WAFFEN-SS ON THE WESTERN FRONT 1940-1945.pdf

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Contents
Introduction
Chapter One
Training for War
Chapter Two
The Low Countries, France and the Balkans
Chapter Three
The Western Front 1944–45
Appendix I
Waffen-SS Weapons and Equipment
Appendix II
Order of Battle: Western Front 1940
Appendix III
Waffen-SS Order of Battle: Ardennes December 1944
Appendix IV
Waffen-SS Divisions 1939–45
Introduction
T
his book in the popular
Images of War
series covers the deeds of the
Waffen-SS from its inception in the 1930s to war in the Low Countries,
France, the Balkans, Yugoslavia, Greece, Italy and finally on the Western
Front in 1944; and to the defence of the bombed and blasted ruins of the Reich
during the last weeks and months of the war in 1945. This is a comprehensive
illustrated study of the Waffen-SS in action and features action photographs of
such famous divisions as the Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler, Das Reich, Totenkopf
and a number of rare shots of the Polizei Division in action in all theatres of
operations.
About the Author
Ian Baxter is a military historian who specializes in German twentieth-century
military history. He has written more than forty books including
‘Wolf’:
Hitler’s Wartime Headquarters, Poland – The Eighteen-Day Victory March,
Panzers In North Africa, The Ardennes Offensive, The Western Campaign, The
12th SS.Panzer-Division Hitlerjugend, The Waffen-SS on the Western Front,
The Waffen-SS on the Eastern Front, The Red Army At Stalingrad, Elite
German Forces of World War II, Armoured Warfare, German Tanks of War,
Blitzkrieg, Panzer-Divisions At War, Hitler’s Panzers, Panzer Markings of
World War Two, German Armoured Vehicles of World War Two, German Guns
of the Third Reich and most recently The Last Two Years of the Waffen-SS At
War, SS of Treblinka, Höss – creator of Auschwitz, Auschwitz Death Camp,
Battle of the Baltics, Battle for the Reich, Last Years of the German Army and
Concentration Camp Guards. He has also written over 100 articles including
‘Last Days of Hitler’, ‘Wolf’s Lair’, ‘Story of the V1 and V2 Rocket
Programme’, ‘Secret Aircraft of World War Two’, ‘Rommel At Tobruk’,
‘Hitler’s War with his Generals’, ‘Secret British Plans to Assassinate Hitler’,
‘SS At Arnhem’, ‘Hitlerjugend’, ‘Battle Of Caen 1944’, ‘Gebirgsjager at
War’, ‘Panzer Crews’, ‘Hitlerjugend Guerrillas’, ‘Last Battles in the East’,
‘Battle of Berlin’, ‘Destruction of Busse’s Ninth Army’ and many more. He
has reviewed numerous military studies for publication and supplied
thousands of photographs and important documents to various publishers and
film production companies worldwide.
Chapter One
Training for War
B
etween 1933 and 1939 the power of the SS grew considerably with
thousands of men being recruited into the new ideological elite armed
formation under the command of Heinrich Himmler. All early recruits were
expected to meet very stringent criteria. Every volunteer had to be fit, have
excellent racial criteria and produce a certificate of good behaviour from the
police. During their tough training programme new recruits were indoctrinated
with an almost fanatical determination to fight for the Fuhrer, even if it meant
risking life and limb on the battlefield. Each recruit then left, displaying blind
allegiance and joined one of the newly-created armed SS divisions where he
would obey every order, even if it meant shooting prisoners and committing
atrocities against civilians.
The initial training was carried out in various depots outside each
SS
Verfügungstruppe
(SS Replacement Troop) regiment’s home town. The
training programme was very tough and demanding. Out on the rifle ranges
the recruits became used to their weapons, and once familiar they were taught
infantry assault techniques that included charging at sandbags with fixed
bayonets. Every instructor placed great emphasis on aggression on the
battlefield, with an ardent determination to win at all costs. It was believed that
this kind of training enhanced every recruit and instilled in them the drive to
overcome their enemy through fighting skill and sustained physical endurance.
Every candidate was pushed to the limits of tolerance. They were constantly
sent on long marches with or without their kit, in order to develop stamina and
endurance.
At least three times a week the trainees had to endure formal lectures
covering policies of the Nazi Party, which included a very in-depth
indoctrination in SS philosophy. The men were all ordered to follow Heinrich
Himmler’s demand for blind and absolute obedience and learnt to treat those
who were against the Reich with fanatical hatred. This included Jews, gypsies,
homosexuals, the political Left and any other groups deemed to be inferior
beings. By perpetually drilling the recruits to hate, they were able to infuse
them with pitiless contempt and to not think twice about meting out severe
punishments. The training in Nazi ideology was relentless. Not only did they
learn about enemies of the state but were also indoctrinated into SS philosophy
regarding racial superiority. These ideological teachings were aimed at
producing men who ardently believed in the new Aryan Order. Regularly they
had to attend lectures ful of anti-Semitism. On the bulletin boards inside the
SS barracks and canteen there were often copies of the racist newspaper Der
Stürmer.
Such propaganda material was routinely circulated in order to
ferment hatred and violence. As a result many of the new recruits became
easily susceptible to anti-Semitic doctrine, especially the younger men.
In this manner, the SS was filled with men fully indoctrinated into fighting
for their Fuhrer, regardless of their own fate. With anti-Semitism ingrained in
their minds, every candidate would be willing to obey any order, even those
involving the killing of prisoners and atrocities against civilians. Such was the
strength of feeling manufactured against those who did not conform to the
Aryan ideal.

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