The Defeat and Attrition of the 12. SS-Panzer-Division Hitlerjugend - Part 1
19K views · Feb 17, 2026 · Entertainment
Comments · 170
@iant2215 · 7 months ago
Superb presentation by a brilliant historian. This is where WW2TV delivers what no other channel on YouTube can. Already ordered the book.
40
@faeembrugh · 7 months ago
I met a 12th SS veteran when I lived in Germany in the late 1980s. He was 17 when he joined in 1944 and survived due to being wounded in the leg. As a former British Army soldier, I asked him his opinion of the British soldiers that he fought against. He thought for a minute and said 'it wasn't the individual soldiers we were worried about. Or your tanks or aircraft even. It was the artillery. You had actual battleships firing at our lines. Imagine that! 38cm cannons like we had on the Bismarck!'
20
@TheSaxon-r5o · 7 months ago (edited)
Excellent work again by Arthur. The truth is that the Germans had spent weeks moving the II SS Panzer Corps from the Eastern Front to Normandy, to plan a massive, concentrated counter-stroke to drive the Allies back into the sea. Because of the Epsom offensive, the Germans were forced to abandon that grand plan. Instead of a coordinated strike, they had to throw their tanks into a piecemeal defense to stop the British from crossing the Odon River. By July 1st, the Germans had officially failed. They had used up their last fresh mobile reserves. Instead of being used for a breakthrough, the SS Panzers were now glued to the front line, acting as expensive, immobile fire brigades to plug holes.
35
@joeblow9657 · 7 months ago (edited)
If I could be enthusiastic about bettering my life as Dr. Gullachsen is about British and Canadian operations in Normandy then I'd be on top of the world. Really appreciated the covering of how battles in Normandy were sequenced and how it lead to the British and Canadian forces gaining the upper hand. It makes them look a lot more competent than I'd often seen them depicted as.
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@mcclawrinaldi7451 · 7 months ago
This was a fantastic and passionate presentation from Arthur. He is a natural story teller.
15
@Chiller01 · 7 months ago
I always enjoy Dr Gullachsen’s presentations regarding the Canadian and British actions during WW2. He isn’t as smooth as some presenters but he more than compensates with expertise and enthusiasm.
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@ivoferin8176 · 7 months ago
Arthur is masterful and a wealth of knowledge. Superb.
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@nickwoolmer5037 · 7 months ago
Love Arthur his explanation of the situation and how it develops is easy to understand. Maps are great also not over complicated and very clear. Brilliant presentation .
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@Rusty_Gold85 · 5 months ago
The West Riding and 51st Highlanders were at the Battle of Waterloo.
4
@KrisV385 · 7 months ago
Love when you do these operational histories Woody! Thanks and great job to Arthur and his wonderful maps!!
14
@MrFluidwill · 7 months ago
Excellent - a tour de force. I love when WW2TV goes over a battle I think I know with a bona fide expert and I learn new insights and am inspired to learn more. Brilliant.
10
@darthcalanil5333 · 6 months ago (edited)
Excellent presentation. Love his passion, especially how awesome he makes the British forces.
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