1. SS-Panzer

1. SS-Panzer is an Axis Armored division in First Blood and in Back to Hell scenario A Polish Battlefield. Originaly formed from Hitler's own bodyguard, LAH has expanded over the course of the war into one of the Third Reich's most prestigious and powerful division. Often regarded as Hitler's « Old Guard », it was the breeding ground from which most of the Waffen-SS' late war superior officers originated.

Tactics
Although still a formidable fighting machine, the once most dreaded SS division is showing signs of wear. Elite troopers from the Eastern front are still there in numbers, but more and more unwilling Volksdeutschen have been pressed into its ranks to make up for its previous losses. Equipment is heterogeneous : state-of-the-art Pumas & Panthers, more Panzer IV (although mostly of the downgraded J variant) & Flak 88mm than other armored divisions in Normandy … Yet, rushed to the front while in the process of rearming, it misses many items such as 75mm fire support half-track, 37mm AA guns or half its armoured scouts. LAH's specific feature is to have a StuG-Abteilung acting as a Panzerjäger one, meaning less towed-AT guns but StuGs to be selected in the AT category, hence in addition to tanks.
 * The Bodyguard

A member of LAH from its creation to the end of his carreer, Wisch rose to command the division as one of the Waffen-SS' most decorated officer. Joining the SS in 1930, « Teddy » Wisch joined the LAH as a second lieutenant from its creation in 1933. He took part in all of the division's campaigns from Poland to Karkhov. Raising through the ranks, he finally took command of the division in April 1943, just in time to lead it through the battle of Kursk. He then went on commanding LAH in Italy against Germany's former allies and partisans, then against the Allies in Normandy. His military career ended on August 20 when he was seriously wounded during the battle to break out of the Falaise Pocket, requiring both his legs to be amputated.