This is the complete history of one of the most famous and well-known divisions of the Waffen-SS. Created as a mountain unit to be employed exclusively on the Balkan Front against partisan units; the unit fought with valor and fierceness on the battlefield. After numerous anti-guerrilla operations in Bosnia; Croatia; Montenegro; and Serbia; towards the end of the war it was employed against units of the Bulgarian Army and Red Army forces in the difficult mission of covering the withdrawal of German forces retreating from Greece and Albania. It was one of the few Waffen-SS formations to be used in offensive actions during the final phases of the war; all of which were carried out successfully. Accused of having committed numerous crimes against civilians; its members met with a tragic fate; especially those who ended up in the hands of communist partisans.
#3843554 in Books Schiffer Publishing; Ltd. 2011-03-10Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.10 x 1.30 x 11.80l; #File Name: 0764337688224 pages
Review
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. A photographic treasureBy Jack IngramThis is a beautiful book and for me it is well worth the purchase price. It is a wonderful time capsule of the various uniforms and dress styles of the era as well as a poignant look at happy and contented people most of whom had unknown horrors ahead of them. It puts a truly human face on the German side of the war and those caught up in it. While some of the subjects were undoubtedly in favor of Hitler's insane war; surely others were simply caught up in it. As I looked at the photgraphs I could not help but to think about the fate of some of the lovely young women at wars end and wonder how many of them and their loved ones survived. General William T. Sherman said "War is Hell" and most if not all of these people were facing that hell right around the corner. I would like to see similar volumes published on the other nations caught up in World War Two.5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. THOSE THEY LEFT BEHIND: WORLD WAR II PHOTOGRAPHS OF GERMAN SOLDIERS WITH THEIR WIVES; FAMILIES; AND SWEETHEARTSBy Robert A. LynnTHOSE THEY LEFT BEHIND: WORLD WAR II PHOTOGRAPHS OF GERMAN SOLDIERS WITH THEIR WIVES; FAMILIES; AND SWEETHEARTS-KRIEGSMARINE; HEER; LUFTWAFFE; NSDAP; SS; POLIZEI; SA; HJ; NSDAP; REICHSFORESTDIENST; ZOLLBEAMTEN; NSFK; RAD; FELDHERRNHALLEFRANK HOLFORD AND BRANISLAV RADOVICSCHIFFER PUBLISHING; 2011HARDCOVER; $59.99; 224 PAGES; PHOTOGRAPHS"It is well that war is so terrible-otherwise we would grow too fond of it" wrote General Robert E. Lee after witnessing the carnage visited upon the Union forces after the Battle of Fredericksburg in December; 1862. While that statement applies to all veterans of every nation that has engaged in wars since the dawn of time; a new book entitled THOSE THEY LEFT BEHIND...WORLD WAR II PHOTOGRAPHS OF GERMAN SOLDIERS WITH THEIR WIVES; FAMILIES; AND SWEETHEARTS is just one example of putting a human face on the cost of war. The reader will find that the German military uniform worn during 1933 to 1945 is vast and in many ways reflects the wider military heritage and traditions of that nation and its armed forces. Indeed; there are many specialized and highly detailed references that already deal in considerable detail with every aspect of the uniforms and equipment of the German fighting man during the Nazi-era. But within this well researched and timely book; one won't find the usual photographs taken in the many theaters of war but studio portraits; specifically wedding photographs. These photographs are what sustained these men while they were fighting sometimes thousands of miles away. The reader will see the other side of the soldier-his hopes; dreams; fears; and joys not just the uniforms; weapons; and equipment; that is often seen in other works of this type. The German soldier was a disciplined warrior who shared deep emotional bonds with his home community. Included in this book are chapters on Documents; the Kriegsmarine; Heer; Luftwaffe; and SS and Polizei to name just a few. While this book isn't the traditional combat photographs; it still offers a small glimpse of both family and the social side of military service in the Third Reich. An excellant and much needed reference book on a much overlooked topic.Lt. Colonel Robert A. Lynn; Florida GuardOrlando; Florida3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Well done.By TherightisrightOutstanding photos!!!
