This was an excellent photographic display of the German forces on the Eastern Front. These clear and highly detailed pictures come from the co-authorThis was an excellent photographic display of the German forces on the Eastern Front. These clear and highly detailed pictures come from the co-author Ian Spring's collection from PIXPAST Archive. These photos are all from the combat cameraman and the introduction explained the utilization of the Agfa camera and the use of the Zeiss Lens. The book is divided into three parts:
The Ground War: panzers, supply trucks and logistics movements, infantry columns, marches, artillery formations and equipment on both sides of the Germans and Russians. [image] [image] [image] War In the Skies: Luftwaffe, destruction and downed aircraft, dive-bombers, air defense duties. [image] [image] Behind The Lines: interactions with the locals, prisoners of war, partisans, medics, leisure time on the Front, and the harsh Russians winter. [image] [image] The pictures I was able to find online are watermarked and not in higher resolution; the photos in the book are vibrant and very clear. I would highly recommend this book alongside The Onslaught: The German Drive to Stalingrad for colorized accounts of the Eastern Front. Thanks!...more
"The conquest of Lebensraum [German living space taken through warlike conquest, pg 9] in the East had of course always been Hitler's central strategi"The conquest of Lebensraum [German living space taken through warlike conquest, pg 9] in the East had of course always been Hitler's central strategic objective. The threat posed by the Anglo-American alliance, masterminded by the world Jewry, simply made this more urgent and more necessary than ever." pg 462
This was an in-depth analysis of the economic groundwork of the Third Reich. Adam Tooze did a good job of delivering a lot of information without losing me. I had to look up a few things (Gross Domestic Product, Keynesian theory, etc.) because I hadn't heard them since high school. There were concepts I had to pay attention to while reading (bankruptcy, debt, currency reserves, inflation, unemployment, imports & exports, household consumption, etc.) to help understand the big picture.
Post-WW1 economic recovery and sustainmemt took off when Hitler began the rearmamemt process. The budget spending allocated on the military brought jobs and was interesting. German business partnerships that developed with the government were Volkswagen, BMW, IG Farben (chemical industry), Thyssen and Krupp (iron and steel industry), and Siemens were companies (still in existence today) that were essential in stimulating the Nazi economy prior to the war. There was an entire chapter on Racial War and the economic impact of Hitler's vision of colonization of Eastern Europe. Operation Barbarossa become the turning point of the war both militarily and economically. Production pacing and resource allocation became a problem as the German industrial-military complex was outmatched by Allied economic might.
I learned a lot and remained engaged during the entire read. It was a lot to absorb and required me to look things up as I read. I would definitely suggest it to anyone interested in the financial subject of the Third Reich. Thanks!...more
This was a good overall history of the German award for bravery, valor, and gallantry, the Iron Cross. This award was first implemented in 20 March 18This was a good overall history of the German award for bravery, valor, and gallantry, the Iron Cross. This award was first implemented in 20 March 1813 as an award for valor by Friedrich Wilhelm of Prussia during war against Napoleon's France. Degrees within the decoration itself were seen as Second Class (2 Klasse), First Class (1 Klasse), and The Grand Class (Grosskreuz). The highest class of the Iron Cross, the Star of The Grand Cross, was awarded only once, to Generalfeldmarshall Blücher in recognition of his part in the defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo. The award was reissued during conflict on four separate occasions from that point on: 19 July 1870 (Franco-Prussian War), 5 August 1914 (World War I), 1 September 1939 (World War II), and 1957 (a new German law was enacted that lessened the prohibition of certain negative images/stigmas associated with the Nazi regime). [image] [image] [image] Each chapter discussed the psychical specifications of each medal (length, width, ribbon color sequence, etc.) and unique improvements made from one year to the next (iron with silver bordering, FW (the Royal Cypher of Friedrich Wilhelm), W (Kaiser Wilhelm), and lastly the centered swastika for the Nationalist Socialist Party). The 1813, 1870, and 1914 ribbon was originally the black and white colors of the Prussian flag. Hitler added the red stripe on the ribbon in Article 4 of his offical decree reissuing the Iron Cross 1 September 1939. Each chapter also listed statistics of awards issued in the wars and gave specific biographies of select recipients.
