German Armored Forces & Vehicles

Springtime mud

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The 3rd SS Panzer Division "Totenkopf", many of whose soldiers are wounded, slog through Russian mud to rear positions; spring 1942. During the Soviet winter counter-offensive, the Division was encircled for several months near Demyansk in what became known as the Demyansk Pocket. In April 1942, the division broke out of the pocket, but about 80% of its men were killed, wounded or missing in action.