34th SS Volunteer Grenadier Division Landstorm Nederland explained

Unit Name:34th SS Volunteer Division
"Landstorm Nederland"
Dates:1943–1945
Branch: Waffen-SS
Type:Infantry
Size:Division
Battles:
Notable Commanders:Martin Kohlroser

The 34th SS Volunteer Grenadier Division "Landstorm Nederland" (German: 34. SS-Freiwilligen-Grenadier-Division "Landstorm Nederland") was a World War II infantry division in the Waffen-SS, the combat wing of the German Nazi Party. It was formed by converting the SS Volunteer Brigade Landstorm Nederland into a division. It was composed of volunteers of Dutch background under the command of German officers; its strength never reached more than that of a brigade.

Operational history

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

The unit fought various actions on the Eastern and Western fronts. It took part in fighting in the Netherlands, then Pomerania, and then in the Battle of the Seelow Heights where it was destroyed.

Organization

The division consisted of the following.

List of commanders

The following were the commanding officers of the division.

See also

References

Bibliography