German units in Latvia, 1941

German campaigns and battles 1919-1945.

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Landsverk
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German units in Latvia, 1941

Post by Landsverk »

Hello there!

I am interested in finding out more on the early phase of the Barbarossa, I am thinking of the early fighting in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. I can't find no good *detailed* sources yet..

I am wondering what German units that were in the Gulbene vicinity in Latvia, and also any German units who went from Siauliai in Lithuania...what units used the highway between Jelgava and Riga?

Lots of Qs, maybe some can be answered here...

Thanks,
Thorleif Olsson
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Re: German units in Latvia, 1941

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; a little more...................................

The Radfahr Bataillon 402 - Barbarroja 1941.

Background.

The Radf. Btl. 402 was created on April 1, 1940, in the WK (Military District) VII. The battalion was created as an army-level troop with the 1st to 3rd Cyclist Companies and the 4th Heavy Company. Later during the summer of 1942, the battalion was renamed as Radfahr Abteilung 402 (Cyclist Detachment 402) and therefore at the same time, the companies were renamed squadrons.

After the Western campaign, the Radf. Btl. 402, as an independent cyclist unit was stationed on the French coast. This unit was organized with troops from Bavaria and was therefore considered a mountain unit. In February 1941 the unit returned to Germany and moved east to prepare for the invasion of the Soviet Union (Unternehmen Barbarossa). For the invasion this unit was added to the XXVI Army Corps within the 18th Army in the Army Group North, as a reconnaissance troop at the body level. His commander was at that time Maj. Heinrich Roeckl. The Radf. Btl. 402 advanced through Lithuania and Latvia, reaching Riga on 1 July 1941 ..........................

Source: http://home.clara.net/percy/index.htm
Http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... Abt402.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... IKorps.htm

Cheers. Raul M 8).
Attachments
Unit's OoB ..........................................................
Unit's OoB ..........................................................
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The Commander, Maj. Heinrich Roeckl (AFAIK later during the war) ..........................................<br />Http://www.das-ritterkreuz.de/index_image.php4?modul=show&amp;search=5
The Commander, Maj. Heinrich Roeckl (AFAIK later during the war) ..........................................
Http://www.das-ritterkreuz.de/index_image.php4?modul=show&search=5
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Re: German units in Latvia, 1941

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; a little more...................................

The Radfahr Bataillon 402 - Barbarroja 1941.

The general situation in the area of ​​the 8th Army.

The general situation existing before June 27, 1941 in the sector of the 8th (Soviet) Army described by Colonel V. Baryshev:

"While there was a fierce battle of tanks with superior forces, five infantry divisions were able to organize and move on June 26 to take defensive positions between the towns of Mazeikiai and Radviliškis in a front of approximately 110 kilometers. The front was not strong, and the army flanks were open.

To the right, the gap between the 67th Rifle Division, which defended Libau / Liepaja, and the right flank of the 10th Rifle Division reached 85 km. For this empty space the German High Command (18. AOK) sent immediately to its XXVI AK. Its 291 ID had blocked Liepaja, and the main forces were launched by the right flank of the 10th (Soviet) Rifle Corps, trying to reach the Riga District as quickly as possible.

Fight for Joniskis.

The main mission of the German infantry consisted in "advancing as fast as possible to approach the Panzer divisions on the Dvina, and, above all, to block the breach through which the mass of the Soviet troops could still escape, that is to say, the bridges over the Dvina in Riga "

To solve this problem a Kampfgruppe was created under the command of Oberst Lasch, commander of IR 43 (1. ID). This kampfgruppe was formed by the vanguards of the 1. ID, 11. ID and 21. ID, III./ IR 43, Radf. Btl 402, schw. Art. Abt 536, StuG Abt 185, 2./Fla-Btl.604, reconnaissance and engineers elements. The Kampfgruppe marched from Siauliai to Joniskis. On June 27, 1941 the German forces were to pursue the enemy along the Siauliai - Mitau highway. Kampfgruppe Lasch, after fighting captured Joniskis in the afternoon of June 27.

