ϟϟ-Division „Totenkopf“ Redesignated

NCO of SS-Division Totenkopf

Medic Kradschutzen of SS-Division Totenkopf

From May 1942, elements of the SS-Division Totenkopf were withdrawn to rebuild in France, and new subunits were formed, so that a new Totenkopf Division organized even as the last of the old version bled to death in the Demyansk Pocket. Its survivors were finally withdrawn in Oct. 1942, after German counter-attacks had finally driven the Soviets far enough back for the salient to be considered secure. At Demyansk, about 80 percent of its members were killed, wounded or missing in action. Only 6,400 Totenkopf soldiers remained alive. The Totenkopf now received replacements from the general élite pool of Waffen-SS thoroughly trained recruits and was redesignated SS-Panzergrenadier-Division Totenkopf in Nov. 1942, but the division's affiliation with the SS-Totenkopfverbände in its early years even today stain the reputation of the later-formed élite division 3.SS-Panzer-Division Totenkopf. The Totenkopf's manpower strength was 21,186 men in Dec. 1942. Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler authorised the institution of a special campaign decoration in commemoration of the defensive battles around Demyansk in 1942. It took the form of a silver-washed zinc shield, topped by an eagle and swastika over a field bearing crossed swords and an aircraft over the date 1942, with the legend Demyansk above and was to be worn on the upper sleeve of the left shoulder of uniform. It is estimated that over 100,000 Demyansk shields were presented. Left image: an NCO of the Totenkopf wearing a Platanenmuster camouflage smock poses for SS-Kriegsberichter Ernst Baumann during the first part of the campaign against the Soviets. Credit: Benoit Vienne. Commons: Bundesarchiv. Right image: a medical orderly of the Totenkopf' arrives to the battlefield to transport the wounded back to the rear. We can see the early war period camouflage pattern Palmenmuster in the fore-ground. Photo by Ernst Baumann. Credit: Karl Mensburg. U.S. NARA.