21. SS Waffen-Gebirgs-Division der SS Skanderbeg (albanische Nr. 1) was formed in 1944 and consisted mainly of volunteers from Albaina and Kosovo, but also a few thousand sailors from the Kriegsmarine who had lost their ships. It was used to fight partisans but many of the soldiers deserted (close to 3.500 within two months) and the division was disbanded.

The remaining troops fought on as Kampfgruppe Skanderbeg before becoming a part of the 7. SS-Freiwilligen-Gebirgs-Division Prinz Eugen.

Known war crimes
Elements of this division were used in operations against Jews in Albania at the order of SS-Gruppenführer Josef Fitzthum, Höhere SS und Polizeiführer Albanien.

Honor titles
Skanderbeg or Iskender-Beg (ca. 1405 – 1468) was actually called Gjergi Kastriota; he is one of Albania’s most important national heroes, having been a freedom fighter against the invading Turks. The goat-head helmet worn by Skanderbeg was also adopted as the symbol for the division’s collar patch.

Order of battle

SS-Waffen-Gebirgsjäger-Regiment der SS 50

SS-Waffen-Gebirgsjäger-Regiment der SS 51

Waffen-Gebirgs Artillerie Regiment 21

SS-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 21

SS-Panzerjäger-Abteilung 21

SS-Gebirgs-Pionier-Bataillon 21

SS-Versorgüngs-Abteilung 21

SS-Nachrichten-Abteilung 21

SS-Sanitäts-Abteilung 21

Officers serving in the Einsatzgruppen and Concentration Camps
Concentration Camps 4
(includes officers serving in the Einsatzgruppen or Concentration Camps either prior to or after service in this unit)

Insignia

The "Skanderbeg" cuff title was authorized for this unit.

Photo © N & T Global Trading

A collar insignia showing the Skanderbeg helmet was authorized, but probably not used.

Photo © The Ruptured Duck

Sources used

John R. Angolia - Cloth insignia of the SS

Georges M. Croisier - Waffen-SS (PDF)

Terry Goldsworthy - Valhalla's Warriors: A history of the Waffen-SS on the Eastern Front 1941-1945

Dr. K-G Klietmann - Die Waffen-SS: eine Dokumentation

David Littlejohn - Foreign Legions of the Third Reich, vol 3

James Lucas - Hitler's Mountain Troops: Fighting at the extremes

Antonio J. Munoz - Forgotten Legions: Obscure Combat Formations of the Waffen-SS

Marc J. Rikmenspoel - Waffen-SS Encyclopedia

George H. Stein - The Waffen-SS: Hitler's Elite Guard at War 1939-1945

Frank Thayer - SS Foreign volunteer collar insignia and their reproductions (in The Military Advisor, Vol 4 No 2)

Gordon Williamson & Thomas McGuirl - German military cuffbands 1784-present

Gordon Williamson - The Waffen-SS: 11. to 23. Divisions

Mark C. Yerger - Waffen-SS Commanders: The Army, corps and divisional leaders of a legend (2 vol)

Reference material on this unit

Laurent Latruwe & Gordana Kostic - La Division Skanderbeg: Histoire des Waffen-SS albanais des origines idéologiques aux débuts de la Guerre froide

Antonio J. Munoz - Forgotten Legions: Obscure Combat Formations of the Waffen-SS