What were the difference between a SS panzer division compared to other normal panzer divisions?

Answer 1

The Panzer-Brigade was almost exclusively a Heer project, which was a rarity in a time when almost all branches of the armed forces were deploying tank forces and frontline units were raised in every branch with available manpower. There is for example only one account of a formation of a Waffen-SS Panzer-Brigade, although in 1944 they made up almost a quarter of the German tankforces.

Waffen-SS Panzer-Brigade-
The Brigade began forming on 8 August 1944 under the command of SS-Sturmbannführer and Knight’s Cross holder Martin Gross. The forming lasted three days and when it was finished the unit had two infantry battalions (SS-Infanterie-Battalion 2 later became known as Einheit Runge and formed a part of Gruppe Sasse), a mixed panzer battalion with two companies (with cca. 10-15 Panzer III & IV), a reconnaissance battalion, a StuG battalion (with 12 StuG III), a provisional pioneer company and a Flak company (with units from the Luftwaffe and SS-Flak-Battalion 54).

The Waffen SS had a reputation for committing war crimes in occupied territory.

A typical example of a Panzer-Brigade build up is the formation of Panzer-Brigade 105. It was formed around the approximately 950 survivors of the smashed Panzer-Grenadier-Division 18. The tank battalion was mainly made up from tank training units, who were send to a special training course for the Panther tank. The brigade received circa 50 Panther, 11 Panzer IV/70 and approximately 100 armoured personal carriers.

Answer 2

Contrary to popular opinion the SS panzer divisions were not given preferential treatment in tanks and men, especially over the elite Wehrmact divisions Gross Deutchland and Panzer Lehr. The SS Panzer divisions, over-course were the 'elite' of the German forces and were a part of the political arm of the nation. Their titular head was the Reichsfuhrer Heinrich Himmler, although in the field they were usually under the control of the local theatre commander. During the latter stages of the war, they were given more prominent positions, including elevation to corps level. The SS earned the reputation for brutality and fierce resistance...so much so that they were used as the 'fire brigade' plugging holes here and rescuing a front there.

As you may know, the regular army (Werhmact) was different from the Waffen SS. Although by the end of the war, the distinctions grew less and less as both conscipted as many men as possible. In the beginning, the Waffen SS tried to restrict their forces with only the 'ideal' nordic men.

Answer 3

The SS units were given preferential treatment when replacement personnel and equipment were available, so they tended to be better equipped and more fully manned than regular army units.

Answer 4

SS has SS personnel, regular did not.