12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend

Volume 1 - From Formation to the Battle of Caen

by Massimiliano Afiero

Translated by Raphael Riccio

Series:

Casemate Illustrated

Imprint: Casemate

128 Pages, 8 x 10 in, 150 photographs and maps

Paperback
9781636241685
October 2022
In Stock

$28.95

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A fully illustrated account of the infamous 12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend, from their formation through to the fierce battles for Caen.

The 12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend was formed in 1943 from members of the Hitler Youth who had been born in 1926, primarily as an emergency response force in France to repel the expected Allied invasion from the sea. Training was initially haphazard due to lack of equipment, however in March 1944 it was attached to I SS Panzer Corps and transferred to Normandy. Based around Caen, it was intended to repel a possible and expected invasion from the sea. When the invasion came in June, it was one of the two closest panzer divisions to the landing beaches, engaging Allied paratroopers at dawn. Once the Allied bridgehead was established, Hitlerjugend deployed to Caen.

The defensive battles that took place in Normandy, particularly the four battles around the city of Caen, saw the young soldiers of the Hitlerjugend demonstrate determined resistance, conceding only due to being greatly outnumbered.

Packed with photographs, maps and profiles, this Casemate Illustrated follows the actions of the 12th SS Panzer Division through formation and training to the four battles for Caen.

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.

"These titles provide excellent bang for the buck with extensive photo-documentation and concise descriptive text." ~AMPS

"The book is superbly illustrated with photos taken during the battle as well as some nicely done maps and charts to help provide a greater understanding of the battles." ~ModelingMadness.Com

"Modelers and historians should be able to glean a great deal of technical and operational information from this book; firsthand accounts are particularly valuable. The wealth of images also provides a treasure trove of source material for research and inspiration for subject matter to model." ~Armorama