 BRIDGEHEAD ON THE ASTRIKA II: For five days the soldiers of 73rd Rifle Regiment had struggled to establish
a bridgehead over the Asuika at Kratschew. Kampfgruppe Sturm had repulsed
each attempt in short order. On the sixth day, however, an emergency compelled
German high command to withdraw Kampfgruppe Sturm's Tiger platoons. Soviet
intelligence sighted the withdrawal, and, as the fearsome Tigers rolled away
Soviet command ordered another attack.