The ribbon and medal on the book cover was the Knight's Cross with crossed silver swords and oakleaves and a set of small diamonds. Recipients of this included Grand Field-Marshal Erwin Rommel, Kapitän zur See Wolfgang Lüth (who inspired the film Das Boot), SS-Leibstandarte Commander Joseph Dietrich. Flying Ace Hans-Ulrich Rudel was the only recipient for Iron Cross-Golden Cross swords and oakleaves with diamonds. He flew 2530 missions, 519 enemy tanks destroyed, one battleship, one cruiser and one tanker destroyed, and 70 other craft sunk or damaged. He also flew 26 of those kill missions with one leg.
This was an informative and quick read about a highly respected award that I believe still is held in respects by historians today. I would recommend this anyone interested in German history and war. Thanks!...more
This was an excellent account of the Holocaust from beginning and its aftermath. This narrative was portfolio style accompanied with lots of photos (BThis was an excellent account of the Holocaust from beginning and its aftermath. This narrative was portfolio style accompanied with lots of photos (B&W and colorized), maps, and more to aid in the visual experience. The narrative explained everything: the rise of Nazi Germany, the escalation of antisemitism, the ghettos, the concentration camps, the Final Solution, liberation from Allied/Soviet forces, and to the aftermath of post-WW2 Europe.
The book explained and showed all of Europe that was effected by the Holocaust. This included well-known topics like Dachau and Auschwitz to lesser known like murderous antisemitism inside Greece and Bosnia and inside the Baltic countries.
I would recommend this for its beginning-to-end analysis of the Holocaust. Thanks!...more
This was a great overview of the German leadership during WW2. The book broken up into parts to include the German Army and the rise of National SociaThis was a great overview of the German leadership during WW2. The book broken up into parts to include the German Army and the rise of National Socialism from 1932-9, the regalia and uniforms of Hitler's generals, the Mediterranean Front, the Western Front, and the Eastern Front, and the political High Command. Each section included a military objective analysis in each theater and concluded with German generalship.
Each general or Field-Marshal was given a short biography, his area of operation, successes & failures, and information specifically about engagements during his leadership. The author shows how certain decisions had a ripple effect. The author was not pro-German Army but presented the information from a non-biased analytical view point.
Western Front, France and the Low Countries: Field-Marshal Ewald von Kleist (breakthrough into the Low Countries) Colonel-General Heinz Guderian (Panzer corridor through France) Field-Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt (coastal defense of France) Colonel-General Sepp Dietrich (Battle of the Bulge)
Eastern Front, June 1941 - February 1943 (Minsk to Stalingrad): Field-Marshal Guenther Hans von Kluge (Minsk Pocket) Field-Marshal Feodor von Bock (Battle for Moscow) Field-Marshal Wilhelm Ritter von Leeb (surge to Leningrad) Colonel-General Erich Hoepner (retreat from Moscow)
Mediterranean Fronts, North Africa and Italy; Field-Marshal Erwin Rommel (Battle of Gazala) Colonel-General Juergen von Arnim (Defeat in Tunisia) Field-Marshal Albert Kesselring (Battle of Cassino) Colonel-General Heinrich von Vietinghoff (Gothic Line defense)
Eastern Front, February 1943 - May 1945 (Kursk to Berlin): Field-Marshal Erich von Mannstein (Battle of Kursk) Field-Marshal Walther Model (retreat into Poland) Colonel-General Georg-Hans Reinhardt (loss of Prussia) General Otto Woehler (Battle of Lake Balaton) Field-Marshal Ferdinand Schoerner (Last Stand in Czechoslovakia)
German High Command: Field-Marshal Wilhelm Keitel (Hitler's Lackey) Colonel-General Franz Halder ('the Peevish Professional') Colonel-General Alfred Jodl (' the colorless Administrator') Colonel-General Kurt Zeitzler (the 'Last of the Old Breed')
Overall this large book was full of colorized, two-toned, and black and white photos to accompany the text. I would recommend this for anyone interested in a brief overview of German military leadership in WW2....more
This was a great overview book about the seige of Leningrad. In terms of layout, it was identical to Waffen-SS warfighter books I have by MBI PublisheThis was a great overview book about the seige of Leningrad. In terms of layout, it was identical to Waffen-SS warfighter books I have by MBI Publishers, Motorbooks International: 1. SS: The Blood-Soaked Soil by Gordon Williamson 2. SS Steel Storm by Tim Ripley 3. SS: Hell On The Eastern Front by Christopher Ailsby
It was an abbreviated account of the seige but with lots of pictures, photos, and maps. The author gave the account of Leningrad and the Soviet Union, the kick-off of Operation Barbarossa, the mobilization of Army Group North to overrun Leningrad, the death and destruction of the city, civilian life and death while living in the city, defensive fortification systems, the gradual Soviet offensive, and the eventual outcome of Hitler's unsuccessful conquest of Russia.
