ASL Comp Cherkassy I: Novo Buda EVERYMAN EDITION

NOVO BUDA, RUSSIA, 12 February 1944: The Wiking Division had moved out of the line on the eastern part of the Kessel and into the line on the Western part, where the breakout was to be made. General Stemmermann had intended the Wiking would open the door, breaking out of the Kessel to link up with the 1st Panzer Division attacking towards the Kessel from the outside, about 20 miles to the west. Part of the Wiking divisions was a unit of Belgian volunteers called the Walloons, or the Wallonien brigade under the command of Colonel Leon Degrelle. Although Degrelle was a politician and lacked the lengthy service in the military that other officers had he did well in commanding the unit, and his executive officer Lt. Colonel Lucian Lippert filled most of the command functions with in the unit. At this time the Walloons were moving into Now Buda taking the position over from the 72nd Infantry Division and had just arrived Novo Buda very early that morning. Most of the soldiers were very tired, no sleep, long night march, and were now moving into position under fire, from a strong Soviet counter attack including Katyushas, and tanks. The SS Walloons were pushed out of Novo Buda, and had to be reinforced by the German Army 266th Panzer Grenadier unit, much to their dismay. The Walloon Battalion counter attacked with the support of the 266th lead by Lt. Col. Lucian Lippert, who was killed by a sniper.