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Waffen-SS: Hitler's Black Guard at War
National Socialist Germany's Waffen-SS (Military SS) was one of the most fanatical and feared military organizations in history. From its humble beginnings as a small, select troop whose duty it was to protect leaders and speakers at N.S. Party meetings, it grew during World War Two to nearly one million men, and included dozens of nationalities. During its existence it achieved some of the most stunning victories ever seen in the annals of warfare. This coffee table size large format title is a fully illustrated volume on the battles, campaigns, and alleged war crimes of National Socialist Europe's fighting elite. It was in the Soviet Union that the Waffen-SS found its greatest testing ground. It was here that the elite Waffen-SS Panzer divisions proved themselves to be masters of mechanized warfare and the combined arms battle. With the aid of full-color maps and color and black and white photographs, this book recreates all the aspects of their epic struggle on Europe's Eastern Front. This title also traces the wartime growth of the Waffen-SS, and includes details on all the legendary Waffen-SS leaders.
Not just highly trained soldiers, the men of the Waffen-SS were highly motivated idealists; ideological warriors selected on the basis of rigid standards. Trained to be highly aggressive on the battlefield, they achieved success on the battlefield that created legends that persist to this day.
- GenresMilitary HistoryHistory
176 pages, Hardcover
First published August 15, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 28, 2018
This review could be written from so many angles that I had to really think about this. It was the last chapter that was the deciding factor for me, and when I tell you why you will understand.
To begin with, the cover does look kind of cool. There were a lot of photographs, a few maps, and neat tank illustrations inside. What was disappointing was that some of the pages were off center, which stands out like glaring headlights compared to grammar errors that can be overlooked, even if they are annoying.
In case you don't know, the Waffen-SS were Hitler's Praetorian Guard. They started out as a small elite bodyguard unit known as the Schutz Staffel, hence the SS initials. In German wartime documents, the SS was printed with two lightening bolts as on the book cover. They wore all black uniforms and protected Hitler when riots broke out during political meetings. In time they became a vast organization. One important part of it was the armed (Waffen) SS. These were the elite soldiers of the Nazi regime. It is the wartime exploits of these elite units that the book seems to dwell on the most.
As far as elite units go, these were among the toughest and most successful units in modern times. They were referred to as Hitler's fire brigade. True, they had the best weapons and plenty of good men, but they would fight literally to the last man over and over again, without suffering from shell shock or any of the other psychological breakdowns that men in prolonged combat suffer. If they didn't take their objective or hold it, it was because they were all dead. To give you an example, the crew in a King Tiger tank destroyed 39 Soviet heavy tanks in one battle.
This dedication came with a price. They viewed the enemy as unworthy of life. Just as they would sacrifice themselves towards victory, they could just as easily kill defenseless women and children with no remorse. If you ever saw Brad Pitt's movie "Fury," you would get an idea. What was disappointing was that in spite of all the civilians they killed during WWII, one measly chapter barely touches upon this subject, and the millions killed in the concentration camps are not mentioned at all. The rounding up and killing of the Polish government officials, political leaders, aristocrats, priests, business people, teachers, physicians and soldiers by the death squads made me sympathize with payback melted out at the end of the war. Unfortunately the Russian Communists did the same thing when they 'liberated' Poland, but that is another story.
So, in spite of the research that went into this book, I am only giving it a 3 star. My ancestors would probably say that was far too generous.
To begin with, the cover does look kind of cool. There were a lot of photographs, a few maps, and neat tank illustrations inside. What was disappointing was that some of the pages were off center, which stands out like glaring headlights compared to grammar errors that can be overlooked, even if they are annoying.
In case you don't know, the Waffen-SS were Hitler's Praetorian Guard. They started out as a small elite bodyguard unit known as the Schutz Staffel, hence the SS initials. In German wartime documents, the SS was printed with two lightening bolts as on the book cover. They wore all black uniforms and protected Hitler when riots broke out during political meetings. In time they became a vast organization. One important part of it was the armed (Waffen) SS. These were the elite soldiers of the Nazi regime. It is the wartime exploits of these elite units that the book seems to dwell on the most.
As far as elite units go, these were among the toughest and most successful units in modern times. They were referred to as Hitler's fire brigade. True, they had the best weapons and plenty of good men, but they would fight literally to the last man over and over again, without suffering from shell shock or any of the other psychological breakdowns that men in prolonged combat suffer. If they didn't take their objective or hold it, it was because they were all dead. To give you an example, the crew in a King Tiger tank destroyed 39 Soviet heavy tanks in one battle.
