Weapons of the Waffen SS From Small Arms to Tanks

The story of the development and tactical use of the vast range of weaponry employed by the elite soldiers of the Waffen-SS is a fascinating one. When first formed, the SS was regarded with suspicion and hostility by the German Army, and its leaders had to fight to acquire even second rate vehicles and guns which the Army did not want, many of them obsolescent. As the fighting prowess of the Waffen SS became evident, in Poland, France, the Balkans and the early drive into Russia, Hitler insisted they should receive only the best, and by 1943 their premier formations were being issued with new tanks even before the Army in some instances.

The first part of the book is devoted to small arms,knives, daggers, bayonets, swords and hand guns (including a unique pistol disguised as a belt buckle). Then there are chapters on infantry weapons, rifles, carbines, submachine-guns, assault rifles, machine-guns, grenades and mortars; on support weapons field, anti-tank, anti-aircraft and heavy artillery; on armoured cars; and finally on tanks and self-propelled guns. In addition to details of the manufacturers and technical specifications, there are descriptions of actual weapons' use on the battlefield and an evaluation of how they compared with those of Germany's enemies.
Written with the assistance of militaria collectors as well as museums in Britain and Germany, this comprehensive, fully illustrated study will be of immense value to other collectors as well as military historians.

Bruce Quarrie
Hardcover with d/w Guild Publishing 167 Pages 1988

Fine/Vg+

Book Code:  SA0118