34th SS Volunteer Grenadier Division Landstorm Nederland

The 34th SS Volunteer Grenadier Division "Landstorm Nederland" (German: 34. SS-Freiwilligen Grenadier-Division "Landstorm Nederland")[1] was a division in the Waffen-SS of Nazi Germany during World War II. It was formed by converting the SS Volunteer Brigade Landstorm Nederland into a division. It was composed of volunteers of Dutch background and saw action on the Western Front, but its strength never reached more than a brigade.

34th SS Volunteer Division
"Landstorm Nederland"
Unit insignia
Active12 March 1943 – 5 May 1945
Country Netherlands
AllegianceNazi Germany Nazi Germany
Branch Waffen SS
TypeShock Troops
SizeDivision
EngagementsWestern Front
Commanders
Notable
commanders		Martin Kohlroser

Upon the Operation Market Garden landings in September 1944 the unit would come under the command of Hans Rauter in the newly formed Kampfgruppen Rauter along with the Wachbataillon Nordwest and a regiment of the Ordnungspolizei.[2] Rauter was said to be proud of his Dutch 'Germanic SS'.[2]

The unit fought various actions of the Eastern and Western fronts. It took part in fighting in the Netherlands, then Pomerania, and then on the Seelow heights. In the latter action, Panzerjagdbrigade "Dora", equipped with Jagdtigers was attached to the formation, and both were destroyed attempting counterattacks.

Commanders

See also

References

Footnotes
  1. Official designation in German language as to „Bundesarchiv-Militärarchiv“ in Freiburg im Breisgau, stores of the Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS.
  2. Beevor, Antony (2018). Arnhem: The Battle for the Bridges, 1944. PenguinBooks. p. 48. ISBN 978-0-670-91867-6.


Bibliography
  • Pierik, Perry - From Leningrad to Berlin: Dutch Volunteers in the German Waffen-SS
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