On the Way to Catastrophe - Summer 1942.

German campaigns and battles 1919-1945.

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On the Way to Catastrophe - Summer 1942.

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; recovering (an old) deleted post......................

Towards the Don and beyond - 1942.

Towards Woronesh.

1. The build up of the German forces.

The 323 ID. Der Weg zur Ostfront.

It was organized on Nov 15 1940 as one statics division of 13 ª wave, in Franken (WK XIII) with six battalions of the second wave: 3 of the 62 ID, 3 of the 73 ID.

Was turned to one fighting division according orders issued on Feb 07 1942 and shifted to the Eastern front. On March 1942 its infantry regiments got its 13. and 14. Companies.

OoB:

Infanterie-Regiment 591

Infanterie-Regiment 593

Infanterie-Regiment 594

Artillerie-Regiment 323

Pionier-Bataillon 323

Panzerjäger-Abteilung 323

Divisions-Nachrichten-Abteilung 323

Divisions-Nachschubführer 323

The new 323 ID was composed by three infantry regiments, with three infantry battalions, each of them with three rifle companies. Besides it had an artillery regiment (horse-drawn) with three groups comprising nine batteries, each with 4 – 6 howitzers. One engineer battalion with three companies with bicycles; each company had 2 HMG, 2 mortars and 6 flamethrowers. The signal battalion had one wire company (half motorized) and one wireless company (fully motorized). The Divisional manpower was around 10.000 soldiers.

In the first days of the month of April of 1942, the newly organized 323 ID was embarked in the railway station in Charleroi. In 30 long trains the division was transported through Germany and Poland with its final destination in the city of Rowno. The vehicles and the mobile field kitchens were transported in open flat wagons whereas the troops traveled in normal wagons. In each stop we received rations of the field kitchens. The time was good and was one of the best trips than the troops remembered.

Sources: Schlacht um Woronesch. 06. Juli 1942 bis 01. August 1942. http://www.neuhaus-nick.de/HP%20Opa/noname5.htm (off line)
Geschichte der Panzergrenadierdivision Grossdeutschland. An der Ostfront 1942-1944.
Die Aufklärer der 1. Kavallerie Division / 24. Pz Division.
Feldzug Dezember 1941 - Februar 1943 - Obojan und Woronesh. http://www.57id.de/index.php/
http://web.archive.org/web/200212242121 ... ist01e.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... /323ID.htm
Die Deutsche Reichsbahn im Zweiten Weltkrieg. Janusz Piekalkiewicz.
http://members.shaw.ca/grossdeutschland/russia2.htm
Unser Regiment. RR 2 - PR 24. Gert Axel Weidemann.

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Attachments
Ready to go.............
Ready to go.............
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Re: On the Way to Catastrophe - Summer 1942.

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; 2º part......................

Towards the Don and beyond - 1942.

Towards Woronesh.

1. The build up of the German forces.

The 323 ID. Der Weg zur Ostfront.

The route of the trip, which lasted three weeks, was the following: by Köln, Wuppertal, Berlin, Breslau, Oppeln, Tschenstochau, Kielce, Radom, Brest Litowsk, Kowel until Rowno. Once there, the troops lodged in the old Polish quarters. After three weeks the division resumed its march eastwards.

The motorised elements of the Detachment of Communications (Nachrichten Abteilung) and the Commando of the division marched like advanced squad reconnoitering the lodgings for the troops who marched on foot and the horse-drawn vehicles.

The day's marches varied from 30 to 40 kilometers and every three days of march it was one of rest. There were almost 200 kilometers up to Shitomir by Nowgorod- Wolynsk therefore we had altogether 4 days of resting. From Shitomir we had to march still another 150 kilometers to Kiew.

In Kiew the division remained for 6 weeks, lodged in an old Russian garrison while carrying out field training excercises and practice in the shooting range. Kiew was a beautiful and great city; we visit the cathedral and the monastery. The main street, unfortunately, was in ruins. The Russians set bombs with time fuses in the buildings of the administration and 4 weeks after the occupation those devices exploded and many Germans were killed. In the suburbs there were many small wood houses and the tracks were bad. in all the urban zone there were hunging posters in Ukrainian and German praising to Hitler like liberator but also noticing that by each assassinated German 10 Ukrainians would be killed instead.

