This miltary history gives the reader an account of the battles fought by the panzer divisions of the Waffen-SS, amongst one of the finest units in Germany. The author takes us from D-day to Arnhem, and through to the Battle of the Bulge.

This intimate true account of Americans at war follows theepic drama of an unlikely group of men forced to work together in the face of an increasingly desperate enemy during the final year of World War II. Sprawling across the Pacific, this untold story follows the crew of the newly-built "vengeance ship" USS Astoria, named for her sunken predecessor lost earlier in the war. At its center lies U.S. Navy Captain George Dyer, who vowed to return to action after suffering a horrific wound. He accepted the ship's command in 1944, knowing it would be his last chance to avenge his injuries and salvage his career. Yet with the nation's resources and personnel stretched thin by the war, he found that just getting the ship into action would prove to be a battle. Tensions among the crew flared from the start. Astoria's sailors and Marines were a collection of replacements, retreads, and older men. Some were broken by previous traumatic combat, most had no desire to be in the war, yet all found themselves fighting an enemy more afraid of surrender than death. The reluctant ship was called to respond to challenges that its men never could have anticipated. From a typhoon where the ocean was enemy to daring rescue missions, a gallant turn at Iwo Jima, and the ultimate crucible against the Kamikaze at Okinawa, they endured the worst of the final year of the war at sea. Days of Steel Rain brings to life more than a decade of research and firsthand interviews, depicting with unprecedented insight the singular drama of a captain grappling with an untested crew and men who had endured enough amidst some of the most brutal fighting of World War II. Throughout, Brent Jones fills the narrative with secret diaries, memoirs, letters, interpersonal conflicts, and the innermost thoughts of the Astoria men—and more than 80 photographs that have never before been published. Days of Steel Rain weaves an intimate, unforgettable portrait of leadership, heroism, endurance, and redemption.

The well-equipped armored divisions of the Waffen SS were among the most effective German orders of battle in World War II. This book offers accounts of the battles in which they took part, as well as firsthand anecdotes from surviving Waffen soldiers and from Allied troops whom fought against them. Strategies and weaponry are detailed, as are major battles like the effort to hold Caen, Operation Market Garden and the Ardennes Offensive.

The Waffen-SS was one of the most formidable German military formations of the Second World War – feared for its tenacity and ruthlessness in battle, notorious for the atrocities it committed. As a distinct fighting force derived from the Nazi Party’s SS organization, it stood apart from the other units of the German army. Its origins, structure and operational role during the war are often misunderstood and the controversy still surrounding its conduct make it difficult today to get an accurate picture of its actions and its impact on the fighting. Anthony Tucker-Jones, in this concise and fluently written account, provides an absorbing and clear sighted introduction to it. He traces its development under Himmler from modest beginnings in the early 1930s as Hitler’s personal protection squad of elite soldiers to a force which eventually amounted to thirty-eight divisions. Towards the end of the war many Waffen-SS units were formed from foreign volunteers and proved to be of poor quality, but its premier panzer divisions thoroughly deserved their reputation as tough fighters. Through accounts of the Waffen-SS’s major battles on the Eastern Front, in Normandy and finally in defence of Germany, a detailed picture emerges of the contribution it made to the German war effort, especially when Hitler’s armies were in retreat. The parts played by the most famous Waffen-SS formations – Das Reich, Totenkopf, Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler among them – and their commanders – men like Dietrich and Hausser – can be seen in the wider context of the war and Germany’s defeat.

The Waffen-SS panzer divisions were an integral part of Hitler's last great attack in the West in December 1944 and SS: Steel Rain covers their role in the attack in full. This hardcover reference book also analyzes the reasons why the Waffen-SS panzer divisions were so successful in their battles. These included the coordination between tanks and mechanized infantry, the initiative shown by junior commanders and NCO's, and the creation of ad hoc battle groups to spearhead assaults. Above all, this book illustrates what can be achieved on the battlefield when highly motivated elite troops are equipped with excellent hardware and led by able and quick-thinking commanders. This book covers all the Waffen-SS's panzer battles in the West, including Normandy, Arnhem and the Ardennes. It includes 15 full-color maps that allow the reader to more fully understand and follow the actions of the Waffen-SS armored formations. It is also illustrated by 150 black and white photographs of Waffen-SS panzer diviions in the West between 1944-1945.

Electrical distribution and transmission systems are complex combinations of various conductive and insulating materials. When exposed to atmospheric corrosive gases, contaminants, extreme temperatures, vibrations, and other internal and external impacts, these systems deteriorate, and sooner or later their ability to function properly is destroyed. Electrical Power Transmission and Distribution: Aging and Life Extension Techniques offers practical guidance on ways to slow down the aging of these electrical systems, improve their performance, and extend their life. Recognize the Signs of Aging in Equipment—and Learn How to Slow It A reference manual for engineering, maintenance, and training personnel, this book analyzes the factors that cause materials to deteriorate and explains what you can do to reduce the impact of these factors. In one volume, it brings together extensive information previously scattered among manufacturers’ documentation, journal papers, conference proceedings, and general books on plating, lubrication, insulation, and other areas. Shows you how to identify the signs of equipment aging Helps you understand the causes of equipment deterioration Suggests practical techniques for protecting electrical apparatus from deterioration and damage Supplies information that can be used to develop manuals on proper maintenance procedures and choice of materials Provides numerous examples from industry This book combines research and engineering material with maintenance recommendations given in layperson’s terms, making it useful for readers from a range of backgrounds. In particular, it is a valuable resource for personnel responsible for the utilization, operation, and maintenance of electrical transmission and distribution equipment at power plants and industrial facilities.

An account of the battles of the Waffen-SS Panzer Divisions in the East from the recapture of Kharkov in early 1943, when the 1st SS Panzer Corps prevented the total collapse of Army Group South, to the last desperate attempts to hold the Red Army before Berlin in 1945.