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General Category => Off the Record => Topic started by: Syt on February 16, 2012, 12:46:24 AM

Title: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: Syt on February 16, 2012, 12:46:24 AM
German history magazine "Damals" had as its main feature recently "The SS". It also had an article about the SS during the war which kinda surprised me, but I'm not a nerd-scholar of the era like some here. :P

Basically, it said that the 5 SS divisions that invaded the Soviet Union in 1941 were badly equipped, that only in 1943 the major expansion/re-equipment of the Waffen-SS took place, and that while the soldiers in those units were highly ideologically motivated, their mythos was created mostly by propaganda (and enhanced by their cruelty in occupied territories), citing that their casualty ratios weren't higher than those of Wehrmacht units.

So - are those white on black counters in some games overpowered? Or what's what?
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: The Brain on February 16, 2012, 12:53:18 AM
Casualty ratios?
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: Berkut on February 16, 2012, 12:56:17 AM
They were a pretty mixed bag overall. Some were crap, others were excellent.

I am not sure looking at their casualty ratio's is really a good measure of their quality though.

I do know that many Wehrmacht commanders considered them to be highly motivated and tenacious, but tactically clumsy at times, resulting in higher than "normal" casualties being taken.

The SS armored units did get preferential treatment when it came to equipment however.

When it comes to whether you define a unit as "elite" a good chunk of that definition boils down to motivation - so being highly ideologically motivated goes at least a ways down the path towards being "elite". Of course, all the motivation in the world isn't going to help without training, but while I think there were cases where SS units showed a decided lack of training (some of the counter-attacks by the SS units in Normandy, for example) most of that is simply a matter of there being cases by that point in the war that the German training system simply was not capable of executing at the level they were accustomed to - one can certainly find examples of regular Wehrmacht units having poor training as well.
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: jimmy olsen on February 16, 2012, 02:28:09 AM
Depended on the unit, but they tended to be fanatical and well equipped.
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 02:54:00 AM
For the divisions

Liebstandarte, Das Reich, Totenkopf, Wiking, Hohenstaufen, Frundsberg, and Hitlerjugend were the elite. All other were no better IMO than regular Wehrmacht divisions.
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: syk on February 16, 2012, 04:10:49 AM
Quote from: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 02:54:00 AM
For the divisions

Liebstandarte, Das Reich, Totenkopf, Wiking, Hohenstaufen, Frundsberg, and Hitlerjugend were the elite. All other were no better IMO than regular Wehrmacht divisions.
Make it Leibstandarte please. Liebstandarte would translate to "Sweet-natured pennant"  :lol:
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 04:12:24 AM
Quote from: syk on February 16, 2012, 04:10:49 AM
Quote from: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 02:54:00 AM
For the divisions

Liebstandarte, Das Reich, Totenkopf, Wiking, Hohenstaufen, Frundsberg, and Hitlerjugend were the elite. All other were no better IMO than regular Wehrmacht divisions.
Make it Leibstandarte please. Liebstandarte would translate to "Sweet-natured pennant"  :lol:
quite. 6 out of 7, not bad :blurgh:
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: syk on February 16, 2012, 04:17:20 AM
Quote from: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 04:12:24 AM
Quote from: syk on February 16, 2012, 04:10:49 AM
Quote from: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 02:54:00 AM
For the divisions

Liebstandarte, Das Reich, Totenkopf, Wiking, Hohenstaufen, Frundsberg, and Hitlerjugend were the elite. All other were no better IMO than regular Wehrmacht divisions.
Make it Leibstandarte please. Liebstandarte would translate to "Sweet-natured pennant"  :lol:
quite. 6 out of 7, not bad :blurgh:
Always amazed how you people memorize unit names to the letter. But the endearing death heads were just too funny.  :)
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 04:19:20 AM
Quote from: syk on February 16, 2012, 04:17:20 AM
Quote from: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 04:12:24 AM
Quote from: syk on February 16, 2012, 04:10:49 AM
Quote from: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 02:54:00 AM
For the divisions

