Wikings Catwalk ETO (id:#60371)

(Grenadier '08 ID: GRE 3)   [next]   [previous]

Kovel, Poland 1944-03-29 (4 others)

Overview:

In March 1944 the advancing Russians had encircled Kovel with four divisions. The city was declared a "Fester Platz", which meant that it had to be defended to the last man, a common German practice in the last stage of the war. The commander of the 5. SS Panzerdivision “Wiking”, Gruppenführer Herbert Gille flew into the beleaguered city to set up his divisonal Command Post. Knowing that the way was blocked by fields of mud and dug-in Russian defenders, his plan was as simple as risky. The Panther tanks of his "Wiking" Division and the 131. Infanterie Division would break the encirclement and reopen the city of Kovel. The first target during the relief of Kovel was the small town of Czerkasy and it’s railway station. Together with some 30 volunteers from the "Wiking", pioneers and soldiers of the 131. Infanterie Division, Obersturmbannführer Nicolussi-Leck, CO of the 8. Kompanie, and his Panthers started the attack. . . . The Russians have variable reinforcements in this one, 3-6 tanks, an AT gun and/or some AT mines.

Defender: Russian (143rd Rifle Division)  

Errata (source)