Waffen SS On The Eastern Front 1941 - 1945 (Images Of War - Rare Photographs From Wartime Archives)

Publishers Warning: THIS BOOK CONTAINS IMAGES THAT SOME PEOPLE MAY FIND DISTURBING.

This latest release on the Eastern Front Campaign by Military Historian Ian Baxter examines the deeds and misdeeds of the men and boys who volunteered for service with the Waffen-SS, from not just Nazi Germany, but also from other Foreign Countries - including those who were part of the Axis and others who were not (including the occupied territories and elsewhere). Originally formed in Germany during 1933 as the SS's own independent Military Force separate to The Wehrmacht, but still answerable (more or less) to its commanders in battle, the Waffen-SS underwent a major expansion in 1940 at the conclusion of its service in France. Seeing action from September 1939 through to the end of the war, its final casualty figures are estimated by reputable German Military Historians as being somewhat higher then other frontline Wehrmacht units. This is put down to their more irrational political motivations and systems of belief which they had in place at both the division and battalion level, mixed with years of indoctrination, resulting in their willingness to carry out senseless actions often ending in larger then normal casualties - while other Wehrmacht units acted with far more situational awareness and common-sense. These Political influences also resulted in their troops commiting some of the wars worst atrocities against both civilian and military prisoners in their care, while at the same time fighting with utter ruthlessness and savagery - especially on the Ost front. This work Draws on many rare and unpublished images to presents a visual account of these battles and some of the atrocities that took place, where photographic evidence is available, showing these units at war in 1939 against Poland and in 1941 against Russia through to 1945 and the battles for survival inside the towns and streets of Eastern Poland and Germany.