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12 SS-Panzer-Division Hitlerjugend |
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History
The 12th SS Panzer Division "Hitlerjugend" was a German armoured division of the Waffen-SS during World War II. The majority of its junior enlisted men were drawn from members of the Hitler Youth, while the senior NCOs and officers were from other Waffen-SS divisions.
The division committed several war crimes while en route to and during the early battles in Normandy, including the Ascq and Ardenne Abbey massacres. It first saw action on 7 June 1944 as part of the German defensive operations at Caen where it suffered 80 per cent losses.
In December 1944, the division was committed against the US Army in the Ardennes offensive. After the operation's failure, which became known as the Battle of the Bulge, the division was sent to Hungary to participate in fighting around Budapest. The division eventually retreated into Austria and surrendered to the 7th US Army on 8 May 1945. After the war, several members of the division, including Kurt Meyer, were convicted of war crimes.
The division committed several war crimes while en route to and during the early battles in Normandy, including the Ascq and Ardenne Abbey massacres. It first saw action on 7 June 1944 as part of the German defensive operations at Caen where it suffered 80 per cent losses.
In December 1944, the division was committed against the US Army in the Ardennes offensive. After the operation's failure, which became known as the Battle of the Bulge, the division was sent to Hungary to participate in fighting around Budapest. The division eventually retreated into Austria and surrendered to the 7th US Army on 8 May 1945. After the war, several members of the division, including Kurt Meyer, were convicted of war crimes.
Lineage
Order of Battle
July, 1943 1.SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment Hitlerjugend 2.SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment Hitlerjugend 12.SS-Panzer-Regiment 12.SS-Artillerie-Regiment 12.SS-Kradschutzen-Regiment 12.SS-Aufklarung-Abteilung 12.SS-Kradschutzen-Regiment 12.SS-Panzerjäger-Abteilung 12.SS-Werfer-Abteilung 12.SS-Flak-Abteilung 12.SS-Pioneer-Abteilung 12.SS-Panzer-Nachrichten-Abteilung 12th SS Divisional Support Units October, 1943 25.SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment Hitlerjugend 26.SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment Hitlerjugend 12.SS-Panzer-Regiment 12.SS-Artillerie-Regiment 12.SS-Kradschutzen-Regiment 12.SS-Aufklarung-Abteilung 12.SS-Kradschutzen-Regiment 12.SS-Panzerjäger-Abteilung 12.SS-Werfer-Abteilung 12.SS-Flak-Abteilung 12.SS-Pioneer-Abteilung 12.SS-Panzer-Nachrichten-Abteilung 12th SS Divisional Support Units |
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Commanders
Brigadeführer Fritz de Witt, 6.24.43 - 6.14.44
Brigadeführer Kurt Meyer, 6.14.44 - 9.06.44
Obersturmbannführer Hubert Meyer, 9.06.44 - 10.24.44
Brigadeführer Fritz Kraemer, 10.24.44 - 11.13/.44
Brigadeführer Hugo Kraas, 11.13.44 - 5.08.45
Brigadeführer Kurt Meyer, 6.14.44 - 9.06.44
Obersturmbannführer Hubert Meyer, 9.06.44 - 10.24.44
Brigadeführer Fritz Kraemer, 10.24.44 - 11.13/.44
Brigadeführer Hugo Kraas, 11.13.44 - 5.08.45
Operations
Equipment
Uniforms: |
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