Book Reviews

The book is called SS PANZERGRENADIER a true story of World War II In this book, Hans Schmidt, who immigrated to the United States shortly after the of the war and became a U.S. citizen tells his story with frankness, and with an ability to answer the questions American readers may have about the Third Reich, the Hitler Youth, the WAFFEN-SS and many other facts connected with World War II. He does not shy away from such sensitive subjects as the so called ''Malmedy Massacre'' or the destruction of the French village of Oradour-sur-Glane by SS troops in an anti-partisan reprisal action in June of 1944. Hans Schmidt tells the German side of the occurrences. SS-PANZERGRENADIER has 424 pages, including pictures and other illustrations. It is bound in hard cover.ISBN 0-9669047-4-5 Hans Schmidt is so gracious enough that if you ask him he will sign your book and he would like to see what the person looks like,if your are in re-enacting. I sent him my picture in my uniform and he signed it and o yes he made a comment, which I did not expect him do so.

SOLDAT VOL. SIX

EQUIPPING THE WAFFEN - SS
PANZER DIVISIONS 1942 - 1945

The intent of this book is to describe and illustrate the uniforms, insignia, and equipment of the Panzer regiments of the seven Waffen - SS Armored Divisions. A MUST READ BOOK by Richard W. Mundt and Cyrus A. Lee 1997 Pictorial Histories Publishing Co.

THE WAFFEN SS

This book is a pictorial and factual documentation of the engagement of young man standing in the front line during World War 2. Five hundred exciting photographs never before published, illustrate the battles of a troop of which no one not even its adversaries on the battlefield denied its bravery and devotion. Highly recommend

A PICTORIAL DOCUMENTATION BY HERBERT WALTHER

COPYRIGHT 1990 BY SCHIFFER PUBLISHING

THE GERMAN SOLDIER IN WORLD WAR 11

A moving account of personal observations combined with a thoughtful commentary in which the author provides numerous insights into the combat environment. Drawn from letters, diaries, and memoirs, this impressive study presents a rounded ,picture of the daily life of the Landser.

AUTHOR : STEPHEN G. FRITZ

COPYRIGHT : 1995 THE UNIVERSITY PRESS OF KENTUCKY

WAFFEN - SS

THE UNPUBLISHED PHOTOGRAPHS 1923 - 1945

UNPUBLISHED PHOTOGRAPHS INCLUDES ALL THE BATTLES AND CAMPAIGNS WAFFEN - SS
UNITS FOUGHT IN DURING WORLD WAR 2, SUCH AS IN POLAND, FRANCE, SERBIA AND
THE EASTERN FRONT. IT RECREATES IN PICTORIAL FROM ALL THE ASPECTS OF THE
WAFFEN - SS WAR A GREAT BOOK TO HAVE.

COPYRIGHT 1998

BY CHRISTOPHER AILSBY

MBI PUBLISHING COMPANY

S. S. WEAPONS AND FIGHTING TACTICS OF THE WAFFEN - SS

THIS BOOK LISTS ALL THE MOST IMPORTANT TYPES OF SMALL ARMS, SUPPORT WEAPONS,
ANTI TANK WEAPONS, AND ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIERS EMPLOYED BY THE DEATH'S
HEAD SOLDIERS BETWEEN 1939 AND 1945. LOTS OF PICTURES A MUST HAVE BOOK FOR
THE S. S REENACTORS.

AUTHORS : DR. S. HART & DR. R. HART

COPYRIGHT : 1999

MBI PUBLISHING COMPANY

THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF THE GERMAN ARMY IN WW 2

WEHRMACHT IS A FULL PICTORIAL RECORD OF THE GERMAN ARMY, AS IT WAS RECREATED
BY ADOLF HITLER, PREPARING FOR WAR IN THE 1930s AND IN ACTION IN THE
CAMPAIGNS THAT FOLLOWED NOT ONLY ON THE EASTERN FRONT, BUT ALSO IN THE
DESERTS OF NORTH AFRICA, THE BALKANS, THE MOUNTAINS OF ITALY, AND THE PLAINS
OF NORTH WEST EUROPE. OVER 200 PREVIOUSLY UNPUBLISHED BLACK AND WHITE
PHOTOGRAPHS GOOD BOOK TO HAVE.

