Description
Formed in 1943 with the express purpose of blocking the forthcoming Allied invasion in the West, the 12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend carved out a reputation as one of the Wehrmacht's foremost panzer divisions, as witnessed by its tenacious defense of Caen following the Allied invasion of Normandy.
The British Operation Goodwood against Caen in July 1944 was followed by Totalize in August, which bypassed Caen and attacked the Hitlerjugend positions. Within a week thousands of German troops were encircled in the Falaise Pocket. Around ten thousand Hitlerjugend soldiers escaped piecemeal, regrouping to fight in the battles along the Maas and the ill-fated Ardennes offensive of December 1944. Deployed to Hungary in 1945 to stem the Red Army advance, the division fought against overwhelming odds until the final battles in Austria, on Reich soil, in late April 1945. There the soldiers of the Hitlerjugend, despite the desperate situation and the superiority of the enemy, managed to achieve local success and launch desperate counterattacks even into the last weeks of the war. Packed with photographs, maps and profiles, this Casemate Illustrated title follows the actions of the 12th SS Panzer Division throughout its existence.
About the Author
Massimiliano Afiero was born in Afragola, Italy, in 1964. An information technology teacher and programmer, he has been interested in military history since his youth. He has published widely and has been involved in the editing and development of several magazines including Volontari, SGM, Ritterkreuz and The European Volunteer, and the Fronti di Guerra series. Since January 2017, he has been Editor-in-Chief of the quarterly magazine The Axis Forces.
Reviews
[A] good introduction to the combat history of a unit involved in some of WWII's bloodiest and most critical battles. * AMPS *
The author covers specific events during and after Nomandy. * Gun Mart *
[W]ith the aid of maps and crystal-clear photos in color, you will see for yourself how these kids, for the most part, do Hitler's bidding and fight to the bitter end against overwhelming odds[.] * ARGunners.com *
Book Information
ISBN 9781636243146
Author Massimiliano Afiero
Format Paperback
Page Count 128
Imprint Casemate Publishers
Publisher Casemate Publishers
The British Operation Goodwood against Caen in July 1944 was followed by Totalize in August, which bypassed Caen and attacked the Hitlerjugend positions. Within a week thousands of German troops were encircled in the Falaise Pocket. Around ten thousand Hitlerjugend soldiers escaped piecemeal, regrouping to fight in the battles along the Maas and the ill-fated Ardennes offensive of December 1944. Deployed to Hungary in 1945 to stem the Red Army advance, the division fought against overwhelming odds until the final battles in Austria, on Reich soil, in late April 1945. There the soldiers of the Hitlerjugend, despite the desperate situation and the superiority of the enemy, managed to achieve local success and launch desperate counterattacks even into the last weeks of the war. Packed with photographs, maps and profiles, this Casemate Illustrated title follows the actions of the 12th SS Panzer Division throughout its existence.
About the Author
Massimiliano Afiero was born in Afragola, Italy, in 1964. An information technology teacher and programmer, he has been interested in military history since his youth. He has published widely and has been involved in the editing and development of several magazines including Volontari, SGM, Ritterkreuz and The European Volunteer, and the Fronti di Guerra series. Since January 2017, he has been Editor-in-Chief of the quarterly magazine The Axis Forces.
Reviews
[A] good introduction to the combat history of a unit involved in some of WWII's bloodiest and most critical battles. * AMPS *
The author covers specific events during and after Nomandy. * Gun Mart *
[W]ith the aid of maps and crystal-clear photos in color, you will see for yourself how these kids, for the most part, do Hitler's bidding and fight to the bitter end against overwhelming odds[.] * ARGunners.com *
Book Information
ISBN 9781636243146
Author Massimiliano Afiero
Format Paperback
Page Count 128
Imprint Casemate Publishers
Publisher Casemate Publishers