Liebstandarte, Das Reich, Totenkopf, Wiking, Hohenstaufen, Frundsberg, and Hitlerjugend were the elite. All other were no better IMO than regular Wehrmacht divisions.
Make it Leibstandarte please. Liebstandarte would translate to "Sweet-natured pennant"  :lol:
quite. 6 out of 7, not bad :blurgh:
Always amazed how you people memorize unit names to the letter. But the endearing death heads were just too funny.  :)

You people?????
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: Tonitrus on February 16, 2012, 04:22:37 AM
Quote from: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 04:19:20 AM
Quote from: syk on February 16, 2012, 04:17:20 AM
Quote from: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 04:12:24 AM
Quote from: syk on February 16, 2012, 04:10:49 AM
Quote from: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 02:54:00 AM
For the divisions

Liebstandarte, Das Reich, Totenkopf, Wiking, Hohenstaufen, Frundsberg, and Hitlerjugend were the elite. All other were no better IMO than regular Wehrmacht divisions.
Make it Leibstandarte please. Liebstandarte would translate to "Sweet-natured pennant"  :lol:
quite. 6 out of 7, not bad :blurgh:
Always amazed how you people memorize unit names to the letter. But the endearing death heads were just too funny.  :)

You people?????

Grognards.
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: syk on February 16, 2012, 04:30:40 AM
Quote from: Tonitrus on February 16, 2012, 04:22:37 AM
Quote from: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 04:19:20 AM
Quote from: syk on February 16, 2012, 04:17:20 AM
Quote from: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 04:12:24 AM
Quote from: syk on February 16, 2012, 04:10:49 AM
Quote from: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 02:54:00 AM
For the divisions

Liebstandarte, Das Reich, Totenkopf, Wiking, Hohenstaufen, Frundsberg, and Hitlerjugend were the elite. All other were no better IMO than regular Wehrmacht divisions.
Make it Leibstandarte please. Liebstandarte would translate to "Sweet-natured pennant"  :lol:
quite. 6 out of 7, not bad :blurgh:
Always amazed how you people memorize unit names to the letter. But the endearing death heads were just too funny.  :)

You people?????

Grognards.
Yup
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 04:43:01 AM
Quote from: syk on February 16, 2012, 04:30:40 AM
Quote from: Tonitrus on February 16, 2012, 04:22:37 AM
Quote from: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 04:19:20 AM
Quote from: syk on February 16, 2012, 04:17:20 AM
Quote from: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 04:12:24 AM
Quote from: syk on February 16, 2012, 04:10:49 AM
Quote from: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 02:54:00 AM
For the divisions

Liebstandarte, Das Reich, Totenkopf, Wiking, Hohenstaufen, Frundsberg, and Hitlerjugend were the elite. All other were no better IMO than regular Wehrmacht divisions.
Make it Leibstandarte please. Liebstandarte would translate to "Sweet-natured pennant"  :lol:
quite. 6 out of 7, not bad :blurgh:
Always amazed how you people memorize unit names to the letter. But the endearing death heads were just too funny.  :)

You people?????

Grognards.
Yup
Ahh  ;)
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: jimmy olsen on February 16, 2012, 04:57:11 AM
Quote from: Tonitrus on February 16, 2012, 04:22:37 AM
Quote from: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 04:19:20 AM
Quote from: Tonitrus
Always amazed how you people memorize unit names to the letter. But the endearing death heads were just too funny.  :)

You people?????

Grognards.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.ning.com%2Ffiles%2FHwyjld5Kv1F0Nyni0jPlAhzejv8Aueu%2AyP5PJsvTVA%2Af9BeaODHlM5L76gXRfiG0EYbJPitaCZpaFbBV%2AL6LPA__%2F5241015.jpg&hash=f072f439231905a70b1da17ba69a7a8fd3dc0c9f)
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 05:02:16 AM
QuoteI do know that many Wehrmacht commanders considered them to be highly motivated and tenacious, but tactically clumsy at times, resulting in higher than "normal" casualties being taken.


This is very true of the early SS Motorized Divisions '39-'41ish. The Waffen SS didnt come into their own until early (Jan) '43. From that time on, they (the seven I listed) were usually the armor fist at the tip of the spear for just about every major offensive, counter offensive, or counter attack.

So, overrated....depends on which division(s), when and at what time.
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 05:57:50 AM
Quote from: The Brain on February 16, 2012, 12:53:18 AM
Casualty ratios?

