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| 5.SS-Panzer-Division Wiking |
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| Battle-hardened Volunteers of the Waffen-SS |
SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Division Wiking was redesignated as the
5.SS-Panzer-Division Wiking on October 22 1943 even though it had not been converted into one. Essential elements were still missing, which had not yet been sent to the division from Germany. In front of the division's sector on the Dnieper Front, the Soviets had dug in on the large island in the Dnieper River, the so-called
Foxtail Island and was reinforcing his forces there. In the meantime the operational situation along the Dnieper was worsening day-by-day. On November 13 1943 the enemy was able to create a bridgehead at Cherkassy and on November 24 1943, a new and deeper penetration occurred near Kremenchug. A Soviet offensive appeared imminent. And it came. However, it did not emanate from Cherkassy. Instead, it came with powerful forces from deep behind the front. Top image: volunteers of the Wiking relaxing with Russian volunteers enlisted into the Wehrmacht. The photo was taken in November 1943 by the New York–born SS-Kriegsberichter Cornelius Kok who was awarded the Infantry Assault Badge in Bronze before being captured by the Soviets. U.S. National Archives. Bottom image: during a brief lull in the fighting, a Waffen-SS unit sitting down in weary, battle-tired poses. Right knee raised with his right arm resting on it, makes you wonder what happened next. The Panzergrenadiers bore the weight of the fighting in all divisions often carrying on to complete exhaustion. Their faces tell you more about them than any report. Cutline:
Battle-weary troops are seen here taking a much-appreciated rest during a lull in the fighting. Their faces are a study in stoicism and determination, characteristics that came to define the men of the Waffen-SS as the campaign in Russia dragged on. PD.
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