Mark Yerger's TOTENKOPF book

[Mark C. Yerger]

Working on captions, etc with volume II I'm afraid readers will have to tolerate large size images with extended data captions as with the first 2 volumes. Design is a matter of taste.

To hold all the information in sequence, keep data types separated, including unit data, award proposals, and biographical information, the only restriction are the sizes and single font Helion uses.

I love the layout and design, but others obviously have the prerogative to design what they create whatever way they see fit.

Mark

[John P. Moore]

I just finished reading all of Vol. I. I really liked this book a lot. I very much appreciate the high level of Mark's research which is quite evident here. After reading the Introduction and looking at the photos the next thing that I read was all of the Endnotes. These were excellent and I hope that no reader overlooks those. I personally knew a number of vets from the "Totenkopf" Division and I know that they would be pleased with how Mark has objectively documented their unit.

[Mark C. Yerger]

I just finished reading all of Vol. I. I really liked this book a lot. I very much appreciate the high level of Mark's research which is quite evident here. After reading the Introduction and looking at the photos the next thing that I read was all of the Endnotes. These were excellent and I hope that no reader overlooks those. I personally knew a number of vets from the "Totenkopf" Division and I know that they would be pleased with how Mark has objectively documented their unit.

Many thanks John

I need the occasional surprise so have asked Kim (Helion's designer) to pick from this pair of photos for the rear cover image of volume 2. Guess I need to pay more attention after forum members noted a release date but honestly don't keep track or even ask; volume III in the mind. Looks like summer 2016 release for second volume of the trilogy. Am rather proud of two chapters in this upcoming volume that are not individual biographies although Walter Reder's individual biography has been the most asked about for whatever reason.

My thanks to those who are sending their lengthy commentary by PM or directed e-mail rather than posting; understandable due to topic and personal message content deciding not to post. I am impressed, for whatever that is worth, by the depth of questions asked in PM volume I commentary that are generally beyond typical thread posts. Hearing from those who read what involved decades to gather and some ungodly number of hours to coherently compile is always appreciated. While "Great" or "Love it" posts appreciated, the PMs received gave me more depth of reader insight. As always, I am just an investigator trying to reply my own questions, then writing those answers until they constitute a book. Am always curious what readers specifically liked or seek, data sought, etc when buying a book on a unit.

As to one repeated question; yes, "Totenkopf" involved the most physical volume of material (documents, interviews, correspondence, etc) to compile the information aside from that utilized for "Das Reich" if you consider all written on the latter combined.

For the type of subject data I seek in general, one is limited to subject by what survived that can be accessed in public archives plus what I could obtain via private means. The latter has been essential for all I have done, but especially "Totenkopf" as well my various "Das Reich" related books. I am eternally grateful for that primarily veteran input and personal sharing along with being motivated by it.

With the 900+ pages of volumes I and II "Totenkopf" completes my structure, development, and significant personalities studies (i.e. researched and documented text data) of all the major divisions that existed in some form before 1941.

That of course excludes the "Leibstandarte." My type of works along with other detailed aspects of that formation's history that could have been more elaborately written (specific battles, campaigns, etc) being negated by the non-constructive greed of a single individual. Being aided by the participant in any way exceeds any potentially incorrect or biased period report written by an opponent or many events that were never recorded at all. Full access to primary veterans when they were still living was blocked, a pity for those who simply desire to learn.

Regards me, as they saying goes "the show ain't over till the fat lady sings." There are smaller units that will be examined. I get on a curiosity roll often, going way beyond my own established parameters. While helping Ingancio convert his Totenkopfstandarten data for volume III he had to travel for a time due to his professional career. As a result I went on a "research binge" so two chapters of "Totenkopf" volume III is basically a "book within a book" covering the history of the 1.SS-Infanterie Brigade (mot)until it was withdrawn from the line at the end of December 1943 to be used as cadre for the 18.SS-Freiwilligen-Panzer-Grenadier-Division "Horst Wessel."

Despite the frustrations imposed by health issues beyond anyone's control, I am grateful to be productive but know I must also waste zero time. With parts already send for comment/proofreading by colleagues, I hope to finish my Army book by my birthday (February 18).

End of my "break," now back to work. I so hate sleep, if I did not have to it would be very convenient.

Mark

[peterm]

Hi Mark!

I just finished Volume 1 and I'm REALLY pleased with Your work! Many thanks for that. Now I nearly can't wait for Volume II...

All the best for Your current and future work and kind regards,

Peter

[Maikäfer]

Timo Worst banned

[FONT=Arial]***In regard to SS knights cross holders there is one massive piece of research I hope will be published soon and that is on Gustav Knittel by Timo. I know this will prove to be one of the best biographies one should read, again based on primary sources and important personal connections that cannot be underestimated.

Hi,

Is this Timo Worst who was banned from the forums?

regards,
Dietmar

[Mark C. Yerger]

Hi,

Is this Timo Worst who was banned from the forums?

regards,
Dietmar

Above rather outside thread topic


Hi Mark!

I just finished Volume 1 and I'm REALLY pleased with Your work! Many thanks for that. Now I nearly can't wait for Volume II...

All the best for Your current and future work and kind regards,

Peter

Thanks Peter, and appreciated.

Have to ask, for curiosity, how often you moved back/forth to absorb the end notes, my first use of them in any book.

Best
Mark

[peterm]

Thanks Peter, and appreciated.

Have to ask, for curiosity, how often you moved back/forth to absorb the end notes, my first use of them in any book.

Best
Mark

Oh, no problem Mark, I'm not this new to use interesting
books! This is not the right way to prevent me from reading Volume II!