I would recommend this to anyone interested in the invasion of the Soviet Union. Thanks!...more
[image] I only got this because of the photos. This large book had 150 colorized and full-size quality photos following the German push to Stalingrad. [image] I only got this because of the photos. This large book had 150 colorized and full-size quality photos following the German push to Stalingrad. The author Heinrich, Graf von Einsiedel opened with a narrative about the prelude to WW2, Operation Barbarossa, pushing through Eastern Europe, and the destructive wake caused by the onslaught of Stalingrad.
The photos capture the moment of the average German Wehrmacht soldier. They photos gave me a "frozen in time" sentiment: soldiers eating, attending Lutheran & Catholic religious services in a deployed setting, burial services for comrades killed in action, horse-drawn supply carts stuck in the rasputitsa muds, soldiers interacting with the locals (even some smiling faces of the local Ukrainian women), cooks, and moving Soviet POWs to the rear. [image] [image] [image] [image] The second section of photos have of the Summer Offensive, 1942 show burning villages, forward observers zeroing-in on Soviet troop locations, destroyed panzers, German soldiers resting and eating, and life on the front. [image] [image] [image] [image] [image] [image] [image] The last section Stalingrad showed the total destruction of the city: fire and shells leaving only chimneys standing, leveled city blocks, the remaining citizens (mostly old women and children) foraging for supplies, and the overall utter destruction of the entire city. [image] [image] [image]
The last section of photos is from Soviet reporters of Soviet troops fighting and maneuvering throughout the rubbled city and even the surrendered POW Field-Marshal Paulus in Soviet custody.
This is a highly recommended photo book of Stalingrad and the Eastern Front. If you can get your hands on it, do it. Thanks!...more
This was a detailed personal account of the legendary Stuka flying ace during World War II. Rudel painted the picture of his combat experiences and waThis was a detailed personal account of the legendary Stuka flying ace during World War II. Rudel painted the picture of his combat experiences and was able to capture details of these events. His narrative described his missions in detail and made for spectacular history. If you can overlook the fact that he was completely on board with Hitler and National Socialism, he was a courageous individual who lived by the warrior-aviator ethos 'Fly, Fight, and Win' for the German cause.
