Loyalty Is My Honor

by Gordon Williamson

Personal accounts from the Waffen-SS. A fascinating and detailed account of every aspect of the Waffen-SS's war on the Eastern Front: its battles, its organization, tactics, and equipment. Read what it was like to take part in Operation 'Barbarossa', the opening assault against Russia in the summer of 1941; the clash of massed armor at Kursk; and other epic encounters of war in the East. Ailsby also provides detailed insight into how Waffen-SS individuals and units met and often mastered their Red Army adversaries.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, World War II, Military Fiction

192 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1995

About the author

Gordon Williamson (born 1951) is a military history writer and author based in the United Kingdom. Williamson spent seven years with the Military Police in the British Territorial Army and resides in Scotland. Williamson's works focus primarily on German military forces during the Second World War.

Williamson has worked with several publishers but is perhaps best known for his continuing partnership with Osprey Publishing, with whom he has produced over 40 books.

Reviews

[Martin Koenigsberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book- but there is so much unsaid. A collection of memories taken from memoirs, interviews and articles, discussing the the Waffen-SS, the military arm of Himmler's Political Police Apparatus- The Nazi SS. The Author never manages to shake his Rune-sniffer tone of hushed respect-when what one really wants is more aggressive and closer questioning of these passages in the light of what we know know of these units that did carry many atrocities and war crimes, even the Front-Line Units. It's published far too recently (1995) to get away with the old "They were such great anticommunists" that did serve to vitiate sins in the 60s and 70s books on the topic.

Memories of Russian and Allied Atrocities against themselves seem very sharp, memories of their own mistreatment of the locals all over Europe seem very hazy. Few seem to have wondered at the smell and smoke and prisoners while they were being trained(Most training areas for the Waffen SS were near of adjacent to Prison/Death Camps- there were lots of transfers between the Police side who also provided staff for the camps and the Waffen or Military side) and one always feels the need to ask more questions of about a third of the members who are quoted. But there are plenty of passages that address more of the esprit de corps of the Divisions and Brigades Of the SS- Officers were chosen from the same pool as the men for their political reliability - were more popular but less efficient, thankfully. I just never felt the author viewed his base materials with enough disdain- seems a bit of a fan-boy.

I think there are better sources for a junior reader, so 12-13 yo should be the minimum- and perhaps a discussion of "imperfect narrators" should be conducted by a responsible adult. For the Gamer/Modeller/Military enthusiast, a mixed bag. The gamer and the modeller will find some good scenario/diorama information, but the Military Enthusiast will be happy with the many B/W images from all fronts, but wary of the inconsistent sourcing and narrators. A qualified rec.

[Neil Crowle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basically this is a very good history of the experiences of Waffen-SS soldiers during World War II. It is basically made up of Waffen-SS veterans talking to the author about their experiences. This is extremely interesting material. At times, this book almost seems to be an apologist work: it acknowledges but plays down (in my opinion) known SS atroicities, and points the finger at Allied troops not having a squeaky clean record in this area.

[Aaron Enzor · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a well-written book. The topic is a fascinating look at this concept that is an interesting way to justify genocide. Williamson does a good job explaining the mentality of the SS and is a good read.

[Philip · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really opened my eyes to what the Germans (specifically the SS) were being told and why they were so feared. What the book doesn't do is idolize or glorify WHICH IS GOOD. Objectivly as a serviceman there were a lot of similarities between them and "us". If you are looking for gore this isn't your book. It's written by a soldier and what they endured as a German (even from other Germans).

[Péter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good book that shows not only one side of the war.
I got real stories from SS veterans, showing loyalty, friendship and courage. It opened my eyes that there's a difference between Allgemeine- and Waffen-SS.

[Konstantins]

GREAT!!!!