Panzers in the Caucasus 9/42*
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Date: September 29, 1942*                     
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Battle Type: German and Russian meeting engagement*
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Design: CB Blackard*
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Battle Description: After capturing Rostov in July 1942, the 5th SS 
Motorized Division WIKING advanced and captured the oil-rich Maikop region of 
the western Caucasus. The terrain being no longer suitable for a motorized 
division, the WIKING was transferred to the eastern Caucasus in September to 
assist the 1st Panzer Army's attack on the Grozny oil region.*
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Upon arrival, Division Commander Steiner received orders to have his troops attack the village of Ssagopschin and the Malgobek heights to the north. The panzers were able to capture positions to the northeast of Ssagopschin, but lacked the infantry to capture the village. In what proved to be a controversial decision, Steiner ordered his tankers to withdraw to the west in order protect the threatened NORDLAND Regiment.  As the panzers withdrew in a thick fog at dawn on the morning of the 29th, they crashed into tanks of the Soviet 57th Assault Brigade which were attacking towards the west.*
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Sources:  Strassner, "European Volunteers"; "Panzergrenadiere der Panzerdivision 'Wiking'"; "Verweht sind die Spuren".*
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