Magnificent Beasts of Prey ETO (id:#63479)

(Death to Fascism ID: DTF-6)   [next]   [previous]

Inota, Hungary 1945-03-20 (2 others)

Overview:

In 1943, the formation of a special Waffen-SS division, drawn from Hitler Youth members, born in 1926, was approved. This would symbolize the German youth's loyalty to the war effort - the same youth which Hitler had envisioned to live like "magnificent beasts of prey". The 12th 55-Panzer-Division "Hitlerjugend" enlisted 16,000 teenage recruits and was bolstered by 2,000 veteran 55 officers and NCOs. During its baptism of fire in Normandy, it performed well in the defensive battles around Caen but was almost destroyed in the Falaise encirclement. In early 1945, the division was moved to Hungary as part of the 6th 55-Panzer-Armee for Operation "Spring Awakening". The Germans made good progress at first, but as they drew near the Danube, the muddy terrain and strong Soviet resistance ground them to a halt. By 14 March, the offensive had run out of steam. Only two days later the Red Army unleashed a massive counterattack. Among the mobile forces was the elite 6th Guards Tank Army, plentifully equipped with Shermans and heavy assault guns. On 20 March, elements of the 12th SS were defending the scattered towns south of Lake Balaton. In lnota, the remaining tank destroyers of SS-Panzerjäger-Abteilung 12 were committed to stem the Soviet onslaught.

Defender: German (SS) (SS-Panzerjäger-Abteilung 12 and SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 25, 12th SS-Panzer-Division "Hitlerjugend")  

Errata (source)