ϟϟ-Panzergrenadier-Division „Wiking“ and Soviet Mobile Group Popov

Light and medium Panzers of the Wiking Division

SS-Obersturmführer d. R. Hans Flügel of SS-Panzer-Abteilung 5

On February 8 1943, the SS-Panzergrenadier-Division Wiking passed through Amvrosievka on its march toward Stalino, now Donetsk, taking a well-earned rest there. SS-Gruppenführer Felix Steiner flew ahead of the division on February 10 1943 and found an urgent radio message for his division at the headquarters of the 1.Panzer-Armee: TO: SS-Panzergrenadier-Division Wiking. Urgent! Powerful enemy forces, Armoured Group Popov, across the Donetz near Isjum advancing southward toward Krasno-Armaiskoje. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division Wiking to immediately pivot west. Attack in the direction of Krasno-Armaiskoje. Mission: Contain Armored Group Popov. /signed/ von Mackensen. A new advance guard was formed. It was led by the commander of SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment Nordland. The artillery was regrouped. The Germania, wich had been at the front, had to turn around. The Wiking rolled in the direction of Krasno-Armaiskoje. In the morning of February 11 1943, the Westland was turned sharply to the north with orders to block the road to Krasno-Armaiskoje. Credit: Peter Straßner: European Volunteers. Images: SS-Obersturmführer d. R. Hans Flügel, Commander of Wiking's II.Kompanie. Flügel eventually rise to SS-Hauptsturmführer d. R., and in this rank he was awarded the Knight's Cross on Oct. 16 1944 while in command of Wiking's II.Battalion. He ended the war with the rank of SS-Sturmbannführer d. R. and died aged 70 on March 1 1989 in Naila in Bayern. c. Bundesarchiv.