AUTHOR : DR . JOHN PIMLOTT

PUBLISHED : 1997

PUBLISHER : MOTORBOOKS INTERNATIONAL

THE MILITARY ROLE OF THE 2nd SS DIVISION

THE HIGH STANDARDS AND ALL AROUND MILITARY EXCELLENCE ARE EPITOMIZED BY THE
DAS REICH DIVISION, WHOSE REPUTATION FOR COURAGE AND HARD FIGHTING AROSE
FROM THEIR YEARS ON THE EASTERN FRONT. AS SOLDIERS, THE MEN OF DAS REICH
WERE AS SKILLED AND PROFESSIONAL AS ANY WHO HAVE FOUGHT IN WAR. THE AUTHOR
HAS RECORDED THEIR STORY AND THE HISTORY OF THEIR DIVISION AND ALL ITS MAJOR
BATTLES.

AUTHOR : JAMES LUCAS

COPYRIGHT : 1999

STERLING PUBLISHING CO

INFANTRY ACES OF THE REICH

THE AUTHOR CONCENTRATES SOLELY ON THE OUTSTANDING FEATS OF BRAVERY PERFORMED
BY 32 INFANTRY MANN . THE RESULT IS A VALUABLE INSIGHT INTO THE EXPERIENCES
OF THE FOOT SOLDIER AND REACTIONS IN A WAR SITUATION.

AUTHOR : GORDON WILLIAMSON

PUBLISHER : STERLING PUBLISHING CO . INC 1991

GERMAN AUTOMATIC WEAPONS OF WORLD WAR 2

MAUSER SCHNELLFEUR MACHINE PISTOL R713 . ERMA MP40 SUB MACHINE GUN . MG 34
MACHINE GUN.

MG42 MACHINE GUN . FG 42 / 1 & 2 PARATROOP ASSAULT WEAPONS .

STURMGEWEHR 44 ASSAULT RIFLE .

THE ILLUSTRATIONS ARE ACCOMPANIED BY CONCISE ACCOUNTS OF EACH WEAPON'S
HISTORICAL AND TECHNICAL BACKGROUND; AND BY ACCESSIBLE, NON TECHNICAL
DESCRIPTIONS OF ITS ACTUAL FIRING CHARACTERISTICS, FROM THE VIEWPOINT OF THE
ORDINARY INFANTRYMAN, AS REVEALED IN THESE TRIALS WHAT IT LOOKED LIKE, SOUNDED LIKE AND FELT LIKE TO FIRE THE WEAPONS. DETAILED PICTURES SHOW THEM IN CLOSEUP ; DURING HANDLING, LOADING, AND LIVE FIRING TRIALS IN OUTDOOR SETTING, BY GUNNERS WEARING AUTHENTIC PERIOD UNIFORMS IN COLOUR TO PUT THESE HISTORIC
GUNS IN THEIR VISUAL CONTEXT GREAT BOOK TO HAVE.

Waffen SS in Action
Combat Troops Number 3
By Norman E. Harris & Uwe Feist
Squadron/Signal Publications
Carrollton, Texas 1973, $8.95
ISBN 0-89747-053-2

For those of us who really got the 'history bug' by spending countless
hours standing in the local hobby shop's isles looking over the new
shipments of BF-109's, Tiger I's and U-boat Type VII's, Squadron/Signal
books are no strangers. Their huge selection of publications on planes,
AFV's and ships of different nations jammed with exceptional photographs
of unit markings and artist renditions of various color schemes opened
up our imagination as to what life was like when these machines were in
use on the world's battlefields. The Combat Troops In Action series has
done for the fighting man what Squadron/Signal has done for the
equipment they used.

Waffen SS in Action is one of the books recommended in the LAH handbook
as a good reference source to help members with their impression. For
new members, it will provide a very short history of the Waffen SS from
its beginnings as a small political body guard through it's evolution
and growth as battalions, regiments, motorized infantry
(PanzerGrenadier) divisions, panzer divisions and finally SS panzer
corps. In addition, the book includes the various emblems of all the
Waffen SS units that existed.

However, it is the combat photos in the book that will be of most use to
the new member as they show SS grenadiers in action in both summer and
winter. This is a great place to start to get ideas as to how to put
their impression together. But what clearly stands out most in these
photos is the use of the camouflage helmet cover (Stahlhelmbezuge) and
smock (Tarnjacken). As the LAH handbook states and these photos support,
it is these two items that have come to symbolize the Waffen SS in the
field and its what makes the present LAH the premier reenacting unit it
is. Personally, I would recommend getting these two items a top
priority!

Overall, adding Waffen SS In Action to their personal library is a good
move for any member. It's inexpensive, can be easily obtained at your
local hobby shop or bookstore and a worthwhile investment.

M.E.H.T.
Kandidat Lorenz Dugan

Book Reviews, submitted by D.G. Ewen, 2. Komp.

Uniforms of the SS 1938-1945

By Yoshihiro Terui and B.S.K., Dainippon Kaiga, 1999 (84pp)

Let's get the few small negatives to this book out of the way right at the
start. First, it's expensive. Second, it's a rather thin softcover volume.
And third, the text is in Japanese, albeit with English captions.