Kill ratio maybe??????
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: Viking on February 16, 2012, 06:41:29 AM
Keep a unit at full strength while letting others decline to well under half strength as a matter of policy.
Provide that unit with the best and most experienced NCO's from other units.
Provide that unit with the best available equipment.

Then pretend that this unit's manpowers fanatical facist will is the deciding factor and let the grognards ghey themselves up by colouring the counters in cool special colours.

Yes, they were better for clear obvious and understandable reasons.
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: CountDeMoney on February 16, 2012, 07:15:41 AM
I dunno, we killed them just as well as any other Kraut.  HOO RAH
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: CountDeMoney on February 16, 2012, 07:16:21 AM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on February 16, 2012, 02:28:09 AM
Depended on the unit, but they tended yo be fanatical and well equipped.

So was the Iraqi Republican Guard.
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: grumbler on February 16, 2012, 07:29:37 AM
Quote from: Viking on February 16, 2012, 06:41:29 AM
Keep a unit at full strength while letting others decline to well under half strength as a matter of policy.
Provide that unit with the best and most experienced NCO's from other units.
Provide that unit with the best available equipment.

Then pretend that this unit's manpowers fanatical facist will is the deciding factor and let the grognards ghey themselves up by colouring the counters in cool special colours.

Yes, they were better for clear obvious and understandable reasons.

Much as I hate to agree with Viking, he is right, here.  The SS was no better motivated than the German Army, even in its best units, but it was better-equipped and kept up to strength, so as to create the impression that it was the political element that made it so powerful.  After all, its ultimate purpose was to ensure that the Nazi party was safe against the German Army.  Its combat effectiveness against non-German enemies was a bonus (and, as noted, not really added until 1943).
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: Ed Anger on February 16, 2012, 07:31:22 AM
Quote from: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 02:54:00 AM
For the divisions

Liebstandarte, Das Reich, Totenkopf, Wiking, Hohenstaufen, Frundsberg, and Hitlerjugend were the elite. All other were no better IMO than regular Wehrmacht divisions.

And some were wurst.
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: CountDeMoney on February 16, 2012, 07:38:13 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on February 16, 2012, 07:31:22 AM
Quote from: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 02:54:00 AM
For the divisions

Liebstandarte, Das Reich, Totenkopf, Wiking, Hohenstaufen, Frundsberg, and Hitlerjugend were the elite. All other were no better IMO than regular Wehrmacht divisions.

And some were wurst.

Thank you, I just projectile defecated.
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: Ed Anger on February 16, 2012, 07:39:08 AM
 :lol:
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 07:52:01 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on February 16, 2012, 07:31:22 AM
Quote from: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 02:54:00 AM
For the divisions

Liebstandarte, Das Reich, Totenkopf, Wiking, Hohenstaufen, Frundsberg, and Hitlerjugend were the elite. All other were no better IMO than regular Wehrmacht divisions.

And some were wurst.

Brat??
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: Darth Wagtaros on February 16, 2012, 07:54:52 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on February 16, 2012, 07:31:22 AM
Quote from: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 02:54:00 AM
For the divisions

Liebstandarte, Das Reich, Totenkopf, Wiking, Hohenstaufen, Frundsberg, and Hitlerjugend were the elite. All other were no better IMO than regular Wehrmacht divisions.

And some were wurst.
But they were the best of the wurst.
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: grumbler on February 16, 2012, 10:05:56 AM
Quote from: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 07:52:01 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on February 16, 2012, 07:31:22 AM
And some were wurst.

Brat??

If you follow the Diet of Worms, you go from brat to wurst.
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: Admiral Yi on February 16, 2012, 10:10:58 AM
Got a semi-related question for Before.

One thing that always bugged me when I played SPI's Wacht am Rhein was the OOB of Panzer Lehr.  3 panzergrenedier regiments and one lousy StugIII battallion.  WTF?  No Panthers?  No PzIVs? 

Is that accurate for Lehr during the Bulge?
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: Hansmeister on February 16, 2012, 10:11:16 AM
Quote from: grumbler on February 16, 2012, 07:29:37 AM
Quote from: Viking on February 16, 2012, 06:41:29 AM
Keep a unit at full strength while letting others decline to well under half strength as a matter of policy.
Provide that unit with the best and most experienced NCO's from other units.
Provide that unit with the best available equipment.