On the evening of June 27, the HQ of the 18th German Army, upon seeing the lack of organization of the opposing defense, issued to Kampfgruppe Lasch the following order: "The bulk of all divisions must immediately turn to the east and move to the Dvina between Friedrichstadt/Jaunjelgava and Jēkabpils.The kampfgruppe, should turn east from Joniskis through Bausk, seize the important bridges and then move towards Riga to take the bridges, cut off the escape of the 8th (Soviet) Army and Block the opponent on the Dvina. "

That night the 14./ IR 43 (antitank) while moving down the road to Joniskis to reinforce the Kampfgruppe had a encounter with two light tanks T-26 and scattered soldiers. The tanks were destroyed, the Soviet soldiers fled and the Germans lost an anti-tank gun ...............

Source: http://home.clara.net/percy/index.htm
Http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... Abt402.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... IKorps.htm
http://refdb.ru/look/1557681.html

Cheers. Raul M 8).
Attachments
Soviet units in the Baltic countries at the start of the operation...................................... ....................<br />Http://www.network54.com/Hide/Forum/message?forumid=116312&amp;messageid=1027789549 (offline)
Soviet units in the Baltic countries at the start of the operation...................................... ....................
Http://www.network54.com/Hide/Forum/message?forumid=116312&messageid=1027789549 (offline)
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Advance of the German XXVI. AK towards Riga ..........................................
Advance of the German XXVI. AK towards Riga ..........................................
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Re: German units in Latvia, 1941

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; a little more...................................

The Radfahr Bataillon 402 - Barbarroja 1941.

German units pass through Zheymyalis.

On June 28, 1941, Kampfgruppe Lasch was catching up the Soviet 125th Rifle Div, which was losing support. Arvasyavichus recalled: "At dawn it started to rain, this lasted most of the day with brief interruptions. Cloudy, this hindered the raids of enemy aircrafts and facilitated the march of the division.A few German planes came out of the clouds and dropped bombs. The division, struggling with motorized elements and German paratroopers??, left Lithuanian territory and retreated to Latvia in the direction of Bausk".

Having captured Josnikis the day before, the Kampfgruppe Lasch was reorganized during the night. At the front of the column was the advance detachment of the 11. ID and two assault guns. The III./ IR 43 and the rest of the assault guns and the antiaircrafts guns formed the bulk. The Radf. Btl 402 was moving as a rearguard. The advance detachments of the 1. ID and 21. ID, forming a column on the right flank, were ordered to advance through Kazakai, Pashvitinis, Lauksodis in the direction of Tseraukste, from where they were to attack Bausk.

The Kampfgruppe advanced from Josnikis at 06:30 hours. At that time Josnikis was attacked from the west by Soviet infantry, most likely stragglers from the 125th Rifle Div. Lasch ordered Maj. Heinrich Roeckl (Radf. Btl 402) to repell the attack with the cyclists and the rest of the force continued its march towards Bausk. The group advanced several kilometers without resistance. Burned trucks and carts lay along the road. Possibly the Soviet column had been attacked by isolated airplanes. From there the movement continued with constant skirmishes with weak Soviet elements that appeared suddenly and dispersed towards the forests.

The Kampfgruppe Lasch, directly subordinate to I. AK, marched through Zheymyalis area and thence through Bausk towards Riga. Haupt described the passage of the Kampfgruppe through Podzheymele: "Oberst Lasch allowed a short stop on the border between Lithuania and Latvia. Companies took a break, covered of aerial view under the trees near the road. Advanced posts were set to left and right. Lasch summoned the officers to discuss the future situation". After a long introduction the Oberst ordered:

The 9. and 12. Companies, reinforced by the antiaircraft guns, will form an independent group. This group will detach from the main column north of Pozheymel (Pozeimeliai) and march through Mazhbershtele (Mazberstele) towards Bausk. I will be in charge of the main force. Any of us who manage to get to the bridge at Bausk first, will conquer it, without regard to its surroundings. This was the first appearance of German troops in Zheymyalis on June 28, 1941 and the pause in the march occurred in the locality or to the north of it. Neither this day nor the following were developed military operations in the sector.

Source: http://home.clara.net/percy/index.htm
Http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... Abt402.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... IKorps.htm
http://refdb.ru/look/1557681.html

Cheers. Raul M 8).
Attachments
Parts of the &quot;Kampfgruppe Lasch&quot; (assault guns of Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 185 and riflemen of Infanterie-Regiment 43), in advance towards the city of Riga, at the end of June 1941; In the foreground a StuG III Ausf. C/D..........................<br />Https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/db/e0/dd/dbe0dd7ef613bab2784781b254fdcec7.jpg
Parts of the "Kampfgruppe Lasch" (assault guns of Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 185 and riflemen of Infanterie-Regiment 43), in advance towards the city of Riga, at the end of June 1941; In the foreground a StuG III Ausf. C/D..........................
Https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/db/e0/dd/dbe0dd7ef613bab2784781b254fdcec7.jpg
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Re: German units in Latvia, 1941

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; a little more...................................

