Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #180723 in Books
• Published on: 2005-02-17
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Synopsis
Originating in Hitler's personal bodyguard, the Waffen-SS (armed SS) was expanded as a fourth branch of the Wehrmacht and became regarded as the tough elite of the German armed forces. Known as Hitler's 'Asphalt Soldiers' they fought on all the main battle-fronts, but most notably in the East against the Soviet Union and in Normandy following 'Overlord'. By the war's end the Waffen-SS could boast almost forty field divisions manned by nearly one million troops. Gordon Williamson describes the organisation, equipment, tactics and personalities of the Waffen-SS in the Second World War. A chronology outlines the major events in the history of the Waffen-SS from the founding of its forerunner, the SS-Verfugungstruppe, until May 1945. The author has travelled to Germany to interview numerous surviving former Waffen-SS soldiers and corresponded with many others, obtaining first-hand accounts of their wartime experiences. The handbook is illustrated with a rich selection of previously unpublished photographs, predominantly from private collections, ranging from studio posed shots to previously unpublished candid snaps and from battlefield pictures to war correspondent action shots.

Customer Reviews

A great introduction.
For those who know little, or even nothing, on the Waffen-SS I would highly recommend it for an easy and forgiving introduction into this highly misunderstood, yet brutal, organisation. It also proves a decent reference and I, myself, have used it many times on my history coursework on SS ideology. Through this book I stumbled across J. Hatheway's 'In Perfect Formation' and Rikmenspoel's 'Encyclopedia of the Waffen-SS' [both highly recommended for more indepth study]. So if you don't fancy running the risk of purchasing an extremely dense and complex book [as there are many], i'd recommend this for casual world war two enthusiasts and those who just want to find out more.

Waffen-ss Handbook highly recommended
If you are interested in this specific topic, Waffen-SS, I can higly recommend the Waffen-SS Handbook by Gordon Williamson to you, a new 2005 paperback edition, with mostly unknown pictures even if you have seen a lot, and a very high quality too. Usefull for militaria collectors and historians as well.