Rolf Michaelis Book order

Nach seinem erfolgreichen Bildband „Uniformabzeichen der Waffen-SS“ legt der Autor nun einen weiteren Bildband vor, der sich den Uniformvarianten der Waffen-SS widmet. Dabei zeichnet er zum einen die Entwicklung der Uniformen seit Gründung der SS-Verfügungstruppe 1935 nach und blättert andererseits in aller Breite die zahlreichen Varianten auf, die von Feldgrau über Tarnbekleidung, Winterbekleidung, Tropenbekleidung bis zu Sonderbekleidung reichen. Dabei fehlen weder Gesellschaftsanzüge für SS-Führer noch Schutzmäntel für Kraftradfahrer, Bekleidung für Fallschirmjäger, Flammenwerfer-Schutzanzüge oder Dienstbekleidung für SS-Helferinnen. Der Autor hat sich der Mühe unterzogen, für jede Bekleidungsform Originalfotos aus der Zeit des Dritten Reiches zu finden. Diese Fotos sowie schematische Zeichnungen illustrieren seine sachkundigen Texte und Beschreibungen. Eine Enzyklopädie aller Uniformvarianten der Waffen-SS, die keine Fragen offen läßt.

Reichsführer-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-Obergruppenführer Heißmeyer? These and other questions are answered in this book, which also describes combat operations by the Waffen-SS and the Ordnungspolizei. The resettlement of the ethnic Germans and the deportation of the Jewish populations of Europe also form part of the book, as do the detailed history of Army Group Vistula. A total of 275 illustrations, together with the complete texts of several of Himmler's speeches complete this outstanding book about the man responsible for the implementation of National-Socialist policy.

"The story of the French units of the Waffen-SS in World War II--the Französische SS-Freiwilligen-Grenadier-Regiment; Französische 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, along with the combat operations by armed French units in Galicia, Pomerania, Kolberg, and in the Gotenhaven area. Afer the necessary unit rebuilding following these costly actions, there followed further actions in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, and the actions of unit remnants in the Reich capital Berlin."--Page 4 of cover

All of the uniform-specific insignia used by the Waffen-SS in World War II are presented in this concise, all-color book. Included are sleeve and cap eagles in their various versions, collar tabs, sleeve shields, and cuff titles, as well as shoulder boards and straps, and rank insignia. Using nearly 300 color photographs, this book shows the scope in insignia the Waffen-SS achieved by war's end, and how far it deviated from Himmler's earlier principles as a result of the steadily deteriorating war situation. Some of the rarest insignia shown are those from Waffen-SS units using Armenian, Bosnian, Indian, and Georgian troops. Also included are numerous war-era photos that document the wearing of the various insignia shown.

Originally published in 1994-1995 as 3 separate volumes.

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 authorized 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 honor their service arose. In July 1942, Hitler ordered the awarding of the Decoration for Eastern Peoples. Those permitted to be awarded included Turkish units, Cossack units, Crimean Tatar units, Auxiliary Police (Schutzmannschaft) Battalions, unarmed auxiliaries (Hilfswilligen, or Hiwis) in German units, and domestic security units in the operations zone. Very rare examples of actual badges, award documents and soldbuchs, and never before seen war era images are presented here.

"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 Yugoslav recruits and operated in the Karst border area of Austria, Yugoslavia, and Italy in 1943-1945. This book is not only a history of this infamous SS division - including details of formation, training, commanders, and operations - but is also a look at the German Anti-Partisan War Badge in Gold, and its recipients from the unit. Very rare examples of actual badges as well as award documents and soldbuchs are presented, and includes nerve before seen war era images."--Back cover

A rare look inside the Sonderkommando "Dirlewanger," the SS anti-partisan unit notorious for atrocities in Poland and Russia during World War II. These memoirs were written by a former member of the unit from its formation in 1940 to the end of the war and took part in nearly all its operations. A first hand account of the brutal and barbaric methods used by Dirlewanger against partisans - methods that appalled even some SS commanders - are revealed here in this memoir. SS-Sonderkommando "Dirlewanger" was originally manned by convicted poachers, however as the war progressed replacements were found by emptying prisons and filling the ranks with more hardened criminals. Here are the chilling recollections of a soldier in the SS-Sonderkommando "Dirlewanger" during the Polish and Russian campaigns, the 1944 Warsaw uprising and the final battles near Berlin.

Für die bewaffneten Verbände der SS wurde eine eigene Uniformierung eingeführt, die in verschiedenen Details von derjenigen der Wehrmacht abwich. Zunächst waren es nur unbedeutende Unterschiede, die spätere Waffen-SS war jedoch führend bei der Ausstattung ihrer Soldaten mit Tarnbekleidung. Zahlreiche verschiedene Muster wurden erprobt und fanden auch Eingang in spätere Felduniformen. So modifizierte die Schweizer Armee das sog. Leibermuster und die heutige Tarnung der Bundeswehrbekleidung erinnert an das sog. Erbsentarnmuster der Waffen-SS. In diesem Buch werden die umfangreiche feldgraue und Tarnbekleidung sowie alle Sonderbekleidungsstücke in Wort und Bild beschrieben.

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 featured along with equipment, commanders, maps, and charts.