Then pretend that this unit's manpowers fanatical facist will is the deciding factor and let the grognards ghey themselves up by colouring the counters in cool special colours.

Yes, they were better for clear obvious and understandable reasons.

Much as I hate to agree with Viking, he is right, here.  The SS was no better motivated than the German Army, even in its best units, but it was better-equipped and kept up to strength, so as to create the impression that it was the political element that made it so powerful.  After all, its ultimate purpose was to ensure that the Nazi party was safe against the German Army.  Its combat effectiveness against non-German enemies was a bonus (and, as noted, not really added until 1943).

Well, it was better motivated due to the fact that until late in the war the units were all-volunteer.  That does make a difference.  OTOH, their officers were chosen for political reasons, not competency, which undermined their effectiveness.
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: Hansmeister on February 16, 2012, 10:12:45 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on February 16, 2012, 10:10:58 AM
Got a semi-related question for Before.

One thing that always bugged me when I played SPI's Wacht am Rhein was the OOB of Panzer Lehr.  3 panzergrenedier regiments and one lousy StugIII battallion.  WTF?  No Panthers?  No PzIVs? 

Is that accurate for Lehr during the Bulge?

Are you questioning SPI?

AFAIK, Lehr was virtually wiped out in the falaise pocket and was a shadow of itself after that.
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: Admiral Yi on February 16, 2012, 10:13:42 AM
Quote from: Hansmeister on February 16, 2012, 10:12:45 AM
AFAIK, Lehr was virtually wiped out in the falaise pocket and was a shadow of itself after that.

Right, but so were all the other panzer divisions that participated in the Bulge.
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: derspiess on February 16, 2012, 10:25:56 AM
Quote from: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 05:02:16 AM
QuoteI do know that many Wehrmacht commanders considered them to be highly motivated and tenacious, but tactically clumsy at times, resulting in higher than "normal" casualties being taken.


This is very true of the early SS Motorized Divisions '39-'41ish. The Waffen SS didnt come into their own until early (Jan) '43. From that time on, they (the seven I listed) were usually the armor fist at the tip of the spear for just about every major offensive, counter offensive, or counter attack.

So, overrated....depends on which division(s), when and at what time.

Ditto.  But it's not hard to see why Waffen-SS units are often so overrated.  On a base level, "Panzer" sounds pretty badass, but "SS Panzer" is ueber-badass.
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: Viking on February 16, 2012, 10:28:15 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on February 16, 2012, 10:13:42 AM
Quote from: Hansmeister on February 16, 2012, 10:12:45 AM
AFAIK, Lehr was virtually wiped out in the falaise pocket and was a shadow of itself after that.

Right, but so were all the other panzer divisions that participated in the Bulge.

From Wikipedia

QuoteOperation Wacht am Rhein

In Early November Panzer Lehr was transferred to Hasso von Manteuffel's Fifth Panzer Army, part of Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt's Army Group G in preparation for the planned winter offensive, Operation Wacht am Rhein, commonly known as the Battle of the Bulge. On November 21 the fully rested and refitted Panzer Lehr was ordered out of its assembly area to counterattack the American forces driving towards the Saverne Gap. The counterattack stalled out, and Panzer Lehr was called back out of the line, much reduced in strength.

The time spent refitting Panzer Lehr and several other units which had been committed prematurely meant that the operation had to be delayed. During the run up to the offensive Panzer Lehr was kept in reserve, along with the Führer Begleit Brigade. On December 15, the day before the offensive began, Panzer Lehr was still severely understrength, with only one of its two tank battalions ready for action. In compensation it was reinforced by two tank destroyer battalions and an assault gun brigade. The division's armored reconnaissance battalion was its only organic unit up to full strength.

Wacht am Rhein opened on December 16, 1944, and Panzer Lehr moved out from the start positions in the center of the German line. The 26th Volksgrenadier Division was to clear the way for the division, but they soon became bogged down and the Panzer Lehr found itself moving forward at a crawl. The situation worsened over the next two days, with the 901st Panzergrenadier Regiment being halted by the Americans along the road to Wiltz, and the 902nd encountering heavy resistance in the town of Hosingen.
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 10:31:34 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on February 16, 2012, 10:10:58 AM
Got a semi-related question for Before.

