Steve Gilliard, 1964-2007

It is with tremendous sadness that we must convey the news that Steve Gilliard, editor and publisher of The News Blog, passed away June 2, 2007. He was 42.

To those who have come to trust The News Blog and its insightful, brash and unapologetic editorial tone, we have Steve to thank from the bottom of our hearts. Steve helped lead many discussions that mattered to all of us, and he tackled subjects and interest categories where others feared to tread.

Please keep Steve's friends and family in your thoughts and prayers.

Steve meant so much to us.

We will miss him terribly.

Deaths Head at Wal Mart

Walmart Nazi Tshirt Watch: Week 11

11 weeks after t-shirts bearing Nazi insignia were discovered in Walmart, the retailer has yet to remove them from all their stores, despite initial promises to do so within days.

We particularily enjoyed one entry by Thaddeus'. The plopped shirts arranged in triptych grant the scene the air of roguish insouciance we've come to know and love Walmart for. Well played.

As for the rest of you, please, step back from the shirts a bit when you take the pictures. Let's get some WIDE shots. You don't need to press the lens right up against the fabric. Trust us, it will look cooler.

This week's carnival of indifference, inside.

After the Campaign against Poland in 1939, a number of new SS Divisions were formed. The 3rd SS Division was formed from the Totenkopf units that took part in the Polish Campaign and with other members of the Totenkopfverbande and the Allgemeine SS. Some portions of the 3rd SS Division were formed from elements of SS Heimwehr Danzig which was originally SS Totenkopf Sturmbann "Gotze", renamed "Heimwehr Danzig" and formed into Abteilung size, then put under Heer control for combat in Poland. After Poland, portions of this unit were used in the formation of this Division. This Division was formed at the SS training area near Dachau. The Division was transfered from the SS Ubungslager Dachau (SS Training Depot Dachau) to Wurttemberg and then on to Truppen Ubungsplatz Obermunsingen. It was there that its training was finished, and command of the Division was given to Theodor Eicke who was the former head of the Totenkopfverbande.

During the Campaign in France, the 3rd SS Division served first as a part of the Army reserve. On May 16th, 1940, the Division was ordered into battle, and on May 19th, 1940, it was used to secure the area of Le Cateau and Cambrai. It was during this period that elements of the Division were envolved in actions that led to the execution of a group of Allied prisoners. The commander of the 4th Kompanie, I Abteilung, (The unit "found" as being responsible) was Fritz Knochlein. He was hung after the war for his part in the actions, but his actual guilt has been said to be suspect, and the trial against him seems to be have been biased.

Labels: ss, wal-mart, wwII