THE THIRD REICH'S MOST INFAMOUS MILITARY ORGANISATION.
I recently picked this book up in The Works very cheaply.
Although no fan of the SS generally, I am interested in the Waffen SS, the military arm. There is no doubt that the divisions of the Waffen SS were among the most effective and powerful of Germany's armed forces. The book concentrates on providing a detailed history of the various divisions that were formed during the war, their military service and short profiles of some of the most important leaders of those units. In fact I think it provides the most comprehensive record of Waffen SS units I have ever seen.
No attempt is made to gloss over the atrocities perpetrated by the SS but the focus is far more on the combat history of the SS and in that it is very effective. Overall I recommend this book if you are interested in the combat units of the Waffen SS and their battle histories.
Tony -
ReplyDeleteOne of those problematic publications, perhaps. I am somewhat interested in the military record of the Waffen SS, and especially in its best commander, Paul Hausser, who rose eventually to command an Army Group. Although after the war he fought hard to rehabilitate the reputation (notoriety) of the Waffen SS, I think there is no blinking the atrocities they committed. Mind you, with the Waffen SS before one, it is easy to overlook the atrocities committed by other armies.
Cheers,
Ion
Hi Ion....Yes quite right. Some of the best bits of this book are the profiles of SS leaders, including Paul Hausser. There is also a long chapter about the post war efforts to rehabilitate SS members all led by people like Hausser among others. While not excusing anything the SS did during the war, we must always remember that history is written by the victors. Only after many years does the full truth emerge especially in respect of atrocities. No nation has a really clean record....Regards.
DeleteThe Waffen SS have never really interested me to be honest, but one of my gaming chums was very much into the history of the Das Reich. As Ion has said, one of those problem areas for historians, but we mustn't forget that all sides perpetrated atrocities.
ReplyDeleteHi Steve.....My interest in the SS, such as it is, has only ever been in the combat activities of the various divisions. There is no doubt that they were among the very best formations that Germany put into the field. Atrocities are an almost inevitable by-product of war and no nation has a clean record but some are worse than others. In my opinion, even the dreadful record of the SS does not compare to Russia, both past and present....Regards.
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