I would recommend this to anyone interested in first-person accounts of WW2 aviation combat. Thanks!...more
"If ever a sight and a sound came to symbolize the terror of the German Blitzkrieg then it was the Junkers Ju 87—the Stuka. Even it's name sounds aggr"If ever a sight and a sound came to symbolize the terror of the German Blitzkrieg then it was the Junkers Ju 87—the Stuka. Even it's name sounds aggressive, derived as it is a from the word 'Sturzkampfflugzeug, which is the generic German term for dive-bomber." pg 6 [image] This was a superb breakdown and explanation of the classic symbol of German blitzkrieg in WW2. Hugo Junkers was the founder of what became Junkers Flugzeug und Motorenwerken AG and pioneered the design of all-metal aircraft after WW1. As a pacifist and Socialist, he was forced to sign over his patents and shares to the Nazi Party in 1933. Ernst Zindel became the design director and deputy head of Junkers Flugzeugwerke AG in 1933 and developed a series of Ju-series dive-bombers. In the same year Wolfram von Richthofen and Hermann Pohlmann began developing the unique design of the Ju 87. (pgs 14-9
The book showed the anatomy of the airframe. The Stuka was a two-man crew with a pilot and a gunner/radioman. The pilot operated with all analog gauges/controls and constantly maintained the instrument panel. The gunner was typically fitted with a MG 17 heavy machine gun and a two-way Telefunken FuG (Funkgerät) VIIa radio transmitter/reciever mounted in the back. [image] [image] All sections of the plane were dissected with schematic blueprints, design specs, lots of pictures to show every part of the plane. This included the fuselage, tailplane, horizontal/vertical stabilizers and rudder, wings, aileron and flaps, dive breaks, wheels & tyres, systems (oil, fuel, hydraulic, coolant, electrical, oxygen), armament (machine guns in the wings, armor, bomb loads, and bomb-release gear).
The unique Ju 87 added terror with 'Jericho Trumpets' and 'tail-screamers' with a Banshee scream when the plane was engaged in dive attacks. Powered by a small propeller attached to the bullet-shaped fairing, the siren added to the psychological distress and fear created by Stuka attack (pg 72). [image] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2o7dk...
Another technological advancement was the dive-bombing mechanism. [image] [image] [image] The Sturzvisier dive-bombing sight (commonly abbreviated to Stuvi) was an electrically operated analogue optical sighting device that was designed especially for use in dive-bombing. It was fitted into the roof of the pilot's cockpit in the upper front windscreen above the instrument panel. pg 73
This was such a cool book to read and look at all the pictures and design pictures. Highly recommended for book collectors of WW2 books. Thanks!...more
Talk about being caught between a rock and a hard place! The Battle of Korsun-Cherkassy (or the Cherkassy Pocket or the Korsun Pocket) was a result ofTalk about being caught between a rock and a hard place! The Battle of Korsun-Cherkassy (or the Cherkassy Pocket or the Korsun Pocket) was a result of the failed German efforts of Operation Citadel in 1943. After the blunder of Stalingrad, German Army Group South began to move its way back west and into the Ukraine. The Russians eventually pushed the Germans and completely surrounded the Army Group South near the villages Korsun and Cherkassy and pressed along the Dnieper River in the Ukraine. The entire battle was from 24 January - 16 February 1944.
With escalating engagements and combat action the entire six divisions (five infantry divisions and one panzer division totaling 60,000 men) were completely encircled by 1st and 2nd Ukrainian Fronts. Direct orders from Hitler impressed "to occupy and hold at all costs" and link with reinforcements outside the pocket. The Germans faced desperate odds against the lack of ammunition, hunger, impassable tracks and severe weather, low fuel, inconsistent air-drop resupplies, and constant Russian artillery barrages, Katyushka rockets, and heavy mortars. "The casualty lists increased to a disquieting level, on average three hundred per day.", pg. 71
By mid-Febraury it became clear that breaking out of the encirclement was the only way to get free and regroup with German forces. The Germans pushed through 16-17 February with bayonets and machine guns; heavy weapons; artillery and support/rearward services. Abandoning a huge amount of equipment and wounded, the Germans succeeded and rejoined with the surrounding panzer divisions. "There is no yardstick to measure the suffering of a soldier who has gone for days in the open wearing the same wet clothing and plodding through mud, not to mention being under fire and severe psychological stress.", pg. 54
I have heard of Leningrad, Moscow, Stalingrad, Kursk, and Kharkov but this one was a learning experience. I enjoyed this short first-person account of the battle and I would recommend it to WW2/Eastern Front enthusiasts. Thanks! ...more
This was a great overview of the German Wehrmacht infantry soldier, called a Landser, in WW2. This was primarily about soldiering in the Eastern FrontThis was a great overview of the German Wehrmacht infantry soldier, called a Landser, in WW2. This was primarily about soldiering in the Eastern Front with minimal comparisons in North Africa and Normandy. The author presented the information with lots of quotes and reference material. "The Forgotten Soldier" by Guy Sajer is heavily quoted to show the hellish conditions throughout the Eastern Front.
