Fated to Defeat: 33. Waffen-Grenadier Division der SS 'Charlemagne' in the struggle for Pomerania 1945 - Softcover

Gładysiak, Łukasz

Softcover

ISBN 10: 191286617X ISBN 13: 9781912866175

Publisher: Helion and Company, 2021

Synopsis

33. Waffen-Grenadier Division der SS was one of a number of divisions in the Third Reich’s armed forces composed of foreign soldiers. The majority that formed this unit were French: volunteers or men who, because of collaboration, had been forced to help the German's on the eve of the Allied invasion in Western Europe. During February-March 1945 the French division took part in the struggle for Pomerania, facing overwhelming Soviet and Polish Forces. The unit fought in a constant retreat and met its fate during the few days of battle in Białogard (former Belgard an der Persante) and Karlino (Koerlin) region. From that point, after the Division’s reorganisation from the German to the French pattern, the retreat transformed into a chaotic escape, which for many ended tragically in Polish or Soviet captivity, or in mass graves which are still waiting to be discovered. Only a handful of the 4,500 Frenchmen who started the battle near Czarne (Hammerstein) and Człuchów (Schlochau) managed to survive and after a few weeks reached the new meeting point in Neustrelitz, Germany. After that, some of them prepared for struggle for Berlin and went to battle once more in April 1945. Łukasz Gładysiak's book is the first attempt by a Polish author to accurately recreate these episodes of the last stages of 33. Waffen-Grenadier Division der SS’s history. Collecting historical sources from all over Europe, including German Army Group Vistula’s documents, and memories of veterans of both sides of the frontline largely unpublished so far, the author takes us to the fields, towns and villages of Pomerania during the tragic days of the beginning of 1945, and follows the battle through the towns of Czarne (Hammerstein)-Człuchów (Schlochau), Szczecinek (Neustettin), Białogard (Belgardan der Persante), Karlino (Koerlin) iKołobrzeg (Kolberg). While the chronological description of the combat forms the backbone of this book, the individual soldiers’ stories, including biographies of key figures, as well as a number of previously unsolved mysteries are also covered, such as the fate of General Edgar Puaud. This is the first book that refers extensively to the French SS-men’s battles in Pomerania in the last stages of the Third Reich.

About this title

From the Publisher:

Łukasz Gładysiak PhD, born in 1983 in Poznań (Poland), Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań graduate, military historian, journalist, educator and historical reenactor, lecturer of the Museum of Polish Arms in Kołobrzeg. His researches are focused on the German military history in the 20th century, especially weapons as well as armored warfare history. He also conducted historical reenactement and experimental history projects. His portfolio includes five books and several hundred historical articles.

About this edition

• Publisher: Helion and Company
• Publication date: 2021
• ISBN 10: 191286617X
• ISBN 13: 9781912866175
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 158