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Leibstandarte - Hitler's Elite Bodyguard

$24.95

Spearhead - Book 5
By Michael Sharpe & Brian Davis
Published in 2002 by Ian Allen Publishing, UK
Softcover, 96 Pages
Size - 25cm * 19cm

Initially the SS-Stabswache Berlin - an SS guard that formed a cordon around the Fuhrer at the Nuremberg rallies - Hitler's bodyguard became the Leibstandarte-SS Adolf Hitler in 1933. 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-Panzergrenadier Division during 1942.

In 1943 it reformed in Italy becoming 1st SS-Panzer Division 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 again in the Ardennes, before moving to Hungary. What was left of the division finally surrendered to US forces at Linz.

Spearhead looks at the cutting edge of war, units capable of operating completely independently in the forefront of battle. The series examines the unit's:

* Origins and history
* Organisation, order of battle and how this changed
* Battle history, theatre by theatre
* Insignia and Markings
* Top people biographies of commanders and personalities

Each book ends with an assessment of unit effectiveness – as seen by itself, its opponents and the wider viewpoint of history – and a full reterence section including:

* Critical bibliography
* Relevant museums or exhibits
* Website links
* Re-enactment groups
* Memorials

About the authors

Michael Sharpe has written and contributed to many aviation and military titles since becoming a freelance writer, including articles for encyclopaedias on the American Civil War and World War I.

Brian Davis is a uniform and insignia specialist and produced his first title, under a pseudonym, for Altmark. Since then he has written extensively on uniforms, including substantial books on the British Army, the Luftwaffe, German Army and Waffen-SS.

Fully Illustrated with B&W photos, 8 colour photos and 8 maps.

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