Photo above shows panoramic rolling steppes of Ukraine in southern Soviet Union, as encountered by 3rd Panzer Division drive towards Caucasus region. Devoid of large forests like central Europe, its horizon stretched as far as the eye can see as this German Panzerkommandeur looks on from his Panzer III tank, with Schutzenpanzerwagen 251 halftrack (Leaping horse insignia of 24th Panzer Division on its frontal plate) and twin Panzer II recon tanks in background.

Its tank commander placed headphone set on one ear, leaving other ear attentive to developing combat environments. Unlike Hollywood movie depictions, good WW2 tank commanders generally left copula hatch open during tank engagements to quickly assess battle tactics and view targets of opportunity.

Rollover : Large gullies interlaced Ukrainian countryside, deep enough to hide entire convoy or combat formations. Thus, aerial recon was imperative to prevent ambushes or surprised encounters with enemy units. In this flat terrain, the wind-swept land produced ferocious winters the likes of which the Germans were initially hard-pressed to acclimate.

Stalingrad 1942-1943 : The Infernal Cauldron ( ISBN: 0-312-26943-9 )