Third Battle of Kharkov
In 1943 Hitschhold's main successful contribution was the support of the Waffen SS at the Third Battle of Kharkov, which allowed the Germans to recapture the city and Belgorod. In May first group converted to the Focke-Wulf Fw 190. It was positioned in the Izyum sector until July 1943. SG 1 was not afforded any rest. Elements moved southwest of Rostov-on-Don, and fought in the Taman Peninsula, at the Kuban bridgehead in support of the 17th Army.