One thing that always bugged me when I played SPI's Wacht am Rhein was the OOB of Panzer Lehr.  3 panzergrenedier regiments and one lousy StugIII battallion.  WTF?  No Panthers?  No PzIVs? 

Is that accurate for Lehr during the Bulge?

3 PG regiments dont sound right. Thought there was errata on those. They represent Kampf Groups though.*Shrugs*
But I dont that OOB was accuarate While it was not up to it's pre-normandy strength during the BotB. It did have one panzer battalion and some assault guns. Western theater is not my thing, so maybe someone can post a halfway accurate OOB for that time.

Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 10:32:41 AM
Quote from: Viking on February 16, 2012, 10:28:15 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on February 16, 2012, 10:13:42 AM
Quote from: Hansmeister on February 16, 2012, 10:12:45 AM
AFAIK, Lehr was virtually wiped out in the falaise pocket and was a shadow of itself after that.

Right, but so were all the other panzer divisions that participated in the Bulge.

From Wikipedia

QuoteOperation Wacht am Rhein

In Early November Panzer Lehr was transferred to Hasso von Manteuffel's Fifth Panzer Army, part of Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt's Army Group G in preparation for the planned winter offensive, Operation Wacht am Rhein, commonly known as the Battle of the Bulge. On November 21 the fully rested and refitted Panzer Lehr was ordered out of its assembly area to counterattack the American forces driving towards the Saverne Gap. The counterattack stalled out, and Panzer Lehr was called back out of the line, much reduced in strength.

The time spent refitting Panzer Lehr and several other units which had been committed prematurely meant that the operation had to be delayed. During the run up to the offensive Panzer Lehr was kept in reserve, along with the Führer Begleit Brigade. On December 15, the day before the offensive began, Panzer Lehr was still severely understrength, with only one of its two tank battalions ready for action. In compensation it was reinforced by two tank destroyer battalions and an assault gun brigade. The division's armored reconnaissance battalion was its only organic unit up to full strength.

Wacht am Rhein opened on December 16, 1944, and Panzer Lehr moved out from the start positions in the center of the German line. The 26th Volksgrenadier Division was to clear the way for the division, but they soon became bogged down and the Panzer Lehr found itself moving forward at a crawl. The situation worsened over the next two days, with the 901st Panzergrenadier Regiment being halted by the Americans along the road to Wiltz, and the 902nd encountering heavy resistance in the town of Hosingen.

Useless.
We want numbers man, numbers.
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: Berkut on February 16, 2012, 10:33:53 AM
Lehr's normal OOB was

1xPanzer Regiment
2xPanzerGrenadier Regiments
Artillery, recon, etc., etc. etc.

I know that for WaR they only had 1 of their two Panzer battalions, so the Regiment would be half strength. I have no idea why they would show as having three PG regiments though - that is just kind of odd.
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: Admiral Yi on February 16, 2012, 10:36:06 AM
OK, so bottom line SPI missed the one panzer battallion.  Assault guns were covered by corps level assets.
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 10:45:25 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on February 16, 2012, 10:36:06 AM
OK, so bottom line SPI missed the one panzer battallion.  Assault guns were covered by corps level assets.

It depends on how the designer interpeted the OOB for that operation.  The original WaR Lehr OOB looks rather bizzare. Even in the WaR II it shows Lehr with no pure Panzer Bns. But shows what appears as Kampf Groups.
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: Admiral Yi on February 16, 2012, 10:50:01 AM
Quote from: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 10:45:25 AM
It depends on how the designer interpeted the OOB for that operation. Even in the WaR II it shows Lehr with no pure Panzer Bns. But shows what appears as Kampf Groups.

SPI showed all battallions as pure battallions.  Here's a volksgrenedier battalion, here's a StuH battallion.
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: Berkut on February 16, 2012, 10:50:44 AM
I could see having them show as 2 KGs, assuming the Panzer battalion was just divided into each PG regment. I don't see how they could come up with three though.
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: The Brain on February 16, 2012, 10:52:14 AM
were the belgians called waffle-ss
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 10:54:10 AM
Quote from: Berkut on February 16, 2012, 10:50:44 AM
I could see having them show as 2 KGs, assuming the Panzer battalion was just divided into each PG regment. I don't see how they could come up with three though.