This dedication came with a price. They viewed the enemy as unworthy of life. Just as they would sacrifice themselves towards victory, they could just as easily kill defenseless women and children with no remorse. If you ever saw Brad Pitt's movie "Fury," you would get an idea. What was disappointing was that in spite of all the civilians they killed during WWII, one measly chapter barely touches upon this subject, and the millions killed in the concentration camps are not mentioned at all. The rounding up and killing of the Polish government officials, political leaders, aristocrats, priests, business people, teachers, physicians and soldiers by the death squads made me sympathize with payback melted out at the end of the war. Unfortunately the Russian Communists did the same thing when they 'liberated' Poland, but that is another story.
So, in spite of the research that went into this book, I am only giving it a 3 star. My ancestors would probably say that was far too generous.
March 17, 2018
A good reference book easy to read with quite a few pictures, good book for beginner on the subject or someone who just wants an easy read before bed. Ideal for High school or college projects readingt too.
December 11, 2020
If one is looking for a relatively simplistic and uncritical history of the Waffen SS then Ailsby's book is probably a suitable read. Relatively short (176 pages including copious illustrations), this history of the so-called 'Black Guard' as the elite Nazi military force does present a reasonably comprehensive narrative of key units, campaigns and personnel. However, it does provide the in depth analysis nor the academic rigour one would find in a more serious tome. Plus, and this is where I have serious misgivings about this book, Ailsby is far too callow when it comes to addressing the moral repugnance of the Waffen SS. There are times that his account of those who fought for the Nazi regime is far too laudatory.
One can reflect on the military effectiveness of the Waffen SS divisions and their personnel; that is an understandable historical judgement. Ailsby goes beyond this however, frequently describing the Waffen SS in the language or tone of an admirer rather than a chronicler. For example, Totenkopf Division commander Theodor Eicke is presented as a brutal but leader of elite troops, instead of a war criminal whose mission was to perpetuate the evil of the Third Reich. Ailsby is also sure to construct his narrative to minimise the culpability of the Waffen SS in its efforts on behalf of the Nazis; only one chapter (at the end of the book) is given over to the massacres and atrocities committed by SS units (including Einsatzgruppen and Waffen SS detachments). This represents only about 8% of the book's content in total; hardly an appropriate reflection on the subject.
Ailsby makes some other errors of judgement, either by omission or commission. There is very little said about special force units that operated under the Waffen SS aegis, and he doesn't discuss in great detail the motivations of collaborators who formed a significant part of the foreign volunteers who served with the 'Black Guard'. It might also have been useful to have provided infographics or other documentation as to the organisational aspects of the Waffen SS. The prose is adequate for the task, though I grew tired of reading how often an attack 'crashed' or 'smashed' into an opponent. The illustrations are generally of some value, whereas there is no bibliography to help support Ailsby's text.
In conclusion, 'Waffen-SS: Hitler's Black Guard at War' is a reasonable book that has some issues vis-à-vis Ailbsy's attitude towards its subject. It is also perhaps far too shallow for those potential readers who would want to really come to grips with the associated military history.
One can reflect on the military effectiveness of the Waffen SS divisions and their personnel; that is an understandable historical judgement. Ailsby goes beyond this however, frequently describing the Waffen SS in the language or tone of an admirer rather than a chronicler. For example, Totenkopf Division commander Theodor Eicke is presented as a brutal but leader of elite troops, instead of a war criminal whose mission was to perpetuate the evil of the Third Reich. Ailsby is also sure to construct his narrative to minimise the culpability of the Waffen SS in its efforts on behalf of the Nazis; only one chapter (at the end of the book) is given over to the massacres and atrocities committed by SS units (including Einsatzgruppen and Waffen SS detachments). This represents only about 8% of the book's content in total; hardly an appropriate reflection on the subject.
Ailsby makes some other errors of judgement, either by omission or commission. There is very little said about special force units that operated under the Waffen SS aegis, and he doesn't discuss in great detail the motivations of collaborators who formed a significant part of the foreign volunteers who served with the 'Black Guard'. It might also have been useful to have provided infographics or other documentation as to the organisational aspects of the Waffen SS. The prose is adequate for the task, though I grew tired of reading how often an attack 'crashed' or 'smashed' into an opponent. The illustrations are generally of some value, whereas there is no bibliography to help support Ailsby's text.
In conclusion, 'Waffen-SS: Hitler's Black Guard at War' is a reasonable book that has some issues vis-à-vis Ailbsy's attitude towards its subject. It is also perhaps far too shallow for those potential readers who would want to really come to grips with the associated military history.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews