Les Demons des Glaces ETO (id:#58898)

Tactiques (Tactiques # 6 ID: TAC46)   [next]   [previous]

Northwest of Rzhev, USSR 1942-03-25 (2 others)

Overview:

"Ice Devils" -- During their first winter in Russia, the Germans suffered along the whole front from many soviet counterattacks. The Germans particularly feared the infiltration of ski troops behind their lines. They were unable to block this form of attack because their defenses were mainly concentrated around isolated villages. The 2nd Battalion of the 464th Infantry Regiment took position in a hamlet, trying desperately to protect themselves from the extreme winter (the outside temperature reached -45° Celsius). Patrols were organized to control the area and numerous soviet infiltrations were intercepted. At dawn on March 25, a hundred Soviets on skis suddenly appeared from the adjacent forest. Equipped only with submachineguns and demolition charges, they moved so quickly that they reached the first buildings before the defenders could react.

Defender: German (G Company, 2nd Battalion, 464th Infantry Regiment)  

Errata (source)