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Hello, I am looking for information about officer training, specifically for the young 12th SS Panzer Division who were sent to the Panzer Officer Cadet course in Fallingbostel may 9th 1944. It is my understanding that the young men were trained so that, for a large part, youth lead youth with the guidance of experienced senior officers. I understand also that their combat training differed from standard SS training and German army training: Thier commanders treated them with more fatherly affection, they received sweets instead of cigarettes ect. I was wondering if the same sort of attention was paid to the few young men who became NCO's and Officers? And what their Officer training may have entailed? Also, I am unclear on the ranks, lowest to highest compared to their Allied counterparts. As well as how many people would be supervised by various leaders. To tell you the truth, I am not sure at all how the order of command worked. For example, I know that a Zug leader was a platoon leader- over how many typically? And that a STANDARTENOBERJUNKER would be the equivalent of an Officer Cadet but his specific responsibilities are still unclear to me. I have yet to read an account of a youth who was also an Officer Cadet though I have read references to them in other peoples memoirs. I would be grateful for any information regarding the 12th Division, particularly with their major battles in Normandy. Were there P.O.W's sent to Canadian camps? I know of a few sent to the United States. Thank you, gratefully.

Hello Gents, I thought this EKII documents is perhaps nice to share with you. It is one of my favourits belonging to this unit. This one belonged to Obergefreiten Christian Knapp who served in 1./Pz.Jag.Abt.559 (Sfl). The document is signed by Generalmajor Dietrich Kraiß. Dietrich Kraiß was the Divisionkommandeur from the 168th Division. During the Normandy battle he was the commander from the 352nd Infantery Division In 1942 Panzerjäger-Abteilung (Sfl.) 559 got 12 Panzerjäger II (Marder)(Sd.Kfz. 132 with 7,62 cm PAK 36). Development of Marder II started in December 1941. Totaly there were 201 vehicles build. Mainly used in the east from april 1942 to early 1944, when they were taken out of service. The 1st. and 2nd. Kompanie from Panzerjäger-Abteilung (Sfl.) 559 got each 6 Marder's. Around september-october, Panzerjäger-Abteilung (Sfl.) 559 fought under the 168 Division in the Donbogen area. Obergefreiten Christian Knapp most probably deserved his EKII for the fightings in this area. The picture from the Panzer is from an album from a soldier from Panzerjäger-Abteilung (Sfl.) 559 and shows clearly how their vehicles looks like best Erwin

Hi Thanks for letting me join the forum. I hope I am posting this in the right section I have this tunic that I believe may be right, but I am very wary of any German camouflage, especially SS. It is the Pea pattern panzer wrap over tunic I have seen a more or less exact example in the French Militaria book of German uniforms. It is in very good, probably unused condition and has just some light rust on some of the small blackened steel buttons. The camouflage has a hazy look to it. It consists of spots in the 5 colours. The cloth is very soft and lacks any rigidity. There are no slits or buttons to adjust the cuffs. I found another similar example sold on Ebay, a while back in the USA. There are some ink stamp size numbers on the inside. I have uploaded only 2 photos as the limit is 4.8 MB. I can upload more if necessary. Could anyone let me know their opinion? Thanks John