Waffen SS troops

[He219]

'30 meter abstand' - not even in Italian ...

Two German Nazi SS soldiers admire the Cathedral in Pisa with the famed Leaning Tower in the foreground, in 1943, during the German occupation of Italy in World War II. (AP Photo)

[abhor]

However, some of the Waffen SS outfits (some started out as Regiments and were later turned into Divisions), notably the 1st ("Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler"), the 2nd ("Das Reich"), the 3rd ("Totenkopf") and the 5th ("Wiking") can be rightfully regarded as elite formations. All of these have a battle-record that is simply amazing and outstrips that of any Allied Division. Kitsune

Hmm. Im not sure were you got all of your information but to say that the 3rd totenkopf was an elite fighting group that rivals any allied division is blowing things way out of proportion. There is no record of the 3rd totenkopf ever doing anything that was of extraordinary merit. The only time they were a successful fighting force was when they were along side some of the more battle hardened divisions such as Das Reich, and Panzergrenadier-Division Großdeutschland. For example on the one occasion they were tasked with holding a town in the Demyansk Pocket, they were massacred the mighty third panzer-division totenkopf was brought to its knees and suffered such heavy losses it was reduced to a Kampfgruppe (company). Their battle-record speeks for itself. The 3rd should not have left dachau for combat but because of a deteriorated situation in the barbarosa campaign they were thrust into battle unprepared. lets try not to forget what totenkopf was originally tasked with, they deserve no glorification.

[fantassin]

the 3rd SS Div. was also responsible for several massacres in France in 1940; British POWs in Le Paradis, Senegalese colonial troops near Lyons and several civilians as reprisals for the severe maulings they got at the hands of French and british troops in the North of France in june 1940.

Every time they got a pasting, they would go on a killing spree on the local French population on the folloing day.

Now, that takes courage and is the sign of an elite unit.

[Big Lebowski]

Gen.Heinz Guderian with a SS-Stubaf and SS troops

[East Scout II]

Schnelle Hienz! good picture!

[abhor]

Sorry I had to remove the pics. I didn't read the post about not using hot links to other websites.

[PeterG]

Hmm. Im not sure were you got all of your information but to say that the 3rd totenkopf was an elite fighting group that rivals any allied division is blowing things way out of perportion. There is no record of the 3rd totenkopf ever doing anything that was of extraordinary merit. The only time they were a successful fighting force was when they were along side some of the more battle hardened divisions such as Das Reich, and Panzergrenadier-Division Großdeutschland. For example on the one occasion they were tasked with holding a town in the Demyansk Pocket, they were massacred the mighty third panzer-division totenkopf was brought to its knees and suffered such heavy losses it was reduced to a Kampfgruppe (company). Their battle-record speeks for itself. The 3rd should not have left dachau for combat but because of a deteriorated situation in the barbarosa campaign they were thrust into battle unprepared. lets try not to forget what totenkopf was originally tasked with, they deserve no glorification.

This is utter nonsense. The totenkopf performed brilliantly in the demyansk pocket, fighting against staggering odds. Three Soviet Armies composed of 18 infantry divisions and three brigades were tied up for 4 months. The reason the russians didn't crush the demyansk pocket, were mainly because of the totenkopf - and yes, units of them were 'massacred' in combat, in the sense that whole companies fought to the last man....But they held the pocket! And a Kampfgruppe was not a 'company' sized unit - it could be anything up to a corps in size.

[Crassus]

12. SS-Hitlerjugend prisoners in Normandy



...and this guy probably fell the stairs



From:http://home.att.net/~SSPzHJ/Index.html

[eucalyptus]

[turska]

Too late. Telling me that some Naziwarcriminals were "awesome" is clearly invitation to some flame war...
SS as band of nazicriminals are some kind outlawed military formation. They pacify village and kill POW. Nothing to respect here.
WWII German have many good soldiers but very small amount of heroes. To be a hero you need to fight for a good cause - you know. Ie German officers who were killed after failed attempt to kill Hitler are heroes...
Wittman was good soldier serving Evil empire (simple american description) nothing great in him...

This is completly matter of side.

A hero to one is a terrorist to another.

[turska]

This is utter nonsense. The totenkopf performed brilliantly in the demyansk pocket, fighting against staggering odds. Three Soviet Armies composed of 18 infantry divisions and three brigades were tied up for 4 months. The reason the russians didn't crush the demyansk pocket, were mainly because of the totenkopf - and yes, units of them were 'massacred' in combat, in the sense that whole companies fought to the last man....But they held the pocket! And a Kampfgruppe was not a 'company' sized unit - it could be anything up to a corps in size.

Totenkopf started badly as most of its men was former camp guards, but it fought better after it had first bought experience with blood.

[Big Lebowski]

not sure i like those comments turska..

please dont start anything, this is a picture thread

[fantassin]

...and this guy probably fell the stairs



From:http://home.att.net/~SSPzHJ/Index.html

The 12 SS started the Normandy campaign by slaughtering Canadian POWs on the first day of their engagement; better a black eye than a bullet in the neck like those bastards did to the Canucks

[East Scout II]

WTF is the hammer?????????????????

[eucalyptus]

WTF is the hammer?????????????????

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hammer