The Waffen-SS
Ideology, Organization and Function
Published on 4. January 1990
Book
Hardback
356 pages
978-0-631-14073-3 (ISBN)
Description
This book sets out to provide a comprehensive study of the military wing of the SS, one of the central organizations of the Nazi state, from its inception to Germany's capitulation. Based upon extensive research, it attempts to provide a full picture of this controversial organization. The author begins his account with a consideration of the political background against which the formation of the Waffen-SS is intelligible. He examines all aspects of the Waffen-SS, its organizational structure, recruitment and training, its ideology and its social ocmposition. The crucial issue of the Waffen-SS's precise political and military role in furthering the aims of the Third Reich is the central theme of this fascinating portrayal of Hitler's political soldiers.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Publishing group
John Wiley and Sons Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
footnotes
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Weight
773 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-631-14073-3 (9780631140733)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Content
Part I Ideology: background - revolutionizing the conservative Weltanschaung; the concept of "Orden" in the SS; historical models and self-image; enemy stereotypes. Part 2 Organization: the beginnings (1933-1934); at dagger's edge with the Wehrmacht; the expansion of the SS militarized formations (1935-1938); the decree of 17 August 1938 and its consequences; the formation of the Waffen-SS. Part 3 Training and indoctrination: selection methods and career models; the Junker Cadet Schools; problems of military and mental standardization; organization of ideological indoctrination. Part 4 Social Composition: level of development and internal structure of the Officer Corps by mid-1944; social origins and professional careers; political aspects of career attitudes. Part 5 Expansion; elite of mass army - the structural crisis of the Waffen-SS. Future opportunities provided by expansion.