R.J. Bender Publishing

Germany’s Combat Helmets 1933-1945: A Modern Study (Ken Niewiarowicz)

Perhaps the best reference yet written on the overall subject of the Third Reich steel helmet. Details and heretofore little known facts are presented in a chronological order through the examination of scores of the finest original examples. The reader will come away with a better understanding of the production, adornment and period modification in design of the combat helmets of Hitler's armed forces.

Hard cover, 468 pages, 867 color photos, deluxe binding.

Price: $70 USD / $77 CAD

Handbook of the Hitler-Jugend Bann Numbers and Gebiets Triangles (Wilhelm P.B.R. Saris with Philippe Gillain and Jeff Hammond)

The author presents the reader with an in-depth development of HJ Gebiet triangles, shoulder straps and their colors, and the ranking systems. Since the 1960s Bann lists have been available in Europe and later, lists have appeared on the Internet. This handbook is based only on official sources and contains the most complete listing of Bann numbers and their locations.

At a glance, one can check a number's development and its relationship to a specific triangle. Additionally, the triangles and shoulder straps for all known special forces and formations are covered, as well as their organizational development.

To supplement the massive amount of information contained in this 784 page volume, over 1000 color photographs of triangles and shoulder straps, plus documents and beautiful period portraits support the text.

This book is a "Must Have" for all HJ collectors and researchers.

Hard cover, 6" x 9", 784 pages, over 1,034 color photos/illustrations, Deluxe Binding.

Price $90 USD / $105 CAD

The War Merit Cross (Gordon Williamson and Josef Charita)

This book painstakingly reviews The War Merit Cross from 1939 through the postwar years. Illustrated throughout its 458 total pages, hundreds of color photos show the fronts, backs, pins, hinges, maker's marks, presentation boxes, and award certificates while clearly laying out the manufacturing details to help identify each medal. In addition to the extensive coverage of each type medal, the book closes with an illustrated biography section that alphabetically runs through a complete list of recipients of the Knight's Cross of the War Merit Cross, with and without Swords, and details on how and when they earned and were awarded their medals.

Hard cover, 6" x 9", 458 pages, 739 photos, most in color.

Price: $65 USD / $72 CAD/INT.

German Cross in Gold Volume 4 Holders of the SS and Police (Mark Yerger)

Volume 4 presents in depth new material and photos, correcting previous texts on the Waffen-SS Cavalry. The emphasis is on the Kavallerie Brigade, "Florian Geyer," and "Maria Theresia." Data for unit development, commanders, and senior staff, is the most inclusive yet published. The award holder biography area  adds tangent information, A full campaign report by a senior commander, Allgemeine-SS riding units, Honor Clasp, and Close Combat Clasp in Gold holders are included. Feldpost data, multiple officer assignment lists and addendum.

Hard cover, 6" x 9", Foreword by Hugh Page Taylor. 368 pages, 151 photos, Deluxe Binding.

Price $45USD / $59CAD

German Cross in Gold, Volume 3 - Recipients of the SS and Police (Mark Yerger)

Mr. Yerger follows up "German Cross in Silver" and "German Cross in Gold," Volumes 1 and 2 with Volume 3, Regiment and Division "Nordland." Yerger once again shows us what a marvelous researcher he is. His extensive contacts throughout the world helped him once again author a historical journey that leads us through the combat actions of recipients of The German Cross in Gold in great detail. Featuring 139 photos throughout the 252 pages, this latest volume of "German Cross in Gold" is a must have for collectors and history buffs alike.

Hard cover, 6" x 9", 252 pages, 139 photos. Price: $45 USD / $59 CAD/INT. Order below.

German Cross in Gold: Volume 2 “Das Reich”: Karl-Heinz Lorenz to Herbert Zimmermann (Mark C. Yerger)  

Covers the SS recipients of the German Cross in gold for combats while assigned to the 2.SS-Panzer-Division "Das Reich". 

