Waffen-SS Book Pack

Here are some real good reference books on the Waffen-SS! If you are wondering WHY I sometimes put the photo in with the description text, it's because amazon.com doesn't have the photo available ;-( One way or another!

Also, if you get a nasty orange box, that's amazon's generic "i-frame" -- to fix problem, try RIGHT-clicking on the box and then choose "this frame" and finally "reload frame." This should fix it... why this happens, so they tell me, is that amazon's server get's overloaded. [these instructions are for NETSCAPE, not nasty, icky internet explorer -- however, I assume they have something similar]

	The Waffen-SS (Osprey Men at Arms Series, 34)--In the early 1920s, a tiny group was formed within the SA to serve as Hitler's personal bodyguard. Originally labelled the 'Stosstruppe Adolf Hitler', they later became known as the SS - Schütz Staffeln, or 'protection squads'. From these humble beginnings, the SS rose to a nominal strength of 38 divisions of over 800,000 men by 1945, representing a sizeable portion of Germany's land forces and more importantly a quarter of her tank forces and a third of her mechanised infantry. Martin Windrow's splendid in-depth review of the history, uniforms and insignia of the infamous Waffen-SS, includes details and service histories of all 38 SS Divisions and an illustrated list of rank insignia. The author's authoritative text is complemented by a wealth of contemporary and museum photographs clearing showing uniform detail. Also included are eight superb full-page colour plates by military artist Jeffrey Burn, accompanied by twelve pages of detailed commentaries.
	Waffen-SS Soldier 194045 (Warrior series)--Probably the most highly motivated and ruthless combatant to take the field in World War II, the Waffen-SS soldier was the cutting edge of Germany's military might. Aggressive in attack, dogged in defence, his units generally suffered higher casualties than the regular army formations. The apple of the Führer's eye, he was the first to receive the best available equipment and was expected to produce results to match. From the green fields of France to the freezing steppes of Russia and finally to the shattered streets of Berlin this title details the development of the weapons, equipment and tactics of one of history's most formidable warriors.
	The Waffen-SS (1) 1. to 5. Divisions (Men-at-Arms 401) by Gordon Williamson -- Despite being disdained by the German Army's professional officer corps, the military branch of the Nazi SS security organisation grew from an initial strength of only a handful of battalions at the outbreak of war in 1939 to hundreds of thousands of troops in dozens of divisions. The battlefield reputation of the premier armoured and mechanised divisions would become second to none; lavishly equipped and regarded as utterly reliable, they were thrown into many desperate battles on both Western and Eastern fronts, often achieving remarkable results. Illustrated with rare photographs, this first of four Men-at-Arms titles details the organisation, uniforms and insignia of the Waffen-SS.
	The Waffen-SS (2) 6. to 10. Divisions (Men-at-Arms 404) by Gordon Williamson -- The military branch of the Nazi SS security organisation grew by the end of World War II from a handful of poorly regarded infantry battalions in 1939, into a force of more than 30 divisions including units of every type. Their battlefield reputation varied widely, from the premier armoured divisions which formed Germany's utterly reliable spearheads on both main fronts, to low quality 'anti-partisan' units. The divisions covered in this second of four titles include the first mountain and cavalry units, and two of the remarkable new Panzer divisions raised in the great 1943 expansion. Illustrated with rare photographs from private collections, the text details their organisation, uniforms and insignia, and summarises their battle record.
	The Waffen-SS (3) 11. to 23. Divisions (Men-at-Arms 415) by Gordon Williamson -- The Waffen-SS grew from a handful of obscure infantry battalions in 1939, to a force of more than 30 divisions by the end of World War II, including units of every type and every level of battlefield value. The mid-war divisions covered in this third title represent that range, from some of the most effective German and Western European volunteer formations -- e.g. the 12. SS-Pz Div 'Hitlerjugend', and the Scandinavians and Dutchmen of the 11. 'Nordland' and 23. 'Nederland' divisions -- to the Bosnian Muslims of the anti-partisan 13. 'Handschar' Division. Illustrated with rare photographs from private collections and meticulous colour artwork, the text details their organization, uniforms and insignia, and summarizes their battle records.
