Men of steel

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Hitler's strategy to deliver a decisive blow to the Western Allies in the Ardennes in December 1944 ultimately failed, leading to the near destruction of the 1st SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler and the 12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend. Remarkably, within a month, these divisions were rebuilt and re-equipped, then sent to Hungary, where they swiftly defeated seven Soviet infantry divisions and a Mechanized Corps, reclaiming over 400 square kilometers of territory. The soldiers adorned with the Hakenkreuz and SS runes were then tasked with a significant role in the Fuhrer's final gamble during the Lake Balaton operation. When this endeavor failed and the Soviets launched a massive counter-offensive, the divisions faced encirclement and destruction, necessitating a fighting withdrawal back to the eastern borders of the Greater German Reich. Ironically, their relentless efforts to defend their homeland contributed to prolonging the war and led to the total devastation of their cause. In completing the history of these "twin" divisions, Michael Reynolds, a former professional soldier, provides a detailed narrative of their actions during the last six months of WWII, showcasing their tenacity and placing them firmly in the annals of military history.