Order of Battle Waffen-SS divisions 7 (Prinz Eugen) – 12 (Hitlerjugend).
The Waffen-SS divisions from this and the previous page were Germany’s most effective troops of WW2.
Waffen-SS divisions Prinz Eugen, Florian Geyer, Hohenstaufen, Frundsberg, Nordland, Hitlerjugend
Table of Contents
Overview
Divisions 7 to 12 were part of the Waffen-SS, a military division of the Nazi Party’s SS organization during the Second World War.
7th SS Volunteer Mountain Division Prinz Eugen: Consisted mainly of ethnic Germans from the Balkans, it was involved in anti-partisan operations in Yugoslavia.
8th SS Cavalry Division Florian Geyer: Known for its cavalry units, it was involved in anti-partisan operations and fought on the Eastern Front.
9th SS Panzer Division Hohenstaufen: Participated in significant battles such as the Battle of Normandy and the Ardennes Offensive.
10th SS Panzer Division Frundsberg: Fought on both the Eastern and Western Fronts, including the Battle of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge.
11th SS Volunteer Panzergrenadier Division Nordland: Comprised mainly of Scandinavian volunteers, it fought on the Eastern Front and in the defense of Berlin.
12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend: Made up largely of Hitler Youth members, it saw action in Normandy and the Ardennes.
Waffen-SS divisions 7-12
7 SS-Freiwilligen-Gebirgs-Division Prinz Eugen
Raised (as division)
March 1942 (operational October 1942).
The End
Surrendered to Yugoslav Partisans at Cilli, Slovenia.
Many personnel executed.
Infantry strength
2 mountain infantry regiments, also cavalry and light armored elements.
Tank strength
Armored support units with captured French, Italian and Russian tanks.
Notes
Raised from ethnic Germans living in the Balkans, officers mainly Austrians and Romanians.
Used entirely against partisans and civilians, bad record atrocities.
8 SS-Kavallerie-Division Florian Geyer
As division from June 1942.
The End
Annihilated in fall of Budapest, February 1945.
Infantry strength
3 cavalry regiments.
Tank strength
none.
Notes
Operated partly on anti-partisan duties, partly front-line combat.
9 SS-Panzer-Division Hohenstaufen
March 1943 (operational December 1943).
The End
Surrendered to US at Steyr (Austria), 5 May 1945.
Infantry strength
2 motorized infantry regiments (each with 3 battalions).
Tank strength
1 Panzer battalion, since June 1944 additional Panzer V Panther battalion. Hummel SP artillery guns (12 or more).
Total: 105 tanks until June 1944, later 154.
Notes
Rested near Arnheim when Allied parachute assault took place.
10 SS-Panzer-Division Frundsberg
Raised (as division)
January 1943 (operational March 1944).
The End
Most members surrendered to US in Czechoslovakia, May 1945.
Infantry strength
2 motorized infantry regiments (each with 3 battalions).
Tank strength
1 Panzer battalion, since June 1944 additional Panzer V Panther battalion.
Total: 93 tanks until June 1944, later 142.
Notes
Raised from 18-year-old German conscripts, worked up in France during 1943.
Rested near Arnhem when Allied parachute assault took place.
11 SS-Freiwilligen-Panzer-Grenadier-Division Nordland
May 1943 (operational September 1943).
The End
Fought to annihilation at battle for Berlin, 1945.
Infantry strength
3 (1 Danish, 2 Norwegians) , later 2 motorized infantry regiments (each with 3 battalions).
Tank strength
4 Panzer companies (Panzer IV, Panzer V Panther, Tiger tanks ), 3 assault gun companies (StuG IV).
Total: 159 tanks.
Notes
Total strength 1943 : 11,400 men.
Incorporating various foreign volunteer units (Danish, Norwegians, Swedish, Finns, Swiss, Dutch) and ethnic Germans, mainly from Hungary and Romania.
Formidable combat reputation.
12 SS-Panzer-Division Hitlerjugend
The End
Surrendered to US near Enns, Austria (only 455 survivors).
Infantry strengthTank strength
4 Panzer companies with Panzer IV, 4 companies with Panzer V Panther, 18 self-propelled artillery guns Hummel.
Total: 204 tanks.
Notes
Total strength 21,300 men.
Personnel largely fanatical 17-year-old Hitler Youth boys, cadre from LAH. Lost over 60% in just first four weeks in Normandy.
Highest combat reputation.
References and literature
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 (1) Forging an Army 1934-1943 (Robert Michules, Ronald Volstad)
Waffen-SS – From Glory to Defeat 1943-1945 (Robert Michulec, Ronald Volstad)
The Waffen-SS (2): 6. to 10. Divisions (Gordon Williamson)
The Waffen-SS (3): 11. to 23. Divisions (Gordon Williamson)
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)
