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: Roughly, 19cm x 14cm, one hundred forty page, unofficial Combat Engineer’s primer booklet with a mid-weight, black cardstock cover. The front cover features light grey printed script that includes the title, "Pionier-Fibel", (Combat Engineer’s Primer), and additional script that indicates the booklet was compiled by a, "Hauptmann Zahn", and was published by the "Offen Worte" publishing house in Berlin. The book is divided into five main chapters, entitled, "Leichte Feldbefestigung", (Light Field Fortifications), "Überwinden von Flüssen", (Overcoming Waterways), "Sprengen", (Demolitions), "Sperren", (Barricades), and "Fahren auf dem Wasser", (Travelling on Water). Each chapter is subdivided into numerous detailed sections, dealing with specific methods to achieve the required results. The book includes one hundred eighty-two line drawings and illustrations that reinforce the text. The booklet is in overall very good condition with the pages showing light age yellowing, but are all intact. Printed Gothic script, German text. Some pages as stamped "GG=Fuhrerfchule Braunfchweig" in red ink.