The Waffen-SS (4): 24. to 38. Divisions, & Volunteer Legions (Men-at-Arms)

In the last years of World War II, 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.

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.

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 - Schutz Staffeln. From these humble beginnings, the SS rose to the strength of 38 divisions of over 800,000 men by 1945. 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. This text details their organisation, uniforms and insignia and their battle record. Training school and depot personnel would be assembled around worn-down battlegroups into 'paper' SS divisions with minimal armament and transport.