 Photograph by Panzer Füsilier Regiment Großdeutschland © 2009. No un-authorised use.
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The staff officer brings greetings from the Regiment. The commander, Horst Niemack, is especially impressed with the I Battalion, stating that they ‘fight like Lions’. He has authorised a lion insignia to be painted on the battalion’s armoured personnel carriers. The armoured infantrymen in the positions shrug their shoulders. By now, many had already lost their vehicles to enemy action... |
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 Photograph by Panzer Füsilier Regiment Großdeutschland © 2009. No un-authorised use.
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The local situation is explained. The disposition of friendly forces is pointed out on the staff officer’s map. Each GD unit is assigned a timed slot in a carefully formulated plan to extract the Division. It is imperative that this is achieved without disruption from the enemy. |
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 Photograph by Panzer Füsilier Regiment Großdeutschland © 2009. No un-authorised use.
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‘Herr Hauptfeldwebel! Send out the repair team! |
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 Photograph by Panzer Füsilier Regiment Großdeutschland © 2009. No un-authorised use.
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Time for a posed shot for the PK-mann... |
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 Photograph by Panzer Füsilier Regiment Großdeutschland © 2009. No un-authorised use.
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...and then steel helmets back on when the Soviets throw over a salvo of mortar rounds. |
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 Photograph by Panzer Füsilier Regiment Großdeutschland © 2009. No un-authorised use.
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One of the company MG42’s in a sustained fire role. The MG team have laboured hard to provide themselves with good overhead cover. |
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 Photograph by Panzer Füsilier Regiment Großdeutschland © 2009. No un-authorised use.
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The latest edition of ‘Die Feuerwehr’ has just been released and has found its way to the frontline trenches. |
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 Photograph by Panzer Füsilier Regiment Großdeutschland © 2009. No un-authorised use.
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'Stand to!’ Ivan appears to be up to something... |
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 Photograph by Panzer Füsilier Regiment Großdeutschland © 2009. No un-authorised use. |
...perhaps not, all is well then? |
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 Photograph by Panzer Füsilier Regiment Großdeutschland © 2009. No un-authorised use. |
And if all is not well, the well constructed MG position provides some shelter against the mortar bombs exploding in the trees above... |
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 Photograph by Panzer Füsilier Regiment Großdeutschland © 2009. No un-authorised use. |
The evening hours approach. The entire Division quietly makes ready to pull back a few kilometres. Units from other German formations are moving in to free up the GD men from their positions. Just time for a last look at Schaulen. |
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