The book was divided into chapters addressing various issues. These included basic military training, the horrors of combat both physical and psychological, fear of reprisal amd punishment, lack of proper uniforms and equipment during the Russian winters, and lots of other pressures these men had to endure.
A whole chapter was dedicated to the weather problem. In the summer heat, excessive dust, and rain caused mobility issues (trucks stuck in the mud) and added strain to daily operations. In the winter snow, extreme cold, and freezing wind and rain in the winter killed morale and increased the casualty rate for the Germans.
What interested me was the ideological component of the infantryman. The author showed how National Socialism and Volksgemeinschaft (people's identity) played an integral part in the psychological profile of the German soldier. These core values included camaraderie, sacrifice, loyalty, duty, endurance, courage, and obedience. 'Nazi ideological practice thus reinforced Wehrmacht goals, contributing to the creation of those tight groups of men who would fight, suffer, and die together' (pg. 163). 'The Landser lived the Nationalist Socialist Weltanschauung (world view), which gave him an amazing resilience and stubborn determination but also led him in its name to commit barbaric atrocities and enemy deemed subhuman.' (pg. 239)
Overall this was very good. Yes it relied heavily on outside sources but it gave a good look into the average German soldier's combat role. I would recommend it to anyone interested in the Eastern Front! Thanks!...more
This was an excellent overview of the Panzergrenadier Divisions. It follows the same format as the other books in the Vehicle Identification Series. TThis was an excellent overview of the Panzergrenadier Divisions. It follows the same format as the other books in the Vehicle Identification Series. The introduction gave a brief history of the mobile warfare and the concept of mobilized infantry. The concept of blitzkrieg with rapid and flexible assault was put into practice with the occupations of Austria (1938) and Czechoslovakia (1939). Then it became a mastered principle with the invasion of Poland in 1940. Complete history of Grossdeutschland Division was covered in this volume.
Although many vehicle types were used, the typical vehicle associated with motorized infantry was the German SdKfz Sonderkraftfahrzeug, which means 'Special Purpose Motor Vehicle'. There are lots of models but most associated was the SdKfz 250/1 Schützenpanzerwagen 'Light armored half-track personnel carrier' manufactured by Leichter. [image] These vehicles were used in both Panzer and Panzergrenadier divisions.
Each chapter explained and showed a color picture of what particular equipment. This equipment is the same used in Waffen-SS and Wehrmacht Panzer divisions. These included tanks (Panzerkampfwagen), Volkswagen armored cars, trucks, halftracks, mortar platoons, armored reconnaissance (Aufklärungs-Abteilung) teams, self-propelled "tank hunters, Panzerjäger", artillery, motorcycles with the sidecar, and support battalions (signals, medical, admin, maintenance, and combat engineers).
This book covered many numbered units of motorized infantry divisions. Each unit presented was given a brief introduction, vehicle insignia, a list of commanders, and breakdowns of combat action. These campaigns were broken down by areas of responsibility: the invasion of Poland, France, North Africa, the Italian Campaign, and Yugoslavia; and specific combat engagements like Operation Barbarossa and the Eastern Front, Operation Typhoon, the Caucasus, Sicily, the Balkans, Normandy and the Ardennes, Tunisia, and the last summer offensive.
Each vehicle was given a colored-template for historical accuracy. The pictures included the name, brief role in combat, specifications (crew, dimensions, engine size, speed, range, radio equipment), weapons specifications (ammunition, traverse, elevation, sight, turret, hull).
