Osprey Publishing have a bewildering array of historical works to choos from and here are 5 such focusing in on the German Waffen-SS
Uncompromising and well-equipped, the core of the Waffen-SS were some of the most heavily indoctrinated of Germany’s elite soldiers who struck fear into the heart of many of their Allied opponents. Clad in their trademark camouflaged uniforms and displaying a tenacity and zeal bordering on the fanatical, the Waffen-SS were a dangerous opponent in both attack and defence.
Waffen-SS Soldier 1940-1945
WARRIOR 2
- Author: Bruce Quarrie
- Illustrator: Jeffrey Burn
- Publication Date: 25 Mar 1993
- ISBN: 9781855322882
- Format: Paperback
- Number of Pages: 64
Probably the most highly motivated and ruthless combatant to take the field in World War 2, 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 soldiers.
The Waffen-SS (1) 1. to 5. Divisions
MEN-AT-ARMS 401
- Author: Gordon Williamson
- Illustrator: Stephen Andrew
- Publication Date: 21 Nov 2003
- Format: Paperback
- Number of Pages: 48
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
- Author: Gordon Williamson
- Illustrator: Stephen Andrew
- Publication Date: 25 Mar 2004
- Format: Paperback
- Number of Pages: 48
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
- Author: Gordon Williamson
- Illustrator: Stephen Andrew
- Publication Date: 20 Aug 2004
- Format: Paperback
- Number of Pages: 48
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
- Author: Gordon Williamson
- Illustrator: Stephen Andrew
- Publication Date: 11 Nov 2004
- Format: Paperback
- Number of Pages: 48
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.
The Bolt Action Waffen-SS range
The SS, including such infamous units as the Totenkopf, Handschar, and Das Reich, saw action amongst some of the most well-known battles of the Second World War – the likes of Caen, Arnhem, Kursk, the Warsaw Uprising, the Ardennes – all of which can be re-enacted with Bolt Action – the historical World War II wargame.
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- Waffen-SS Sniper, Flamethrower and Panzerschreck teams (1943-45)
Aaron Trueman