Waffen-SS divisions 20-25

20 Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (1st Estonian), 22 SS-Freiwilligen-Kavallerie-Division Maria Theresia (Volunteer cavalry division), 23 Waffen-Gebirgs-Division der SS Kama (2nd Croatian Mountain division), 23 SS-Freiwilligen-Panzer-Grenadier-Division Nederland, 24 SS-Waffen-Gebirgs-Division der SS Karstjaeger (mountain division), 25 Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS Hunyadi (1st Hungarian).

Mufti of Jerusalem Mohammed Hadschi Amin Al Husseini
Mufti of Jerusalem Mohammed Hadschi Amin Al Husseini visits Bosnian soldiers of SS division.

In these numbers range of the Waffen-SS divisions there are also some lesser known and bizarre formations, in addition to some with high combat effectiveness.

Order of Battle Waffen-SS divisions 20 (1st Estonian) – 25 (Hunyadi).

20 Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS (1st Estonian)

Raised (as division)
Raised in Estonia as Estnische Legion, expanded to division January 1944.

The End
Surrendered to Red Army at Melmick (Czechoslovakia), May 1945.

Infantry strength
3 infantry regiments.

Tank strength
none.

Notes
Volunteers and conscripted ex-Estonian Army personnel. Fought well.


21 Waffen-Gebirgs-Division der SS Skanderberg

Raised (as division)
Formed at Kosovo in summer 1944.

The End
Disbanded in October 1944 after mass desertions reduced strength to 1,300 men.

Infantry strength
2 mountain infantry regiments.


Tank strength
none.

Notes
Strength of 6,500 Albanians in September 1944.


22 SS-Freiwilligen-Kavallerie-Division Maria Theresia (Volunteer cavalry division)

Raised (as division)
Raised in Hungary between spring and summer 1944.

The End
Annihilated in fall of Budapest, February 1945.

Infantry strength
First 2, since October 1944 3 cavalry regiments.

Tank strength
none.


Notes
Hungarian Volksdeutsche (ethnic Germans).


23 Waffen-Gebirgs-Division der SS Kama (2nd Croatian Mountain division)

Mufti of Jerusalem Mohammed Hadschi Amin Al Husseini
Mufti of Jerusalem Mohammed Hadschi Amin Al Husseini visits Bosnian soldiers of SS division,
Raised (as division)
Recruited since June 1944.

The End
Russian advance led to abandonment of division in September 1944. Division number was taken over from Nederland (see next).

Infantry strength
2 mountain infantry regiments under training.

Tank strength
none.

Notes
German Volksdeutsche (ethnic Germans) and NCO’s joined remnants of the also disbanded 13th SS Handschar to form a battle group.


23 SS-Freiwilligen-Panzer-Grenadier-Division Nederland

Volunteers 23 SS division Nederland
Volunteers 23 SS division Nederland.
Raised (as division)
Volunteers Legion expanded in July 1943 to brigade, designated division early 1945.

The End
Annihilated near Berlin, late April 1945.

Infantry strength
2 motorized infantry regiments.

Tank strength
Two weak tank destroyer companies with Hetzer.
Total: 20 tanks.

Notes
Dutch volunteers and volunteers from Western Europe. High fighting reputation. Never reached in fact divisional strength.


24 SS-Waffen-Gebirgs-Division der SS Karstjaeger (mountain division)

Raised (as division)
Divisional status in July 1944.

The End
Surrendered to British and Partisans, May 1945.

Infantry strength
2 weak mountain infantry regiments.

Tank strength
none.

Notes
Recruited from Germans living in South Tyrol since September 1943. Later inadequate recruiting, reorganized as brigade in December 1944.


25 Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS Hunyadi (1st Hungarian)

Raised (as division)
Recruiting started in May 1944.

The End
Heavy losses, only parts reached US captivity near Attersee on 5 May 1945.

Infantry strength
3 weak motorized infantry regiments.

Tank strength
unknown.

Notes
Forced to retreat while still incomplete by Russian advance in summer and autumn 1944.


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)
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)
The Waffen-SS (4): 24. to 38. Divisions, & Volunteer Legions (Stephen Andrew)
The Waffen-SS (3): 11. to 23. Divisions (Gordon Williamson)


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