1.SS-Panzer Division "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler "

1.SS-Panzer-Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler (LSSAH or LAH) was formed 17 Mar 1933 as SS-Stabswache Berlin by Josef "Sepp" Dietrich, Hitler's bodyguard, on the order of Adolf Hitler who wanted a full-time armed force that was completely loyal to him. Dietrich handpicked 120 men (some of whom had served in the Stosstrupp Adolf Hitler that was formed in 1921) who were barracked at the Alexander Barracks in Berlin and later at Berlin-Lichterfelde.

It was soon redesignated SS-Sonderkommando Zossen and a new unit, SS-Sonderkommando Jüterbog, was raised. These units merged Sep 1933 as was designated SS-Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler (LAH). The members of LAH took an oath of loyalt to Hitler 9 Nov 1933 (the 10th anniversary of the failed Beer Hall Putsch). It was redesignated Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler (LSSAH) in 1934.

It took part in the purge of Ernst Röhm and other enemies of Hitler (mainly leaders of the SA) during the Night of Long Knifes.

It was attached to Heeresgruppe Süd during the invasion of Poland and later took part in the invasion of France and the Low Countries were it was mainly held in reserve though it was used against the retreating british troops at Dunkirk. LSSAH was attached to XIV Armeekorps during the second and final phase of the invasion of France.

Following the armistice the LSSAH was to rest and be upgraded to a brigade while training amphibious warfare for the planned invasion of Britain (Unternehmen Seelöwe). This invasion was cancelled and LSSAH was transferred to Romania for the invasion of the Balkans. It fought its way through Yugoslavia and Greeve chasing the allied troops to Kalamata, from where they were evacuated by sea to Crete.

LSSAH took part in Unternehmen Barbarossa (the invasion of the Soviet Union) attached to Heeresgruppe Süd and saw action at Kiev and Rostov. It was transferred to France for refitting 1942 and was upgraded to a Panzergrenadier-DIvision. It returned to the Eastern front 1943 and fought at Kharkov and Kursk. After the failure at Kursk, LSSAH was sent to Italy on anti-partisan duty but it soon was sent back to the Eastern front this time as a Panzer-Division. LSSAH was one of the divisions encircled near Kamenets-Podolsk and though it was saved by SS Panzer Division Frundsberg and SS Panzer Division Hohenstaufen it suffered heavy losses and was sent to France for rest and refitting.

It fought in Normandy following the allied invasion and saw action at Caen, Falaise and Aachen as it was pressed back towards Germany. It took part in the offensive in the Ardennes attached to I SS Panzerkorps. After the failure of that offensive LSSAH was once again sent to the Eastern front to take part in the offensive to break the siege of Budapest (Unternehmen Margarethe). Following that failed offensive it was transferred to Austria were it surrendered to the american troops at the end of the war.

Formed Oct 1939 from the Deutschland, Germania and Der Führer regiments. It took part in the campaign in the west 1940 and after spending some time guarding the border with Vichy France it was transferred to the Netherlands. It took part in the campaign in the Balkans where a small detachment led by SS-Hauptsturmführer Klingenberg managed to get the mayor of Belgrade to surrender the city without a fight.

Das Reich took part in the invasion of the USSR and fought on the frontlines until Aug when it was withdrawn from refitting. It was sent back to the front Sep and a few months later it took part in the failed offensive against Moscow. It was transferred to France Mar 1942, with the exeption of a small kampfgruppe, where it was upgraded to a panzergrenadier division. It was sent back to the Eastern front in Jan 1943 where it took part in the capture and recapture of Kharkov as well as fighting at Kursk.

Das Reich was transferred back to France, this time to be upgraded to a panzer division, and was sent to Normany when the allies invaded.

On their way to Normandy elements of the division killed 642 men, women and children at Oradour sur Glane in reprisal of a resistance attack. It took part in the heavy flighting in Normandy before retreating into Germany. It later took part in the fightin in the Ardennes, Hungary and Austria.