I would recommend this because of it was simple but fact-driven. This is my sixth book by Chris Bishop and I would suggest anything by him. I like his style because he presents the information clearly and concisely. Thanks!...more
This was an excellent overview of the Waffen-SS Panzer Divisions. It follows the same format as the other books in the Vehicle Identification Series. This was an excellent overview of the Waffen-SS Panzer Divisions. It follows the same format as the other books in the Vehicle Identification Series. The introduction gave a brief history of the SS formation in 1933, chain of command, and evolving into a combat role. The demographic make-up of the Waffen-SS within the different division was also discussed to include the Danes, Dutch, Norwegians, Swedes, Estonians, Bosnian Muslims, Albanians and more. These formed the volunteer and foreign legion units that fought throughout the war.
Each chapter explained and showed a color picture of what particular equipment to include tanks (Panzerkampfwagen), Volkswagen armored cars, trucks, halftracks with flamethrowers, mortar platoons, armored reconnaissance (Aufklärungs-Abteilung) teams, self-propelled "tank hunters, Panzerjäger", motorized infantry (Panzergrenadier), artillery, and even the BMW R75 750cc motorcycle with the sidecar and 7.92mm machine gun. [image] This book covered all the numbered units from 1st SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler to 38th Panzergrenadier Division Nibelungen. Each unit was given a brief introduction, vehicle insignia and collar insignia, a list of commanders, and breakdowns of combat action. These campaigns were broken down by areas of responsibility: the invasion of Poland, France, and Yugoslavia; and specific combat engagements like Kharkov and Kursk, the siege of Leningrad, Greece and the Balkans, Normandy, and the last summer offensive. The different units were explained to include mountain divisions (Gebirgs) and even cavalry divisions.
Each vehicle was given a colored-template for historical accuracy. The pictures included the name, brief role in combat, specifications (crew, dimensions, engine size, speed, range, radio equipment), weapons specifications (ammunition, traverse, elevation, sight, turret, hull).
I would recommend this because of it simplicity but wealth of information. If you are interested in further explanations of Waffen-SS history I highly suggest Waffen SS: The Encyclopedia by Marc J. Rikmenspoel and Waffen SS and Other Units in World War II by George F. Nafziger. Thanks!...more
This was an excellent overview of the Panzer divisions of the Wehrmacht land forces. The introduction alone gave the structuring and organizational elThis was an excellent overview of the Panzer divisions of the Wehrmacht land forces. The introduction alone gave the structuring and organizational element for the typical armored division. The author showed the evolution from the beginning in 1939 until the end of WW2. These armored units more than simple tanks (Panzerkampfwagen): they had armored cars, halftracks, mortar platoons, armored reconnaissance (Aufklärungs-Abteilung) teams, self-propelled "tank hunters, Panzerjäger", motorized infantry (Panzergrenadier), artillery, and support battalions (signals, combat engineers, medical, maintenance, and Flak).
The divisions covered are the numbered units from 1st Division to 26th Division (and a couple more). Each unit was given a brief introduction, insignia painted on the vehicles, a list of commanders, and breakdowns of combat action. The author gives brief history of all campaigns that each particular unit were involved in. These campaigns included the invasion of Poland, the invasion of France, Operation Barbarossa and the Eastern Front, combat in Yugoslavia, the Battle of the Bulge, the North African campaign, and the last summer offensive. Field Marshal Erwin Rommel is mentioned numerous times for the units he led in France and North Africa: the 7th Panzer Gespenster-Division 'Ghost Division' and the 15th and 21st Panzer Divisions when became known as the "Desert Fox".
Each vehicle was given a colored-template for historical accuracy. The pictures included the name, brief role in combat, specifications (crew, dimensions, engine size, speed, range, radio equipment), weapons specifications (ammunition, traverse, elevation, sight, turret, hull).
