Cazenave, Stephan Panzerdivision Hitlerjugend. Vol. 1/Part 1

This is the true history of the 12.SS-Panzerdivision Hitlerjugend 1943-1944 ! After several decades of researches and with the help of more than hundred veterans of this Division, the author proposes you an encyclopaedic study of this famous german elite unit which will have 3 Volumes at the end. This ?rst part of the Volume 1 reviews 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, SSFlak-Abt.12, SS-Pz.Nachr.Abt.12), from their setting up in summer 1943 in Flanders, until early June 1944 in Normandy. But also all the processes of creation of this Panzerdivision. What was the really nature of this unit nicknamed Baby-Division by the Allied? From the idea to create a Division with only teenagers with 16/17 years old, all volunteers from the HitlerYouth until the operational availability of 12.SS-Panzerdivision, discover which methods of instruction and indoctrination were used by Fritz Witt (35 years old), one of the youngest Divisions commander in the German army. How did he and his o?cers managed to make of these teenagers soldiers who will turn out to be of formidable ?ghters during the Battle of Normandy? You will read with numerous documents and unpublished personal accounts the history of this unit, from the methods of recruitment in the Waffen-SS, until the evolution of the instruction of these young volunteers, their indoctrination, their everyday life, the potential problems of discipline and behavior All the answers brought to these questions and to so many others, associated with the history of the units, make of this book of 496 pages, a reference documentation! An incredible iconography with several hundred unpublished photos (material, portraits, Soldbücher, a.s.o.). This book must be considered like an important and valuable addition for each library of historians, armoured and WWII enthousiasts or interested people in the Battle of Normandy.

But all the circumstances and developments surrounding the formation of this armoured division are also taken into account. What was the true nature of this unit, called the "Baby Division" by the Allies? Learn about the idea of forming a division with only teenagers aged 16-17, all volunteers from the Hitler Youth until the operational availability of the 12th SS Panzer Division, and what teaching and indoctrination methods were used by Fritz Witt (aged 35), one of the youngest divisional commanders in the German army. How did he and his officers manage to turn these teenagers into soldiers who became horrific opponents for the Allies during the Battle of Normandy? Through numerous documents and unpublished personal accounts, you will discover the history of this unit, from the methods of recruitment in the Waffen SS to the development of the training of these young volunteers, their indoctrination, their daily life, the possible problems of discipline and behaviour... All the answers to these questions and to so many others linked to the history of the units make this book of 496 pages a reference documentation! An impressive iconography with several hundred unpublished photos (equipment, portraits, pay books, etc.). This book must be considered an important and valuable addition to any library of military history enthusiasts.