Sources: Schlacht um Woronesch. 06. Juli 1942 bis 01. August 1942. http://www.neuhaus-nick.de/HP%20Opa/noname5.htm (off line)
Geschichte der Panzergrenadierdivision Grossdeutschland. An der Ostfront 1942-1944.
Die Aufklärer der 1. Kavallerie Division / 24. Pz Division.
Feldzug Dezember 1941 - Februar 1943 - Obojan und Woronesh. http://www.57id.de/index.php/
http://web.archive.org/web/200212242121 ... ist01e.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... /323ID.htm
Die Deutsche Reichsbahn im Zweiten Weltkrieg. Janusz Piekalkiewicz.
http://members.shaw.ca/grossdeutschland/russia2.htm
Unser Regiment. RR 2 - PR 24. Gert Axel Weidemann.

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Attachments
Marching eastwards..................
Marching eastwards..................
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A little rest..............
A little rest..............
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Re: On the Way to Catastrophe - Summer 1942.

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; 3º part......................

Towards the Don and beyond - 1942.

Towards Woronesh.

1. The build up of the German forces.

The 323 ID. Der Weg zur Ostfront.

Still about 600 kilometers stretched ahead when we crossed the great Dnieper river by a pontoon bridge, to the left we could see the ruins of the previous bridge, which had been blown. After the first 100 kilometers, in the city of Kosolez the denominated Rollbahn was reached (main road). Along the road it were marching separated by hundreds meters horse-drawn vehicles, cars, trucks and in the middle of all of them groups of infantry troops. A column of cyclists surpassed to us dragging their bicycles by the sand, seemed totally out of place, but orders are orders.

In the town of Neshin the division had a pair of resting days, offering relief to whom suffered affections in their feet. Day after day marched the Hungarian and Germans units, crossing the town in east direction; in two days some 30 divisions could be counted considering the emblems in the vehicles. The march continued by Borsna, Krolewez, Glinsk, Rylsk, Lgow towards Kursk.

Sources: Schlacht um Woronesch. 06. Juli 1942 bis 01. August 1942. http://www.neuhaus-nick.de/HP%20Opa/noname5.htm (off line)
Geschichte der Panzergrenadierdivision Grossdeutschland. An der Ostfront 1942-1944.
Die Aufklärer der 1. Kavallerie Division / 24. Pz Division.
Feldzug Dezember 1941 - Februar 1943 - Obojan und Woronesh. http://www.57id.de/index.php/
http://web.archive.org/web/200212242121 ... ist01e.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... /323ID.htm
Die Deutsche Reichsbahn im Zweiten Weltkrieg. Janusz Piekalkiewicz.
http://members.shaw.ca/grossdeutschland/russia2.htm
Unser Regiment. RR 2 - PR 24. Gert Axel Weidemann.

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Attachments
To the east....................
To the east....................
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A cyclist detachment at rest............
A cyclist detachment at rest............
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Re: On the Way to Catastrophe - Summer 1942.

Post by tigre »

Hello to all ; 4º part......................

Towards the Don and beyond - 1942.

Towards Woronesh.

1. The build up of the German forces.

The 24 Pz.

In the cold days of November of 1941, the RR 2 arrived at Stablack in Eastern Prusia in order to initiate its transformation in an armored unit. There it gave its horses and it received new personnel coming from of PR 2, the Pz Ersatz 15 Abt and Pz Flammabt 101. There left the unit Rittmeister Schlemminger (I. Abteilung) and Maj. Horenburg (II. Abteilung). The new unit marched to Paris to complete its formation as PR 24 and was integrated within the Pz Brig 100.

The new commanders were Maj v. Winterfeld of the I. Abteilung, Maj Burgsthaler of the II. Abteilung and Maj v. der Lancken of the III. Abteilung; the Oberst Riebel (former Commander of PR 15) took over the regiment from Oberst v. Hülsen. At the beginning of the year of 1942 the rest of the former 1 KD under command of General Ritter v Hauenschild arrived at France and became the 24 Pz D.

The division was deployed in Britain in May of 1942 when it received the order to march to the Eastern front. The trip began in the stations of Britain and followed by Kowno - Vitebsk - Roslawl until Kursk. The regiment lodged in a wooded zone between Kursk and Schtschigri; after a march of three weeks arrived the motorised parts.

