Waffen-SS divisions 13-19

13 Waffen-Gebirgs-Division der SS Handschar, 14 Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (1st Ukrainian), 15 Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (1st Latvian), 16 SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Division Reichsführer-SS, 17 SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Division Götz von Berlichingen, 18 SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Division Horst Wessel, 19 Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (2nd Latvian).

Waffen-SS divisions Handschar, Ukrainian No.1, Latvian No.1, Reichsführer-SS, Götz von Berlichingen, Horst Wessel, Latvian No.2

Overview

13th Waffen Mountain Division of the SS Handschar (1st Croatian): This was the first non-Germanic Waffen-SS division, composed primarily of Bosnian Muslims. It was involved in anti-partisan operations in the Balkans.

14th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st Galician): Formed largely from Ukrainian volunteers, this division participated in various battles on the Eastern Front and was later involved in anti-partisan operations.

15th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st Latvian): This division was composed mainly of Latvian volunteers and conscripts. It fought on the Eastern Front and later in the defense of the Baltic region.

16th SS Panzergrenadier Division Reichsführer-SS: This division was involved in numerous operations in Italy and Hungary. It was implicated in several war crimes, including the Sant’Anna di Stazzema massacre.

17th SS Panzergrenadier Division Götz von Berlichingen: Named after the German knight Götz von Berlichingen, this division saw action in Normandy and was involved in the Battle of the Bulge.

18th SS Volunteer Panzergrenadier Division Horst Wessel: Initially formed from the 1st SS Infantry Brigade, this division was named after the Nazi martyr Horst Wessel and saw action on the Eastern Front.

19th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (2nd Latvian): This division was formed from Latvian conscripts and volunteers. It fought primarily on the Eastern Front and was involved in defensive operations in the Baltic region.

Order of Battle Waffen-SS divisions 13 (Handschar) – 19 (2nd Latvian)

Bizarre as some of these formations on this page were, however, it must be remembered that the elite SS Panzer and Panzergrenadier Divisions represented Germany’s most effective troops in the last stages of the war, setting a standard unsurpassed and seldom equalled among the forces of any other nation.

13 Waffen-Gebirgs-Division der SS Handschar (Croatian mountain division)

The End
Disbanded October 1944 because of much desertion in face of the approaching Red Army.

Infantry strength
2 mountain infantry regiments.

Tank strength
none.

Notes
Recruited among Bosnian Muslims, traditional enemies of Christian Serbs from whom majority Tito’s partisans draw. Mutinies in France during training, later many atrocities.

14 Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (1st Ukrainian)

Raised (as division)
April 1943 (operational June 1944).

The End
Surrendered to British in Steiermark, May 1945. Handed over to Russians.
Some survivors from Tarnow Pocket (July 1944) fought way from Carpathian Mountains to Bavaria in winter 1946-47.

Infantry strength
3 infantry regiments.

Tank strength
none.

Notes
Total strength 30,000 men.
Recruited among Ukrainians (massive voluntary response) with German cadre.

15 Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (1st Latvian)

The End
Part surrendered to Red Army at Neu-Ruppin, part to US Army near Elbe.

Infantry strength
3 infantry regiments, 1 fusilier battalion.

Tank strength
none.

Notes
Formed from Latvian volunteers. Best fighting record of the Baltic formations.

16 SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Division Reichsführer-SS

Raised (as division)
Expanded to division since October 1943 (operational February 1944).

The End
Dispersed units surrendered to British at Carinthia, Austria.

Infantry strength
2 motorized infantry regiments (each with 3 battalions).

Tank strength
1 Panzer battalion (with 4 companies Panzer IV and Panzer V Panther, each with 22 tanks), 3 Assault gun batteries each with 10 StuG III, anti-tank coy with 10 Jagdpanzer IV, from December 1944 12 AA-tanks.
Total: 140 tanks.

Notes
Many replacements by German ‘Volksdeutsche’ (ethnic Germans) from the Backa (Hungary, Slovenia).

17 SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Division Götz von Berlichingen

Raised (as division)
Raised in France, November 1943. In action in Normandy in June 1944, before the establishment was complete.

The End
Surrendered to 101st US Airborne Division south of Kufstein (Austria) on 6 May 1945.

Infantry strength
2 motorized infantry regiments (each with 3 battalions, but less than 2/3 of the vehicles were available in June 1944).

Tank strength
3 tank companies (StuG III, StuG IV and PzKpfw IV), from July 1944 1 company Hetzer.
Total: 88 tanks.

Notes
Nearly destroyed in Normandy and rebuilt with older soldiers from Kriegsmarine and Luftwaffe in November 1944. 11 months of continuous fighting in the West.

18 SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Division Horst Wessel

Raised (as division)
Raised in France, January 1944.

The End
Annihilated at river Elbe between May 8-10, 1945.

Infantry strength
2 motorized infantry regiments (each with 3 battalions, one company with APC’s).

Tank strength
3 tank companies (each with 14 StuG III or IV), since February 1945 two anti-tank companies with Hetzer.
Total: 70 tanks.

Notes
Replacements by ‘Volksdeutsche’ (ethnic Germans) from Hungary, since 1945 young boys from Hitlerjugend (Hitler Youth) and Volkssturm (Home Guard).

19 Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (2nd Latvian)

The End
Surrendered to Red Army, Mitau (Kurland/Baltic provinces), May 1945.

Infantry strength
3 infantry regiments, 1 fusilier battalion.

Tank strength
none.

Notes
Raised from Latvian security troops and other Baltic personnel. In action on the Baltic coast and Kurland pocket, 1944-45.

References and literature

Verbände und Truppen der deutschen Wehrmacht und Waffen-SS im Zweiten Weltkrieg 1939-1945 (Bundesarchiv-Militärarchiv und Arbeitskreis Wehrforschung)
Die gepanzerten und motorisierten deutschen Grossverbände 1935-1945 (Rolf Stoves)
The Waffen-SS (Martin Windrow)
The Waffen-SS (3): 11. to 23. Divisions (Gordon Williamson)
Waffen-SS Encyclopedia (Marc J. Rikmenspoel)
Hitler’s Elite – The SS 1939-45 (Chris McNab)
Waffen SS in Action (Norman Harms)
Into the Abyss – The last years of the Waffen-SS (Ian Baxter)
Waffen SS in Russia (Bruce Quarrie)
Waffen-SS – From Glory to Defeat 1943-1945 (Robert Michulec, Ronald Volstad)