The Radfahr Bataillon 402 - Barbarroja 1941.

The fighting in Bausk.

On June 28, 1941, according to the orders of the General Staff of the 8th Soviet Army, the 28th Tank Division must travel through Bausk and to Riga. In that city, to patrol and to protect there were already tanks of the 23rd Tank Division. At 11:00 hours the 28th Tank Div was ordered to concentrate on the north shore of the Dvina near the Kegums station where it prepared for the defense at 22:00 hours. Also there, at the end of the day advanced the 23rd Tank Div under the orders of Lieutenant General Safronov to defend the crossing point. Therefore, the infantry and the artillery, that marched on the Dvina, had no armored support this day.

The motorized companies of Kampfgruppe Lasch, therefore, engaged with parts of the 125th Rifle Division and the 9th Brigade of anti-tank artillery in front of Bausk. Arvasyavichus reported: "We retired fighting, the losses grew." Not too far from Bausk a battery of howitzers suddenly found itself with the German column.The gunners dragging the howitzers of the highway, were locked in a duell with the enemy vehicles. The column was destroyed, but all the guns were left on the battlefield, and more than half of its crews were killed. "

On the outskirts of Bausk, large losses occurred in the 2nd Battalion of the 657th Rifle Regiment, Battalion Commander A. Smorkalov was wounded and taken prisoner. To the city came the schw. Art. Abt 536. The arriving units were regrouped. The Germans managed to capture the bridge over the Memel, to create a small bridgehead to the north. There get across the IIII./IR 43. The Aufkl. Abt 11 under Oberstleutnant Hans Källner was detached to protect Bausk from the east.

A bloody combat broke out southeast of the town near the village of Lauksargi, which was defended by Soviet troops with heavy artillery. Oberst Lasch sent out to the place an infantry company and an assault cannon but it was not enough. The Germans lost 17 prisoners. As a reinforcement, several assault cannons and motorcyclists arrived in Lauksargi, which burned the village and destroyed three Soviet batteries, the prisoners were recovered.

Meanwhile, Oberst Lasch received a radio message from the III. / IR 43 north of the Memel: "Troops are heavily shelled. We request support from assault guns and artillery." A new report said: "The enemy attacks the Aufkl.Abkl 11 from the east with large forces.The detachment requests artillery support." Probably the AA 11 was being attacked by the troops of the 65th Soviet Rifle Corps retreating along the route Ligumai, Linkuva, Tsereukate.

Under these conditions Lasch ordered Källner to maintain the reached positions and sent a radial message to the Aufkl. Abt 21 ordering to speed the march and reach Bausk as soon as possible (before midnight). The kampfgruppe occupied a circular position and prepared to spend the night in Bausk.

The strength of the opponent was stated by V. Richter: "In the afternoon the Kampfgruppe Lasch was able to seize Bausk after a brutal fight."

At nightfall Oberst Lasch received the order to await the arrival of the Aufkl. Abt 1 and 21, another battery of assault guns and a company of IR 23 transported in trucks. The latter was sent to protect the bridges over the Mushu, Memel and Aa. The continuation of the attack was scheduled at dawn of June 29, 1941.

Soon, in a nearby meadow landed the 18. AOK Chief of Staff, Oberst Hasse. He listened to the report of Oberst Lasch and required the plan for future actions. Lasch said: "If the promised reinforcements arrive, I feel able to start the march on Riga tomorrow. If everything goes well, we will be in the city by noon, as soon as we are able to understand the situation, we will attack. The vanguard will be composed of the 10./ IR 43, a platoon of machine guns, a platoon of the 14./ IR 43 (Atan) with three anti-aircraft guns, the battery of assault guns and a platoon of combat engineers. Its task will be to break into Riga towards the bridges and capture them.

