Overview

The 'Spearhead' series is designed to look at the cutting edge of war, dealing with units capable of operating completely 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 its 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 the light of more recent historical research. The books also include a detailed reference section with a critical bibliography, a listing of relevant museums and web sites, information about re-enactment groups and memorials. It was in late 1942 that Adolf Hitler gave authorisation for the creation of two new Waffen-SS divisions. One of these was the 9th SS Panzer Division Hohenstaufen, which was formed in January 1943. By this stage, manpower was proving a serious problem and so the new division was comprised of many aged no more than 18 and of ethnic Germans born outside Germany, most notably from Hungary. The unit's first year was spent in France, where it was trained, before transferring to the eastern front in early 1944. Involved in the counter-attack that freed the beleaguered 1st Armoured Army to the east of Lemberg, the unit sustained heavy losses and was sent for refitting in the Ukraine prior to a planned new offensive in the east. This assault was, however, cancelled as a result of the Allied landings in France and the Hohenstaufen Division was quickly sent west. It reached France in late June and was immediately thrown into action against the Allies along the Odon River. Caught within the future Falaise pocket, the division managed to escape before the pincer movement trapped a vast number of German soldiers. Following two months of sustained conflict, the division was withdrawn in late August to Arnhem where, much reduced, the division was on the point of transfer back to Germany for refitting when the Allies launched their ill-fated Operation Market Garden. The Hohenstaufen Division played a pivotal role before returning to Germany for refitting. Reinforced by disparate personell, including ex-Luftwaffe men, the unit was next engaged in the Ardennes offensive of December 1944. Following this the division was again sent east, to spearhead a counter-attack in Hungary, which, like the Ardennes offensive in the west, ultimately proved ineffective. Retreating westwards, the remnants of the Hohenstaufen Division surrendered to the US forces near Steyr in May 1945.

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Mike Sharpe has been the co-author of three earlier volumes in the 'Spearhead' series - on Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler, Das Reich and the 5th Gebirgsjager Division.

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