Panzerdivision Hitlerjugend Vol.1.1: 24/6/43- 5/6/44. Belgique-France.
The actual history of the 12.SS-Panzerdivision ‘Hitlerjugend’ from 1943-1944! After decades of research, and with the help of more than a hundred veterans from this division, the author offers a comprehensive study of Panzerdivision Hitlerjugend, which will comprise three volumes when complete. This first part of Volume 1 examines the history of the combat units (Divisions-Stab, SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt.25, SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt.26, SS-Pz.Pi.Btl.12, SS-Pz.Aufkl.Abt.12, SS-Pz.Art.Rgt.12, SS- Flak-Abt.12, SS-Pz.Nachr.Abt.12), from their inception in the of summer 1943 in Flanders, until Normandy in early June 1944.
What was the character of this unit nicknamed ‘Baby-Division’ by the Allies? From the idea to create a Division of 16 and 17 year-olds, all volunteers from the Hitler-Youth, until the operational availability of 12.SS-Panzerdivision, discover the methods of instruction and indoctrination used by Fritz Witt (35 years old), one of the youngest Divisional commanders in the German armed forces. How did he and his officers manage to turn these teenagers into the most formidable of adversaries in the Battle of Normandy? You will read numerous documents and unpublished personal accounts from the history of this unit; from the methods of recruitment in the Waffen-SS until the development of instruction for these young volunteers, their indoctrination, their everyday life, the potential problems of discipline and behaviour. All the answers to these questions and many more are here.
Panzerdivision Hitlerjugend Vol 1.1 should be considered an essential and valuable addition for the library of historians, armour and WWII enthusiasts or those interested in the Battle of Normandy.
Please note that this book is written in French
Book Data
Author: Stephan Cazenave
Language: French
Pages: 496
Photos & docs: 800+
Physical: Hardcover, 305x216mm, portrait
Chapters
Contextes – Automnes 1942
1943 – Année de la guerre et de l’engagement de la jeunesse
Sepp Dietrich et sa “Leibstandarte’ mis à contribution
Engagés volontaires dans la Waffen-SS – Témoignages de jeunes nés en 1926
Divisions-Stab – septembre 1943 – mars 1944
SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 1(25) – septembre 1943 – mars 1944
SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 2(26) – septembre 1943 – mars 1944
SS-Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon 12 – septembre 1943 – mars 1944
SS-Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 12 – septembre 1943 – mars 1944
SS-Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment 12 – septembre 1943 – mars 1944
SS-Nachrichten-Abteilung 12 – septembre 1943 – mars 1944
SS-Flak-Abteilung 12 – septembre 1943 – mars 1944
Défilés de la SS-Sturmbrigade ‘Wallonien’ – Charleroi – Bruxelles – 1er avril 1944
SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 25 – avril – juin 1944
SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 26 – avril – juin 1944
SS-Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon 12- avril – juin 1944
SS-Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 12- avril – juin 1944
SS-Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment 12- avril – juin 1944
SS-Nachrichten-Abteilung 12- avril – juin 1944
SS-Flak-Abteilung 12- avril – juin 1944