Full Description
Although much has been published about the Waffen-SS in English, coverage of the majority of its units is patchy, inaccurate or even non-existent. This carefully-researched study from Rudolf Pencz records the complete history of one of these rarely-covered W-SS formations, the 31st W-SS Volunteer Grenadier Division. The division, established in Autumn 1944, was mainly composed of ethnic Germans living in Hungary. After a brief period of training, the division was soon sent into action against the Red Army in Hungary, late 1944. At the end of the year it was withdrawn from the front rest and refitting, before participating in the bitter fighting against the Soviets in Silesia until the end of the war. The remnants of the division surrendered to the Soviets in May 1945. For the Homeland! is a detailed and complete history of the division; the text features a large number of personal accounts and eyewitness reports from former members. Detailed appendices include divisional officer lists, and a complete order-of-battle. The book also features a selection of previously unpublished photographs drawn from the collections of the division's former members.
Contents
Prelude to the formation of 31st W-SS Division; history of 23rd W-SS Gebirgs Division "Kama"; SS recruiting drives in Hungary, 1944; organization of 31st W-SS Division; situation at the front - partisan activity in the Batschka; the evacuation of the Batschka Germans and the withdrawal of 31st W-SS Division; battles in the Batschka and the actions of Kampfgruppe Syr; tranfer of the 31st W-SS Division to secutiry duties along the Danube; battle for the enemy bridgeheads, 7 - 25 November 1944; defensive battles in South Hungary, 26 Nove,ber - 6 December 1944; rest and refitting of 31st W-SS Division; reorganization in the Steiermark; transfer of the 31st W-SS Division to the front in Silesia; actions of the 31st W-SS Division around Jauer, Silesia, March 1945; actions of the 31st W-SS Division around Strehlen, Silesia, April 1945; final actions and surrender of the 31st W-SS Division; death of the 31st W-SS Division; fate of members of the 31st W-SS Division; reserve formations of the 31st W-SS Division; ethnic German "Heimatschutz formations in Hungary 1944 - 1945; Amedices: officer lists and orders-of-battle, 31st W-SS Division; comparative table of ranks; place-name gazetteer; abbreviations.