This volume examines the balance of SS recipients awarded the German Cross in Gold for operations while assigned to the 2. SS-Panzer-Division “Das Reich.” The detailed format follows that previously established in “German Cross in Silver Holders of the SS and Police” as well as the initial volume on Gold holders. Full biographies include promotions, decorations, appointments, and posts with in-depth tangent data. Especially significant are the combat narratives that resulted in the award. Numerous holders of the decoration contributed photos and documents for this lavishly illustrated volume, essential for the historian and SS collector alike. Appendixes examine the Order of Battle development of the armor contingents, a new divisional Order of Battle to platoon level, and element commanders. Finally, an addendum adds newly uncovered details and illustrations to the previous volumes. With the continuing support of Waffen-SS veterans, this series breaks new ground in scope and detail. Foreword by Knight's Cross recipient  Ernst Barkmann. 

Hard cover, small format, English text, 432 pages and 247 photographs / illustrations. Price $45 USD/$59 CDN/INT. Order below.

German Cross In Gold Volume 1 (Bender/M. C. Yerger).

Commencing an unprecedented study detailing all SS and Police holders of the German Cross in Gold by unit, the first of two volumes of this new series examines the holders of the 2.SS-Panzer-Division "Das Reich."  More than twenty years of research provide comprehensive information for the holders of this prestigious decoration to include the combat narrative that actually resulted in the award. Also included are all other awards, promotions, and known service history. Aside from full information on each individual, detailed data is provided for the various elements they were assigned to within the Division and other postings held in the course of their often diverse careers. Heavily illustrated with rare photos and documents, many were provided by the recipients themselves who fully supported the research. The actual award recommendation documents are seen and the approval process fully examined, adding to an invaluable study for the historian. The illustrations also provide a wealth of information for collectors of uniforms, insignia, medals documents, and autographs. An appendix includes the most detailed Order of Battle listing of commands compiled to date, as well as new data on the Division's Roll of Honor Clasp and Close Combat Clasp in Gold holders. Foreword by "Das Reich" Knight's Cross and German Cross in Gold winner Siegfried Brosow.

Hard cover, small format, English text, 432 pages and 295 photographs/illustrations. Price $45 USD/$59 CDN/INT.

Aiguillettes of the Third Reich (Wilhelm P. B. R. Saris)

Defending the Reich David Littlejohn

In this work the author gives a history the air war, year by year, and then introduces the reader to the active ground defenses, Flak, Radar, Searchlights etc. The picture is complete with his coverage of Germany’s civil defense structure which includes the Luftschutz, Police and Fire Services, Werkfeuerwhhr, Luftschutzpolizei etc. All of the above organizations are richly illustrated in color and b/w period photos and show related uniforms, rank and specialty insignia, daggers, flags, medals, helmets.

Hardcover, small format (6"x9"), 680 pages, 1573 photos/illustrations, many in color. Price: $80 USD / $88 CAD/INT.

Torpedo Los! The Fascinating World of U-Boat Collectibles (Gordon Williamson)

Submarine related memorabilia has always been popular with collectors and none more so than that relating to the U-Boats. This color-filled book covers everything worn and used by the U-Boat crews. Detailed chapters included are uniforms, headgear, cap ribbons, rank insignia, trade insignia, the U-Boat badge, gallantry and other awards, personal documentation, equipment, weapons, flags, the Kaiserliche Marine and the Bundesmarine.

Hardcover, large format (9"x12"), 416 pages; 1,151 photos /illustrations (most in color), deluxe binding. Price: $80 USD / $88 CAD/INT

Leaders of the SS & German Police, Volume I: Ahrens to Gutenberg (Michael Miller) Himmler's general officers were a diverse and fascinating group of men, consisting of brilliant and not-so-brilliant military strategists, highly educated members of the legal and medical professions, and yes, mass murderers on a grand scale. This first volume provides detained biographical sketches and photos of 71 senior leaders of the SS and German Police. You will know promotion dates, every position held during their career, decorations received, postwar prosecution, and personal data like family, religion, etc. For the autograph collector examples of signatures are also provided.

