In 1942 Hitler gave authorization for the creation of two new Waffen-SS Divisions, one of which was the 9th. The unit saw action in many of the European theaters and played a pivotal role in Operation Market Garden. After this it was sent East to spearhead a counterattack in Hungary which ultimately proved ineffective. Retreating westwards the 9th SS Division eventually surrendered to US forces near Steyr in May 1945