This book was originally published in German under the title Die Brigade Kaminski by Michaelis-Verlag--T.p. verso.

Hitler created the Sniper Badge on August 20, 1944, to impel soldiers to train and be used as snipers. Thus the strategic importance of single combat was stressed in highly stylized propaganda. Since the soldiers themselves to a special extent were in sight of the enemy troops, unlike the members of other service arms, experienced the death of their enemies directly, the numbers of volunteers did not reach the planned extent. In this concise history, this badge, as well as the actions of German snipers, is examined and includes color images of badges, weapons, awards, soldbuchs, and war era...

In the years between 1940 and 1945, a total of approximately 12,500 Belgians served in the Waffen-SS, a number roughly equal to the strength of an infantry division in 1944. Because of political and social problems and different objectives of the volunteers, however, the men were not combined in a single unit, rather they were deployed in three different formations. This book describes the major units of the Waffen-SS in which the Belgian volunteers were concentrated, where they were deployed, and the battles they took part in. It also explains the reasons why the men served in three...

The close-range engagement of tanks became extremely important mainly because of the Soviet T-34 and KV-I tanks, which for a long time were superior to all German tanks and anti-tank guns. Frequently employed in small groups of three to five tanks to support the infantry, these Russian tanks could often be put out of action with close-range weapons. This book provides a concise account of Tank Destruction Badge, and the close-range combating of tanks. In addition to a description of the special badge and the most commonly used weapons, it includes operational accounts by recipients of the...

A detailed history of all seven Waffen-SS panzer divisions in World War II: 1.SS-Panzer-Division "Lebstandarte Adolf Hitler"; 2.SS-Panzer-Division "Das Reich"; 3.SS-Panzer-Division "Totenkopf"; 5.SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking"; 9.SS-Panzer-Division "Hohenstaufen"; 10.SS-Panzer-Division "Frundsberg"; 12.SS-Panzer-Division "Hitlerjugend." Each unit is presented in detailed history from its formation, combat operations throughout the war, and final disposition at war's end. Rare images - most never before published, including soldbuchs and award documents - and personal veteran accounts are...

Take a detailed look into the brutal anti-partisan warfare in Yugoslavia during the Second World War. The SS war against the partisans, dubbed Bandenkampf (literally "fight against bandits") at the time, differed greatly from the conventional war at the front. The 24. Waffen-Gebirgs Karstjager]-Division der SS anti-partisan unit was mostly comprised of ethnic Germans from Romania and operated in the Karst border area of Austria, Yugoslavia, and Italy from 1943 to 1945. This is not only a history of this SS division--including details of formation, training, commanders, and operations--but...

Take a rare look at a little known Third Reich badge awarded to volunteers from the occupied eastern territories who served in various German formations. As the German military situation worsened in 1942, Hitler authorised formation of so-called eastern units made up of Slavic volunteers. With the number of eastern volunteers rising rapidly and many of them already having distinguished themselves in action, the question of how to honour their service arose. In July 1942, Hitler ordered the awarding of the Decoration for Eastern Peoples. Those permitted to be awarded included Turkish units,...

A detailed history of all 18 Waffen-SS grenadier divisions in World War II, including formation, combat operations throughout the war, and final disposition at war's end. Rare images--including soldbuchs and award documents--and personal veteran accounts are featured, along with equipment, commanders, maps, and charts. Included: 14. Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (ukrainische Nr. 1); 15. Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (lettische Nr. 1); 19. Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (lettische Nr. 2); 20. Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (estnische Nr. 1); 25. Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS...

The story of the French units of the Waffen-SS in World War II--the Franzosische SS-Freiwilligen-Grenadier-Regiment; Franzosische SS-Freiwilligen-Sturmbrigade, Waffen-Grenadier-Brigade der SS "Charlemagne"; 33. Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS "Charlemagne"--is told in this concise and detailed book. Examined first are the many fascist and national-socialist movements that existed in France at the beginning of the twentieth century, from whose ranks the majority of the war and eastern front volunteers were recruited. The recruiting campaign and training of the SS volunteers are examined,...

Reichsfuhrer-SS, Chief of German Police, Reich Commissar for the Consolidation of German Nationhood, Reich Minister of the Interior, Commander of the Replacement Army, and Commander-in-Chief of Army Group Vistula--Heinrich Himmler ultimately combined all of these positions in his person. All of his roles are described and explained in detail for the first time in this comprehensive book. What were the tasks of the Security Police compared to the SD (Security Service)? What was the function of the Dienststelle SS-Obergruppenfuhrer Heimeyer? These and other questions are answered in this book,...