Figure 1.--This is the advance element of the Division north of Tarnopol in the western Ukraine, early in the Barbarossa camapaign. It was at Tarnopol that Units of "Nordland" caught up with the front-line and first encountered Soviet firces. The scene is one that would continue throughout the summer and fall of 1941. German motorized moving along un improved roads which stretched east to the never-ending horizon. And remember, most of thge Ostheer unlike the small number of motorized units loved east on foot. Noitice the vehicle markings. The ciurcular swatica is the insignia of the Wiking Dicision. The K means Panzergruppe Kleist or First Panzer Army.

Hartman's photographs give an excellent idea of the trackless expanses as the Germans moived East. In the West, the Germans reached the Hannel after only 10 days of tough campigning. Thast was the hardest part of the campaign. After that the British began oprepoaring to evacuate and French resistance gradually weakened. The battle was essentially won. The Soviet Union could not have been more different. The Wiking Division was part of Army Grouup South. It was not ready for combat until (June 29, 1941). That was one week after the launch of the operation. The iniintial action was fought near Tarnopol in Galicia, Ukraine. The Divusioin cut a swath through the central Ukra=ne. Much of the Soiviet tank forces were in Ukraine, so porgress was slower than repoorted by Army Group Center to the north. And depite huge success, Soviet resistance instead of diminishing gradually intensifued. Casualties nounted. But Harmann and his conmrads mover ever eastward toward a never ending horizon. What should be remembered is that Wiling was a motirized division. The men noived in trucks and other vehicles. This was not the case for the vast majority of the Ostheer which moved east on foot with their supplies carried on horse drawn carts. Can you imagine? Invading the Soviet Union on foot

Created: 2:54 AM 9/18/2020
Last updated: 2:54 AM 9/18/2020