in the first three. The main chapters are entitled, "Kampfschule", (Combat School), "Reiten gegen den Feind", (Calvary against the enemy), "Das Gefecht", (The Battle), "Sprengdienst", (Demolition Service), "Nachtausbildung", (Signals Training), and, "Anhang", (Supplement/Appendix). All the basic aspects of field training and mounted warfare are covered and the book also contains eighty-two photographs, line drawings and maps that reinforce the text. The book is in overall very good condition with light age yellowing and some light creasing to the front cover.