The bulk will consist of the AA 11 and my III./ IR 43. With them the assault guns, artillery, anti-tank, anti-aircraft and Radf. Btl 402. This combat group will follow the advance guard with the highest possible speed and will secure the bridges against an enemy's attempt to break from the west.

The rest of the combat group will be composed of AA 1 and AA 21, which I hope will arrive in time "

Oberst Hasse told Oberst Lasch that from 00:00 hours on June 29, his combat group was to be subordinated to XXVI. AK.

Source: http://home.clara.net/percy/index.htm
Http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... Abt402.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... IKorps.htm
http://refdb.ru/look/1557681.html

Cheers. Raul M 8).
Attachments
Oberst Otto Lasch...........................................................<br />http://ww2gravestone.com/sites/default/ ... e043_6.jpg
Oberst Otto Lasch...........................................................
http://ww2gravestone.com/sites/default/ ... e043_6.jpg
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Re: German units in Latvia, 1941

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; a little more...................................

The Radfahr Bataillon 402 - Barbarroja 1941.

Direction to Riga.

At the beginning of the war, the city garrison consisted of the Infantry School, the 5th Motorized Rifle Regiment, and the 83rd Railway Regiment of the 22nd NKVD Rifle Division. In addition, in Riga remained part of the Command and staff of the Baltic Military District, its institutions and rear elements and the head of the company headquarters.

With the approach of the enemy units were created immediately groups of volunteers of the guards workers. About half of his personnel were Jews. The limited garrison forces had to defend not only the ferry in the city, but also the river bank upstream and downstream of the city. On June 28, some isolated tanks reached Riga, which were also used for the defense of the bridges.

On June 29, 1941 at 03:10 hours the vanguard of the Kampfgruppe Lasch, under Maj. Helbig, left Bausk in the direction of Riga. The soldiers of the 10./ IR 43 were moving in light trucks. Russian positions in the north of Memel's bridgehead were previously suppressed by artillery that had been advanced. The head of the column conquered the crossing of roads in Tsodas without resistance.

The Soviets were surprised, trucks, passenger vehicles and cars were scattered around. Its drivers and passengers hid in the bushes at the roadside before the appearance of the German troops. The enemy lost his head. Just a single shot echoed behind him. The vanguard rushed forward without stopping anywhere. Few towns met on the way, there were no traces of war in them. Local residents, who could see early in the morning, paid little attention to the column. No doubt they thought they were Soviets.

Having reached the crossroads at Tsodas, the column left a 3.7-cm anti-tank weapon in order to secured to the east. The soldiers of the gun received the order to wait for the arrival of the main forces of the group, and then reach the vanguard ASAP.

As the column approached Iecava, it received artillery fire. The first grenade exploded by the assault gun without damaging it. The column stopped. The soldiers jumped from the trucks to the roadside. The bombardment intensified, but it was very inaccurate. It was not clear from where the shots came from. The Oberleutnant Geisler, Chief of the 3./ Stug Abt 185, remained calmly standing on one of the vehicles in order to determine, with his binoculars, where the enemy was. His six assault guns turned to the left of the road, crushed the bushes of the roadside, and crossed the wet meadow, leaving wide traces. The first cannon stopped and fired, followed by the second and the third. The shot was followed by another shot. The Soviets realized the danger and shifted their fires off the road to the approaching giants. But these without reacting before the fall of the projectiles, continued advancing. The enemy battery was soon suppressed.

The column continued immediately. In the trench was left a heavy weapon with the barrel and the shield smashed. A little further on the side of the road lay a howitzer. Beside the heavy tractor, with which the Soviets dragged their guns at the beginning of the war. The third and fourth were abandoned by the servants.

In his memoirs, Arvasyavichus does not mention any battle of the 125th Rifle Division near Iecava, although: "General [Bogaychuk] was concerned that in Iecava the enemy could cut off the escape routes." Intuition had not deceived him. Of Iecava clashed with German parachutists and machine guns of the "fifth column." Intense artillery fire and a sudden attack by the enemy was able to disperse and destroy.

After skipping Iecava the Germanic column soon arrived at Kekava. To get to Riga was still about 20 kilometers.

