Customer Reviews

Sons of the Reich: The History of II SS Panzer Corps

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Having read 2 of Mr. Reynold's previous books 'Men of Steel' (History of 1st SS Panzer Corp) and Steel Inferno (1st SS PC in Normandy), I was eagerly anticipating this book on the exploits of the 9TH SS - Hohenstaufen and 10th SS - Frundsberg Divisions. True to form, this book is an incredibly insightful and detailed account of the savage defensive battles these divisions fought from Normandy, to Arnhem and the fighting on the Eastern Front and Vienna before the war's end. There is no question that Mr. Reynolds (a retired British Army Officer) is the pre-eminent expert on the Waffen SS and I thoroughly recommend that anyone with an interest in the German Army in WWII read this book as he will help dispell some of the myths that are all too common about these elite divisions. If you want to learn about the fighting elan of these soldiers, the tactics they employed against a numerically superior enemy and the motivation for continuing to fight against all odds, then this is a great book for you.

As with his previous books, Michael Reynolds grabs the reader's attention and presents a wealth of detailed information of the operations of the II SS Panzer Corps. This corps distinguished itself in Normandy, Arnhem, the Ardennes and finally in the East against the Soviet tide.

Reynolds style is somewhat documentary in its approach. With some authors this style would be too dull to hold the reader's interest, but Reynolds intercuts enough interesting, tactical narrative to allow the operational facts and figures to enhance the story and improve the reader's overall understanding of the various conflicts described.

Reynolds also strives to put forward facts that can be substantiated by the available primary and secondary source material. He is quick to point out differences between the various sources and equally quick to point out which is more probably the truthful version. He certainly doesn't play favorites either. The well known Waffen SS veteran Otto Weidinger's accounts are questioned by Reynolds throughout the volume. Reynolds is therefore able to describe the accomplishments of this SS formation in an objective manner, which the reader can appreciate and weigh against the information provided.

Overall a very satisfying exploration of the activities of the II Second SS Panzer Korps.

I would not recommend this book to the casual reader of military history. It doesn't take long after diving into this tome to become completely bogged down in stats, unit numbers, unfamiliar geography and confusing tactics. This would be a good book for the very serious student of the SS. Anyone who loves the writing styles of say Stephen Ambrose or Antony Beever will be very disappointed with this book and will find yourself heading back to the bookstore or post office to return it for a refund or something more readable or understandable to the average reader of military history.