Zbrodnicze formacje. Dywizja SS-Totenkopf Historia Dywizji Waffen-SS

Waffen-SS Divisional Histories

by Chris Mann, Ryszard Grajek (Translator)

Szczegółowe omówienie historii ludzi, wyposażenia, organizacji i danych o walkach SS-Totenkopf - jednej z najbardziej zniesławionych dywizji Waffen-SS. Zawiera rzadkie fotografi e dywizji i jej czołowych postaci od jej sformowania ze straży obozów koncentracyjnych, szkolenia do późniejszych kampanii we Francji oraz na froncie wschodnim. By ułatwić odbiór, opartemu na źródłach tekstowi towarzyszą mapy i wykazy organizacyjne.

Genres: World War II, History

191 pages, Hardcover

First published March 15, 2001

About the author

Chris Mann is a lecturer at RMA Sandhurst, Surrey. He is the author of Norwegian Forces in Exile: 1940-45. He lives in London.

Reviews

[Brett C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my fourth book in this series of Schutzstaffel (SS) warfighters and I appreciate these books. They give in-depth history of the SS, its beginnings, and overall involvement in the war.

This particular division was created initially at Dachau to administer the entire concentration camp system. As a branch of the armed Waffen-SS they were guards part of the organization called SS-Totenkopfverbände (Death's Head Units). The book explained the training, indoctrination, and overall function in the concentration camps. Eventually men hardened from camp life, disciplined, and readied were transferred to form the combat unit 3rd SS Panzer Division Totenkopf for the remainder of the war.

The next chapter talked about the 3rd SS Panzer Division Totenkopf and their engagements from 194o-45. These include pushing east into Poland, rolling over west into the Netherlands and France, pushing up through the Baltics, Operation Barbarossa, Kharkov and Operation Citadel, Kursk, and their final actions against the unstoppable Soviet offensive.

The last chapters gave short summaries of the key leadership players within the division and an overview of the weapons and firepower systems.

Overall a really good book on the unit without overkill on details. The pictures alone are worth viewing. I would recommend it to anyone interested in the Waffen-SS. Thanks!

[Sean Chick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was not expecting to read a book on one of the most bloodthirsty military outfits of World War II, but the book was a gift and I am glad I read it. Lots of images here and a good analysis of why the unit was successful.

[Kristof · Rating 2 out of 5]

It gives you a glimp of the reality, in a common anglo-american way.