Source: http://home.clara.net/percy/index.htm
Http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... Abt402.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... IKorps.htm
http://refdb.ru/look/1557681.html

Cheers. Raul M 8).
Attachments
Stug III of the 2./ Stug Abt 185 during the advance ..................................... ......................<br />Https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/b6/4a/54/b64a5462722eac1b91e4034c14625e85.jpg
Stug III of the 2./ Stug Abt 185 during the advance ..................................... ......................
Https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/b6/4a/54/b64a5462722eac1b91e4034c14625e85.jpg
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Re: German units in Latvia, 1941

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; a little more...................................

The Radfahr Bataillon 402 - Barbarroja 1941.

Direction to Riga - Incident at Kekava.

On June 29, 1941, in the direction of advance to Riga, the Commander of the 12th Soviet Mechanized Army Corps was captured, Major General N. M. Shestopalov, with part of his staff. The circumstances of his capture were described as heroic by the Soviet sources, specifying that the General died fighting after an unequal struggle and after having slaughtered numerous enemies.

But according to German sources, the capture of the general and part of his staff was much less heroic:

The Leader of the 15. Company IR 3 (21. ID), Oberleutnant Rietgen, described the fact: "It happened at 10:30 hours in the wooded area near Kekava / Kekau, about 20 kilometers from Riga, during a short stop of our column. The units and subunits that had been separated due to the rapid pace of march, approached and organized themselves for the attack on Riga.

While we were standing, an incident occurred, typical of the situation at the time.

From the forest we heard the sound of engines and before we could determine what was happening, from a clearing in the forest came out to us three cars in closed formation. The team, the clue, take the weapons, excitement here and there and the puzzle had been solved. The command of a Soviet army corps without suspecting anything had been caught by our marching column and was instantly surrounded by our soldiers. Any resistance or escape was impossible. In the future we never again captured a Soviet general so easily. They should have reached their troops and then march to Riga under that escort. We did not know who was taken there at the time, but now everything is very clear was he was the Commander of the 12th Mechanized Corps, Major-General Shestopalov with the advance echelon of his command post. "

Major General N. M. Shestopalov died as a result of his wounds on August 6, 1941 in a German prison camp in Siauliai.

Source: http://home.clara.net/percy/index.htm
Http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... Abt402.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... IKorps.htm
http://refdb.ru/look/1557681.html

Cheers. Raul M 8).
Attachments
A column of cyclists (Radf. Btl 402 ??) overtake a Soviet Recce vehicle (Broneavtomobil 10 BA-10) disabled at the roadside during the advance .........................................<br />Der-Landser-Nr-1461-Sturmfahrt-nach-Riga.
A column of cyclists (Radf. Btl 402 ??) overtake a Soviet Recce vehicle (Broneavtomobil 10 BA-10) disabled at the roadside during the advance .........................................
Der-Landser-Nr-1461-Sturmfahrt-nach-Riga.
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Re: German units in Latvia, 1941

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; a little more...................................

The Radfahr Bataillon 402 - Barbarroja 1941.

Fights at the bridge heads in Riga - June 29, 1941.

Continuing the movement, the advance guard of Kampfgruppe Lasch, after about 10 hours of progress along the road from Bausk came to the outskirts of Riga. After a short battle, it conquered the outskirts of the southwest of the city, which complicated considerably the withdrawal of the rest of the 8th Soviet Army. The Germans broke through the bridges (stone and pontoon), and engaged in combat with elements of the 83rd NKVD railway Regiment that defended the sector and had fire support from an armored train.

At this point began to approach the bridges parts of the 10th and 125th Rifle Divisions, which helped to repel enemy attacks. In the area of the pontoon bridge, was hurriedly deployed the 28th Motorized Regiment of the 28th Tank Division.

Parts of the 10th Rifle Division, the 114th Rifle Regiment of the 67th Rifle Division and the 28th Motorized Regiment took position in the Riga area and to the south along the shore of the Western Dvina.

The 144th Tank Regiment of the 23rd Tank Division was ordered to clear the western part of Riga from enemy units that had infiltrated. The commander of the regiment, Col. Kokine, organized a combined unit consisting of 10 tanks, 6 armored vehicles, 3 anti-tank guns, two rifle company and a detachment of border guards. The Soviet soldiers fought fiercely, but the Germans flanked the Soviet unity, forcing it to withdraw into the river. Pressed by the opponent against the water obstacle, the unit destroyed their equipment, and crossed to the north shore of the Western Dvina.

Due to the threat of the capture of the bridges by the adversary, all of them that had been prepared to be blown by the personnel of the 83rd Regiment of the NKVD were destroyed. But the railway bridge, due to the poor preparation of the explosive charges, was still intact.

