Osprey Men at Arms Series

 The Waffen SS (3) 11 – 23 Divisions 

 The Waffen SS (4) 24 – 38 Divisions

 Written by Gordon Williamson: Illustrated by Stephen Andrew

Reviewed by Steve Crofts

 These last two books of the Waffen SS Divisions by Gordon Williamson are in my personal opinion a good starter for further reading, although I would suggest also getting the first two books in the series as well, as in both these books cases, (3 & 4), the aid of at least the first book of the series would be of great help as reference to the first title is mentioned on more than one occasion, the first Book amongst other things covers the historical background of the military units of the SS and the German Nazi party’s political security organisation is summarized in this volume.

 Each of these two books give reference to the divisional commanders, giving dates they served with the units, along with unit name designations, and also which I found a handy little sub heading for each of the units covered, the principle elements of each division.

 The campaigns that each of the divisions elements are briefly covered, and further reading must be sought elsewhere for further information on these battles, (obviously it doesn’t need me to tell you that if these were covered fully in the series there would have been quite a few Osprey volumes for each division covered), although the information given does make interesting reading.

 The Campaign information ends with a brief account of what happened to each of the Divisions at the end of the war, information like where, when, how many and who to each of the divisions surrendered to.

 Special insignia and description is then mentioned at the end of the main information. The details of the insignia and armbands is backed up by a photograph of the subject matter concerned with each division.

 The Plates, well the plates show illustrations of each of the divisions in each book along with the usual added notes at the back of each book.

 The illustrations are of the calibre one now comes to expect to find in an Osprey book, and are of an excellently high standard with all the details you have come to like and look forward to seeing in the volumes.

 Overall I do feel that this pair of books and the two previous titles are worth getting, they give not only a brief insight into the Divisions concerned but they also give the reader ideas for further reading into the campaigns and battles each of the divisions took part in.

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