True. Here's the WaR II Lehr OOB

Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 10:55:06 AM
Quote from: The Brain on February 16, 2012, 10:52:14 AM
were the belgians called waffle-ss

Close...Wallonien
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 11:04:13 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on February 16, 2012, 10:50:01 AM
Quote from: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 10:45:25 AM
It depends on how the designer interpeted the OOB for that operation. Even in the WaR II it shows Lehr with no pure Panzer Bns. But shows what appears as Kampf Groups.

SPI showed all battallions as pure battallions.  Here's a volksgrenedier battalion, here's a StuH battallion.

J.D. was bizzare sometimes. I wouldnt exactly hold that as a rule.
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: Admiral Yi on February 16, 2012, 11:05:30 AM
Quote from: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 11:04:13 AM
J.D. was bizzare sometimes. I wouldnt exactly hold that as a rule.

Pretty sure JD didn't get a credit on that game.  I'm thinking The Fat Man.
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 11:42:19 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on February 16, 2012, 11:05:30 AM
Quote from: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 11:04:13 AM
J.D. was bizzare sometimes. I wouldnt exactly hold that as a rule.

Pretty sure JD didn't get a credit on that game.  I'm thinking The Fat Man.

Could be. JD is also listed as a designer.
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: Admiral Yi on February 16, 2012, 11:44:42 AM
Quote from: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 11:42:19 AM
Could be. JD is also listed as a designer.

Quit stalking me.
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 11:48:10 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on February 16, 2012, 11:44:42 AM
Quote from: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 11:42:19 AM
Could be. JD is also listed as a designer.

Quit stalking me.

You asked.  ;)Lower Center.

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcf.geekdo-images.com%2Fimages%2Fpic296094.jpg&hash=f05ee507f0f2c90069f04b7e54ad4e60fb9ba9c5)
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: Admiral Yi on February 16, 2012, 11:49:36 AM
So no Fat Man.

I'd forgotten the name Balkowski, but I do remember liking his work.
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: DGuller on February 16, 2012, 11:52:57 AM
Quote from: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 11:48:10 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on February 16, 2012, 11:44:42 AM
Quote from: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 11:42:19 AM
Could be. JD is also listed as a designer.

Quit stalking me.

You asked.  ;)Lower Center.

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcf.geekdo-images.com%2Fimages%2Fpic296094.jpg&hash=f05ee507f0f2c90069f04b7e54ad4e60fb9ba9c5)
Definitely over-rated.  I could penetrate that all day with my IS-4.
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 11:55:33 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on February 16, 2012, 11:49:36 AM
So no Fat Man.

I'd forgotten the name Balkowski, but I do remember liking his work.

True dat.

Op Typhoon
Ney v. Wellington
Atlantic Wall

To name a few.
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: Admiral Yi on February 16, 2012, 11:59:07 AM
Quote from: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 11:55:33 AM
True dat.

Op Typhoon
Ney v. Wellington
Atlantic Wall

To name a few.

Typhoon was great.

Ney v. Wellington was the most fun to set up of any game I've set up.  Then the firing started and it all went to shit.  Personally I think he fucked up the moral penalty for losses.  Lose 100 men and the battallion became land fill.
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: Razgovory on February 16, 2012, 12:45:08 PM
One of the more peculiar things about the Waffen SS was that many units could hold their own.  Political militias are typically pretty awful on the battlefield.  I think they have an "aura" around them do to both Allied and German propaganda.  Their tendency to commit atrocities also made it more difficult to surrender.  For instance after massacring a bunch of captured Canadian soldiers the SS found it difficult to surrender to Canadians in Normandy. This refers mostly to the "classic" German ones.  Many of the other ones that were composed of conquered or allied people were probably not much different then the average army unit.  Sometimes they weren't even volunteers.  And some units were just plain bad.  The Dirlwanger and Kaminski brigades were just awful.  Useful for only terror and rape.