Sources: Schlacht um Woronesch. 06. Juli 1942 bis 01. August 1942. http://www.neuhaus-nick.de/HP%20Opa/noname5.htm (off line)
Geschichte der Panzergrenadierdivision Grossdeutschland. An der Ostfront 1942-1944.
Die Aufklärer der 1. Kavallerie Division / 24. Pz Division.
Feldzug Dezember 1941 - Februar 1943 - Obojan und Woronesh. http://www.57id.de/index.php/
http://web.archive.org/web/200212242121 ... ist01e.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... /323ID.htm
Die Deutsche Reichsbahn im Zweiten Weltkrieg. Janusz Piekalkiewicz.
http://members.shaw.ca/grossdeutschland/russia2.htm
Unser Regiment. RR 2 - PR 24. Gert Axel Weidemann.

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Attachments
The regiment was ready to march.............
The regiment was ready to march.............
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Re: On the Way to Catastrophe - Summer 1942.

Post by tigre »

Hello to all ; 5º part......................

Towards the Don and beyond - 1942.

Towards Woronesh.

1. The build up of the German forces.

The 24 Pz.

In the meanwhile the Radf Abt 1 became the Kradsch. 4 Btl and Maj v. Hellermann took over the abteilung from Oberstleutnant Baade. Since May 10 of 1942 it was joined with the rest of the 24 Pz in Britain and soon followed the mass of the 24 Pz to Rybnik where started a motorized march (mainly nocturnal) of three weeks (16 of May till 06 of June of 1942) crossing through Galicia by Kiew until the environs of Kursk. During the night from the 27 to 28 of June of 1942 it occupied its readiness positions in the zone of Schtschigri.

On June 27 of 1942, taking advantage of the dark, the PR 24 marched into its preparation zone due north of Semjenowka. The plan of attack developed by the 4 Armored Army would be carried out in this sector by XXXXVIII Pz Korps and its main effort would be the 24 Pz Div; to its right it would advance the 16 ID (Mot) and to the left the GD ID (Mot). The assigned objective: rupture towards the Don and conquers of the city of Woronesh on mentioned river’s bank.

Sources: Schlacht um Woronesch. 06. Juli 1942 bis 01. August 1942. http://www.neuhaus-nick.de/HP%20Opa/noname5.htm (off line)
Geschichte der Panzergrenadierdivision Grossdeutschland. An der Ostfront 1942-1944.
Die Aufklärer der 1. Kavallerie Division / 24. Pz Division.
Feldzug Dezember 1941 - Februar 1943 - Obojan und Woronesh. http://www.57id.de/index.php/
http://web.archive.org/web/200212242121 ... ist01e.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... /323ID.htm
Die Deutsche Reichsbahn im Zweiten Weltkrieg. Janusz Piekalkiewicz.
http://members.shaw.ca/grossdeutschland/russia2.htm
Unser Regiment. RR 2 - PR 24. Gert Axel Weidemann.

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Attachments
The designed plan..................
The designed plan..................
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Re: On the Way to Catastrophe - Summer 1942.

Post by tigre »

Hello to all ; 6º part......................

Towards the Don and beyond - 1942.

Towards Woronesh.

1. The build up of the German forces.

The 16th ID (Mot).

The 16 DI (Mot) under the command of Generalleutnant Henrici, was that early spring of 1942 holding the line Bogdanowka—Starodubzewo— Roschdestwenskoje—Pashojol~—Wysche Oserka—Dubschtschiki—Matwejewka— Oserki. On May 12, 1942 was reinforced with the Pz Abt 116 (ex - I. / PR 1) and on May 19, 1942 was relieved by the 9th Hungarian Light Infantry Division, marching towards a new assembly area south of Kursk .

The GD ID.

On March 12, 1942, was organized in the WK III the new GD ID (Mot) from the expansion of the IR GD which was renamed IR GD 1. From the first days of June 1942 the new division began gathering near Kursk within the XXXXVIII Pz K. The division continued its training during the period from 06 to 24 June, 1942. On June 27, 1942 the GD was ordered to take its readiness area. During the night of 27 to 28 June took its departure positions.

