Cust_ASL102- Slamming of the Door - Advance of the Reich

PANIKOVO FOREST, LUGA, AUGUST 17TH 1941:\\In order to improve the flow of supplies to the German troops driving on Leningrad, the need for the great Leningrad Highway became apparent. A key position on the highway was the strongpoint prepared at Luga. To take the Luga position the decision was made to drive through to the great highway behind Luga and take the strongpoint from the North. One of the actions, as the Germans attempted to roll up the Russian defenses covering the highway, was conducted by the 1st Battalion, 409th Infantry Regiment. The plan called for the crossing of the Oredezh River and the securing of Panikovo Village.\\The crossing of the river was completed with little enemy resistence. Patrols were sent out and returned with no sign of Russians. At 1500 hours the battalion moved out toward Panikovo. Soon the German units discovered the reason for the Russian silence. A deadly trap had been laid. Russian infantry came rushing out of the woods along with support tanks striking at the exposed flanks. In an effort to speed its advance through the forest the battalion had neglected to bring any anti-tank guns along. This neglect allowed the Russian tanks almost complete freedom of movement. The German commander had little choice but to form a "hedgehog" and wait for relief.