This section provides a brief introduction to some of the outstanding books available on the 2nd SS Panzer Division "Das Reich" and the Waffen-SS. I will be adding books to this list on a regular basis so please check back often. These titles are available from JJ Fedorowicz Publishers or the individual authors. If there are any titles which you feel should be added to this list, please email the webmaster and I will add them.
 

German Cross in Gold - Holders of the SS and Police - Volumes 1 and 2 - Mark C. Yerger.  This 2-volume series focuses on the German Cross in Gold Winners of the 2.SS Panzer Division "Das Reich".  Full biographies include promotions, decorations, appointments, and posts with in-depth tangent data. Especially significant are the combat narratives that resulted in the award. Numerous holders of the decoration contributed photos and documents for this lavishly illustrated volume, essential for the historian and SS collector alike. Appendixes examine the Order of Battle development of the armor contingents, a new divisional Order of Battle to platoon level, and element commanders.

Hot Motors, Cold Feet by Helmut G�nther. Approximately 300 pages with two maps and around 100 photographs. A truly great first-person account by Helmut G�nther of his experiences as a motorcycle dispatch rider in the headquarters of SS-Kradsch�tzen-Bataillon "Reich" in the Balkans and during the first year of Barbarossa. Herr G�nther has also provided us with some 100 photos for use in the book. The book reads like fiction and is hard to put down. We don't usually wax so enthusiastically about out titles, but this one is that good. We will follow up this title with the continued exploits of G�nther as a platoon leader in the recon battalion of the 17. SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Division "G�tz von Berlichingen" in Normandy and beyond.

Breakout at Normandy, The 2nd Armored Division in the Land of the Dead - Mark Bando
Great first-hand accounts of the brutal fighting to break out at Normandy on the part of the US 2nd Armored Division, including actions against Das Reich. Very interesting and definitive account of the demise of SS Panzer ace and Commanding Officer of Das Reich Christian Tychsen, who was ambushed and killed by members of the 2AD. Most of the period photos come from private sources and are very interesting.

 

Armor Battles of the Waffen SS 1943-45 - Will Fey
An outstanding book which provides a first hand account of the major (and minor) armor battles fought by the Waffen SS. Featuring over 400 photos and maps, Will Fey has provided and outstanding narrative history. Unfortunately this book is now out of print and copies are hard to find.

 

German World War II Organizational Series - Leo W. G. Niehorster  Exhaustive series of tables of organization and equipment for the German Army and Waffen-SS at various stages of the war. Each volume is a treasure trove of German military abbreviations, unit and organizational symbols, orders of battle and individual organizational tables of organization and equipment. We carry all of the currently published volumes of the series which, when completely published, will probably provide the definitive guide to the organizationof the German Army and the Waffen-SS during the war.


Decision in the Ukraine - George M. Nipe, Jr
For the first time in English, the full story of the crucial battles on the Mius River by the 6. Armee and the successful counterattack spearheaded by the II SS-Panzer-Korps, consisting of "Das Reich" and "Totenkopf". Also covered in detail are the offensives after Kursk. The author uses many primary sources and conveys the action in vivid detail.
 

Last Victory in Russia: The SS-Panzer-Korps and Manstein�s Kharkov Counteroffensive, February-March 1943 George M. Nipe, Jr.  A fantastic examination of the battle of Kharkov. Not too many �action� shots, but well illustrated with images of all the major commanders and many small-unit leaders. Nipe has provided one of the best accounts of this crucial battle in 1943. A must read.
 

Soldiers of the Waffen-SS - Marc Rikmenspoel
Extensive photo coverage, with detailed captions, of the Waffen SS, from the common soldier in the field to well-known personalities. Includes many photos of foreign volunteers and also features many pictures of armor and equipment. Most of the photos are either previously unpublished, rare or captioned correctly for the first time. A carefully researched book which will become a classic on the Waffen SS.

 

Das Reich, 5 Volumes - Otto Weidinger
Divisional History of the 2nd SS Panzer Division "Das Reich". This is the most extensive study of Das Reich from 1934-1945, covering everying engagement in which DR participated. Only the first two volumes have been translated into English. Weidinger draws upon official sources as well as first hand accounts. I must have for Das Reich historians and enthusiasts.
 

Freineux and Lamormenil�The Ardennes - George Winter
This book describes actions of elements of 2. SS-Panzer-Division "Das Reich" and "Task Force Kane" of the 3rd (US) Armored Division during the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944. The author has meticulously researched various small-unit actions unusually overlooked in the campaign histories. An excellent account of Das Reich's activity during the Battle of the Bulge.

 

Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS - Mark C. Yerger Covers Higher SS and Police Leaders, SS and Police Leaders, Main Districts, Districts and Regiments, both the commands and the individuals who held the posts. Also chiefs of staff for Main Districts and Districts.

 

Images of the Waffen-SS, A Photo Chronicle of Germany's Elite Troops - Mark C. Yerger (large 9 x 12 format, 320 large sharp photos from my collection of SS vehicles, flags, the officer schools, personalities,etc). An excellent photo study of the Waffen SS, featuring many, never-before published images from Yerger's private collection.
 

Ernst August Krag - Mark C. Yerger
The authorized biography of "Das Reich" Knight's Cross with Oakleaves and German Cross in Gold holder Ernst August Krag. Krag led the assault gun detachment and reconnaissance detachment of Das Reich, and was one of the most decorated soldiers in the 2nd SS Panzer Division. The book features a foreword by former Divisional Commander Otto Baum.

 

Riding East, The SS Cavalry Brigade in Poland and Russia 1939-1942 - Mark C. Yerger. Covers from Totenkopf-Reiterstandarte formation in 1939 to dissoloving of the Brigade after the Rshew battles, bios of commanders, full development explanation, orders of battle, maps and full details of all combat action including Pripet Marsches, Rshew and Battle Group "Zehender, 1st book on the unit and very complete, done from previously unavailable document sources in Europe)

 

Knights of Steel, The Structure, Development and Personalities of the 2.SS-Panzer-Division "Das Reich," volume 1 and 2 - Mark C. Yerger  Covers the Assault Gun Detachment, Engineer Battalion, Regiment "Langmarck"/Motorcycle Battalion, and Battle Group "Das Reich." Orders of Battle, Tiger tank photo addendum and additions to volume 1. Foreword by Otto Baum. Covers unit composition, formation, development. Complete biographies for each unit commander, Knight's Cross holder and all German Cross holders with more data for each than previously available anywhere (nobody has examined the German Cross holders). Includes reports of the combats resulting in the awards, 95%+ new info and new photos.

Waffen-SS Commanders, The Army Corps and Divisional Leaders of a Legend, volume 1, Augsberger - Kreutz - Mark C. Yerger.  The first 44 senior commanders, complete biographies, more documented detail than previously done in English or German. 395 photos, 33 documents, 1 map, complete 1943 divisional Feldpost List, glossary,indexed, large format.
 

Waffen-SS Commanders: The Army, Corps and Divisional Leaders of a Legend, volume 2: Kruger to Zimmermann - Mark C. Yerger