The enemy soon took advantage of that situation. The vanguard of the Kampfgruppe Lasch - Five assault guns of the 3. / Stug. Abt. 185, under Oberleutnant Geisler, three anti-aircraft guns, an anti-tank gun, detachments of the 10. / IR 43 and elements of its platoon of engineers sped quickly through the 600 meter long bridge and tried to seize one Bridgehead on the north shore.

At this moment, a group of soldiers of the 47th Artillery Regiment, the 10th Rifle Corps under Lieutenant Vasiliev managed to destroy the bridge. It remained hanging from the supports and was unusable for the crossing of the enemy.

Detachments of the NKVD regiments, detachments of the Riga workers, parts of the 62nd and 204th Rifle Regiments of the 10th Rifle Division which had succeeded in crossing, supported by an armored train, were able to destroy the enemy armored forces that took a foot in the right bank of the Dvina.

The destruction of the bridges prevented the advance on the right bank of the following German detachment, led by Maj. Helbig. Attempts to infiltrate through the remains of the bridges to the right bank were rejected by the defenders of the city. However, the destruction of the bridges deprived of an easy crossing point to the units of the 10th and 90th Rifle Divisions of the 8th Soviet Army, which did not reach Riga previously. They attacked the enemy units in the left bank of the river; reason why in the zone exploded a violent combat.

Source: http://home.clara.net/percy/index.htm
Http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... Abt402.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... IKorps.htm
http://refdb.ru/look/1557681.html

Cheers. Raul M 8).
Attachments
Advance of the vanguard of Kampfgruppe Lasch by the railway bridge ....................................... ...<br />Http://forum.myriga.info/index.php?showtopic=1389
Advance of the vanguard of Kampfgruppe Lasch by the railway bridge ....................................... ...
Http://forum.myriga.info/index.php?showtopic=1389
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A destroyed Sd Kfz 10/4 AA (2./Fla-Btl. 604) on the right bank of the Western Dvina .........................................<br />Https://www.antik-war.lv/viewtopic.php?f=46&amp;t=131342.
A destroyed Sd Kfz 10/4 AA (2./Fla-Btl. 604) on the right bank of the Western Dvina .........................................
Https://www.antik-war.lv/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=131342.
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Re: German units in Latvia, 1941

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; a little more...................................

The Radfahr Bataillon 402 - Barbarroja 1941.

Fights at the bridge-heads in Riga - June 29, 1941 (German side).

Oberst Lasch's Kampfgruppe found itself in a very difficult position, as a strong attack was unleashed on it from the north and west. The Kampfgruppe was able to maintain the position solely thanks to the exceptional value of its soldiers, and the complete self-control of its leader, Oberst Lasch. The latter, with a machine gun in his hands, led his men for some time.

The Aufkl. Abt. 21 was ordered to defend the western part of the city from the road to Bausk to the Dvina against parts of the 8th Soviet Army, arriving late to cross the river. The detachment had to act in conjunction with the III./ IR 43, of the 1. ID, which arrived transported in trucks.

This task could only be fulfilled conditionally because the enemy was advancing from the west with an unexpected ferocity and tenacity trying to pave the way through the German blockade to achieve salvation behind the river. In a one-on-one match, it was rejected. After the attacks of three German anti-tank guns, 15 enemy tanks and armored vehicles had been destroyed, many trucks with infantry were shot.

After 19 hours of fighting, the enemy attempt to breakthrough in the sector of Aufkl. Abt. 21 became more acute. In the cemetery of the Lutheran church an extremely dangerous situation was created, in view of the desperate attempt of the Soviets to crush the German forces. Here distinguished particularly Lt. Bahr from the 15./ IR 45 with his platoon. During the night several groups of the Kampfgruppe Lasch were able to establish communication between them.

On June 29, 1941, the German 1. ID was about 60 kilometers from Bausk, marching from Zheimelis to the east. At dusk it received the radio order to immediately change the direction of advance and march through Bausk towards Riga. It was necessary to free Kampfgruppe Lasch from the encirclement after the Soviets had succeeded in breaking up in the western suburbs of the city. The division turned left. A motor company of the IR 43, the Pz. Jäg. Abt. 1 and the 1./ IR 1 were detached towards the front. The whole division had an immense desire to aid the Kampfgruppe Lasch. Particularly successful was the motor company of Lt. Elsner who traveled the 60 kilometers between Bausk and Riga in 2 hours and 20 minutes.

