The Waffen-SS (Men at Arms Series, 34)

Rating:
Summary: Older title now replace
Review: This Revised Edition is actually a completely different version of the original edition, and included many improvements. However, Mr. Brown errs when he says the research is flawless. One example is the lack of mention of the actual rank title for "der Spiess" - in the Army, he was called "Hauptfeldwebel", in the SS "Stabsscharf?hrer" - but Windrow misidentifies this appointment title.

Organization of info seems poor - waffenfarbe regulations were complex and could have been more easily detailed in a chart or table.

Nonetheless basic information is quite good - but since MAA is replacing this title as well with a multi-part look at the divisions, this review may well be moot.

Good table of ranks with nice drawings of the rank insignia - collar, shoulder AND special green/black camo rank badges. Nice touch. Nice divisional thumbnail sketches also including special insignia, commanders names, dates of employment, and fate. Nice mix of photos also, from soldiers in the field to "celebrity" commanders.

Colour plates by Burn very nice also.

Rating:
Summary: The Waffen-SS, the Way they Were
Review: Windrow's book is a highly accurate account of the Waffen SS in WWII. He covers uniforms, with color plates, as well as international members uniforms of these special troops. Windrow goes in to great detail with such items as shoulder tabs, unit markings and describes the SS's weapons. Most of the book is in black and white, but the research is flawless.
This text is a good one for military buffs interested in the German military.