On October 24, 1941, German troops occupied Kharkov, then the capital of the Ukraine. The tall blocks of flats on Red Square showed little signs of damage, despite the fierce battles that raged there before the fall of the city. At about that time  it became known that the Fuhrer was planning a drive on Stalingrad in the direction of the Caucasus. This Krad driver, lost in thought, is blissfully unaware of the Doom that awaits. (scanned by HOS Bandit)

Kharkov

German Soldiers reporting to their marshalling areas on Bicycle. the regrouping of german units for deployment to Russia began as early as February/March 1941. (scanned by HOS Bandit)

Bicycling to Work

During the drive towards Stalingrad, Companies were often reduced to a handful of men. For weeks at a time, no replacements arrive. So far as defensive measures were concerned; every six yds. or so there were holes dug in the ground, with one or two soldiers 'in occupation'.