FI35-159 HITLERJUGEND GRENADIERS NORMANDY SET

Panzergrenadier is a German term for a formation of panzer grenadiers, i.e. infantry units trained to fight in close cooperation with their own tanks. This term was officially used in 1942, when infantry divisions were renamed grenadier divisions and motorized infantry divisions into panzer grenadier divisions. It is worth adding that in the years 1937-1942, the Schützen Regiment was used to describe the infantry regiments serving in armored units. Theoretically, the basic equipment of armored grenadier divisions was to be armored half-tracked transporters, especially Sd.Kfz.251, but due to insufficient production, these infantry were often transported by trucks. As a standard, an armored grenadier division consisted of three infantry regiments, two battalions in each regiment and numerous support units, including anti-tank, anti-aircraft, sapper and communication units. Self-propelled guns, such as the StuG III, were often used in these formations. It is worth adding that the armored grenadier divisions were formed not only in the Wehrmacht, but also in the Waffen SS - for example the Totenkopf Division or the Hohenstaufen Division.12th SS Panzer Division "Hitlerjugend" (Ger. 12. SS-Panzer-Division "Hitler Youth" ) was formed in June 1943 in Antwerp, based on youth from the Hitler Youth organization (hence the name of the division) and officers from the 1st SS Division Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler and the Wehrmacht. The officer cadre of the unit was largely composed of veterans of the Eastern Front. The unit also received very good equipment during the process of formation, including a relatively large number of armored personnel carriers and Panther tanks. It began its combat route during the fighting in Normandy in June-August 1944, where it operated in the Caen region. She also fought at Falaise, but despite a good start, she managed to get out of the encirclement near this city. After rebuilding its personnel, it took part in the offensive in the Ardennes at the turn of 1944-1945, and later also fought in Hungary in 1945. In March this year, the division participated in the offensive on Lake Balaton (Operation Frühlingserwachen). The unit capitulated in Austria. The soldiers of the 12th SS Panzer Division committed many war crimes and crimes against the civilian population.