Sources: Schlacht um Woronesch. 06. Juli 1942 bis 01. August 1942. http://www.neuhaus-nick.de/HP%20Opa/noname5.htm (off line)
Geschichte der Panzergrenadierdivision Grossdeutschland. An der Ostfront 1942-1944.
Die Aufklärer der 1. Kavallerie Division / 24. Pz Division.
Feldzug Dezember 1941 - Februar 1943 - Obojan und Woronesh. http://www.57id.de/index.php/
http://web.archive.org/web/200212242121 ... ist01e.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... /323ID.htm
Die Deutsche Reichsbahn im Zweiten Weltkrieg. Janusz Piekalkiewicz.
http://members.shaw.ca/grossdeutschland/russia2.htm
Unser Regiment. RR 2 - PR 24. Gert Axel Weidemann.

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
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Re: On the Way to Catastrophe - Summer 1942.

Post by tigre »

Hello to all ; 7º part......................

Towards the Don and beyond - 1942.

Towards Woronesh.

1. The build up of the German forces.

The 88th ID.

On May 1942 the 88 ID was occupying a defensive position along the Tim in the Area of Nikolskoje. On May 19, 1942 the unit was relieved by Hungarian troops and marched to the west of Kursk.

Between May 21 and June 3, 1942 the 9./AR 188 in support of the II. / IR 245 were attached to the 79th ID and fought around Woltschansk. As of June 4, 1942 the whole AR 188 joined the ID 88, the division would be reserve of the 2 AOK.

The 57th ID.

In May 1942, it occupied defensive positions in the sector Mal.Pssinka-Iwanowka by Ssolnzewo in the far left of the XXIX AK. The position was well organized with strong points and bunkers. The enemy lines were between 700 and 3500 meters away and the activities were limited to artillery fire and reconnaissance patrols or raids. Hostile offensive action on the railroad Rhawa - Oboján were repulsed with heavy artillery fire. Elements of the division carried out actions against partisans due northwest Obojan.

Sources: Schlacht um Woronesch. 06. Juli 1942 bis 01. August 1942. http://www.neuhaus-nick.de/HP%20Opa/noname5.htm (off line)
Geschichte der Panzergrenadierdivision Grossdeutschland. An der Ostfront 1942-1944.
Die Aufklärer der 1. Kavallerie Division / 24. Pz Division.
Feldzug Dezember 1941 - Februar 1943 - Obojan und Woronesh. http://www.57id.de/index.php/
http://web.archive.org/web/200212242121 ... ist01e.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... /323ID.htm
Die Deutsche Reichsbahn im Zweiten Weltkrieg. Janusz Piekalkiewicz.
http://members.shaw.ca/grossdeutschland/russia2.htm
Unser Regiment. RR 2 - PR 24. Gert Axel Weidemann.

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Attachments
Fortified positions at Mal Psinka - IR 199 spring 1942
Fortified positions at Mal Psinka - IR 199 spring 1942
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Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
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Re: On the Way to Catastrophe - Summer 1942.

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; here goes the 8º part......................

Towards the Don and beyond - 1942.

Towards Woronesh.

2. The Offensive.

On June 28, 1942, with the first lights the armored grenadiers of the 24th Pz with heavy support provided by artillery fire, rocket launchers and Stukas broke through the enemy's first line of defense. At 04:30 hours the 24 PR left its departure position and went on to the attack, some 250 tanks, armored personnel carriers and self-propelled gun began its movement.

The attack continued with the sun high in a cloudless blue sky. From a height the command tank of the regiment watched the last tanks of I. / PR 24 moving towards the Tim, the 2. Squadron of Rittmeister Graf Spannocchi captured intact bridge over the watercourse at Prokowskoje. The spearhead Platoon under the command of Leutnant Fischer, reinforced by elements of Engineers under the command of Leutnant Schönfeld broke into the retreating Russians avoiding the demolition of the bridge just in time. The way was cleared to continue the attack. Since the beginning of the attack Soviet aircraft made diving attacks on the moving tanks.

Meanwhile to the right the 16th ID (Mot) crossed the Tim and moved to Stary Oskol.

The Soviets.

Here defended the Bryansk Front with its 13 and 40 Armies. The artillery and the reserves had been distributed uniformly along the entire front. Since it was believed that the Germans, as in 1941, would strike in the direction of Mtsensk, Tula; the most powerful grouping of tanks, the 5th Armored Army was on the right flank of the front and prepared for a counterattack in the only direction of Chern. The possibility of an enemy attack in the direction of Kursk-Voronezh was not taken seriously.

