Members of the SS-Special Regiment & #39;Dirlewanger& #39; in the early days of the Warsaw uprising in 1944. & #39;Special& #39; meant they were largely convicted criminals, offered redemption if they participated in murders and suicidal missions. In Warsaw they massacred civilians by the thousands.

On 5 August 1944, they were estimated to have murdered more than 12500 civilians and Home Army members. 2/

Oddly, Dirlewanger& #39;s unit contained some highly decorated ex-officers and NCOs who had been disgraced for one reason or another. The soldier in the centre with the bandaged head wears an Iron Cross 1st class and... 3/

...the Close Combat Clasp, despite being only a senior private. It is likely that he had been & #39;busted& #39; for a criminal or political offence. A good description of their behaviour is that they were & #39;kicked dogs& #39;. 4/

There& #39;s more detail about Dirlewanger& #39;s unit here, if anyone is interested:
https://amzn.to/30u6s8X ">https://amzn.to/30u6s8X&q...