12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend
| 12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend | |
|---|---|
Unit insignia
|
|
| Active | 1943–45 |
| Country |
 Nazi Germany
|
| Branch |
 Waffen-SS
|
| Type | Panzer |
| Role | Armoured warfare |
| Size | Division |
| Part of | I SS Panzer Corps |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Fritz Witt Kurt Meyer Hugo Kraas |
12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend ("Hitler Youth") 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.
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's end, several members of the division, including Kurt Meyer, were convicted of war crimes.
The idea for the Waffen-SS division was first proposed by Artur Axmann, the Nazi leader of the Hitler Youth to Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler in early 1943. The plan for a combat division made up of Hitler Youth members born in 1926 was passed on to Adolf Hitler for his approval. Hitler approved the plan in February and SS-Gruppenführer Gottlob Berger was tasked with recruiting. SS-Oberführer Fritz Witt of SS Division Leibstandarte (LSSAH) was appointed divisional commander. Personnel from the LSSAH provided the regimental, battalion and most of the company commanders for the division.
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