Russia 1942
Following the failure of the German offensive against Moscow in early December 1941, the 4th Army of Army Group Centre was struck by the counter-offensive of the Soviet 43rd Army,
which broke through its front at several points. Its objective was to link up with the remnants of the Soviet 33rd Army, encircled by the divisions of the 4th Army.
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The temperature dropped so low that numerous cases of frostbite were reported very quickly. Major General Golubev of the 43rd Army remained convinced that his troops would win out, as the Germans were poorly equipped against the cold, unlike the Russians.
Like several divisions under the 4. Armee, the 98. Inf.-Div., which had been engaged without respite for two months, was no longer a shadow of its former self. Its commander, Oberst Gareis, who had done everything in his power to organize the defences of Medyn and its surrounding area, had seen his effectives melt away, and the reinforcements assigned to him were in a state of exhaustion comparable to the units already under his command. Each of his three regiments numbered approximately 150 soldiers. Compared to the initial strength of his division, this amounts to 6,000 combatants out of an original 12,500!
His situation became so desperate that he called upon rear-echelon men and service personnel — drivers, clerks, secretaries, musicians, etc. — to reinforce the front lines and defend against the remnants of the Soviet 33rd Army to his rear, and the 43rd, facing him…
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