Guest Mike Posted October 4, 2002 Share Posted October 4, 2002 Just found a web site that referred to some Lithuanian units being reformed as "Waffen Grenadiers" so I did a Google search on the term, and lo and behold - there were, apparently a lot of Waffen Grenadier divisions. The official term for such units seems to have been "Waffen Grenadier der SS", with "Waffen SS" being a Westernised abbreviation. These units were essentially motorised infantry without armour (well they were supposed to be motorised), and some of them were quite obscure - their division numbers are from 11 to 30. their constituent regimetns were also titled "Waffen Grenadier der SS". [ October 03, 2002, 07:24 PM: Message edited by: Mike ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tabpub Posted October 4, 2002 Share Posted October 4, 2002 The term "WaffenGrenadier der SS" was used exclusively for units that were predominatley non German. Estonian, Latvian, Ukrainian, etc. Divisons with this title were still "officered" mainly by German natives, but the rank and file were non German. And even "German" units such as Horst Wessel and Reichsfuhrer SS were mainly composed of "VolksDeutsch" that were recruited/drafted from neighboring countries as Hungary and Romania. I can direct you to a text I have if you would like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juju Posted October 4, 2002 Share Posted October 4, 2002 Nonetheless, the 16th (Reichsfuehrer SS) and 18th (Wessel) Panzergrenadier divisions were in fact considered so-called 'classic' divisions and did not have the 'der SS' suffix Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Dorosh Posted October 4, 2002 Share Posted October 4, 2002 You just figured that out? Yes, I noticed that with interest while flipping through my Osprey book on the Waffen SS a few weeks back. Makes all the uproar seem even more silly. Thanks for posting it on the board, it should be required reading! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tabpub Posted October 4, 2002 Share Posted October 4, 2002 Juju, while later divisions like Wessel, RfSS, GvonB were not designated "der SS" and had a good combat record (effectiveness)they still should be considered a "step" below the 7 SS Panzer Divisions; not only for having lesser equipment disbursed to them, but also for having a less homogenous troop allotment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadow 1st Hussars Posted October 4, 2002 Share Posted October 4, 2002 You might find this link useful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juju Posted October 4, 2002 Share Posted October 4, 2002 Originally posted by tabpub: they still should be considered a "step" below the 7 SS Panzer Divisions.Oh, I agree on that. Just pointing out the "der SS" thingy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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