Panzergrenadiere der Panzerdivision "Wiking" im Bild

This classic photo unit history from the veterans personal collections graphically chronicles the development and wartime career of the 5th SS Panzer Division Wiking; the first unit of the Waffen-SS to be formed from "foreign" non-German volunteers. Formed initially around the Regiment Westland composed primarily of idealistic young Dutchmen, it fought the entire war in the extremely bitter fighting on the Eastern Front. In almost continuous action, because it became an experienced and dependable unit, it was a bulwark "like a rock among the breakers" against the Soviet forces, and eventually volunteers of almost every European nation fought in its ranks. This success in integrating non-Germans into the Waffen-SS made this unit a precursor of a vastly expanded non-German Waffen-SS, and in this way gave for the first time practical embodiment to the European ideal. The 371 photos under all circumstances and settings are supplemented by extensive text that further documents the life, and death-struggle of a truly elite panzer division whose exploits created legends; as this unit was in all the major battles of the Eastern Front. German and full English text. Tables, indices, photos and maps throughout.