I wonder how the German army soldiers viewed the SS formations.  I imagine with some resentment.
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: grumbler on February 16, 2012, 12:53:42 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on February 16, 2012, 11:59:07 AM
Ney v. Wellington was the most fun to set up of any game I've set up.  Then the firing started and it all went to shit.  Personally I think he fucked up the moral penalty for losses.  Lose 100 men and the battallion became land fill.
Bingo.  Detach your voltigeur company and rout.  Wasn't too hard to come up with better rules for moral and discipline, though.
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: Cecil on February 16, 2012, 02:18:47 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on February 16, 2012, 12:45:08 PM
One of the more peculiar things about the Waffen SS was that many units could hold their own.  Political militias are typically pretty awful on the battlefield.  I think they have an "aura" around them do to both Allied and German propaganda.  Their tendency to commit atrocities also made it more difficult to surrender.  For instance after massacring a bunch of captured Canadian soldiers the SS found it difficult to surrender to Canadians in Normandy. This refers mostly to the "classic" German ones.  Many of the other ones that were composed of conquered or allied people were probably not much different then the average army unit.  Sometimes they weren't even volunteers.  And some units were just plain bad.  The Dirlwanger and Kaminski brigades were just awful.  Useful for only terror and rape.

I wonder how the German army soldiers viewed the SS formations.  I imagine with some resentment.

I seem to remember Rommel having some strong opinions about them when his son asked to join up with em.
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: CountDeMoney on February 16, 2012, 02:20:36 PM
Quote from: The Brain on February 16, 2012, 10:52:14 AM
were the belgians called waffle-ss

Belgian Waffle-SS.

What an awesome fucking name for a band.
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: Admiral Yi on February 16, 2012, 02:26:15 PM
99 LuftWalloons.
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: grumbler on February 16, 2012, 04:18:38 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on February 16, 2012, 02:26:15 PM
99 LuftWalloons.
.. in the big parade....
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: Ed Anger on February 16, 2012, 06:43:04 PM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on February 16, 2012, 02:26:15 PM
99 LuftWalloons.

:lol:
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: mongers on February 16, 2012, 06:49:10 PM
Are people 'bumping' this thread in the hope that Hortlund will come back ?
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 08:41:29 PM
Quote from: mongers on February 16, 2012, 06:49:10 PM
Are people 'bumping' this thread in the hope that Hortlund will come back ?

Why, does it bother you?
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: mongers on February 16, 2012, 08:44:41 PM
Quote from: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 08:41:29 PM
Quote from: mongers on February 16, 2012, 06:49:10 PM
Are people 'bumping' this thread in the hope that Hortlund will come back ?

Why, does it bother you?

Well it Would be amusing, but I think he trying to avoid the bad old days.

edit:

I mean the thread really needs an apologist for the SS.
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 08:45:35 PM
Quote from: mongers on February 16, 2012, 08:44:41 PM
Quote from: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 08:41:29 PM
Quote from: mongers on February 16, 2012, 06:49:10 PM
Are people 'bumping' this thread in the hope that Hortlund will come back ?

Why, does it bother you?

Well it Would be amusing, but I think he trying to avoid the bad old days.
Whatever did happen to him? Anyone know?
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: mongers on February 16, 2012, 08:47:10 PM
Quote from: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 08:45:35 PM
Quote from: mongers on February 16, 2012, 08:44:41 PM
Quote from: 11B4V on February 16, 2012, 08:41:29 PM
Quote from: mongers on February 16, 2012, 06:49:10 PM
Are people 'bumping' this thread in the hope that Hortlund will come back ?

Why, does it bother you?

Well it Would be amusing, but I think he trying to avoid the bad old days.
Whatever did happen to him? Anyone know?

I think he said, he was planning to go into Swedish politics, so obviously what he'd written here could be a source of embarrassment.   :hmm:
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: Razgovory on February 16, 2012, 09:00:21 PM
I think the fact he was completely unethical might hurt him as well.  I remember when he was trying to figure out a way to fuck his client in a divorce case. :lol:
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: fhdz on February 16, 2012, 09:57:22 PM
Quote from: Cecil on February 16, 2012, 02:18:47 PM
I seem to remember Rommel having some strong opinions about them when his son asked to join up with em.