	The Waffen-SS (4) 24. to 38. Divisions & Volunteer Legions (Men-at-Arms 420) by Gordon Williamson -- In 1944-45 the Waffen-SS formed many nominal 'divisions' from a motley range of sources, whose battlefield value was as varied as their backgrounds. The best were built around existing Western European volunteer regiments; some, raised from Central Europeans and Russians, were strong in numbers but weak in morale; some were of negligible size, scraped together from remnants and trainees; and some were sinister 'anti-partisan' gangs, assembled from the military dregs of the Eastern Front. Illustrated with rare photographs from private collections and meticulous colour artwork, this final title in our sequence details their organisation, uniforms and insignia, and summarises their battle records.
	German Combat Equipments 1939-45--(Men-At Arms series #234) The field equipment of the German Army in World War II was closely related to that used throughout World War I and earlier, yet it was of relatively light weight, ruggedly constructed, well designed, functional, and generally of a high quality, though this deteriorated in the later war years. A high degree of design standardisation was maintained in most categories of equipment, though materials and their colours often varied widely. There were also many different specialisations for the various arms of service as well as theatres of combat, such as the Afrikakorps in the Western Desert. This title investigates all manner of German combat equipments throughout World War II, from belt buckles to magazine pouches.
	The Allgemeine-SS (Men-at-Arms 266) by Robin Lumsden --The SS originated as Hitler's personal bodyguard and following his rise to power in 1933 the organisation divided into two: the Waffen-SS, which comprised the military wing, and the Allgemeine-SS, whose role was to support the police in maintaining order. The Allgemeine-SS had a wide-ranging effect on all aspects of life in Nazi Germany, from enforcing Hitler's racial policies through to the running of over 500 factories in Germany and occupied Europe. While the more visible armed SS combat units naturally received all the publicity, especially during the war, it was the rather faceless Allgemeine-SS which wielded the real power.
	Waffen-SS: Camouflage Uniforms & Post-War Derivitives by Dan Peterson--All the patterns used by the formidable troops of the Waffen-SS, from the first revolutionary designs of the late 1930s to little-known innovations of 1945, are explained and illustrated by means of more than 120 vivid colour photographs of rare - sometimes unique - original surviving specimens. The book also covers similar and derivative patterns used by German and foreign armies up to the present day; and gives invaluable advice on the identification of original wartime uniforms. Indispensable for collectors, uniform historians and military modellers alike, this book resolves the confusion surrounding this subject and establishes and complete and concise system of identification and terminology.
	Waffen-SS Uniforms: in Colour Photographs--This book, Waffen-SS Uniforms: In Colour Photographs is, without a doubt, a MUST HAVE for any WWII library! Although one of the earlier reviewers stated that the uniforms were mostly reproductions, he is wrong, as pretty much everything in this book is real! You won't get this kind of great colour photos in any book this cheaply -- if you don't buy it, you're an idiot! This book is a unique reference source for the uniform collector, modeller and student of military dress and equipment. For the first time the reader can trace the development of the colour and design of the Waffen-SS uniforms with confidence: all the uniforms worn in the 150 colour photographs presented here are rare, original items, from private collections. All major types of service uniform are illustrated, together with a full range of the unique camouflage clothing which was the hallmark of these much-feared divisions. Privates, NCOs, officers, infantrymen, mountain troopers, tank and assault gun crews are all vividly illustrated here as they appeared on the actual battlefield, and described in detail.
	Waffen-SS Uniforms & Insignia by Peter V. Lukacs and Wade Krawczyk -- This large format colour-illustrated book shows a wide range of the uniforms and personal equipment of the Waffen-SS during World War II. Coverage includes peaked and soft caps, helmets and camouflage helmet covers, tunics and camouflage jackets, insignia and miscellania such as belt buckles, shoulder straps, documentation, and so on. Amongst the rare items of equipment are named articles from SS generals and colonels. Interest in this subject remains extremely high, and the authors have travelled widely in Scandinavia and Russia photographing previously unseen collections. The photographs are accompanied by an explanatory text making this an invaluable book for military historians, modellers and collectors.