on december 12, the division was helping to man a thin line across the steppes when the german army group don launched its effort to relieve and rescue the trapped 6th army, called operation winter storm. the 302nd's main position at nebykov came under attack from the 23rd panzer division, which captured the village at 1335 hours; the germans reported that the division had fled northeast with about 3,000 men, leaving behind many dead, 250 prisoners, and a good deal of weapons and equipment. its headquarters was captured, and its deputy commander for political affairs, lt. col. p. p. medvedev, was killed by an antitank grenade. the remnants of the 302nd reorganized over the coming days along the right flank of the german thrust, which aimed at verkhne-kumskii, beyond the aksai river.