Before surrendering to the US Army, elements of Das Reich helped large numbers of civilians in Prague escape the Red Army.
 

Formed Oct 1939 from concentration camp guards with the addition of officers from the SS-Verfügungstruppe (SS-VT) and men from SS-Heimwehr Danzig.

It was initially held in reserve during the campaign in the west, but was soon sent to the front in Belgium. They suffered heavy losses compared to other units but managed to keep up the advance. At Le Paradis 4th company of the 2nd regiment, commanded by SS-Obersturmführer Fritz Knöchlein, machine-gunned Brithish POW's.
It later fought in France seeing its only real action against colonial troops at Tarare.

It took part in the invasion of the USSR attached to Heeresgruppe Nord and advanced through the Baltic states and towards Leningrad. It remained in the Leningrad area until the Soviet counteroffensive pushed the Germans back and it was encirclede at Demyansk Jan to Mar 1942 when it broke out. It remained on the front until it was transferred to France Oct 1944 where it regrouped. It was sent back to the Eastern front where it fought at Kursk and Kharkov. It was sent to Hungary Dec 1944 where it took part in the failed attempt to relieve Budapest.

It surrendered to US forces in Austria, but was promtly turned over to the Soviets and few survived.
 

Formed Dec 1940 around the Germania regiment from the SS-Division Verfügungstruppe (later renamed Das Reich).

It took part in the invasion of the USSR attached to Heeresgruppe Süd and during the advance took part in severa encirclements of Soviet troops before reaching Rostov Nov 1941. During the winter it was pressed back by the Soviet advances to in the spring it once again went on the offensvice, this time towards the Caucasus. It was however soon forced to retreat to avoid being cut off. It fought at Kursk 1943 and following that failure it retreated and was trapped in the Cherkassy pocket. It managed to break out of that pocket but lost all it's tanks and suffered heavy losses in the process.

It withdrew to Cholm to be reformed, its panzerregiment training in France and the two grenadierregiment without heavy weapons and tanks  that remained at the front.
Deployed quickly in the Kowel area and broke its encirclement and so relieving thousands of men and Wiking's CO Obergruppenfuhrer Gille. Send to Poland in July 1944 where it fought at the Vistula. It was sent to Hungary Dec 1944 where it took part in the failed attempt to relieve Budapest. It withdrew through Hungary and Czechoslovakia before surrendering in Austria.

Wiking has not been accused of any warcrimes, but the infamous Joseph Mengele served in the Pionier Battalion (where he also was awarded the Iron Cross) during his time in the Waffen-SS during the early stages of Barbarossa.

The origins of the 12. SS-Panzer-Division Hitlerjugend can be traced back to late 1942 and early 1943. In all probability, the idea to create a "Hitlerjugend" division was first tabled by Gruppenführer Gottlob Berger for Hitler's consideration sometime in January of 1943. His vision called for the drafting of all HJ members who were born in 1926 and assign them to a "Hitlerjugend" combat formation. Hitler liked the proposal and ordered Berger to commence organizing the division. The official order was issued on the 10th of February, 1943. Berger, probably thinking that because the "HJ division" was "his" idea, nominated himself to be the first divisional commander of "Hitlerjugend". Much to everyone's amusement, Himmler politely declined Berger's candidacy a week later. Himmler gave that duty to Oberführer Franz Witt instead; a former HJ member.

In April of 1943, Hitler signed off on a number of additional decrees relating to the formation of the "Hitlerjugend" Panzer Grenadier Division; though it need be noted that Joseph Goebbels has serious reservations about the whole undertaking. One of Hitler's provisions called for the German Reichsarbeitsdienst (RAD) to release a number of HJ members for immediate transfer to the new embryonic HJ Panzer Grenadier Division. A number of pre-requisites however had to be met before a final transfer to the HJ division was officially approved:

* a minimum height of 170cm/5ft.7in. was required for HJ Division infantrymen;

* a minimum height of 168cm/5ft.6in. was required for HJ Division armor, FLAK, etc.,
   troops;

* and all recruits would undergo an initial six week, pre-basic WEL training camp.

