Osprey Publishing MAA524 Norwegn Waffen-SS Legn1941-43

Following the Nazi occupation of Norway in 1941, the Waffen-SS began recruiting volunteers to serve in their ranks. Initially formed into small volunteer units, these developed into large divisions by 1943, referred to as 'Legions' in Nazi propaganda. Early volunteers were promised that they would not leave Scandinavia and that they would serve under native Norwegian officers – but after the German invasion of the Soviet Union they were deployed to the Leningrad front alongside Dutch and Latvian units, in the 2nd SS Infantry Brigade. These units combined to form the nucleus of a whole regiment within the new 11th SS Volunteer Panzergrenadier Division 'Nordland'.

Fully illustrated with detailed artwork depicting the uniforms and equipment of the volunteer soldiers, this fascinating study tells the little-known story of the Norwegians who fought with the SS in World War II.

Table of Contents
Introduction: Operation 'Barbarossa', June 1941 – the concept of foreign volunteer SS 'Legions' * Quisling's fascist movement in occupied Norway * Creation, training, organization and leadership of the Freiwilligen Legion Norwegen within the Waffen-SS, July 1941-February 1942 * Transfer to Leningrad front in northern Russia, February-March 1942 * Defensive actions in Urizk/ Gorgosi sector, April-May 1942 * Admission of picked Norwegians to SS Bad Tolz officer academy, July 1942 * Battalion group forms part of 2nd SS Infantry Brigade, Volkhov sector, August 1942 * Addition of Norwegian SS Police Company, September 1942 * Autumn 1942 battles * Second battle of Lake Ladoga, action at Krazny Bor, January-February 1943 * Relieved, March 1943 – enlarged into SS-PzGren Regt 23 'Norge' within what would become 11. SS-Freiwilligen PzGren Div 'Nordland'. * Select Bibliography * Plate Commentaries – uniforms and insignia.