KEYNOTE * A highly-detailed, full-colour reference work exploring the iconic artefacts, uniforms and insignia which underpinned the concept and philosophy behind Hitler's Third Reich, particularly the Allgemeine-SS Inside the Allgemeine SS explores the iconic artefacts, uniforms and insignia which underpinned the concept and philosophy behind Hitler's Third Reich in general, and Himmler's Allgemeine-SS in particular. Formed in 1925 as a personal protection unit for Adolf Hitler, while under the control of Himmler (1929-1945), the Allgemeine-SS grew from a small paramilitary group to one of the most powerful, complex organizations in the Third Reich. Today the Allgemeine-SS is equally enigmatic; as the vehicle by which Himmler proposed to implement his thesis to create a 'Center of the New World'; its structure, and psychology remains little-understood. Authored by leading militaria specialists Ulric of England, Meine Ehre Heisßt Treue extends deep inside the Allgemeine-SS to reveal an unsurpassed creativity and philosophy. From the iconic, black SS uniform designed by Prof. Karl Diebitsch, graphic designer Walter Heck (and manufacturer Hugo Boss), to the applied arts, for example the 'first born' mother's brooch and Allach porcelain flower vase, this authoritative book, presents the most distinguished Allgemeine-SS collection to date. ILLUSTRATIONS: 1900 photographs *

The commands, units and leaders of the General SS are finally compiled into a single detailed reference book for both the historian and SS memorabilia collector. This complete volume begins with an explanation of the twelve administrative and command main offices involving the SS to include the development, components and functions of each, as well as their respective office chiefs. The following section explores the most powerful posts in the SS, the Higher SS and Police Leaders, along with the subordinate SS and Police Leaders found in occupied territories - both the commands and the individual holder of these posts are examined in depth. The SS Main Districts are covered next including all their various subordinate components, title changes, development, commanders and chiefs of staff. The more than forty SS Districts follow, detailed in a similar format. Examining the more than one-hundred and twenty-five SS Foot Regiments in the General SS, the names and ranks of the hundreds of commanders, as well as details of unit location changes, popular and honour titles as well as other data for each are within a separate chapter. Finally, the elite SS Riding Districts and Regiments are covered similarly. Career biographies are included for more than two hundred senior SS commanders, many of whom served portions of their career in the Waffen-SS, Polizei, SD and other facets of Himmler's commands. The biographical data for individuals alone adds vast detail to this fascinating topic. Along with more than 120 rare photos of SS senior ranking officers and seven maps, a detailed index allows referencing of individual commands or personalities. Mark Yerger is also the author of Riding East, The SS Cavalry Brigade in Poland and Russia 1939-1942; Images of the Waffen-SS, Chronicle of Germany's Elite Troops; and a biography of SS-Strumbannfuhrer Ernst August Krag (all three titles are available from Schiffer Publishing Ltd).

The SS originated as Hitler's personal bodyguard and following his rise to power in 1933 the organisation divided into two: the Waffen-SS, which comprised the military wing, and the Allgemeine-SS, whose role was to support the police in maintaining order. The Allgemeine-SS had a wide-ranging effect on all aspects of life in Nazi Germany, from enforcing Hitler's racial policies through to the running of over 500 factories in Germany and occupied Europe. While the more visible armed SS combat units naturally received all the publicity, especially during World War II, it was the rather faceless Allgemeine-SS which wielded the real power.

Previously published as 'A Collector's Guide to the History and Regalia of the SS - The Black Corps', this detailed look at the organisation and history of the 'general' SS is an indispensable guide which places their uniforms, ephemera and memorabilia in context.

This new book provides an organized, chronological guide to the evolution and development of the myriad types of soft headgear worn by the SS. As the pre- and war-years progressed, geographical areas of operation changed, and the composition of the SS divisions evolved. So also, did the headgear worn by these troops. This reference illustrates a great number of these examples with over 600 photos including more than half in color. The overwhelming majority of these pictures including many rare original candid period snapshots have never been seen before in any previous publication.

SS: Hell on the Western Front describes in vivid detail the exploits of the Waffen-SS in Western Europe from 1940 to 1945 including such infamous Waffen-SS divisions as the Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler, Das Reich, Hitlerjugend and Totenkopf, illustrated with rare photographs.

Hitler's Elite: The SS 1939–45 tells the complete story of the SS at individual, unit and organizational levels. Following an explanation of the SS' complex political and social origins, and its growth within the Nazi empire, it goes on to look at both its war record and its wider role in Heinrich Himmler's implementation of Hitler's vision for the Third Reich. As well as providing a combat history of the Waffen-SS from 1939 to 1945, it also explores themes such as ideology, recruitment, foreign SS personnel, training and equipment. The book's textual history is brought to life with more than 200 photographs and colour artworks from Osprey's series titles. As a companion volume to Hitler's Armies and Hitler's Eagles, this book gives a detailed and highly visual insight into one of Hitler's most powerful instruments of policy.