So here we stand,
On the summit of the aft,
Hurling defiance at those who are our misfortune.

Elements of the 3rd Panzer Corps arriving at Buki.

”Marching out, under protection of our assault guns.”

Oberfeldwebel Streckmann stands proudly in front of the SU-152 that he knocked out with a Panzerfaust.

Waffenbrüder…bis zum Ende.

Into that darkness
Into that darkness
Like jackals howling
Like flowers unfolding

Dig or die.

Mud: 10km in 60 hours.

Hell’s gate.

The Gniloy Tikich River

Unknown to the group, about a mile to the northwest, the 1st Panzer division had a bridge under their control and the engineers of the Jena Armoured Engineer Battalion had also erected a smaller footbridge.

As the first arrivals milled around the river, the first T-34’s appeared in the distance. Firing high-explosive shells and ricocheting airbursts, they caused panic. For many, the choice was clear. They would either have to brave the strong current or die where they stood. 

Whole groups of men jumped in and began to try to cross. Many were swept away by the current, or dragged under by the weight of their uniforms and drowned. Men began to strip in order to improve their chances of survival. However those who reached the other side were suffering terribly from the cold, the temperature that morning was -5°C. The men still had over a mile to walk through the snow before they reached the safety of the German lines.

By late morning, the escaping troops of Group Stemmerman had reached the bank of the Gniloy Tikich River. The early thaw had raised the level of the river and increased its flow into a roaring torrent, which now blocked their way. The waterway was 30 yards wide and about six feet deep. There was no bridge to be seen and crossing it seemed impossible.