Vet 3965

In August 1944 DARGESreturned to the SS Wiking to replaceJohannes Mühlenkamp as commander of the 5th SS Panzer Regiment. It was in command of this unit that DARGESwas awarded theKnights Cross for his actions on the night of 4 January 1945. The division was advancing towardsBicske when it was stopped by the41st Guards Rifle Division of the 4th Guards Army. DARGESinitially probed the Soviet line with a mixed Panzer and Panzer GrenadierKampfgruppe and succeeded in breaking through the line at dawn. Subsequently he ambushed and destroyed a Soviet task force,knocking out four 122mm guns,four 76mm anti-tank guns,twelve trucks and a number of supply vehicles. He then attackedRegis Castle,forcing the garrison to retreat. DARGESthen found himself surrounded by Soviet reinforcements and was forced to repel several attacks. Three days later when they were relieved by another Kampfgruppe from SS Wiking,they left behind more than thirty destroyed Soviet tanks.