I would recommend this because of it simplicity but wealth of information. If you are interested in Erwin Rommel I suggest his biography "Knight's Cross: A Life of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel" by David Fraser. Thanks!...more
This was a good overview of the German U-Boats as an arm of the Kriegsmarine, or Combat Navy, during WWII. The book was spilt into two main chapters: This was a good overview of the German U-Boats as an arm of the Kriegsmarine, or Combat Navy, during WWII. The book was spilt into two main chapters: the first being the combat Unterseebootsflotille and the second the training units. Each numbered unit was given a brief introduction and origin, specifications of various types of submarine-classes in the unit (crew, powerplant system, speed, range, displacement, dimensions, date of commission, and armament systems), areas of responsibility, base locations, and short biographies of ace commanders. Each type of submarine was featured including Types II, VII, IX, XB, XIV, XVII, XXI, and XXIII, and lots of variant submarine types.
It was briefly mentioned the historical account of U-96 which became the book and movie Das Boot (pg. 83). Second was the story of U-505 that was captured off the coast of West Africa in 1944. She was captured at sea, towed to Bermuda by US Navy, and is still in existence at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, pg. 34
The appendices in the back gave maps showing the Atlantic with corresponding dates to show U-boat attacks as well as sunken U-boats. I would recommend this because it has photos to help identify the different types of U-boat as well as lots of photos and charts.
However, this is a limited account of U-boats but still is helpful. I book I thought was great and gave in-depth attention to details was Neither Sharks Nor Wolves by Timothy P. Mulligan. Thanks!...more
"Non-German nationals eventually would form 57 percent of the Waffen-SS.", pg. 21
This book was loaded with specifics about the Waffen-SS and other uni"Non-German nationals eventually would form 57 percent of the Waffen-SS.", pg. 21
This book was loaded with specifics about the Waffen-SS and other units of the Germans in WW2. This is not a read but more of a reference tool. There was a brief introduction followed by detailed lists of organizational break-downs of each unit. This was listed from leadership staff down through the lowest support company. The total descriptions of the various units were very in-depth that included armored, motorized infantry, reconnaissance regiments and battalions, signals battalions (radio and telephone), engineers (halftracks and flamethrowers), Flak battalions, medical personnel, commissary (butchers and bakers), supply (fuels), and administrative personnel (postal and pay). The book was chaptered into subjects including the Waffen-SS Divisions and Brigades, German Luftwaffe Divisions and Fallschirmjäger (paratrooper) Forces, German Naval Divisions, and foreign formations like the Russians, Croats, Serbs, Montenegrins, Italians, and Slovaks.
The interesting pieces I learned were about the Cossack volunteers, Kalmuck volunteers, and other Hilfsfreiwilliger (Helper Volunteers, or Hiwis for short) found inside the Soviet Union. "Though it displeased Hitler, the Army High Command continued to authorize the use of Hiwis up to 10-15 percent of divisional strength and by August 1942 official regulations were issued governing uniforms, pay, decoration, and insignia. By early 1943 an estimated 80K Russians were serving the Wehrmacht in the Ostbataillonen (pg. 218)". Detailed organizational tables gave evidence of armed combatants to include Turkestani (ex-Soviet Central Asians POWS like Kazakhs, Kyrgyzs, Uzbeks, and Tajikis), Armenian, Azerbaijani, Georgian, and other Northern Caucasus (Chechen, Ingush, Dagestani, Lezgins) troops. "The invading Germans were often seen as liberators by the various ethnic minorities living under the Soviet yoke." pg. 222
Another interesting piece was the Croatian forces that aligned themselves with Hitler. Croatia was probably the most pro-Axis state. Croatian forces offered many soldiers into homegrown units of the Ustasha, calvary, mountain troops, reconnaissance and anti-tanks battalions, and others in aiding the Germans in Yugoslavia. "Though the Free State of Croatia was purportedly an independent state, it was little more than a thinly disguised German vassal state. When it established its army, the Hrvatsko Domobranstvo (Home Defense), it did so with the complete blessing and support of Adolf Hitler (pg. 243)"
I thought this book was great for a highly-detailed visual of the Waffen-SS and other obscure units within the German service. I would only recommend this to someone who wants to know all the details about these units. I would highly recommend Waffen-SS: The Encyclopedia by Marc. J. Rikmenspoel because it reads and gives more historical context strictly on the SS. Thanks!...more
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