Allgemeine-SS: The Commands, Units and Leaders of the General SS (Schiffer Military History)

Another brilliant book by Mark Yerger. Great for students of WWII.

Excellent reference material.

Thank you Mark Yerger I have all your books! Great Research book, great job,please write more,Im thirsty for more and so are the other twenty million people throughout the WORLD that have revered and enjoyed your books!

ALLGEMEINE-SS: THE COMMANDS, UNITS, AND LEADERS OF THE GENERAL SSMARK C. YERGERSCHIFFER PUBLISHING, 1997HARDCOVER, $49.95, 256 PAGES, PHOTOGRAPHS, MAPS, GLOSSARY, BIBLIOGRAPHY, INDEXThe Allgemeine-SS or General SS consisted of those who had tried, and failed, to gain entry into the Leibstndarte, Verfugnungstruppe, or Totenkopfverbande. Others, for what ever personal or domestic reasons, chose to remain with the largely part-time and usually unpaid local units. In any event, while the more visible armed SS combat units naturally received all the publicity, especially during the war, it was the rather faceless Allgemeine-SS which wielded the real power.Its membership included the entire spectrum of the German civil population, from farm laborers to the landed aristocracy and from small shopkeepers to the directors of national corporations. Its academics engaged upon research projects and intelligence-gathering activities which had a great influence on both the domestic and foreign policies of the Third Reich. The government, industry, commerce, education, and particularly the police all came to be dominated by the Allgemeine-SS. Right up until the collapse of the Nazi regime, they retained a firm grip on all aspects of life in the Third Reich.The first and foremost duty of the SS was the protection of Hitler. After the advent of the Leibstandarte, however, those members worked full-time and accompanied Hitler on his trips through the Reich while the Allgemeine-SS, who had originally been recruited on a local basis to protect Hitler, found that aspect of their work taken from them. Consequently, it was decided that as of 1934, the main day-to-day function of these highly disciplined Allgemeine-SS volunteers would be to support the police in maintaining public order.During World War II, members of the Allgemeine-SS who hadn't been called up for military service took an active role in the war effort at home. They were ordered to protect factories, bridges, roads, and other strategic points as well as assisting Civil Defense during air raids. They also assisted the Customs Service and helped with the harvest, supervising foreign laborers, and welfare work. During 1944-1945, cadres of the Allgemeine-SS co-ordinated guerrilla operations against Allied troops.Conditions of service in the SS highlighted the elite nature of the formation. Recruiting was tightly controlled with the majority of men after 1934 coming from the Hitler Youth. Out of every 100 applicants, only 10 to 15 were finally admitted. Promotion was awarded on merit, and a strict SS Legal Code and Discipline Code governed the behavior of every SS member. Ultimately, SS men were answerable only to special SS and Police courts for any crimes or offenses they committed, and were, in effect, put above the normal jurisdiction of the civil courts.ALLGEMEINE-SS: THE COMMANDS, UNITS, AND LEADERS OF THE GENERAL SS is a balanced, authoritative account of the lesser known General SS and its organization and the men who ran it. This well-researched book contains the following chapters:Chapter 1: SS Command And AdministrationChapter 2: Higher SS And Police Leaders & SS And Police LeadersChapter 3: Main DistrictsChapter 4: DistrictsChapter 5: Foot RegimentsChapter 6: Mounted Districts And RegimentsAuthor Mark C. Yerger first describes the administrative bureaucracy in detail that was the source of their power that figured in all aspects of German society. He then profiles the respective office chiefs and their subordinates and their respective offices. Also covered are the unit location changes, popular and honor titles, and other significant biographical data of these men. This biographical information adds much more detail then any previous books on this subject. Coupled with over 120 rare photographs, maps, and a detailed index, ALLGEMEINE-SS: THE COMMANDS, UNITS, AND LEADERS OF THE GENERAL SS offers a comprehensive examination of an organization that had its tentacles in every facet of German life.Lt. Colonel Robert A. Lynn, Florida GuardOrlando, Florida

Fairly interesting with many pictures of some of the infamous people of the SS.

Mark C. Yerger's work is classic. It's a 100% true. I have understood it as soon as has taken this remarkable book in my hands. I don't even speak about the cover and paper quality - because it's brilliant!The every aspect of the Allgemeine-SS is covered (except the uniform, insignia etc.): SS-Oberabschnitte, SS-Abschnitte, SS-Fuss-Standarten, SS-Reiter-Standarten and Specialist Units such as Nachrichten-Sturmbanne, Pionier-Sturmbanne, Kraftfahr-Sturme etc. Commanders and details on their career is also given. The posts of the HSSPF and SSPF are carefully examined. I was struck with beautiful photos in this work, some of them I didn't see before! It's completely a "majestic" book. The Mark Yerger is a prolific researcher and deservers to be called a "El Nino". My best by of the month. Now I hunt for "Riding East".

When thinking of the SS one generally expects a group of uniformed gangsters who operated the machinery of the Death Camps. And indeed there are many such types here. At the same time there are others like August Heismeyer who were school adminstrators (it doesn't mention he was also husband to Nazi Women's Leader Scholtz-Klink).This book provides detail on the mixed bag who were Himmler's lieutenants.An insightful book. Well worth reading.

Another high quaility book by Mark Yerger and Schiffer Military History. Coffee table size and high quailty paper. Very detailed reference guide and history volume.It begins with the "SS Command and Administration" structure of the overblown bureaucracy. The history and hierarchy are discussed in detail. Second, "Higher SS and Police Leaders" (Höhere SS- und Polizeiführer, HSSPF, HSS-PF, HSSuPF) are covered; the positions, and bios of the men who filled the positions. Next, the "Main Districts" and "Districts" (similar but at a lower level as far as areas of land) are covered. The men in the positions are reviewed in bios. The "Foot Regiments" ("Standarten") are then covered along with their history and leaders. Lastly, the SS riding groups and the men who lead them are discussed. There is no better book on the general SS at this time. I do believe that Heydrich and the RSHA (Reichssicherheitshauptamt - Reich Main Security Office) should have been covered in greater detail. Still, I highly recommend this book.

An excellent highly detailed account of the various positions held within the General SS Command structure with a brief explanation of the various 12 Main Offices that had entire responsibility for the SS and Police within the Third Reich.Extremely well researched and documented giving detailed biographies of the different holding posts within the General SS including Higher SS and Police Commanders,Main District Commands,District and Standarten(Regimental) Commands.A great book for the researcher/historian alike.

A superb photo book