Military Model Scene

Title: 12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend
Author: Massimiliano Afiero
Publisher: Casemate
ISBN: 978-1-63624-168-5

Another in the Casemate Illustrated series, covering the story of the Hitlerjugend from their formation in 1943 to the end of the Battle for Normandy. A 128-page soft-cover book focusing on one of the most well known of the SS Panzer divisions involved in the fighting for Normandy following the D-Day invasion by the Allies.
Created in 1943 in readiness for the expected Allied invasion of NW Europe, the Hitlerjugend consisted largely of young soldiers from the Hitler Youth, born in 1926, along with experienced officers and NCOs to command them. They were attached to 1 SS Panzer Corps in March 1944 and sent to Normandy, where they were primarily involved with the defence of Caen. After an initial Timeline and introduction, the story of their campaign is told, accompanied by a large number of archive photos to illustrate the various elements of the 4 battles for Caen, before they were caught up in the Falaise Pocket and were finally withdrawn and placed in reserve. For anyone who has read about the campaign, names such as Villiers Bocage, Rot, Carpiquet Airfield, le Mesnil Patrie, Caen itself and many others will all be familiar. Though not a town, Hill 112 was also an important part of their story. Added to the sequence of events and photos, there are helpful maps plus some individual profiles, including for AFVs such as the Jagdpanzer IV and individuals such as Fritz Witt, Kurt Meyer and others.
An interesting and varied selection of photos, with plenty of detail for uniforms and vehicles that accompany the story in the main text, plus individual captions. Of all the German units in Normandy in 1944, the Hitlerjugend seems to attract a lot of attention with plenty of books on the subject, and this one is a good value addition to that list. Modellers will also find plenty of inspiration for dioramas in here and detail for uniforms and equipment alike.
Thanks to Casemate UK for the review copy.

Robin