Sources: Schlacht um Woronesch. 06. Juli 1942 bis 01. August 1942. http://www.neuhaus-nick.de/HP%20Opa/noname5.htm (off line)
Geschichte der Panzergrenadierdivision Grossdeutschland. An der Ostfront 1942-1944.
Die Aufklärer der 1. Kavallerie Division / 24. Pz Division.
Feldzug Dezember 1941 - Februar 1943 - Obojan und Woronesh. http://www.57id.de/index.php/
http://web.archive.org/web/200212242121 ... ist01e.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... /323ID.htm
Die Deutsche Reichsbahn im Zweiten Weltkrieg. Janusz Piekalkiewicz.
http://members.shaw.ca/grossdeutschland/russia2.htm
Unser Regiment. RR 2 - PR 24. Gert Axel Weidemann.
http://militera.lib.ru/research/beshanov_vv/index.html

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Attachments
Advance towards the readiness area - Spring of 1942.
Advance towards the readiness area - Spring of 1942.
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Re: On the Way to Catastrophe - Summer 1942.

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; here goes the 9º part......................

Towards the Don and beyond - 1942.

Towards Woronesh.

2. The Offensive.

The GD.

The movement to the final jumping-off positions were carried out on the night of 27-28 June. Russian aircraft were active during the night, and the fuel dump for the Panzer Battalion took a direct hit; the ensuing explosion and fire consumed the entire supply of fuel. The rear area of 7th Company, Infantry Regiment GD 1 was hit by enemy bombs, killing a popular Hauptfeldwebel, a company tailor, and three other men. There was no safe place when the division was in the line.

The Division crossed the Tim and until 4 July pursued retreating enemy forces all the way to Voronezh.

Sources: Schlacht um Woronesch. 06. Juli 1942 bis 01. August 1942. http://www.neuhaus-nick.de/HP%20Opa/noname5.htm (off line)
Geschichte der Panzergrenadierdivision Grossdeutschland. An der Ostfront 1942-1944.
Die Aufklärer der 1. Kavallerie Division / 24. Pz Division.
Feldzug Dezember 1941 - Februar 1943 - Obojan und Woronesh. http://www.57id.de/index.php/
http://web.archive.org/web/200212242121 ... ist01e.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... /323ID.htm
Die Deutsche Reichsbahn im Zweiten Weltkrieg. Janusz Piekalkiewicz.
http://members.shaw.ca/grossdeutschland/russia2.htm
Unser Regiment. RR 2 - PR 24. Gert Axel Weidemann.
http://militera.lib.ru/research/beshanov_vv/index.html

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Attachments
The Generalmajor Hörlein (CO of the GD) reports on the situation to General d Panzertruppe Kempf (CO of XXXXVIII pzk).
The Generalmajor Hörlein (CO of the GD) reports on the situation to General d Panzertruppe Kempf (CO of XXXXVIII pzk).
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http://members.shaw.ca/grossdeutschland/russia2.htm
http://members.shaw.ca/grossdeutschland/russia2.htm
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Re: On the Way to Catastrophe - Summer 1942.

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; here goes the 10º part......................

Towards the Don and beyond - 1942.

Towards Woronesh.

2. The Offensive. With the 24 Pz.

The I. Abteilung, acting as the first wave, went to the Kschen. Great clouds of dust accompanied the progress of the tanks. The 1. Squadron of Rittmeister v. Mirbach captured the crossing on watercourse in a daring attack. In front of the division, to the southeast and some 30 kilometers was the target of the day, Jefrossinowka.

Great contribution to the success was provided by the aerial reconnoissance given by the squadron of aerial reconnaissance at Army level (Heeres-Aufklärungsstaffel Sikenius). The I. Abteilung established a bridgehead and raked the last nests of resistance. The II. Abteilung supported the struggle of the armored riflemen and the III. Abteilung with the motorcyclists (Kradschützen Btl 4) continued towards the target.

The sentence of leading from the front, was fulfilled to the maximun, General v. Hauenschild with his Ia, Maj v. Menges accompanied the main effort in an armored personnel carrier and Oberst Riebel followed the progress with his command tank from height to height in his driving from the saddle.

