Images of War:  Waffen-SS on the Eastern Front 1941-1945

Author:

Ian Baxter

Publisher

 

Price

$24.95 MSRP

Reviewer:

Ray Mehlberger
Notes: 189 pages, softcover, 277 images, ISBN: 1781589186-5

This latest book in the ever-popular Images of War series covers the actions of the Waffen-SS on the Eastern Front. There is extensive text and just about every page is photos. NEAT!! 

Many of these photos have been previously unpublished and are rare. They have in-depth captions It is an absorbing analysis of the pivotal part they played in this campaign. It reveals how this ruthless elite fought throughout Operation Barbarossa. For example, its contribution to the victories at Kharkov and Demyansk.

The book covers their role at Kursk and how, during the long withdrawal against overwhelming odds, they were rushed to plug gaps in the front Often these troops faced an enemy ten-times their strength and, for this and more sinister reasons, they were feared and respected by their enemy. By early May 1945, the Waffen-SS was all but destroyed, having battled across half of Russia and protected the withdrawals of the rest of the German Army to the gates of Berlin.

Ian Baxter is a much published author and photograph collector with a strong following. His books in the Images of War series include, most recently, “Hitler’s Headquarters” and “Himmler’s Concentration Camp Guards”, and the companion volume “Waffen-SS on the Western Front 1940-1945”. He lives near Chelmsford, Essex UK.

This virtual picture album has loads of shots of German weapons, vehicles and uniforms. Many diorama ideas can be inspired from the photos.

The chapters in the book are:

Introduction

Chapter 1: Poland & the Invasion of Russia, 1939-42

Chapter 2:  Battles, 1942-45

Chapter 3:  Last Years of the War

Appendix I, Waffen-SS Weapons and Equipment

Appendix II, Ranks

Appendix III, Waffen-SS: Kursk Order of Battle

Appendix IV, Waffen-SS Divisions: Order of Battle, 1943-45

Appendix V, Combat Uniforms of the Waffen-SS, 1943-45

I highly recommend this book to WWII historians and modelers alike.

Ray Mehlberger

 September 2014

I sincerely thank Casemate for this review sample.

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