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).

3 Dutch SS soldiers with two Latvians
3 Dutch SS soldiers with two Latvians of 15 Waffen-SS division.

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.

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

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

Soldiers of 13 SS division
Soldiers of 13 SS division were hunting Tito partisans in the mountains of the Balkans.
Raised (as division)
July 1943 (operational March 1944).

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)

3 Dutch SS soldiers with two Latvians
3 Dutch SS soldiers with two Latvians of 15 Waffen-SS division.
Raised (as division)
Early 1944 expanded to division.

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)

NCOs of Latvian 19. Waffen-SS division
NCO’s of Latvian 19th Waffen-SS division
Raised (as division)
Formed early 1944, in action summer 1944

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)


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