That having been said, for a hardcore collector or uniform enthusiast this
book is worth every penny. It showcases original examples of uniform items
both in wear and in close-up studio shots, in full colour and fantastic
detail on high quality glossy paper. Uniforms and equipment in wear are
shown in "front and back" shots, while the majority of the book's 84 pages
are devoted to colour exterior and interior photos of original tunics,
headgear, trousers, field equipment, and insignia. Especially appreciated
are the detail shots of original belt buckles and insignia items, as well as
the gorgeous pictures of rare headgear and tunics. Of note is the fact that
the uniforms and equipment all do appear to be original, a feature which is
sometimes lacking in this type of "model wearing original gear" book.
Drawbacks to the book's value as a general reference is the lack of photos
of boots and helmets. For the advanced enthusiast, definitely recommended.

Collector's Guide to the Waffen-SS

By Robin Lumsden, Ian Allen, 1994 (160pp)

A pocket-sized softcover volume, Lumsden's book packs good value into its
160 pages. The book is a decent introduction to collectors of Waffen-SS
uniforms and gear, beginning with a brief history of the Waffen-SS itself,
and progressing to a discussion of its uniforms, weapons, equipment, and
insignia. A helpful section on the various cufftitle styles is included, as
well as a section on detecting fakes (including the infamous "OLT" belt
buckle!). Good value for a general reference volume.

Waffen-SS Camouflage Uniforms and Post-War Derivatives

By Daniel A. Peterson, Windrow & Greene, 1995 (64pp)

This is another installment in the softcover Windrow & Greene series of
uniform references which feature models wearing original uniforms and gear
in realistic settings. As such, I find that these books are rather good for
two reasons: first, to get an idea of the uniforms and gear "in wear"
(although original photos are even better for this) and second, to get me
excited about getting out to an event to wear my own gear!

This slim volume retraces the same ground as Windrow's previous offering,
"Waffen-SS Uniforms in Colour Photographs" with the addition of an
interesting section on the final "Leibermuster" pattern and its postwar
descendants among the armies of Europe. The development of camo patterns
post-WWII is a little-studied subject and although not strictly related to
LAH reenacting, is a worthwhile diversion. However, for our purposes, this
is an inferior reference when compared with the "Colour Photographs" volume.
Of course it goes without saying that Beaver and Borsarello's book is
still the benchmark!

Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler - Uniforms, Organization, and History, Volume I

By Stan Cook and Roger James Bender, R. James Bender Publishing, 1994
(432pp)

A subject near and dear to our hearts - the LAH - is the subject of this
beautiful hardcover medium-format volume. The book covers the LAH from its
beginning up to 1939, with fascinating month-by-month diaries of the unit
illustrated with rare photos.

I admit that I am a fan of esoteric information - the more minute the detail
of the reference work, the better I like it. I wasn't disappointed by this
book. Whether it was information and illustrations of the SS formal dress
"tuxedo"-type uniform, or detailed reference on the "Jingling Johnny"
standard carried on parade, this book had detail to satisfy the most
hardcore knowledge seeker. More mundane information on the uniforms and
equipment of the unit is provided, as well, including interesting sections
on the camouflage face mask and sniper veil.

The only negative to the book? Waiting for Volume II which is to cover the
war years!

Excerpt from slip jacket:

"This chronicle of the 7. Panzerkompanie follows the unit history of a "Leibstandarte" tank company from its creation in 1942 to the end of World War II.

Compiled by a former company commander and German Cross in Gold holder Ralf Tiemann, the detailed text relies on both official documentation and the personal recollections of numerous unit veterans. An individual level narrative covers the intense first combats for Kharkov in early 1943 and the summer Kursk engagements later the same year. In 1944 the unit engaged the Western Allies after D-Day.

Illustrated with private photos made available from Waffen-SS veterans contributions, the detailed appendices provide a complete roster of all commanders, platoon leaders, senior NCO's, award winners and those killed in action. Exacting cartographic material allows the reader to follow all engagements in this first unit history of a "Leibstandarte" tank company available in English.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I myself found this book to be a fantastic read as one truly learns the individual plight of the soldat from day to day. To better understand the inner workings of a Panzer Division I recommend this book. The maps, original documents, lists and tables, and the photographs are indeed a rich bonus for the reader of the book as the text alone is worth every penny.

For someone who is trying to really research an impression this book would be of great service as it provides the names, birthdates and places, as well as awards of many original unit members not to overlook a closer insight to the daily innerworkings of a Panzer Company.

I hope you enjoy this work as much as I have. I can assure you that it will maintain a favorite place on my bookshelf.