1942

13.PANZER-DIVISION

the division was ordered to join the other two divisions of the III.Panzerkorps, (3.Panzer-
Division and 23.Panzer.Division), in their advance south to the next oilfields near Grozny on the
Terek River. This march, which was only lightly opposed by the enemy, took more than three
weeks, primarily because of a constant lack of fuel.
On August 29,1942, Voraus-Abt.13 of KradSchtz.Btl.43, under Major Stolz, reached the north
bank of the Terek at Ischerskaja, about 20km from Grozny.
On September10, 1942, Kampfgruppe Crisolli crossed the river into the bridgehead formed
previously by 111.Infantry.Division, soon followed by the rest of the division. It was here that it met
with stiff resistance by the Soviets holed up in fortified positions, as well as repeated attacks by
infantry and heavy armor (T-34’s and KV I’s). These attacks put the anti-tank battalion to its first
real test since the beginning of the campaign. Its Marder III’s(75mm SP’s on Pz.II chassis),
however, proved their mettle: in three days of fighting 1./Pz.Jg.Abt.13 (Hptm. Barth) and
II./Pz.Rgt.4 (Hptm. Gomille)destroyed 33 enemy tanks. While lending support to the two hard-
pressed infantry divisions, the 111.Infanterie-Division and the 370.Infanterie-Division, the CO of
Pz.Rgt.4, OberstOlbrich, was killed in action.