ϟϟ-Division „Wiking“ Assault Planned Against Sagopshin and Malgobek

SS-Division Wiking

SS-Panzer-Abteilung 5 Wiking

Several days before the planned assault on Sagopshin and Malgobek the SS-Division Wiking conducted final attack preparations and rehearsals. The SS-Infanterie-Regiment Nordland was to attack along the Kurp River to Malgobek. The SS-Panzer Battalion Wiking, with elements of the Germania, was to breach the main line of defence and establish a bridgehead. The Westland was to capture the town of Sagopshin, and the division's engineer component, along with the rest of the Germania was to advance along the Kurp River. In the evening of Sept. 25 1942 all units were in their designated areas for their final preparations for the upcoming attack. Left image: a young volunteer of the Wiking collecting eggs at a local farm during Operation Edelweiß. Right image: tankers of SS-Panzer-Abteilung 5 Wiking watching the Luftwaffe bringing in supplies and equipment in Caucasous 1942. Both photos taken by SS-Kriegsberichter Willi Altstadt. U.S. National Archives.