Template talk:SS Divisions

Designations

Replaced correct unit names. The designations SS Division and Waffen XX Division of the SS are a reference to the quality of the units. Please don't delete things just because you consider them 'messy', this is a vital part in the listing of SS divisions. --Ansbachdragoner 05:02, 27 Jun 2005 (UTC)

But it's fairly irrelevant to the template. The user can find this extra information after clicking on them. The template serves to link, not to elaborate.

Also, if the Waffen divisions aren't on the same level as SS divisions, it begs the question, why are they in the same template?

--Joy [shallot] 28 June 2005 11:02 (UTC)

Ok.

Divisions der SS were a part of the Waffen-SS' TOE. However, there were major differences which set these formations apart.

Divisions titled XXth-SS-XX-Division were drawn from either German or Germanic recruits. These divisions were (for the most part) better equipped and trained, and show superior combat records. All ranks in these divisions were prefixed with SS (e.g. SS-Scharführer).

Divisions titled XXth Waffen-XX-Division der SS were drawn from non-Aryan recruits. As a result of the Nazi racial views, these divisions tended to be poorly equipped and treated unfairly by the SS leadership. These formations displayed poor combat records with only a few exceptions (14-WGdSS Galizien at Brody and 20WGdSS Estland at Narva are examples of divisions der SS which fought well.) Also, all ranks in divisions der SS were prefixed with Waffen instead of SS (e.g. Waffen-Scharführer). In several formations, the wearing of the SS runes was forbidden.

Hopefully this clears up the issue.--Ansbachdragoner 29 June 2005 01:56 (UTC)

It doesn't explain why these need to be explicated in so many words in the template. Mark them somehow, but there's no sense in including the entire long name for each one, it just wastes space and accomplishes nothing (when two additional paragraphs of explanation are necessary to understand what it means). --Joy [shallot] 29 June 2005 10:05 (UTC)

The list makes no distinction between the Nazi Waffen elite units and the Eastern Eurpean units drafted later to fight against the Red Army on the Eastern Front. This lumping together is neither historically or militarily appropriate. Being implicit in the names (it's just a list of links) is not enough when the list has the Nazi swatstika on top. —  Pēters J. Vecrumba 17:56, 12 August 2007 (UTC)

23rd SS Volunteer Panzer Grenadier Division Nederland

This division has been left in the panzergrenadier section because its named Panzergrenadier; note it did not have a Panzer Regiment of Battalion in its order of battle Jim Sweeney (talk) 10:22, 21 February 2009 (UTC)

Deception Divisions

I have added this section for the two Division 26th and 27th SS Panzer which were in fact SS Panzergrenadier Brigades called divisions on their way to the western front as a means of deception. --Jim Sweeney (talk) 11:30, 2 March 2009 (UTC)