On May 1st, 1943, the first group of 8.000 HJ volunteers reported to the WEL camps. Of note is that of the 8.000 HJ boys, 6.000 were sent to the WEL camps and 2.000 were directed to attend advanced or special military training camps. Because the planning officials were not able to adhere to their desired six week training classes (and probably because they were under great pressures to expedite the training and subsequent combat availability of the new HJ division), they shortened the training time by two weeks. On July 1st, 1943, the graduating class of 8.000 HJ trainees were released for service in the HJ division. That same day, a second group of 8,000 HJ boys was ready to enter the above training regiment. By the 1st of September 1943, 16,000 trained HJ recruits were listed on the rosters of the newly formed "Hitlerjugend" division.

Per an order dated June 24th, 1943, it was initially decided that the SS "Hitlerjugend" division would be formed as the 12th SS Panzer Grenadier Division "Hitlerjugend". However, an order dated October 30th, 1943, amended that by calling for the HJ Panzer Grenadier Division to be re-organized into a full SS Panzer Division.

1943 was a very critical year for Germany and for the German war effort. This was when Germany had experienced a number of colossal military (manpower) disasters, which could no longer be ignored. In January of 1943, the German 6th Army surrendered at Stalingrad and Germany lost a large number of men in that campaign. That same month, U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt and Britain's Winston Churchill, at the Casablanca conference, declared that the Allies would only accept Germany's (and Italy's and Japan's) unconditional surrender. This had a very galvanizing affect on Germany and the NSDAP - they now believed that they had to win the war no matter what! In May of 1943, the last units of the vaunted Afrika Korps left Africa for good. In July of 1943, the German Army lost its bid for victory at the battle of Kursk and the human losses there were large as well. Italy was ready to surrender. The Allied forces had invaded Sicily and were getting ready to march up the boot of Italy. As a result of these events, new divisions were needed on all of Germany's fronts. Existing and surviving divisions needed replacements - where was the required manpower to come from?

Shortly after Josef Göbbels gave his "Totaler Krieg" speech in Berlin in February of 1943 (as a counter to President Rooselvelt's Casablanca "unconditional surrender" declaration), Germany initiated a new recruitment effort for its military. This recruitment effort was directed against a pool of soldiers, which had so far been left relatively intact - the Hitlerjugend. This was a large source of combat-able individuals who were physically very fit and who were very dedicated to the cause of Nationalist Socialism. They would be obedient to the end. They would blindly give their lives for their beloved Führer, Adolf Hitler.

All of these factors, from the initial concept to create a HJ division to Germany's belated recognition of the fact that it would need additional troops in large numbers, contributed to the expeditious organization and training of the HJ division. On paper, Germany would now be able to factor in one more combat division into its front-line equations by the fall of 1943. Thus, as rapidly as permissible under the existing wartime conditions, the new HJ Panzer Grenadier troopers were assembled at an SS training facility located in Beverloo, Belgium.

That said; it is one thing to place young and inexperienced 17- or 18-year old teenagers into a tank or give them a Grenadiers uniform and then send them towards the enemy at the front lines. It is quite another thing to provide them with the adequate combat and technical skills necessary for them to complete their assigned missions if they are to have any chance of success.

To ensure for the greatest chance of combat success, that is, to attain an adequate mix of seasoned military veterans to young HJ recruits, a number of SS veterans, mostly from the eastern front, were attached to the new HJ SS Panzer Grenadier Division. A very large percentage of these experienced individuals came from the 1st SS Panzer Division, the "Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler" (LSSAH). This is why many HJ SS Panzer Grenadier members often carried "LSSAH cuff titles" on their uniforms in the early period. A smaller percentage of Wehrmacht officers, who also had previously been HJ leaders, were transferred to the new HJ SS Panzer Grenadier Division as well. Many of the lower level control and command positions within the HJ SS Panzer Grenadier Division were given to HJ members who had received exceptionally high marks in leadership and military training skills during their days in the HJ before and right after the start of the war.

