Schiffer Military History: Comrades to the End: The 4th SS Panzer-Grenadier Regiment "Der Führer" 1938-1945 the History of a German-Austrian Fighting Unit (Hardcover)

Written by Swords to the Knight's Cross holder and last regimental commander Otto Weidinger, Comrades to the End is the complete history of SS-Regiment "Der Führer." One of the original infantry regiments of the pre-war SS-Verfügungstruppe (Special Purpose Troops), "Der Führer" was formed in 1938 and fought throughout the war as a component of Division "Das Reich." Being among the most successful and decorated regiments of the Waffen-SS, this complete history was written with the full assistance of four highly decorated regimental commanders. In addition to Otto Weidinger, portions of the text were contributed by Georg Keppler (Knight's Cross), Sylvester Stadler (Swords to the Knight's Cross) and Otto Kumm (Swords to the Knights Cross). From its creation from primarily Austrian recruits through the Western Campaign, to the bitter battles in Russia where it was almost completely destroyed, the authors explain the engagements of this famous unit in full detail. Later it fought in Normandy and finally in Austria at the end of the war as one of the last fully battle ready units of the Waffen-SS. This classic study is now available for the first time in a complete English edition. With a preface by famed Waffen-SS commander Paul Hausser, the detailed text is illustrated by more than twenty regimental maps in addition to photographs.