One of the most famous divisions in the Waffen-SS, 'Wiking' was the first officially to accept non-German volunteers in unit strength. 'Wiking' was committed to the June 1941 invasion of the Soviet Union, making rapid advances until the Wehrmacht was halted that November. In 1942 the division took part in Germany's advance in the south-east, before spending winter in the Caucasus mountains. The Red Army's victory at Stalingrad in February 1943 prompted a major German withdrawal into Ukraine. January 1944 found 'Wiking' encircled in the Cherkassy (aka Korsun) 'Pocket', where the division led the breakout in the following month. By August, rebuilt as a Panzer division, 'Wiking' was back in action in Warsaw.