Hardcover, small format (6"x9"), 498 pages; 288 photos, 51 illustrations; deluxe binding. Price: $49 USD / $55 CAD/INT.

Waffenrock: Parade Uniforms of the German Army

This book is organized to be easy to reference for Waffenrock collectors.  In it you will see scarce official Clothing Office patterns and tailoring instructions plus over 85 complete uniforms in full color.  Examples of every Waffenfarbe! The full color coverage is stunning.  This is a book you will enjoy looking at over and over again.  

Hardcover, approx. 600 pages Price: $120 USD / $132 CAD/INT

Headgear of Hitler's Germany Volume 4 (W. Saris)

Covers the general SS, SS Special Purpose Troops, SS-Death's Head Units and the Germanic-SS (Netherlands, Belgium, Norway and Denmark). Also detailed are the National Socialist Automobile Corps and the National Socialist Motor Corps.

Hard cover, small format, English text, 512 pages and 824 photographs/illustrations. Price $60 USD/$66 CDN/INT. 

For Germany: The Otto Skorzeny Memoirs (Edited by Craig W. H. Luther, Ph.D. & Hugh Page Taylor)

Otto Skorzeny only rose to the rank of Colonel in the SS, yet is one of the best known and colorful figures of the Third Reich, in large part because of the faith Hitler had in the tall Austrian engineer. Many books have been written about his career, to include autobiographies, but before he died in 1975 he personally entrusted Bender Publishing with the formidable task of producing the most detailed, up-dated and best illustrated version of his incredible life story. A quarter of a century later, after painstaking research into the text and a hunt for unpublished illustrations, the ultimate story of “Scarface” Skorzeny, “the most dangerous man in Europe” and Hitler's “commando extraordinary” is finally available. Complete with an exhaustive index, providing biographical details not found in the text, this is likely to be the last word on this larger than life personality, one of the great characters of World War II.

Hard cover, small format, English text, 528 pages and 248 photographs. A new work that is likely to be the last word on this extraordinary character.  Price $49 USD/$55 CDN/INT. 

Uniforms, Organizations and History of the German Police: Volume 2 (John R. Angolia and Hugh Page Taylor)

This massive volume, one of the largest we have ever published, documents in incredible detail the uniforms, shoulder boards, collar tabs, uniforms of Police generals, specific insignia, awards, decorations, belts and buckles. Then comes the history, organization and uniforms of five of the major branches of the complex Police organization: the Protection, Traffic and Municipal Police, the Gendarmerie (including the motorized branch) and the Technical Emergency Corps (TN). Appendices provide the most complete details of organization and command of the Protection Police, Landjagerei/Gendarmerie, Motorized Gendarmerie and TN ever assembled.

Hard cover, 6" x 9", 808 pages, 1,083 photos/illustrations (most in full color), Deluxe Binding.

Price $90USD / $115CAD

German Cross In Silver-Holders of the SS and Police (Bender/M. C. Yerger)

Among the most sought after and desired awards by collectors, the actual recipients of the German Cross in Silver have never been examined in detail. Now, for the first time, full biographical data and unpublished photo material is available for the SS and Police holders of this elusive award. The award itself is in full color, its recommendation process, and actual award documents are also included. Adding significantly to the biographical information are details of the unit assignments, posts and commands of the recipients. With the SS and Police remaining among the most sought-after information topics by both historians and collectors, this volume fills a significant void in the study of the Third Reich

Hard cover, small format, English text, 208 pages and 127 photographs and documents. Price $35 USD/$43 CDN/INT. 

Red Shines The Sun: A Pictorial History of the Fallschirm-Infanterie (R.J. Bender/E. Queen) Traces the history of the Army paratroopers of the Fallschirm-Infanterie from their origins in 1937, to the expansion to battalion  strength in 1938, then on through operations in Poland and Holland. Includes original examples of nearly all documents awarded to Army paratroopers and badges. Due to the heavy emphasis on documents, badges and uniforms this title will be of interest primarily to collectors. Up to the very high standards of this publisher, this is a neat reference.

