Like a Cliff in the Ocean: A History of the 3rd SS-Panzer-Division Totenkopf

This is the one-volume text history of the division that was written by Karl Ullrich, a Knight's Cross recipient and commander in the division. The text is about 50% standard unit history and 50% first-person accounts. Although there are several English-language accounts of the division, this is the first one available from the perspective of the division itself. The book covers the formation of the division in 1939 and its subsequent operations during the war. With the exception of the French Campaign in 1940, the division fought entirely on the Eastern Front and earned a reputation as one of the most capable divisions of the entire Eastern Army, especially on the defense.

 

 This book is the English translation of "Wie ein Fels im Meer" by Karl Ullrich and this version is published by JJ Fedorowicz. As a side note to the curious, the original "Wie ein Fels im Meer" came in two volumes, a photo book with German/English text and the divisional history in German text only. "Like a Cliff in the Ocean" is the English translation of the divisional history. As with all JJ Fedorowicz books, the book is physically of very high quality and is well translated. The book is a detailed but overall general history of the division from its inception in 1939 until its demise in 1945, and the book's strength is that it was written by a man who was there. The author was part of 3. SS Panzer Division "Totenkopf" from the beginning and commanded a combat engineer company and later the combat engineer battalion. He later became commander of 5. SS Panzer Division "Wiking", earning the Knights Cross with Oak Leaves.  Also contained in the text are many personal accounts by various soldiers; and these definitely give a better feeling of what an average soldier in the division experienced. The 127 photos are all very clear and well reproduced. Included throughout are 23 nice b&w maps detailing the where the division fought and an appendix of 27 very detailed colored military maps. Interspersed are numerous photos and the translations of documents pertaining to the division; ranging from corps orders to commanding generals praise, like von Manstein, for the division's combat record. The appendices have some nice tidbits of info too: Knight's Cross and other medal recipients, divisional organizational tables, command/staff positions, etc.  Overall I recommend this book for those interested in the "Totenkopf" division in particular and those with a general interest in the Waffen-SS as well.

Karl Ullrich

Hardcover, large format 327 pages, 27 pages of colour maps and 20 plus black and white maps (most full page), 120+ photos.

Like a Cliff in the Ocean History of the 3rd SS-Panzer-Division Totenkopf

Book Code:  FE0041