10 SS IR (Mot) at Uschomir.

German unit histories, lineages, OoBs, ToEs, commanders, fieldpost numbers, organization, etc.

Moderator: Tom Houlihan

Post Reply
User avatar
tigre
Patron
Posts: 6959
Joined: Sun Apr 10, 2005 5:42 pm
Location: Argentina

10 SS IR (Mot) at Uschomir.

Post by tigre »

Hi to all, this report shows the difficult, harsh and hazardous fight in wooded land areas.

Engagement at Uschomir's woods.

Area assigned: 30 kilometers from west to east and 50 kilometers from north to south, the zone was a large and flat surface doted with thick woods.

Task: to wipe out russian forces in the area (battalion strenght) in order to avoid disruptions in the rear area of the Sixth Army.

Plan: The CO of the regiment had outlined it as follows, the I/10 IR SS, would reach the north extremity of the search area taking up a defensive position in readiness there with front towards the south. The II and III/10 IR SS would carry out mop up actions from the SW and the SE respectively towards the north (I/10 IR SS).

Development: The II and III battalions started its operations simultaneously on August 10 at 06:30 hours moving up slowly, the march speed was less than two kilometers per hour. At noon the frontline companies of the III battalion had taken the first deserters who confirmed that one group of roughly 500 men was located a few kilometers to the north. It was 17:00 hours when the same companies reached a little village without engage the foe. The villagers were interrogated and out of it appeared that the enemy position was surpassed. The companies moved back this time guided by some peasants and before the nightfall the forwards platoons of the 12/10 IR SS were fired upon by the soviets suffering some casualties. The company (roughly 120 men armed with carbines, sub machine guns and pistols) withdrew some 500 meters and try to link with the battalion commanding officer but without success due to the wooded land. The 9/10 IR SS joined the 12/10 IR SS and the higher rank officer took over the command of the group and then deployed (around 250 men) in arch covering 1,5 kilometers and blocking up the way from south and east. Around 22:00 hours the battalion commander received this info through a radio station belonging to one artillery unit, he forthwith ordered the others two companies to close the ring inmediately. Nevertheless when the companies arrived at the assigned place at 03:30 hours, the enemy already had fled.

In the morning of 11 August more than 50 deserters arrived to the III battalion; there was no doubt now that the soviets knew the environment. Later on this day the battalion was stricken by an air attack (four planes) suffering 8 casualties (all dead).
The pursuit lasted untill midnight, and then stopped untill dawn.

On August 12 the pursuit towards north went on and at 09:00 hours one Artillery Group (Abteilung) fired for efect at one suspicious clearing but nobody was here. It was afternoon when a message stating that the forwards patrols were under fire arrived at the Command Post; inmediately a strong patrol with one Forward Observer was detached and after a short fire to check the data the howitzers fired 100 shells over an area of 500 meters x 500 meters bringing the destruction at the enemy camp. When the German troops entered there, they could see several corpses terribly mutilated.

At 03:00 hours in the morning of August 13, two companies resume the chase; at dawn 200 to 300 deserters arrived, they explained that one comisair and 3 politrucks watched over the soldiers avoiding that the troops can surrender but they could escape during the artillery fire. By afternoon the situation was as follows: to the north the I battalion waiting for the retreating enemy; at Uschomir a defensive position was organized by drivers, clercks, etc.; to the east two recon platoons (50 men) patrolling along the road running from Uschomir to the south and the II and III battalions closing the ring from west and south. Later the recon platoons were reinforced by the 12/10 IR SS plus 1/2 Rifle company. On August 14 the ring was finally closed.

It was afternoon when the bulk of the III battalion met an enemy defensive front reinforced with antitank guns and sharpshooters over the tops of the trees; and the hell broke out, the engagement lasted three hours with heavy losses for the Germans. The II battalion was attracted by the combat noise but it could not arrive but by nightfall. With the loss of one captain, four leutenants and 31 NCO and enlisted men (all KIA) plus 40 wounded, the companies of the III battalion had to withdraw. By night the Russians, in small groups, attempted the escape towards north and east but without success and then the words "sdajuss, sdajuss" (I surrender, I surrender) could be heard.

In the morning of 15 of August, the troops of the II battalion mopped out the zone founded several deads among them officers and the comisair and politrucks; the remnant of the Russian Infantry Regiment was formed by one Colonel, 3 Majors, one Comisair, 3 politrucks and between 750 to 800 men.

It was the night of the 16 of August when the Regiment (10 IR SS) received the order of move back to the 1st SS Infantry Brigade again. At this time the Unit was strenghtening the forces of the XVII Army Corps. Between the 18 and the 26 of August the Brigade moved forward behind the left wing of the XVII Army Corps towards the mouth of the river Pripet. The river Dniepr was crossed on August 23 or 24 by means of a daring action carried out by the 11 Pz Division.

Regards. Tigre.
Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
User avatar
tigre
Patron
Posts: 6959
Joined: Sun Apr 10, 2005 5:42 pm
Location: Argentina

Re: 10 SS IR (Mot) at Uschomir.

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; a complement..........................

Engagement at Uschomir.

Source: Del caúcaso a Leningrado. TCnl Alberto Marini. Círculo Militar. Buenos Aires.

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Attachments
image019.jpg
image019.jpg (169.19 KiB) Viewed 2245 times
Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
Post Reply