Story time!! This was taken from Tigers At The Front by Thomas Jentz. A great book with some very good reference pictures.
Tiger Battalion 503 exhausted from continuous fight in January while attempting to halt the Russian advance from Stalingrad, pulled back into Rostow to rest and refit on January 22 1943. Of the original twenty nine Tigers and 35 PzKpfw IIIs, only one Tiger and one PzKpfw III were still in fighting condition, although they hadn't lost a single Tiger and only lost siz PzKpfw IIIs. Within three days the Abteilung managed to repair six Tigers and fifteen PzKpfw IIs which put them at a respectable strength.
Bataisk fell to the Russian masses on February 6 1943. The success was quickly followed by the Russians crossing Don southwest of Rostow during the night of February 7th and 8th in attempt of turning the right flank of the entire German army. The Abteilung was in constant action against this force for the next fifteen days, repulsing one attack after the other and counterattacking to regain lost positions. These attacks and counterattacks wore down and demoralized the enemy to such a extent that a German motorized division was able to mount a limited offensive which wiped out the attacking enemy forces and stabilized the front for a month.
The following is a translation of an after action report written by the Abeilung-Kommandeur, describing
a day of combat in the Eastern Front.
10 February 1943
Situation: The enemy is quiet except for reconnaissance activity in Nishne. He was observed pulling up additional infantry reinforcements. Our forward battle line lies on the western edge of Rostow , running east around Nishne to Ssemernikowa. During the night the infantry of Kampgruppe Winnig couldn't maintain their positions against an enemy flanking assault due to heavy losses and exhaustion following many days and nights in combat without relief. They retire and took up new positions on the northern edge of Nishne.
Orders:
1) The Abteilung with the infantry mounted on the Panzers is to attack from the southwest edge of Rostow and close the gap between Rostow and Nishne.
2) After closing the gap , attack down the main street of Nishne as far as the rail line, providing fire cover for the infantry.
3) In combination with the infantry, roll up the from from east to west as far as the western edge of Nishne.
4) After reaching the western edge , leave the infantry behind, striking west to hook up with Kampgruppe Sander.
At 0915, The Abteilung's six Tigers and ten Pzkpfw III's advance on a wide front toward the northeast corner of Nishne. As soon as the first enemy opened fire , the infantry dismounted, assaulted the enemy and drove him back to the southwest. The gap was closed , the attack penetrated as far as the railroad embankment between Rostow and Nishne.
At 1020, the Albeilung commenced to fulfill the second segment of the orders. A steep embankment along the south side of the main street and the railroad embankment prevented the tanks from leaving the street to gain maneuvering room. The Abteilung started down the 50meter-wide street continuously sliding on the ice and packed snow. Three Tigers in wedge formation led the attack with the rest of the Tigers and PzKpfw IIIs following at 50meter intervals with their turrets pointed at 11 and 9 o'clock to provide the infantry with maximum firepower. In this formation the Abteilung penetrated as far as the train station in the middle of town, gaining possession of the main street. Further advance was futile since the infantry only occupied the buildings on the north side of the street.. Two Tigers scouted ahead to the west discovering and anti-tank ditch which blocked further movement to the west.
At 1500, the Abteilung broke off the attack due to nightfall. After notifying the Kampfgruppe commander and the division, further attacks were called off. The infantry retired under the protection of the tanks back to the southwest edge of Rostow where the Abteilung stayed for the night.
That same day, a platoon of two Tigers was attached to Kampfgruppe Sander to support an attack on a collective farm northwest of Ssemernikowa. Upon reaching hill 66.9 a Tiger went into position of each side of the hilltop to shield the left flank of the attack planned along the railroad embankment. Several anti-tank guns opened fire on the Tigers from the collective farm, starting the firefight. The PzKpfw IIIs and the IVs didn't advance. Both Tigers were then pulled back off the hill and ordered to lead the attack. After crossing hill 44.6, two enemy tanks were spotted at 500 meters to the south and were rapidly destroyed by well laid fire. One Tiger charged to the south over the rail line and crushed four anti-tank guns along with their towing vehicles. Both Tigers then attacked the collective farm with the PzKpfw IIs and IVs of Kompanie Wolf following, keeping their distance due to a shortage of ammunition.
The enemy fire steadily increased in intensity. About 200 meters from the collective farm the engine of one of the Tigers caught fire. It was successfully extinguished by the effort of the tank commander. With the other Tiger providing covering fire, both Tigers managed to retire to safety although the enemy at times managed to get as close as 50 meters.
At nightfall both of the Tigers and the PxKpfw IIIs and IVs again advanced of the collective farm. A night battle ensued with the Panzers firing at the enemy anti-tank guns revealed by their muzzle blast. With the last of their ammunition exhausted Kampgruppe Sander returned to Sapadnyj.
During the day the Abteilung accounted for three enemy tanks, five 7.62cm anti-tank guns, several mortars, many anti-tank rifles, several towing vehicles, and many infantry weapons. The Abteilung's own losses amounted to two Tigers temporarily out of action due to mechanical breakdown.
