Close Combat in Gizel Village, North Ossetia — The Battle for the Caucasus, November 7, 1942

July 19, 2025 - Reading time: 7 minutes

Soviet infantry engaged in close combat in Gizel Village, North Ossetia, November 7, 1942, halting the German advance on the Caucasus during WWII.

This striking photograph captures Soviet infantry engaged in close combat in Gizel Village, located in the North Ossetia region, during the fierce fighting to halt the German advance in the Caucasus in November 1942. The battle, part of the larger Defense of the Caucasus, was a crucial turning point for the Red Army in stopping the Nazi forces from pushing deeper into the Soviet Union.

On November 7, 1942, Soviet troops launched a counteroffensive after heavy German bombardment and artillery fire had weakened the defensive positions. Despite initial setbacks, the Soviet infantry bravely fought to push the German forces back. The battle for Gizel was one of the bloodiest engagements, with significant casualties on both sides. German forces attempted to encircle Vladikavkaz and cut off the strategic Military-Georgian Road, but the Soviet forces, including the batallion of cadets and border guards, made a valiant stand.

The photograph taken by Viktor Temin shows the determination of the Soviet soldiers, who endured both air raids and artillery fire while defending their homeland. The battle of Gizel played a pivotal role in the eventual Soviet victory in the Caucasus, and it remains a symbol of the fierce resistance the Soviet Union mounted against the Nazi forces during World War II.

Technical photo data:
📝 Source of information: Unknown
📍 Location: Gizel, North Ossetia, USSR
📅 Date of photo: November 7, 1942
📷 Photographer: Viktor Temin

• Soviet infantry

• close combat

• Battle for the Caucasus

• North Ossetia

• Red Army

• German forces

• WWII Caucasus

• Soviet resistance

• Soviet victory

• Vladikavkaz defense

• Eastern Front battles

• Ordzhonikidze

• Caucasus fighting

• Military-Georgian Road