RaymondG
14th July 2008, 09:00
German Cross in Gold Holders of the SS and Police - Volume 1
“Das Reich” Kurt Amlacher to Heinz Lorenz
Author: Mark C. Yerger
The purpose and contents of this series, beyond the obvious title contents, are laid out in this initial volume. Detailed and illustrated biographies of SS and Police German Cross holders are previously absent from published works aside from those by the author. While some texts have provided incomplete lists of those awarded the decoration, this series endeavors to a new degree of completeness on the topic. The book opens with a foreword by Knight’s Cross and German Cross in Gold holder Siegfried Brosow.
With each volume encompassing a specific unit or types of units, the biographies for each include all available data on all promotions and awards with dates, career assignments, military courses, wounds received, and eventual fate. For most the full text of the original award proposal (Vorschlagsliste) for the German Cross is translated and provided, as well as details of who recommended the award. Elaborate detailed footnotes explain the specific assignments or units relative to the individual outside the volume’s primary formation topic. Data on predecessors and successors of commands are also included. The award proposal process and the specific documents used are also detailed.
A significant portion of each volume is the new information provided to allow the reader an understanding of the units being discussed and how they relate to specific individuals. Biographies for all divisional commanders are included, in greater detail than previously done elsewhere in any language. Full biographical information for all 1st Staff Officers (Ia or 1.Genetalstabsoffizier), an overlooked but essential element of divisional command structure, are included.
Data for numerous individual divisional element commanders, either in the form of extended footnotes or lengthy photo captions, are included as they relate to the history of each formation. Many of these men not only recommended personnel for their awards but had distinguished careers of their own and have not been detailed previously.
Full developmental history of the formation is included, from divisional title changes to the formation and structural history of the various combat sub-elements from artillery and tank units through reconnaissance and anti-aircraft formations.
Lengthy appendices contain new data and photos for each formations Roll of Honor Clasp and Close Combat Clasp in Gold Holders. The most complete assignments lists for officers of the division as well as Feldpost lists add to the documentation. New data found will be included and an addendum section of future volumes. Other volumes in this series already published include the similar formatted “German Cross in Silver Holders of the SS and Police” that covers all holders of the award. Volume 2 completes the “Das Reich” volumes and covers Karl-Heinz Lorenz through Herbert Zimmermann. Volume 3 encompasses all the award holders from Regiment and Division “Nordland.” Volume 4, scheduled for release in late 2008, covers all the Waffen-SS cavalry units.
Mark Yerger consistently sets the bar very high with his work. His content and thoroughness and attention to detail sets an example to other authors and budding authors alike to follow.
If anyone is interested in learning more about DKiG holders or interested in biographies, then this is a must buy as I thoroughly enjoyed it and it will be a reference work for my research for years to come!
WWM Reviewer Rating: ***** out of 5
Book Details and Sellers
Author: Mark C. Yerger
Pages: 432 pages, 295 illustrations (Hardback)
Price: $44.95
Publisher: R. James Bender Publishing www.bender-publishing.com
UK book seller: www.worldofwarfare.co.uk
“Das Reich” Kurt Amlacher to Heinz Lorenz
Author: Mark C. Yerger
The purpose and contents of this series, beyond the obvious title contents, are laid out in this initial volume. Detailed and illustrated biographies of SS and Police German Cross holders are previously absent from published works aside from those by the author. While some texts have provided incomplete lists of those awarded the decoration, this series endeavors to a new degree of completeness on the topic. The book opens with a foreword by Knight’s Cross and German Cross in Gold holder Siegfried Brosow.
With each volume encompassing a specific unit or types of units, the biographies for each include all available data on all promotions and awards with dates, career assignments, military courses, wounds received, and eventual fate. For most the full text of the original award proposal (Vorschlagsliste) for the German Cross is translated and provided, as well as details of who recommended the award. Elaborate detailed footnotes explain the specific assignments or units relative to the individual outside the volume’s primary formation topic. Data on predecessors and successors of commands are also included. The award proposal process and the specific documents used are also detailed.
A significant portion of each volume is the new information provided to allow the reader an understanding of the units being discussed and how they relate to specific individuals. Biographies for all divisional commanders are included, in greater detail than previously done elsewhere in any language. Full biographical information for all 1st Staff Officers (Ia or 1.Genetalstabsoffizier), an overlooked but essential element of divisional command structure, are included.
Data for numerous individual divisional element commanders, either in the form of extended footnotes or lengthy photo captions, are included as they relate to the history of each formation. Many of these men not only recommended personnel for their awards but had distinguished careers of their own and have not been detailed previously.
Full developmental history of the formation is included, from divisional title changes to the formation and structural history of the various combat sub-elements from artillery and tank units through reconnaissance and anti-aircraft formations.
Lengthy appendices contain new data and photos for each formations Roll of Honor Clasp and Close Combat Clasp in Gold Holders. The most complete assignments lists for officers of the division as well as Feldpost lists add to the documentation. New data found will be included and an addendum section of future volumes. Other volumes in this series already published include the similar formatted “German Cross in Silver Holders of the SS and Police” that covers all holders of the award. Volume 2 completes the “Das Reich” volumes and covers Karl-Heinz Lorenz through Herbert Zimmermann. Volume 3 encompasses all the award holders from Regiment and Division “Nordland.” Volume 4, scheduled for release in late 2008, covers all the Waffen-SS cavalry units.
Mark Yerger consistently sets the bar very high with his work. His content and thoroughness and attention to detail sets an example to other authors and budding authors alike to follow.
If anyone is interested in learning more about DKiG holders or interested in biographies, then this is a must buy as I thoroughly enjoyed it and it will be a reference work for my research for years to come!
WWM Reviewer Rating: ***** out of 5
Book Details and Sellers
Author: Mark C. Yerger
Pages: 432 pages, 295 illustrations (Hardback)
Price: $44.95
Publisher: R. James Bender Publishing www.bender-publishing.com
UK book seller: www.worldofwarfare.co.uk