Wiking Fire Brigade 7/43*
*
Date: July 18, 1943*                     
*
Battle Type: German assault versus Russian defend*
*
Design: CB Blackard*
*
Battle Description: By July 7, 1943, the massive German offensive at Kursk,
Operation Citadel, had failed but the German high command was not ready to break off the attack.  The WIKING Division, attached to the XXIV Panzer Corps and held in reserve west of Kharkov, was committed to the battle on July 13th against Soviet forces  massing in the Isjum area along the Donets River.*
*
On July 18th, Kampfgruppe Dorr and I Battalion, WESTLAND attacked the village
of Ssrednj and turned west to roll up the Soviet units south of the river.  Although the village was captured, the WIKING suffered heavy losses and the battle would be one of the few decisive defeats suffered by the division.*
*
Sources:  Strassner, "European Volunteers"; "Panzergrenadiere der Panzerdivision 'Wiking'"; "Verweht sind die Spuren".*


 


