*The Waffen-SS won its spurs at the Battle Of Kharkov and proved once and for all to the German General Staff that they were a combat force that could be counted on when all else failed. The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd SS Panzer Divisions evacuated the Russian City of Kharkov in advance of a massive Red Army attack. Although this was contrary to Hitler's 'NO RETREAT!' orders, the plan worked perfectly. The Three elite Waffen-SS divisions counter-attacked and routed the celebrating Russian soldiers. Wehrmacht tank expert General Guderian described this engagement as 'one of the most masterfully crafted victories of World War II'. Experience the ebb and flow of armored warfare on the Eastern Front in the 4th issue of Waffen-SS! *Source: necpress.com