The Waffen-SS (2): 6. to 10. Divisions

Osprey Men at Arms #404

by Gordon Williamson, Stephen Andrew (Illustrator)

The military branch of the Nazi SS security organisation grew by the end of World War II (1939-1945) 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.

Genres: Nonfiction

48 pages, Paperback

First published March 25, 2004

About the author

Gordon Williamson (born 1951) is a military history writer and author based in the United Kingdom. Williamson spent seven years with the Military Police in the British Territorial Army and resides in Scotland. Williamson's works focus primarily on German military forces during the Second World War.

Williamson has worked with several publishers but is perhaps best known for his continuing partnership with Osprey Publishing, with whom he has produced over 40 books.

Reviews

[Laurance]

A small, quick book that helps pass the time.

Looking at the 6-10 Divisions of the Waffen-SS, it is mainly an overview of said units.

While generally a good book, it is very much a skim and squeeze, with so much overlooked or not expounded upon.

Osprey produces another good book for modelers.

[Sean Chick]

Another first class book in Osprey's SS series. I am not sure if I'd call 9th and 10th SS Panzer "elite" but that really is but a quibble. I also liked the attention paid to the atrocities committed. I was fascinated by the 6th SS. They started off poor quality but towards the end they were a fearsome opponent, a reverse of the trend evident in the other divisions.