Feldgrau.net

I know have to go back and correct my original post from 9 May 2005. "SS-Hauptsturmfuehrer Arno Giesen" is (or was) a fraud, never served in the Waffen-SS, never served aboard a Panzer and definitely did not knock out 111 tanks while serving in the "Das Reich" Panzer Division. Ba...

"SS-Hauptsturmfuehrer Arno Giesen" is a fraud, never served in the Waffen-SS, never served aboard a Panzer and definitely did not knock out 111 tanks while serving in the "Das Reich" Panzer Division. Background: A generation ago, the name "Arno Giesen" would have been i...

A generation ago, the name "Arno Giesen" would have been instantly recognizable to anyone studying the Waffen-SS in the early 1980s. A man who touted himself as the commander of the "last SS tank in Vienna," Giesen convinced many of us (including junior armor officers such as mys...

Excellent article - I was acquainted with the commander of Regiments-Gruppe 110, Hauptmann Ernst Schenk, who had been with the regiment before and after it had been reorganized as a battalion as part of Divisions-Gruppe 112 shortly before the Battle of the Cherkassy Pocket. He had begun his pre-war ...

Dai, Thanks for asking and glad you enjoyed the book. There is no indication in the pile of documents in my possession that they wore any type of special insignia. I asked that question of the veterans in my interviews and they all shook their heads "no." But - if you want to know one way ...

Rand,
You're welcome! Hope you enjoy it - I hope I was able to present a picture of what that phase of the war was like for the average German soldier.
Regards,
Doug Nash

In regards to RZM's forthcoming book on Arnheim (Kampfraum Arnheim), I can say that it's undergoing final proofreading and editing - will be worth the wait, having seen the draft manuscript with the photos. It will be up to the usual high RZM standards. Patience!

This photo of an SS-PK member was taken in Kovel during an award ceremony conducted by the 5. SS-Pz.Div. "Wiking" on or about 10 April 1944. Am wondering if anyone can identify him - I think it might be SS-PK Fotograf Alois Jarolim, but cannot be sure.

"Kampfraum Arnheim" by Remy Spezzano

It was delayed until August due to the incorporation of a number of new photographs, which necessitated some modifications to the layout of the manuscript. Nothing major, just time consuming for RZM and their graphics specialist. Again, August is the projected new release date.
Cheers,
Doug Nash

That would be Ernst Baumann. He was not an SS Mann, but as I mentioned was forcibly transferred to the Wiking when he ran afoul of Gretl Braun's amorous advances in 1942, not 1944. Seems she was a bit of a floozy, hitting on guys left and right, finally settling for that sleazeball Fegelein. At any ...

Speaking of the Wiking, RZM (Remy Spezzano & yours truly) is FINALLY working on the book about the relief of Kowel & the follow-on Operation Ilse. We'll start the layout within the next month. It will be primarily a photo book, though w/heavy text accompaniement, a bit like Platz der Leibsta...

Well, Verweht sind die Spuren was about the Panzer Regiment, while Panzergrenadierdivision Wiking in Bild was about the whole division. The second book had far more text, while the first one was more focused on the tanks, obviously. Both are good though - also, Klapdor's book about the tank regiment...

No, it didn't - you have to buy that separately. It should have been included, I agree. I can send you the electrons though if you want them.

Well, obviously I scribble only in my own books - to scribble in someone else's would be gauche, not to say impolite! But whoever gets my book collection after I kick the proverbial bucket will have to put up with all my random scribbling and margin notes!