Lukasz Gladysiak

33. Waffen-Grenadier Division der SS was one of a number of divisions in the Third Reich’s armed forces composed of foreign soldiers. The majority that formed this unit were French: volunteers or men who, because of collaboration, had been forced to help the German's on the eve of the Allied invasion in Western Europe. During February-March 1945 the French division took part in the struggle for Pomerania, facing overwhelming Soviet and Polish Forces. The unit fought in a constant retreat and met its fate during the few days of battle in Bialogard (former Belgard an der Persante) and Karlino (Koerlin) region. From that point, after the Division’s reorganisation from the German to the French pattern, the retreat transformed into a chaotic escape, which for many ended tragically in Polish or Soviet captivity, or in mass graves which are still waiting to be discovered. Only a handful of the 4,500 Frenchmen who started the battle near Czarne (Hammerstein) and Czluchów (Schlochau) managed to survive and after a few weeks reached the new meeting point in Neustrelitz, Germany. After that, some of them prepared for struggle for Berlin and went to battle once more in April 1945. Lukasz Gladysiak's book is the first attempt by a Polish author to accurately recreate these episodes of the last stages of 33. Waffen-Grenadier Division der SS’s history. Collecting historical sources from all over Europe, including German Army Group Vistula’s documents, and memories of veterans of both sides of the frontline largely unpublished so far, the author takes us to the fields, towns and villages of Pomerania during the tragic days of the beginning of 1945, and follows the battle through the towns of Czarne (Hammerstein)-Czluchów (Schlochau), Szczecinek (Neustettin), Bialogard (Belgardan der Persante), Karlino (Koerlin) iKolobrzeg (Kolberg). While the chronological description of the combat forms the backbone of this book, the individual soldiers’ stories, including biographies of key figures, as well as a number of previously unsolved mysteries are also covered, such as the fate of General Edgar Puaud. This is the first book that refers extensively to the French SS-men’s battles in Pomerania in the last stages of the Third Reich.

In the first part of the 30s in the 20th century, the new chapter of the German history has opened - of the Germany that was facing more than only an economical crysis. On 30th January 1933, the office of chancellor of the, at that time still, republic, was taken by the leader of the National Socialist German Worker's Party (NSDAP) - Adolf Hitler. In a short time the supporters of the superpower politics, braking with the resolutions imposed on the Berlin on the strength of the Treaty of Versailles, signed in 1919, seized both power and control of the country. The birth of the Third Reich was proclaimed, with Hitler acting as the Leader (Fuhrer), at the head of the state. Any restriction, supervised by the international community, was rejected and turned down, what clearly and unambiguosly led Germany on the path towards a new war...

Germans had been produced many specialistic armoured vehicles. Storm tanks are among them. They were used as infantry support heavy vehicles. They destroyed buildings, fortifications, barricades etc.STURMPANZER IV BRUMMBAR built on PANZER IV chassis was one of them. It was armed with 150 mm StuH storm howitzer. From 1943 till 1945 BRUMMBAR took part in fights on all fronts. The publication is illustrated with unique 3D renderings by Samir Karmieha that show a lot of detail not only the external details of the vehicle, but also its inside. The book was also enriched with excellent modeling plans Krzysztofa Muchy that satisfy even the most demanding readers.

This book is soft bound of 76 pages in English. It comes with a hand-held pair of cardboard glasses that have one red lends and one blue one, to use to see pictures in the book in 3D. The book contains 42 black and white wartime photos. Including the front and back covers. There are 18 color photos of a Hetzer of the“Hemmann von Salza” regiment on the outskirts of Berlin, April 1945 and 72 color illustrations . These illustrations are done in 3D.

Weighing in at nearly 70 tons the Panzerkampfwagen VI Ausf. B, now known as Königstiger was the largest mass-produced tracked combat vehicle, which was sent to the units of the Third Reich. Armed with a 88 mm caliber gun, the armor thickness reached 180 mm from the middle of 1944. They sowed terror in the ranks of the armed forces of the allies. This publication aims to present the history of the Royal Tiger and his tactical and technical qualities To fully be able to show them this book has examples of Königstiger, both on the Eastern Front and in the West. Lavishly illustrated by archival photographs and useful especially for modellers colour profile of different versions, equipped with two variants of the turret designed by Porsche and Henschel. Interesting supplement is also a collection of pictures of machines stored in three European museums Munster Panzer Museum, Bovington Tank Museum RAC and December 44 Museum La Gleize.