Mark Yerger is putting the final touches on volume 7 of Bender Publication's German Cross series, which is "Wiking" pt 1. This series is unique, primarily because of the tremendous amount of information presented and the large numbers of one of a kind, unpublished pictures from Yerger's enormous collection of pics. In many cases they were provided to him by Waffen SS vets themselves or their families. This book has more than 250 great quality photos, many from multiple stages of the soldier’s career.
One reason that he was able to amass so many pictures from the families, or the veterans, was that they could trust Yerger to fairly present the facts and the facts are here.
Characteristically, each volume has exceeded the last in the amount of detail, clarity and number of pictures, as well as voluminous footnotes and volume 7 is no exception. I have read much of the 434 pages of text and as always, Yerger provides detailed studies of each man’s career and personal history gleaned from years of interviews and conversations with Waffen SS vets as well as primary source information collected during decades of research and intense, back breaking study of tens of thousands of documents. The result is a book that provides the maximum amount information from all of the available research about the GC winners of "Wiking". Mark provides more information in a footnote or picture caption than many books give in a chapter. If you are familiar with the earlier volumes, you will know that this is not an exaggeration. The amount of detail is amazing, and will not be exceeded by anyone. If the information exists, Mark has it. You will learn all there is to know about GC winners of the division, many of whom you may have never have heard much about before.
The section describing the history of the organization of the division’s combat units is extremely interesting if for no other reason than learning how the regiments of battalions evolved or changed during the war. In some instances, the progression of name changes, which were often frequent, is welcome as it eliminates confusion about regiment or division titles.
Chapters devoted to the various division commanders and the officers who were divisional 1a are also valuable.
The descriptions of the battles in which the men won the German Cross, taken primarily from their award documentations, are fascinating all by themselves and are worth the price of the book. I have often been amazed that these men survived even one such engagement, much less several and managed to live long enough to receive the award, and of course, some didn’t. Like all German officers, “Wiking” small unit commanders were expected lead from the front and they did, with great leadership and courage.
In short, if you are a fan of the GC series you must have this book and the forthcoming volume 8 (“Totenkopf”) is, I believe, Mark’s masterpiece. It is in the final stages of review and having read major sections of this work, I can tell you that it will never be bettered. The book will be longer and as hard to believe as it may be, more detailed than the previous volumes. I have read major sections of this book and can assure you that the amount of information is amazing.
The study of “Totenkopf’s” GC winners is particularly important because of the incorrect associations of the division with elements of the Holocaust. Although it is not his primary purpose, Mark does provide study of the history of the division and its GC winners in relation to events of the Holocaust that provide a more enlightened study of the facts.
Unlike the other Waffen SS Panzer divisions and the Heer divisions, “Totenkopf” was not withdrawn from the Eastern Front for rebuilding several times during the course of the war. This is evident when reading the descriptions of the “Totenkopf” soldiers who were awarded the German Cross in Gold. A significant proportion did not survive the war.
These two volumes are must have books for anyone who studies the Waffen SS or WW II. They are unique in their collection of rare, unpublished pictures, many of amazing quality, and the page after page of exhaustive detail provided by the author from his many years of intensive study.
George Nipe
One reason that he was able to amass so many pictures from the families, or the veterans, was that they could trust Yerger to fairly present the facts and the facts are here.
Characteristically, each volume has exceeded the last in the amount of detail, clarity and number of pictures, as well as voluminous footnotes and volume 7 is no exception. I have read much of the 434 pages of text and as always, Yerger provides detailed studies of each man’s career and personal history gleaned from years of interviews and conversations with Waffen SS vets as well as primary source information collected during decades of research and intense, back breaking study of tens of thousands of documents. The result is a book that provides the maximum amount information from all of the available research about the GC winners of "Wiking". Mark provides more information in a footnote or picture caption than many books give in a chapter. If you are familiar with the earlier volumes, you will know that this is not an exaggeration. The amount of detail is amazing, and will not be exceeded by anyone. If the information exists, Mark has it. You will learn all there is to know about GC winners of the division, many of whom you may have never have heard much about before.
The section describing the history of the organization of the division’s combat units is extremely interesting if for no other reason than learning how the regiments of battalions evolved or changed during the war. In some instances, the progression of name changes, which were often frequent, is welcome as it eliminates confusion about regiment or division titles.
Chapters devoted to the various division commanders and the officers who were divisional 1a are also valuable.
The descriptions of the battles in which the men won the German Cross, taken primarily from their award documentations, are fascinating all by themselves and are worth the price of the book. I have often been amazed that these men survived even one such engagement, much less several and managed to live long enough to receive the award, and of course, some didn’t. Like all German officers, “Wiking” small unit commanders were expected lead from the front and they did, with great leadership and courage.
In short, if you are a fan of the GC series you must have this book and the forthcoming volume 8 (“Totenkopf”) is, I believe, Mark’s masterpiece. It is in the final stages of review and having read major sections of this work, I can tell you that it will never be bettered. The book will be longer and as hard to believe as it may be, more detailed than the previous volumes. I have read major sections of this book and can assure you that the amount of information is amazing.
The study of “Totenkopf’s” GC winners is particularly important because of the incorrect associations of the division with elements of the Holocaust. Although it is not his primary purpose, Mark does provide study of the history of the division and its GC winners in relation to events of the Holocaust that provide a more enlightened study of the facts.
Unlike the other Waffen SS Panzer divisions and the Heer divisions, “Totenkopf” was not withdrawn from the Eastern Front for rebuilding several times during the course of the war. This is evident when reading the descriptions of the “Totenkopf” soldiers who were awarded the German Cross in Gold. A significant proportion did not survive the war.
These two volumes are must have books for anyone who studies the Waffen SS or WW II. They are unique in their collection of rare, unpublished pictures, many of amazing quality, and the page after page of exhaustive detail provided by the author from his many years of intensive study.
George Nipe
Comment