Source: http://home.clara.net/percy/index.htm
Http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... Abt402.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... IKorps.htm
http://refdb.ru/look/1557681.html
https://www.antik-war.lv/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=131342

Cheers. Raul M 8).
Attachments
A light tank T-26 and corpses of Soviet soldiers speak of the hardness of the fighting ................................
A light tank T-26 and corpses of Soviet soldiers speak of the hardness of the fighting ................................
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Remains of a Soviet motorized column after the hard fighting .....................................................
Remains of a Soviet motorized column after the hard fighting .....................................................
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Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
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tigre
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Re: German units in Latvia, 1941

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; a little more...................................

The Radfahr Bataillon 402 - Barbarroja 1941.

Riga - June 30, 1941.

Shortly after midnight, the Kampfgruppe Lasch, surrounded on the left bank of Riga by troops of the 8th Soviet Army which had not been able to cross the river, received the first reinforcements: a motorized Battalion and an anti-tank company of 1. ID. They were immediately sent to the most dangerous areas of defense. Under cover of the night, several soldiers of the group Geisler managed to drag its severely wounded commander through the sections of the railroad bridge that hung of its supports. At 2 o'clock in the morning, Soviet sappers blew the remnants of the bridge, which now became impassable.

A little later the artillery commander of the 1st Army Corps, General Burdach, arrived in the city and relieved Oberst Lasch as commander of all troops in the Riga sector. Then the advance detachments of this Army Corps, vanguards of the 61. ID (Generalleutnant Siegfried Hänicke) and detachments of the Pi. Rgt 667 (Oberst Ullersperger) reached the Dvina. After them arrived the 217. ID and the 58. ID reserve of the 18. AOK. The 291. ID was coming from the west.

Having received considerable reinforcements, on June 30, 1941, the Germans after fierce battles managed to completely dominate the part of the left bank of Riga, the Soviet troops maintained the part of the right bank of the city. Attempts by the enemy to force the Dvina River upstream from the city, in the Dole Island district, were rejected. Then the Germans began to flank Riga deeply from the east.

The Northwest Front reconnaissance report confirmed that "after a strong and repeated (twice) artillery preparation, with the active assistance of the" fifth column", the opponent conquered the accesses to Riga at 23:30 hours on the June 30, 1941. Bridges over West Dvina in Riga were blown by our troops "

According to the Directive of the Commander of the Front, the remnants of the units and detachments of workers, who were no longer strong enough to continue the struggle, left Riga in the evening on June 30 and moved along the Pskov road to Sigulda.

According to German sources in the street fighting in Riga, the Germans lost 9 officers and 82 non-commissioned officers and troops.

Source: http://home.clara.net/percy/index.htm
Http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... Abt402.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... IKorps.htm
http://refdb.ru/look/1557681.html
https://www.antik-war.lv/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=131342

Cheers. Raul M 8).
Attachments
Remnans of the fight in Riga, in the foreground two light tanks T-26 .................................................
Remnans of the fight in Riga, in the foreground two light tanks T-26 .................................................
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A Soviet tank totally destroyed in one of the streets of the suburbs of Riga ..............................................
A Soviet tank totally destroyed in one of the streets of the suburbs of Riga ..............................................
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German soldiers on the bank of the Dvina in the sector of the railway bridge ............................................
German soldiers on the bank of the Dvina in the sector of the railway bridge ............................................
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Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
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Re: German units in Latvia, 1941

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; a little more...................................

The Radfahr Bataillon 402 - Barbarroja 1941.

Riga - July 1, 1941.

On the other side of the front southeast of Riga, the German sappers of the Pi. Rgt 667 on the night of July 1, 1941, transported across the Dvina, by means of assault boats and rafts, the Radfahr Bataillon 402 and the 1. / Stug Abt. 185. According to W. Haupt, "There was not a single enemy in the city. The Soviets left Riga at night, and the Latvian population filled the streets and welcomed the incoming German troops as liberators. in the city there were signs of the terrible battles.The symbols of the city - Castle of the Order and the Church of St. Peter - burned like torches ".