The first divisional commander was SS Oberführer Fritz Witt, who, when he received this command, was quite young to command a division at only 34 years of age. It is interesting to note that during their "shake down" training period in Beverloo, Belgium, many of the regularly expected training rules and regulations were tossed aside for the new SS troopers. The battle hardened eastern front SS and Wehrmacht veterans taught the new HJ SS Panzer Grenadiers all they could with the allotted time using realistic combat scenarios amalgamated with many live-fire training exercises. Formality and drill practices were replaced by practical combat lessons. As a result, morale was at very high levels in the entire division throughout their time in Belgium.

After their training period had been completed, during the spring of 1943, they were deemed ready for release to the western front. Shortly before June 6th, 1944, the HJ SS Panzer Grenadier Division was moved from its training camp in Beverloo to the town of Hasselt, also in Belgium. This is where the HJ SS Panzer Division was held as a reserve unit to help check the anticipated Allied invasion.

On the morning of June 6th, 1944, the Allied powers landed on the coast of Normandy. The western front now officially existed. As can be imagined, great confusions existed in both the Allied and German military commands. At 1430 hours, June 6th, 1944, the HJ SS Panzer Grenadier Division was ordered to proceed to Caen. This was in close proximity to the British and Canadian landing sites of "Juno" and "Sword". But as soon as the HJ SS Panzer Grenadier Division arrived in the area, they came under heavy and relentless Allied air attacks. As a result, the HJ SS Panzer Grenadier Division did not make it to its assigned attack positions until 2200 hours that night.

Although fanatical in their determination and tenacity to fight to the death, it did not take long for the division to suffer horrendous casualties. In their first engagement with the Canadiens, the HJ Division destroyed 28 Canadien tanks while losing only 6 soldiers for their efforts. They fought with a very high degree of determination. However, the odds were against them in the long run. In slightly over one month of combat, the HJ SS Panzer Grenadier Division had lost over 60 per cent of its forces due to combat actions. 20 per cent were killed and the rest of the 40 per cent were either wounded or MIA. The divisional commander, Fritz Witt, was killed when British naval fire hit his regional command center. The new divisional commander became Kurt "Panzermeyer" Meyer. At that time, he became the youngest divisional commander in the entire German army - he was only 33 year of age.

After the British and Canadian forces had liberated Caen, the HJ SS Panzer Grenadier Division was one of the 24 German combat divisions, which became encircled in the Falaise pocket. At this time, the HJ SS Panzer Grenadier Division was ordered to hold the German lines on the northern edge of the pocket so that the trapped divisions could escape as best they could. The HJ SS Panzer Grenadier Division escaped being encircled as did about 20,000 other Germans - but over 50.000 other German forces were trapped in the Falaise pocket and surrendered to the Allies.

Although the Normandy campaign survivors of the HJ SS Panzer Grenadier Division fought with just as much determination and dedication as they did a month earlier, in the long run, they were fighting a losing battle. By September of 1944, only 1.500-3.500+ HJ troopers survived in the division. They had lost over 9,000 of their comrades in Normandy and in the Falaise Gap. After the Falaise campaign, the HJ SS Panzer Grenadier Division had also lost nearly all of its armor, much of their equipment and heavy weapons.

In December of 1944, the now re-organized HJ SS Panzer Division participated in the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardenne forest. After that, the HJ SS Panzer Division was sent to Hungary where it was supposed to assist in recapturing Budapest.

On May 8th, approximately 10,000 survivors of the 12th SS Panzer Division surrendered to the American 65th Infantry Division, 7th Army, near Enns in Austria. One surviving tank belonging to the division also surrendered to the Americans that day.

