On the average the Waffen-SS were probably more effective, but I only say that because taken in aggregate the Waffen-SS was on average more heavily motorized than the largely horse-drawn Heer. Earlier in the war the fact that Waffen-SS members were volunteers rather than conscripts would have had a significant impact.
What was the difference between the Wehrmacht and the Waffen-SS?
The difference, the researchers wrote, is that Wehrmacht soldiers often blamed their own officers for failures, while they blamed the Waffen S.S. as an organization, reflecting an inter-service rivalry. Regular army soldiers would also single out the Waffen S.S. for atrocities.
Was the SS an elite unit?
The SS was regarded as the Nazi Party’s elite unit. In keeping with the racial policy of Nazi Germany, in the early days all SS officer candidates had to provide proof of Aryan ancestry back to 1750 and for other ranks to 1800.
How effective was the German army in ww2?
The firepower of a German infantry division far exceeded that of a French, British, or Polish division; the standard German division included 442 machine guns, 135 mortars, 72 antitank guns, and 24 howitzers. Allied divisions had a firepower only slightly greater than that of World War I.
What was the best Waffen-SS unit?
Re: Best division in the Waffen SS??
- Totenkopf in the Demjansk pocket.
- Das Reich during the defensive battles west of Charkow in August and September 1943.
- Leibstandarte drive along the sea of Azov in 1941.
- Leibstandarte east of Jitomir in November and early December 1943.
How well trained were the Waffen SS?
The Waffen SS was originally a well equipped, well trained, indoctrinated, motivated group. They fought tooth and nail against the Soviets and the Western Allies and casualties were tremendous. As the war dragged on, younger and lower quality recruits were conscripted into the Waffen SS.
What was the difference between the Heer and SS?
Thanks. The Heer (the army part of the Wehrmacht) was a conscripted force, very well trained, especially early war and generally the regular force of the nation of Germany. The Waffen SS (the armed, fighting part of the SS) started out as a volunteer force.
What happened to SS soldiers after the war?
Most succumbed to the consequences of SS criminal neglect: starvation, exposure, and disease. Moreover, the SS camp staff and guards shot, hanged, or otherwise killed thousands of prisoners in the last months of the war.
What is the difference between the SS and the SA?
Although some of the conflicts between the SS and SA were based on personal rivalries of leaders, the mass of members had key socio-economic differences and related conflicts. SS members generally came from the middle class, while the SA had its base among the unemployed and working class.
How many SS Panzer divisions were there?
Waffen-SS divisions by number
| Number | Division Name (in German) | Years Active |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler | 1933–1945 |
| 2nd | Das Reich | 1939–1945 |
| 3rd | Totenkopf | 1939–1945 |
| 4th | Polizei | 1940–1945 |
How many soldiers were in Hitler’s army?
During World War II, a total of about 13.6 million soldiers served in the German Army. Army personnel were made up of volunteers and conscripts. Only 17 months after Adolf Hitler announced the German rearmament program in 1935, the army reached its projected goal of 36 divisions.
How big was the US Army in ww2?
Approximately 11,200,000
The U.S. Army
During World War II about 16,000,000 personnel served in the U.S. Military. Approximately 11,200,000 or 70% served in the U.S. Army; 4,200,000 served in the Navy; and 660,000 served in the Marines.
What does Waffen stand for?
noun. armament [noun] (usually in plural) equipment for war, eg the guns etc of a ship, tank etc.
What did Soviets do to German prisoners?
Approximately three million German prisoners of war were captured by the Soviet Union during World War II, most of them during the great advances of the Red Army in the last year of the war. The POWs were employed as forced labor in the Soviet wartime economy and post-war reconstruction.
Did German soldiers get pensions after ww2?
More than half a century after World War II, the German authorities have acknowledged that war disability pensions are still being paid to members of Waffen-SS units and even to war criminals.
What happened to all the German generals after ww2?
For these and other charges, the arrested military leaders were moved to prisons, stripped of their weapons and papers, and detained. They would all face tribunals or German courts, many of them at the famous Nuremberg Trials.
Who was the highest ranking German general in ww2?
In the Wehrmacht of Nazi Germany during the Second World War, the rank of Generalfeldmarschall remained the highest military rank until July 1940, when Hermann Göring was promoted to the newly created higher rank of Reichsmarschall.
Nazi Germany.
| General Field Marshal Generalfeldmarschall | |
|---|---|
| Equivalent ranks | Großadmiral |
What happened to captured German soldiers after ww2?
