ARMY GROUP CENTER: Sixty miles NE of Rzhev, the 253rd Infantry Division's 464th Infantry Regiment held the line. Part of the main line of defense was Hill 747, a commanding position in the area. On the afternoon of 15 November 1941 troops from the Soviet 180th Rifle Division, formed from two divisions of the Republic of Estonia's army, captured the hill from the Germans. Short of support weapons - the old Estonian British- and Swedish-made equipment had been abandoned for lack of ammunition or spare parts - the Estonians dug in to hold their ground with infantry. The Germans came back that very night.

The attack completely surprised the Estonians, who did not expect the invaders to respond so quickly. Five Germans were wounded in the attack; the Germans claimed 70 Soviets killed and 60 captured.