Photograph by Panzer Füsilier Regiment Großdeutschland © 2009. No un-authorised use.

The infantrymen gather for the attack. The losses incurred on the Division during the month-long push through Lithuania and into Latvia had been almost devastating. Battalions had been reduced to companies; platoons had been reduced to squads.

Photograph by Panzer Füsilier Regiment Großdeutschland © 2009. No un-authorised use.

Time for reflection. Once again the Füsilieren are to put their lives on the line. Fresh ammunition for the rapid firing MGs, hand grenades and Panzerfaust are handed out.

Photograph by www.actiontake1.co.uk © 2009. No un-authorised use.

With the attack stalled in front of an enemy well positioned in difficult terrain, the severely weakened GD goes over to the defence and consolidates. Positions are prepared. Once again, the common Landser has little idea how long he may be there.

Photograph by www.actiontake1.co.uk © 2009. No un-authorised use.

A helping hand. A comrade helps his friend with his kit. Fatigue and battle shock sets in....

Photograph by www.actiontake1.co.uk © 2009. No un-authorised use.

Home for the foreseeable future. Little did the GD troops know that they would be living in a hole in the ground for the next four weeks...

Photograph by www.actiontake1.co.uk © 2009. No un-authorised use.

Officer casualties had been especially severe throughout this short campaign. The replacements found themselves in charge of depleted companies of exhausted men led by NCO’s.

Photograph by Panzer Füsilier Regiment Großdeutschland © 2009. No un-authorised use.

A hastily dug mortar pit. However, the expected Soviet counter attacks did not materialise. The enemy seemed content to let GD stay where it was...

Photograph by Panzer Füsilier Regiment Großdeutschland © 2009. No un-authorised use.

Preparations are made so the hole in the ground is as comfortable as possible. A groundsheet, blanket and greatcoat provide warmth and shelter from the elements. Even in early September, the nights are cold in this part of the world.

Photograph by Panzer Füsilier Regiment Großdeutschland © 2009. No un-authorised use.

Patrols out! Both sides spent the ensuing month sneaking about no-man’s land trying to capture prisoners and glean information.

Photograph by Panzer Füsilier Regiment Großdeutschland © 2009. No un-authorised use.

As it was, the Panzer-Füsilier-Regiment GD was under strength and thinly spread along its sector, and the constant strain of patrols took a toll on the remaining infantry troops. Therefore, the crews from the regiment’s heavy weapon companies often went out instead.

One such patrol had quite an unusual success when it bumped into and killed a Soviet General inspecting his front line. Such instances however were rare.