After World War II, German prisoners were taken back to Europe as part of a reparations agreement. They were forced into harsh labor camps. Many prisoners did make it home in 18 to 24 months, Lazarus said. But Russian camps were among the most brutal, and some of their German POWs didn’t return home until 1953.
Who were the best German generals in ww2?
Erich von Manstein, original name Erich Von Lewinski, (born Nov. 24, 1887, Berlin, Ger. —died June 11, 1973, Irschenhausen, near Munich, W. Ger.), German field marshal who was perhaps the most talented German field commander in World War II.
Who was Hitler’s deadliest general?
Otto Skorzeny
| Otto Skorzeny | |
|---|---|
| Years of service | 1931–1945 |
| Rank | Obersturmbannführer |
| Commands held | Sonder Lehrgang Oranienburg SS Panzer Brigade 150 |
| Battles/wars | World War II Eastern Front Operation Oak Operation Panzerfaust Battle of the Bulge (Operation Greif) |
Who was the best field marshal in ww2?
Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery was one of the most prominent and successful British commanders of the Second World War (1939-45). Known as ‘Monty’, he notably commanded the Allies against General Erwin Rommel in North Africa, and in the invasions of Italy and Normandy.
Who was the greatest German?
Martin Luther, Ludwig van Beethoven, Johannes Gutenberg, Albert Einstein, Karl Marx and Otto von Bismarck each had a claim to the distinction. But when the results were counted, the winner was the one least known today beyond Germany: Konrad Adenauer.
Was Albert Einstein a German?
1879. Albert Einstein was born to a middle-class German Jewish family. His parents were concerned that he scarcely talked until the age of three, but he was not so much a backward as a quiet child.
Who is the most famous German man?
Top 10 Famous German People
- Ludwig van Beethoven. Ludwig van Beethoven-by Joseph Karl Stieler- Wikimedia Commons. …
- Adolf Hitler. Adolf Hitler- Wikimedia Commons. …
- Irma Grese. Irma Grese- Wikimedia Commons. …
- Albert Einstein. …
- Angela Merkel. …
- Otto von Bismark. …
- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. …
- Hugo Boss.
What’s the best German car?
Top Five German Car Brands
- Volkswagen. Volkswagen is the flagship brand for the Volkswagen Group and is considered to be one of the most reliable brands on the global market. …
- Mercedes-Benz. …
- Audi. …
- BMW. …
- Porsche.
Are Japanese or German cars better?
German cars provide sturdier feel, smooth and controlled ride while Japanese cars shake in bumpy roads. Space is wider in German cars so people can sit back and relax. Though safety cannot be guaranteed, German cars are much safer compared to Japanese cars because of more airbags.
Which German brand is most reliable?
Most Reliable German Car Brands
- Volkswagen. Volkswagen is the Volkswagen Group’s main brand and is widely regarded as one of the most reliable German car brands on the market. …
- Mercedes-Benz. …
- Audi. …
- BMW. …
- Porsche. …
- Mercedes-Benz. …
- Porsche. …
- Audi A8.
Why are German cars so good?
Precision Engineering. German cars are built by highly professional engineers that choose a vocational track before they even complete their equivalent of high school. Manufacturing is a respected field in the country, and the people take pride in the craftsmanship their car brands have built a reputation for.
Which German car has the best engine?
The Mercedes M139 engine is not just one of the greatest German engines, it’s one of the greatest engines in the world. Birthed as a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, AMG managed to squeeze out a massive 421 horses from the same, making it one of the most powerful four-cylinder production car engines in the world.
Are German cars well engineered?
Despite the popular models and makes associated with other countries, German engineering is still a major influence in modern day car manufacturing. The competitive market aside, German cars are always praised for their quality.
Are German cars better than American?
The main difference between these two automobile manufacturers is that German vehicles are made up to standard, whereas American cars are made down to the price. This is the main reason why German cars are said to be better engineered than American cars.
Are European cars faster than American cars?
When it comes to American cars vs European, most car enthusiasts can agree that European cars handle better at higher speeds. Some people even say that the US builds cheaper versions of European auto that can go fast but can’t turn a corner.
Why German engineering is the best?
The main reason of Germany being famous for Engineering is it’s Dual Education System. Universities in Germany offer a perfect combination of practical and theoretical knowledge. They believe in the principle of ‘The Unity of Learning and Research’ that is referred to as a Dual Education System.