FRENCH Language book: From Maranes Edition - Fritz Witt -From the Leibstandarte 1933 to the Hitlerjugend Panzer Division (1944). The life and death of the commander of the SS-Panzer Division "Hitlerjugend"! Fritz Witt’s exceptional military career certainly warranted a publication of this kind. Born in 1908, he grew up in a Germany in crisis and was among the first 117 men selected by Joseph Sepp Dietrich to form the SS-Stabswache Berlin in 1933 — a unit that rapidly evolved into the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler. Commissioned as a lieutenant and company commander in 1935, he was transferred to the SS-Standarte Deutschland. He completed several 'Heer' (Army) training courses and served under or was trained by distinguished tactical officers such as Generals Hube, Steiner, and Hausser. During the 1939 campaign in Poland, he earned both classes of the Iron Cross, he subsequently became the sixth Waffen-SS officer to receive the Knight's Cross after distinguishing himself in combat with his battalion in the Netherlands and France in 1940. Dietrich recalled him to the Leibstandarte, and Witt soon excelled in Greece and later in the USSR (1941–1942). He was awarded the German Cross in Gold and later distinguished himself at Kharkov in early 1943 while commanding the Leibstandarte 1st Infantry Regiment, earning the Oak Leaves to his Knight's Cross. Highly regarded by the leadership and a protege of Dietrich, he was tasked with forming a division from 17-year-old Hitler Youth members, at age 35, he became the second-youngest German general, surpassed only by Adolf Galland. In June 1944, he was killed in action after leading his youngsters in operations against the Canadian and British forces that had landed in Normandy. Fritz Witt’s entire career, including his lesser-known periods with the Leibstandarte and Deutschland units are explored, offering insight into the officer’s rise. Peter Mooney’s research, which draws on interviews with Witt’s son (also named Peter) and numerous veterans, results in a truly exceptional biography. A must-read for military history specialists and enthusiasts alike!