Hard cover, large format, English text, 240 pages and 600 photographs (dozens in color). Price $70 USD/ $77 CDN/INT.

GERMAN MILITARY CUFFBANDS 1784 - PRESENT (G. Williamson & T. McGuirl) 

An in-depth reference work covering every known German military cuffband worn from 1784 until now. Many of the photographs have never been previously published. Includes: Hanoverian Army, Freikorps, Heer, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, Waffen SS/SS-VT, Bundeswehr and Nationale Volksarmee der DDR. An excellent work on a fascinating topic.

HC, 6" x 9", 352pp, 836 photos - 47 in color, English text. Price $45 USD/$50 CDN/INT. Special orders accepted.

Tank Killers (R.J. Bender Publications: Breyette and Bender)  Chapters include: Historical Background; History of the Tank Destruction Badge; Variations of Issue Tank Destruction Badges; Embroidered Tank destruction Badges; Field-Made Tank destruction Badges; Fakes and reproductions; Method of Wear; Award Documents; Soldbuch/Wehrpass entries; Navy Awards and Documents (!); Hitler Youth Awards; Individual; Histories; Weapons & Tactics. Even if you are not a collector, this is an invaluable reference books. Extremely well done and highly recommended!

Soft cover, mid-sized format (6x9), English text, 144 pages, profusely photo illustrated throughout in both black & white and color.Price: $25 USD / $27.50 CDN/INT.

LABOR ORGANIZATIONS OF THE REICH (J. Angolia & D. Littlejohn)

Covers the complex nature of the German labor organizations. Also includes an in-depth study of their uniforms, insignia, decorations and flags.

Hard cover, English text, 6" x 9", 560 pages, 1,600 Illustrations. Price: $55 USD/$61 CDN/INT. 

Leaders & Personalities of the Third Reich-Volume 1 (Bender/C. Hamilton)

This is a blend of autographs, biographies and rare photographs of Adolf Hitler and the people who influenced him and those he captivated with his notions of a "Master Race."

Hard cover, English text, small format, 480 pages, 876 photographs/reproduced autographs. $45 USD/$50 CDN/INT

Hitler's Military Headquarters-Organization, Structures, Security and Personnel (Bender/A. L. Johnson)

This work photographically covers the various headquarters from which Hitler conducted the German military effort during WWII. It also details all of his movements during the course of the war. Besides numerous unpublished photos and maps, material concerning the composition of Hitler's headquarters, its guards, plus its higher military and political staffs are included. The headquarters covered are the: Fuhrersonderzug, "Adlerhorst," "Felsennest," "Wolfsschlucht," "Tannenberg," "Berghof," "Fruhlingssturm," "Wolfsschanze," "Wehrwolf," "Wiesenthal" and the Berlin Reichs Chancellery. An incredible tool for the historian and researcher!

Hard cover, English text, small format, 240 pages and 391 photographs plus several maps. Price $36 USD/$40 CDN.

Uniforms, Organization and History of the Waffen-SS, Volume 2 by Hugh Page Taylor assisted by Roger James Bender. Fourth printing of the classic study on the Waffen-SS. Chapters include: SS headquarters and administrative units; SS Army Groups; SS Corps; Introductions to the first 6 Waffen-SS divisions (with subordinate and attached commands) --"Leibstandarte", "Das Reich", "Totenkopf", "Polizei", "Wiking" and "Nord".

Hard cover, English text, 6"x9" , 175 pages, hundreds of photos, multi-color pennant section, orders of battle for all major and subordinate commands. Price $25 US / $28 CAD

Uniforms, Organization and History of the Waffen-SS, Volume 3 by Hugh Page Taylor assisted by Roger James Bender. Chapters discuss 7 Waffen-SS divisions (with subordinate and attached commands) -- "Prinz Eugen", "Florian Geyer", "Hohenstaufen", "Frundsberg", "Nordland", "Hitlerjugend" and "Handschar".

Hard cover, English text, 6"x9" , 175 pages, hundreds of photos, orders of battle for all major commands. Price: $25 / $28 CAD