This book is an in-depth examination of the unit formed in 194,3 exploring the type of young men it recruited, its organisation, uniforms, insignia plus a full combat record of the division which fought on both fronts in WWII. - The divisions of the Waffen-SS were the elite of Hitler's armies in World War II. - The majority of the division's recruits were 17 year olds who were fanatically devoted to the Nazi cause and to Hitler personally. - The reader is provided with an in-depth examination of the unit formed exploring the background to the unit's formation, the type of young men it recruited, the key figures involved in the division, its organisation, uniforms and insignia that members wore to distinguish themselves on the battlefield. - This book provides a full combat record of the division and it outlines the unit's involvement in the defence of Normandy, the battle for Caen and the catastrophe of the Falaise Gap, refitting in Germany before the Ardennes offensive and its service on the Eastern Front at the end of the war, fighting to recapture Budapest. - Illustrated with rare photographs and with an authoritative text, this book is a definitive history of one of Germany's most fanatical fighting units of World War II.