Rommel had some strong opinions about lots of things other Nazis really liked.
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: Neil on February 16, 2012, 09:59:38 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on February 16, 2012, 09:00:21 PM
I think the fact he was completely unethical might hurt him as well.  I remember when he was trying to figure out a way to fuck his client in a divorce case. :lol:
Completely unethical?  That wouldn't be a handicap for a politician or a Swede.
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: Siege on February 16, 2012, 10:07:42 PM
Quote from: fahdiz on February 16, 2012, 09:57:22 PM
Quote from: Cecil on February 16, 2012, 02:18:47 PM
I seem to remember Rommel having some strong opinions about them when his son asked to join up with em.

Rommel had some strong opinions about lots of things other Nazis really liked.

Rommel handed over 4000 mizrahi jews from Libya to be sent to Dachau.
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: Neil on February 16, 2012, 10:27:13 PM
Quote from: Siege on February 16, 2012, 10:07:42 PM
Quote from: fahdiz on February 16, 2012, 09:57:22 PM
Quote from: Cecil on February 16, 2012, 02:18:47 PM
I seem to remember Rommel having some strong opinions about them when his son asked to join up with em.
Rommel had some strong opinions about lots of things other Nazis really liked.
Rommel handed over 4000 mizrahi jews from Libya to be sent to Dachau.
And?
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: Siege on February 16, 2012, 10:42:10 PM
Quote from: Neil on February 16, 2012, 10:27:13 PM
Quote from: Siege on February 16, 2012, 10:07:42 PM
Quote from: fahdiz on February 16, 2012, 09:57:22 PM
Quote from: Cecil on February 16, 2012, 02:18:47 PM
I seem to remember Rommel having some strong opinions about them when his son asked to join up with em.
Rommel had some strong opinions about lots of things other Nazis really liked.
Rommel handed over 4000 mizrahi jews from Libya to be sent to Dachau.
And?

Old man, I'm gonna come at you like a spider monkey!
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: jimmy olsen on February 16, 2012, 10:48:31 PM
Quote from: Siege on February 16, 2012, 10:42:10 PM
Quote from: Neil on February 16, 2012, 10:27:13 PM
Quote from: Siege on February 16, 2012, 10:07:42 PM
Quote from: fahdiz on February 16, 2012, 09:57:22 PM
Quote from: Cecil on February 16, 2012, 02:18:47 PM
I seem to remember Rommel having some strong opinions about them when his son asked to join up with em.
Rommel had some strong opinions about lots of things other Nazis really liked.
Rommel handed over 4000 mizrahi jews from Libya to be sent to Dachau.
And?

Old man, I'm gonna come at you like a spider monkey!
:lol: Awesome line
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: CountDeMoney on February 17, 2012, 01:16:43 AM
Quote from: Razgovory on February 16, 2012, 09:00:21 PM
I think the fact he was completely unethical might hurt him as well.  I remember when he was trying to figure out a way to fuck his client in a divorce case. :lol:

IIRC, he was trying to bang the client's daughter as well.
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: Syt on February 17, 2012, 01:23:47 AM
Quote from: The Brain on February 16, 2012, 10:52:14 AM
were the belgians called waffle-ss

Not to be confused with:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages3.wikia.nocookie.net%2F__cb20060203224147%2Funcyclopedia%2Fimages%2F2%2F2c%2FLuftwaffle.jpeg&hash=8db558c494ad68d9fc9c78326d03b607cd915871)
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: grumbler on February 17, 2012, 07:24:23 AM
Quote from: Syt on February 17, 2012, 01:23:47 AM
Quote from: The Brain on February 16, 2012, 10:52:14 AM
were the belgians called waffle-ss

Not to be confused with:

(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages3.wikia.nocookie.net%2F__cb20060203224147%2Funcyclopedia%2Fimages%2F2%2F2c%2FLuftwaffle.jpeg&hash=8db558c494ad68d9fc9c78326d03b607cd915871)

The token for the "worst cartoon ever published on languish" has just been passed.

I know you were not posting it because you thought it was funny, but because it paralleled the idea here, but that's one painfully awful cartoon.  It will be hard to top.
Title: Re: Waffen-SS - elite units or overrated?
Post by: The Brain on February 17, 2012, 11:44:38 AM
The Stockholm Metro paper (the original!!1111) nowadays has that cartoonist. Incredibly boring guy.