This series looks at the cutting edge of war, and deals exclusively with units capable of operating independently in the forefront of battle. Each volume in the series examines the chosen unit's origins and history, its organisation and order of battle, its battle history theatre by theatre, its insignia and markings. Also covered are biographies of the most important commanders of each unit. Each title ends with an assessment of unit effectiveness - as seen by the unit itself, by its opponents and in the light of more recent historical research. The books also include a detailed reference section with a critical biography, a listing of relevant museums and web sites, plus information about re-enactment groups and memorials. Initially Hitler's personal bodyguard, a 120-man guard that formed a cordon around him at the Nuremberg rallies, it became the Leibstandarte-SS Adolf Hitler in 1933 under SS-Obengruppenfuhrer Sepp Dietrich. It took a leading role in internal affairs but also took on a military role during the war, as a motorised regiment during the invasion of Poland, the Low Countries and France; a brigade during the conquest of the Balkans; a motorised division during Operation 'Barbarossa'; and an SS-Panzengrenadier Division during 1942. In 1943 it reformed in Italy becoming 1st SS-Panzerdivision Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler, and fought in Italy and Russia before being transferred to Normandy. Destroyed in the Falaise Pocket, a further refit saw it in action in the Ardennes, before moving to Hungary. What was left of the Division finally surrendered to US forces at Linz.
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The Liebstandarte-SS Adolf Hitler was formed in 1933 initially as Hitler's personal bodyguard, but during the war took on a military role. This is their story, with full details of their actions in Poland, France, The Balkans, Italy and Russia, before final surrender to US forces at Linz.
About the Author
Mike Sharpe has written and contributed to many avlation and military titles since becoming a freelance writer, including articles for encyclopaedias on the American Civil War and World War 1. Brian Davis is a uniform and Insignia specialist. As an author he has written extensively, including major books on the British army and the Wehrmacht. He has recently written Service Badges and Emblems: Cloth Insignia of the Third Reich 1933-1945 for the Ian Allan Publishing list, due for publication in September.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
A Not-So Elite Book,
By HK (San Francisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Leibstandarte-SS Adolf Hitler: 1st SS Panzer Division (Spearhead) (Paperback)
Co-author Davis usually writes outstanding works on Third Reich Militaria but this co-authoring effort is mediocre. The lead author, Sharpe has produced a very uneven work. A look at the bibiliography shows how little research & editorial effort went into this. Most of the LAH photos are non-combat ceremonial while most of the frontline photos cannot be specifically identified to the LAH. Many of the captions are a joke. A photo of a SS-VT soldier firing a Mauser Schnellfeuer is identified as a Luger. A rare photo of Sepp Dietrich in black SS uniform shows him with his lower right tunic button undone and his swastika armband (kampfbinde) slipped down below his elbow to his lower left forearm, so it rests just above the Adolf Hitler cufftitle. A single rejected photo never previously published is not enough to warrant purchase of this title. The maps are virtually useless. This book is just adequate for a budding high school military history buff but it's insufficient when compared to the many other superior books on the subject.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Save your money,
By Alexander (The East) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Leibstandarte-SS Adolf Hitler: 1st SS Panzer Division (Spearhead) (Paperback)
There are far better books available than this one for only a bit more money.
2 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
In defence,
This review is from: Leibstandarte-SS Adolf Hitler: 1st SS Panzer Division (Spearhead) (Paperback)
In response to L.Wong's critique of Brian Davis' and my book, he is correct in that I was the lead author on this title. However, I neither selected the pictures nor wrote the accompanying captions, although I apologise for any mistakes that escaped the edit. That said, I fail to see how a photograph depicting Deitrich at such an unguarded moment is somehow faulty. Is it implied that he should be potrayed in a better light?
Due to the format of this series, certain brevity was necessary. We attempted to provide an accessible book at a reasonable price. Of course it is not as comprehensive as the twin-volume books that are on the market(although at a much greater price) but I am confident that Brian and I have produced for Ian Allen a very useful history of the Leibstandarte. Mike Sharpe
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