Mark Yerger has proven himself to be probably the most prolific and most importantly the best published researcher/historian on personalities and units of the SS. This is exemplified by his bios on Weidinger, Kumm, Krag; unit & commander histories such as "Knights of Steel", "Riding East", "Allgemeine SS" and most recently his outstanding series on the German Cross in Gold holders of the SS. All are excellent and if I had to name favourites it would be "Knights of Steel" and his very most recent published volume on the Wiking German Cross holders.
I have never met Mark nor have I ever been able to provide good primary information for his ongoing research. However I enjoy being able to provide him subjective reader feedback once I purchase his book(s). This has been going on for years now and Mark very generously provides me drafts of his research before it has been published. A few weeks ago I received a draft of his latest work. This research is based on the SS-Totenkopf division and is based on the format of his SS German Cross in Gold series. After reading and re-reading the draft on-line I must admit this is Mark's masterpiece. To title the work something like "German Cross in Gold Holders of the Totenkopf Division" would not do it justice because it is so much more than that. Mark covers the structure and development of the Totenkopfverbände and Totenkopfstandarten, Then provides a combat history and details of the combat elements, the divisional commanders, the staff officers and a very detailed history of the German Cross in Gold awardees. In addition there is a list of those who were awarded the Single-Handed Tank Destruction badge and there is also an excellent glossary.
The Totenkopf Division is a controversial division for obvious reasons. Titles such as "Soldiers of Destruction", "Curse of the Deaths Head", "Soldaten, Kämpfer, Kameraden", "Like a Cliff in the Ocean"; mentioned in the memoirs of Khrushchev, mentioned in Mansteins memoirs as the best SS division, rightly or wrongly mentioned in the murky world of the KL system speaks for itself. However Mark's research lets the facts speak for themselves and the facts/ primary information he has collated, researched and now prepared to share once hopefully soon published is second to none. It should find a large audience of readers. It will be a very most important addition to the history of the SS and should generate further detailed research on the Totenkopf units from the very beginning of the Third Reich to it's final end. This is currently still sadly lacking and Mark is filling a very large gap.
To conclude, although I consider this to be Mark's masterpiece (for want of a better word) it is important to note that the draft I read does not contain many unpublished good quality pictures Mark has obtained. I know that Mark personally does not consider photos all that important but he does understand that people like me love good quality pictures in his books. And I know he won't let us down in this regard.
Mark, if you happen to read this post are you able to provide any further update on your draft research on the Totenkopf?
Regards,
Peter.
I have never met Mark nor have I ever been able to provide good primary information for his ongoing research. However I enjoy being able to provide him subjective reader feedback once I purchase his book(s). This has been going on for years now and Mark very generously provides me drafts of his research before it has been published. A few weeks ago I received a draft of his latest work. This research is based on the SS-Totenkopf division and is based on the format of his SS German Cross in Gold series. After reading and re-reading the draft on-line I must admit this is Mark's masterpiece. To title the work something like "German Cross in Gold Holders of the Totenkopf Division" would not do it justice because it is so much more than that. Mark covers the structure and development of the Totenkopfverbände and Totenkopfstandarten, Then provides a combat history and details of the combat elements, the divisional commanders, the staff officers and a very detailed history of the German Cross in Gold awardees. In addition there is a list of those who were awarded the Single-Handed Tank Destruction badge and there is also an excellent glossary.
The Totenkopf Division is a controversial division for obvious reasons. Titles such as "Soldiers of Destruction", "Curse of the Deaths Head", "Soldaten, Kämpfer, Kameraden", "Like a Cliff in the Ocean"; mentioned in the memoirs of Khrushchev, mentioned in Mansteins memoirs as the best SS division, rightly or wrongly mentioned in the murky world of the KL system speaks for itself. However Mark's research lets the facts speak for themselves and the facts/ primary information he has collated, researched and now prepared to share once hopefully soon published is second to none. It should find a large audience of readers. It will be a very most important addition to the history of the SS and should generate further detailed research on the Totenkopf units from the very beginning of the Third Reich to it's final end. This is currently still sadly lacking and Mark is filling a very large gap.
To conclude, although I consider this to be Mark's masterpiece (for want of a better word) it is important to note that the draft I read does not contain many unpublished good quality pictures Mark has obtained. I know that Mark personally does not consider photos all that important but he does understand that people like me love good quality pictures in his books. And I know he won't let us down in this regard.
Mark, if you happen to read this post are you able to provide any further update on your draft research on the Totenkopf?
Regards,
Peter.
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