Being there . . . . for the first in a two-volume set of more than 100 biographical sketches of the
most senior Waffen-SS commanders in World War II. And, military buffs, enthusiasts, and
aficionados must admit, no matter how or which way they cut it, units of the WAFFEN-SS were
some of the most successful and influential combat formations produced by any warring nation
in the past century. Their abilities and accomplishments in defense, offense, and, yes, even
systematic murder, are supposed to be “legendry“. Virtually, all insisted they fought fair under
the Geneva Convention. Yet the Convention was rarely recalled, leading to the worst cruelties
and most horrific-notorious killings, as vivid today, 8-9 decades later, as when they were first
perpetrated, lest the world forget. At last, thanks to renown historian-author, Mark C. Yerger,
and, of course, the equally exalted editors of famed SCHIFFER MILITARY HISTORY, we learn not
only the details of each man’s pre-Third Reich era service in civil and military posts, including
promotions, assignments and decorations, but also the 1939-1945 official documented
recollections of his combat actions that resulted in the bestowal of the highest awards, the
Knight’s Cross and German Cross in Gold. Heavily documented, their individual stories, aided by
voluminous numbers of photos, continue until all the commanders’ eventual fates are revealed.
In a subsequent review, this reviewer will introduce Volume 2. Imagine the joy of the WWII
reader-bibliophile opening a heavy, 50-pound Christmas gift to find Volumes 1 and 2 for his
personal library.
Reviewed and very highly recommended as a special WWII Christmas gift by Don DeNevi
“WAFFEN-SS COMMANDERS – – The Army, Corps and Divisional Leaders of a Legend, Augsberger
to Kreutz”, by Mark C. Yerger. SCHIFFER MILITARY HISTORY, Atglen, PA: originally published in
1997, republished, 2024, 376 pages, 8 ¾” x 11 ¼”, several hundred b & w photos each, $59.95.
Visit, www.schifferbooks.com, ph: 610-593-1777.
Of course, serious readers know the SS (Schutzstaffeln, or Protection Squad) became from 20
July 1934 to the bitter end an independent organization within the German National Socialist,
or Nazi Party (NSDAP). Like no other institution of the Third Reich, the SS represented the utter
arrogance of Nazi ideology and the criminal nature of Hitler’s regime. Of all the activities of the
SS, the Black Order, penetration into the military prerogative of the Army (Wehrmacht), while
unspectacular at first, eventually had the greater impact on the German war effort. By the time
of the suicide of Hitler, May 1945, there were 800,000 men formed into 38 divisions, 25 % of
whom sooner or would be later be killed in battle. The Waffen units-formations fought on all
battle fronts with the exception of North Africa under Rommel. In this Volume, and the
forthcoming Volume 2, are revealed and examined the many divisional commanders who had
previously remained unknown except by the men they led. Included are the commanders who
had risen through the ranks upon graduating from the SS officer school system. Along with
numerous private archive sources in the U.S, and Europe, more than a dozen former divisional
commanders still alive contributed information and personal photos (400+ of them). Order of
battle charts with an explanation of symbols provided detail the units themselves. With a
priceless Foreword by Otto Kumm, the highly decorated final commander of the
“Leibstandarte”, this absorbing initial volume fills a significant knowledge-void in virtually no
information on the middle-level commanders of the Waffen SS. Better to order it now before
the tinselly period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day arrives, before both volumes are
all spoken for.
