German Military – Fact and Fiction

[meghdut]

Sorry for the delay but I finally found enough time to come to this.

First of all, their first offensive action during the Battle of Normandy was an attack by a battlegroup composed of the SS-Panzergrenadierregiment 25 and a battalion of Panzer IV tanks from SS-Panzerregiment 12 on 7 June. They managed to drive back the 27th Canadian Armoured Regiment north of Caen, where they claimed 28 tanks for the loss of only six men. The assault had to be called off however since their flanks were threatened by advancing Allied units. The same pattern was repeated in the Battle of Caen for the next weeks, resulting in highly effective attacks but the Hitlerjugend Division sustained very heavy casualties in return too due to their fanaticism and inexperience, with the latter caused by a paucity of officers, NCOs and materiel during recruitment. The lacking officers were substituted by Hitler Youth officers without combat experience and receiving little training.
The division was also worn out by constant air, artillery and naval attacks (commander Fritz Witt was killed by naval gunfire on 16 June), the air raids in particular that destroyed the city of Caen hampered the division's supply lines.
In the period from June to September it took around 8,500 casulties, losing nearly all of its armour and artillery. The capture of Witt's successor by the Belgian resistance in early September, Kurt Meyer, was another heavy blow dealt to the young soldiers.

All in all, the Hitlerjugend soldiers fared not too bad in Normandy considering their lack of experience, despite the heavy casualties they suffered.

Thanks @Arryn for taking the time. You do raise some interesting points. I was unaware of the of the paucity of command elements in SS divisions. But that is possible as German's suffered heavy attrition during 5 years of continuous warfare, and officer casualty should proportionately be higher than the ranks. Hitler Youth officers would be no substitute for regular officers; who were something like a cadet corps with different set of regimen. You can make good soldiers out of it but to create good officers and ncos you need proper training.

Good talking to you, may be if you get time we can chat sometimes on Sino-Indian conflict?

 

[LowPost]

Thanks @Arryn for taking the time. You do raise some interesting points. I was unaware of the of the paucity of command elements in SS divisions. But that is possible as German's suffered heavy attrition during 5 years of continuous warfare, and officer casualty should proportionately be higher than the ranks. Hitler Youth officers would be no substitute for regular officers; who were something like a cadet corps with different set of regimen. You can make good soldiers out of it but to create good officers and ncos you need proper training.

My pleasure.

Good talking to you, may be if you get time we can chat sometimes on Sino-Indian conflict?

Do you mean the war in 1962 or also the border skirmishes which followed? I read some articles about the Sino-Indian War of 1962 but I don't know much about its military aspects, to be honest.

 

[meghdut]

My pleasure.



Do you mean the war in 1962 or also the border skirmishes which followed? I read some articles about the Sino-Indian War of 1962 but I don't know much about its military aspects, to be honest.

Mostly the conflict as a whole. War of 1962 would surely be the defining moment of this conflict. Other skirmishes are of little tactical or strategic value; other than boosting some Indian morale.