Hitler's Children - Spitting Fire

by Sprech History (editor)

The emergence of the German youths of the12th SS Panzer Division 'Hitlerjugend' onto the Normandy battlefields in 1944 initially caused consternation in the Allied ranks. Who were these 15 to 17 year-old Hitler Youth soldiers, why were they so fanatical, and how could they be cleanly defeated? The Allied mood turned to bitterness and hatred as the brutal cunning and sheer ruthlessness of the boy soldiers and their adult leaders became clear. This book assembles a range of astonishing eyewitness testimony to the ferocious combat between Hitler Youth panzer troops, snipers and infantry against British and Canadian forces after D-Day. There are the disturbing combat experiences of surviving 12th SS Panzer fighters themselves, recorded after the war; eyewitness accounts from Allied soldiers who fought tank-to-tank and hand-to-hand against these opponents in the hedgerows, fields and streets of Normandy; and accounts too from terrified French civilians caught up in the firefights. The accounts featured The Tank Destroyer (Jagdpanzer IV) The Bocage Ambush (British Sergeant) The Battle for the Bunkers (12th SS Panthers) The Flail Tanks (French Civilian) The Panzerfaust Fighters (Hitlerjugend Panzergrenadiers) The Sniper (Canadian Captain) The War Crimes (12th SS Panzer Radio Operator) Panthers in the Smoke (British Cromwell Commander) Thunderbolts, Typhoons and Flak (12th Panzer Flak Unit) These are graphic and often shocking accounts of one of the strangest phases of the second world war in the west, and one that left a dreadful mark on so many who were involved in it. Sprech History is an independent researcher and publisher of eyewitness testimonies to armed conflict in the 20th century.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, War, Military Fiction

111 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 28, 2015

Reviews

[Richard Dumont · Rating 2 out of 5]

I recognize many of the stories in this book taken from other books, modified somewhat and seemingly repackaged. A few details are changed and a new story is born. It is sad that either a publisher would do this on purpose or so very little research is done. One of the other reviewers said that it was a work of fiction and to some extent he is right. This series is terrible. The only reason I gave it two stars is out of respect for those whose stories were probably re-used and modified. Otherwise I would have given it NO stars.

[Judy]

Sons and daughters of the Third Reich leaders talk about themselves and their fathers. It is a very readable account about the children of Nazi leadership. The story of Rolf Mengele is perhaps the best. He seems also to have come to terms with his own position very well. He apologized for his father's crimes. Perhaps he was able to reach his position beauxe he had very little contact with his father when he was a child.

[G.G. Davison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gazza

Am as with the previous books in tbe series, many of tbe chapters are in other books which is disapointing.

[Tony DeBias · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Bastards

Serves them right to be treated like chit even tho many were only 16....
Evel begets Evel especially in War

[John Galea · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting series of stories told from both sides of the conflict.

[Harry Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good read

These voices from the past, resonate today even among a public used to seeing the effects of modern warfare on the TV.

[Paul Reska · Rating 5 out of 5]

chilling account

Previously unknown battlefield tales of German SS teenagers some as young as 15 years old fighting effectively against seasoned Canadian troops

[Alexander Hugenschmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Read

Book was factual, a horrible time in history, history is repeating itself. Book shows the waste of human life. Enjoy the read.

[Aubrey Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Insights from Both Sides

This was a great read, less of a commitment than a full-length memoir and contains perspectives from both the Germans and the Allies. The personal accounts are invaluable and down-to-earth, detailed and intense.

[Themistocles · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book, like the rest by Sprech Media (SS Panzer - SS Voices, The Last Panther, Tiger Tracks) is a piece of fiction.

There's just too many details that point to that - from the utter and complete lack of sources or identifiable unit numbers (that could have led to verifications of facts) to technical and historical mistakes (for instance, the IS-3 tank appearing in a 1943 story) it's quite evident that this is not a collection of "eyewitness accounts" but merely a work of a very excitable imagination.

Other, often repeated details give that away - the fact that from what's written 9/10 soldiers killed in WWII were decapitated (really, everything, from a single bullet to a naval shell to a 60-ton tank falling on you scenes are filled with severed heads; heads on the snow, heads on tanks, heads on tree branches, you name it), experiences that the narrator absolutely could not have seen (from a complete overview of a battle through the driver's slit to a -obviously weapon systems exprt- civilian at the cellar of her home), sub-stories that read like out of a bad Hollywood script (the beautiful Russian prisoner who travels chained in the tank -like there's room for it there- or nurses exchanging sexual favors for cigarettes) - EVERYTHING about these books point to someone contemporary who has read up quite a bit and then fabricated some rather sick fantasy.

Stay away!

[Bogdan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Over this whole series looms a sense of distrust. These memories are similar, somewhat predictable, blow-by-blow descriptions of some battles that seem to take place on a movie set. They get a big part of things right, but the fact that it very well could be fiction doesn't give me peace - hence the 2 star rating.

[Debbi · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book of testimonials about individual battles with the Hitler Youth. The accounts were given by either an Allied soldier or a Hitler Youth. These youths were 15 to 17 years of age and were extremely well-trained and ruthless. A very bloody read.

[Loren · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book really contains very few interviews with actual Hitler youth. Their story is largely told by civilians and enemy combatants. Still, it gives a view that you probably won't see in other venues.

[teresa childers · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good read.

Well written, very informative and I believe it was written with honesty. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who has any interest in WW2.

[Jeff Strubhar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing Read

Harsh inside view of the desperation at this time of the war. Opens your eyes as to what years of indoctrination can make youths believe

[Harold Corcoran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Children soldiers

These where brave soldiers and like back in the Roman days heartless. If you like first hand accounts then this book is for you.