This was confirmed by Vladimir Baryshev: "The street fighting lasted two days. Under the pressure of the superior enemy forces they had to leave the city, and by the end of July 1, 1941, our troops moved through the Gauja river"

The same day a German platoon of the RI 1 of the 1. ID was successful and after a surprise attack captured the central and dam of Ķegums 45 km upstream of the Dvina river.

Thus, from June 26 to July 1, the German forces had established several bridgeheads on the north bank of Dvina from Daugavpils to Riga for further advances. On June 30, 1941, according to a directive order of the Northwest Front, a general withdrawal of its troops was carried out on the line of the old fortified areas, Pskov, Sebezh and Ostrovsk.

But on July 1, 1941, the Front Command received a new directive signed by the Chief of General Staff G.K. Zhukov ordering an active operation (offensive) to eliminate the crossing to the north bank of the Western Dvina river by the enemy .................

This new solution, taking into account the disposition of the troops, did not agree either with the current situation or the real possibilities of the troops and had an extremely negative impact throughout the course of the hostilities. Army troops were ordered to stop the withdrawal, to go on the offensive and restore the defense along the Dvina, regaining Riga. The units of the army received the following tasks: the 10th Rifle Corps to Riga; The 11th Rifle Corps to occupy the Ogre-Koknese area; The 12th Mechanized Corps (in cooperation with units of the 27th Army) to defeat the enemy in Krutspil and reach the Dvina. To accomplish these missions, the 8th Army was reinforced with the 181st and 183rd Rifle Divisions.

But because of communication problems, the Commander of the 8th Army could only transmit the order to cease the withdrawal and restore the previous situation at dusk of July 1, 1941, so that the troops could no longer comply it and the withdrawal continued as before.

Source: http://home.clara.net/percy/index.htm
Http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... Abt402.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... IKorps.htm
http://refdb.ru/look/1557681.html
https://www.antik-war.lv/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=131342
http://forum.myriga.info/index.php?showtopic=1389&st=40

Cheers. Raul M 8).
Attachments
Remnants of the fighting in Riga ....................................................................
Remnants of the fighting in Riga ....................................................................
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German column crossing the Dvina in Riga .....................................................................................
German column crossing the Dvina in Riga .....................................................................................
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Re: German units in Latvia, 1941

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; a little more...................................

The Radfahr Bataillon 402 - Barbarroja 1941.

Riga - July 1941.

On July 2, 1941, the 18. AOK received an order from the Army Group specifying that the Army should reach the Ostrow-Pskow line and with an Army Corps of two divisions turn to secure Estonia and seize Reval. Of course, this last Army Corps would be the XXVI. AK that with a division would march towards the north (61. ID) whereas the 291. ID would follow immediately. Also after the conquest of Reval and Baltisch Port was to start Operation Beowulf II (conquest of Saaremaa, Hiiumaa and Muhu).

On July 03, 1941 the XXVI. AK issued directives on the subordination of formations at the Army Corps level:

There will be subordinate to the XXVI. AK the following units: Radf. Btl 402, Radf. Btl 403, MG Btl 10, s.Art. Abt. II./ AR 58 (Mot) with sFH18, the 1. / Pz Jäg. Abt 563, the I./Flak 51 and 1 battery of s.Art. Abt. 637 (Mot) with 21 cm Mörser.

With respect to Radf. Btl 402 at the start of the march it was subordinated to the 61. ID. The rest of the formations were to reach Riga on July 5, 1941 and during the march they were to rake the surroundings of Zchlok - Tukum - Frauenburg - Auz - Eitau. The I./ Flak 51 and the II./ AR 58 were to form a marching party in charge of the oldest commander, upon arriving at Riga on the I./ Flak 51 would be under Flak-Rgt Stab 164 - Riga. The remainder subordinate to Commander Riga-west.

Source: Fuente: KTB 18. AOK T-312 Roll 781 and KTB XXVI. AK.
https://www.vif2ne.org/rkka/forum/arhprint/89934
https://www.antik-war.lv/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=131342

Cheers. Raul M 8).
Attachments
German motorcyclists orienting themselves in Riga ..............................................
German motorcyclists orienting themselves in Riga ..............................................
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A pair of German motorcyclists in Riga ..............................................
A pair of German motorcyclists in Riga ..............................................
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German troops parade down a Riga street ............................................
German troops parade down a Riga street ............................................
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Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
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