Raised Oct 1943.

Formed when 2. Lettische SS-Freiwilligen-Brigade was upgraded to a division. It fought the Red Army until it ended the war in the Kurland pocket.

Formed from the 3. Estnische SS-Freiwilligen Brigade. It fought on the Eastern front, including the great battle at Narwa 1944 and was later evacuated from Estonia along with the rest of the German forces.

It continued fighting in Silesia and later Czechoslovakia until the end of the war when parts of the surrendered to the western allies.

Was upgraded from Karstwehr-Bataillon 1 Aug 1944 which had been fighting partisans in northern Italy since 1942. It consisted mainly of volunteers from Italy but also of volunteers from Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia and the Ukraine.

It was downgraded to Waffen-Gebirgs-(Karstjäger)Brigade der SS 5 Dec 1944 and upgraded again 10 Feb 1945.

Karstjäger mainly fougth partisans (with considerable success) but in the end of the war it also fought the western allies.

Consisted of Hungarian volunteers. It was still training when the Red Army entered Silesia and it retreated to Bavaria.

Formed in 1944 and consisted of Hungarian and Rumanian volunteers. It was still forming when it war forced to withdraw to Austria apart from a battle group that was sent to Brno in Czechoslovakia.
 

Formed when 5.SS-Freiwilligen-Sturmbrigade Wallonien was upgraded to a division. It consited of mainly Belgian volunteers but also some French and Spanish. It fought on the east front until the end of the war when parts of the unit managed to retreat to Denmark while the rest surrendered to the Soviets.
 

Formed in Sep 1944 when Waffen-Grenadier-Brigade der SS (italienische Nr. 1) was upgraded to a division. It was given the number 29 when Waffen-Grenadier Division der SS (Russische Nr 1) was disbanded but it never close to divisional size.
 

Formed Feb 1945 from Waffen-Grenadier-Brigade der SS (weißruthenische Nr. 1).
It was nowhere near division size and saw no action.

Formed in Oct 1944 from Volksdeutsche (mainly from Slovakia) and parts of the disbanded Kama division. It fought briefly against the soviets but was soon destroyed.

Formed in January 1945 from the remains of other units, staff and pupils from SS schools and various other troops. The division fought on the Oder-front and parts of it participated in the battle of Berlin while some surrendered to the western allies.

Formed from Hungarian volunteers, mostly from remains of Hungarian cavalry units.

It never reached anything close to divisional size and was destroyed in the fighting near Budapest.
 

Formed when SS-Freiwilligen-Grenadier-Brigade Landstorm Nederland was upgraded to a division. Never reached its strenght, but managed around 6,000 men with mostly 2nd rate weapons and equipment.
 

Formed in February 1945 from remnants of the Florian Geyer & Maria Theresa divisions. This "division" never reached the strength of even a regiment and was soon destroyed by the Soviet forces.

Founded in March 1945 from personnel and students from the SS-Junkerschule Bad Tölz. The division fought the american forces in Bavaria before the surrender.

According to some sources the name of this division was supposed to be Junkerschule or Junkerschule Bad Tölz instead of Nibelungen.
 

I. Kosaken-Kavalleriedivision der SS
II. Kosaken-Kavalleriedivision der SS
Osttürkische Waffenverband der SS
Kaukasischer Waffenverbad der SS
Serbisches SS-Freiwilligenkorps
Indische Freiwilligenlegion der SS
British Freecorps (SS)
Waffen Grenadierregiment der SS (Rumanische nr. 1)
Waffen Grenadierregiment der SS (Rumanische nr. 2)
Waffen Grenadierregiment der SS (Bulgarische nr. 1)
Norwegisches SS-Ski-Jäger Bataillon
Begleitbataillon Reichsführer SS
Wachbataillon Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler
SS Freiwilligen Kompanie 101 (Spanische)
SS Freiwilligen Kompanie 102 (Spanische)