Kind regards, Peter

[Bremer1988]

Just got my copy yesterday from Amazon!! I loved it from cover to cover and spent many hours reading at the kitchen table! Of all unit histories, I was anticipating one about Totenkopf the most and am thankful Mark took the time and effort to do so. Looking forward to volume 2 with the SS-Inf Brigades and volume 3 covering the complexities of the SS-TV Standarten!!

Sebastian

[Mark C. Yerger]

Just got my copy yesterday from Amazon!! I loved it from cover to cover and spent many hours reading at the kitchen table! Of all unit histories, I was anticipating one about Totenkopf the most and am thankful Mark took the time and effort to do so. Looking forward to volume 2 with the SS-Inf Brigades and volume 3 covering the complexities of the SS-TV Standarten!!

Sebastian

Happy you enjoyed it, but volume 2 is all on the division.

Best,
Mark

[Ruimteaapje]

Hi,

Is this Timo Worst who was banned from the forums?

regards,
Dietmar

LOL, is this still turning up 16 years later? For the record: no forum has banned me apart from Feldgrau but that ban was soon lifted.

[Dr. Strangelove]

The source

Excellent book, no serious student of the SS and or the Totenkopfverbaende/Totenkopf is complete without it! A must have.

[Mark C. Yerger]

Excellent book, no serious student of the SS and or the Totenkopfverbaende/Totenkopf is complete without it! A must have.

Many thanks as well as for the images you contributed used in volume I

Seems to be confusion; volume 2 is all divisional material. The 366 pages and 230 photos consist of the following content with chapters in bold yellow:

Acknowledgements
Preface
Introduction
"Totenkopf" Officer and Arms School Training
German Cross in Gold Holders
Masarié, Arzelino ("Lino")
Meyer, Hans-Adolf
Müller, Gerhard
Müller, Heinz
Müller, Siegfried
Neuhaus, Heinz
Neumann, Günter
Obermeier, Josef
Ostermayer, Ludwig
Palm, Günther
Pellin, Gerhard
Pittschellis, Adolf
Plonski, Wilhelm
Rabitsch, Markus
Reder, Walter
Reim, Ferdinand
Reiter, Hans
Restorff, Walter
Rohloff, Richard
Sander, Hans
Säumenicht, Rudolf
Schade, Engelbert
Schasche, Wilhelm
Schiedl, Walter
Schindler, Rudolf
Schiweck, Helmut
Schmidbauer, Lorenz
Schmidinger, Karl
Schneider, Walter
Schubach, Joachim
Schubert, Otto
Schulze, Wilhelm
Schwermann, Ludwig
Seela, Max
Specht, Engelbrecht
Speck, Heini
Sprank, Heinz
Stadelmann, Fritz
Stange, Martin
Stark, Walter
Stienen, Peter
Sturm, Dr. Rudolf
Swientek, Josef
Weidlich, Dr. Martin
Weidmann, Paul
Weiser, Hans
Winters, Karl
Wittkopp, Otto
Wohlrab, Rudolf
Zech, Eberhard
Zielke, Heinrich
Zipp, Friedrich
Zollhöfer, Emil
Honor Clasp Holders
Bachtler, Josef
Ditzenbach, Rudolf
Dost, Herbert
Eckert, Fritz
Flohr, Wilhelm
Glimm, Ottomar
Heinzmann, Leonhard
Hoffmann, Bernhard
Hundrieser, Werner
Marx, Horst
Obermeier, Josef
Petersen, Boy-Friedrich
Schmidt, Franz
Schneider, Bruno
Schramm, Erich
Silberleitner, Karl
Synachowitz, Franz
Timmer, Theodor
Wagner, Karl
Winter, Rudolf
Wissebach, Hans
Zährl, Hugo
Close Combat Clasp in Gold Holders
Beier, Hans
Boscheinen, Horst
Büch, Helmut
Buchner, Hermann
Düsel, Fritz
Eckert, Fritz
Fehlhaber, Erwin
Franke, Kurt
Herberth, Willi
Herrmann, Kurt
Hille, Alfred
Huber, Johann
Joachim, Georg
Karowski, Hans
König, Lambert
König, Ludwig
Lauchstädt, Edmund
Lith, Willi
Lohrum, Ludwig
Michele, Rudolf
Müller, Heinz
Obermeier, Josef
Röll, Wilhelm
Schade, Engelbert
Schasche, Wilhelm
Schiedl, Walter
Schmidinger, Karl
Schmidt, Walter
Stanek, Horst
Stienen, Peter
Weiser, Hans
Winters, Karl
Zielke, Heinrich
Preparing for Russia
Order of Battle Charts and Tactical Symbols
Addendum
Appendix


Glossary
Bibliography
End Notes
Index

[markus]

Only ordered my copy today, but now I'm greatly looking forward.

I'm sure I won't be disappointed!

Markus

[John P. Moore]

Mark - Do you know how many more copies of Vol 1 that Helion has in stock? My feeling is that it won't be long before the last copies of this outstanding are sold.

John

[Mark C. Yerger]

Mark - Do you know how many more copies of Vol 1 that Helion has in stock? My feeling is that it won't be long before the last copies of this outstanding are sold.

John

Hi John

I honestly haven't asked them since my own gauge; I always ask what any book sold in the first 60 days from release. Whenever that was (I forget the 2015 release date) but Helion told me then that half were sold in two months which pleased me. Especially since the book requires on the read.

Volume 2 on schedule for mid-June release and I just separately posted a tread regards what is next:

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=861022

Best,
Mark