Sources: Schlacht um Woronesch. 06. Juli 1942 bis 01. August 1942. http://www.neuhaus-nick.de/HP%20Opa/noname5.htm (off line)
Geschichte der Panzergrenadierdivision Grossdeutschland. An der Ostfront 1942-1944.
Die Aufklärer der 1. Kavallerie Division / 24. Pz Division.
Feldzug Dezember 1941 - Februar 1943 - Obojan und Woronesh. http://www.57id.de/index.php/
http://web.archive.org/web/200212242121 ... ist01e.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... /323ID.htm
Die Deutsche Reichsbahn im Zweiten Weltkrieg. Janusz Piekalkiewicz.
http://members.shaw.ca/grossdeutschland/russia2.htm
Unser Regiment. RR 2 - PR 24. Gert Axel Weidemann.
http://militera.lib.ru/research/beshanov_vv/index.html

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Attachments
The 24 Pz on the move....................
The 24 Pz on the move....................
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Re: On the Way to Catastrophe - Summer 1942.

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; here goes the 11º part......................

Towards the Don and beyond - 1942.

Towards Woronesh.

2. The Offensive. With the 24 Pz.

Armored Hedgehog.

The successful penetration of more than 60 kilometers in the enemy depth continued through the night. Towards midnight the III. Abteilung together with the Kradsch. Btl had occupied Jefrossinowka and in the northern edge of the village was located the command tank of the regiment, in a nearer hut, lit by the lamps the Assistant of the Regiment, Rittmeister v. Aulock and his aide Owachtmeister Rams prepared the orders for the next day.

Meanwhile crews took advantage for refuelling, get ammunition and rations. Through captured documents was known that in Bykowo, about 40 kilometers due east, was located the Soviet 40 Army’s command, the situation toward the flanks was uncertain.

Sources: Schlacht um Woronesch. 06. Juli 1942 bis 01. August 1942. http://www.neuhaus-nick.de/HP%20Opa/noname5.htm (off line)
Geschichte der Panzergrenadierdivision Grossdeutschland. An der Ostfront 1942-1944.
Die Aufklärer der 1. Kavallerie Division / 24. Pz Division.
Feldzug Dezember 1941 - Februar 1943 - Obojan und Woronesh. http://www.57id.de/index.php/
http://web.archive.org/web/200212242121 ... ist01e.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... /323ID.htm
Die Deutsche Reichsbahn im Zweiten Weltkrieg. Janusz Piekalkiewicz.
http://members.shaw.ca/grossdeutschland/russia2.htm
Unser Regiment. RR 2 - PR 24. Gert Axel Weidemann.
http://militera.lib.ru/research/beshanov_vv/index.html

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Attachments
A 231 Sd Kfz 24 Pz victim of an antitank mine ...
A 231 Sd Kfz 24 Pz victim of an antitank mine ...
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Re: On the Way to Catastrophe - Summer 1942.

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; here goes the 12º part......................

Towards the Don and beyond - 1942.

Towards Woronesh.

2. The Offensive. With the 24 Pz.

On June 29, 1942.

The armored Kampfgruppe under orders of the Commander of the PR 24 continued to Bykovo. While the Kradsch. Btl 4 reinforced, occupying defensive positions facing to the West rejected strong Russian attacks at Jefrossinowka. The schützenpanzerwagen of the 2. / K4 moved deep in the enemy flank.

General Parsegov eventually lost contact with the troops, and quickly fell back toward Kastornoye. Thus, the bulk of the 40 Army divisions had to be commanded directly by the Bryansk Front.

Sources: Schlacht um Woronesch. 06. Juli 1942 bis 01. August 1942. http://www.neuhaus-nick.de/HP%20Opa/noname5.htm (off line)
Geschichte der Panzergrenadierdivision Grossdeutschland. An der Ostfront 1942-1944.
Die Aufklärer der 1. Kavallerie Division / 24. Pz Division.
Feldzug Dezember 1941 - Februar 1943 - Obojan und Woronesh. http://www.57id.de/index.php/
http://web.archive.org/web/200212242121 ... ist01e.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... /323ID.htm
Die Deutsche Reichsbahn im Zweiten Weltkrieg. Janusz Piekalkiewicz.
http://members.shaw.ca/grossdeutschland/russia2.htm
Unser Regiment. RR 2 - PR 24. Gert Axel Weidemann.
http://militera.lib.ru/research/beshanov_vv/index.html

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Attachments
The motorcyclists of the Kradsch. Btl 4 led the march...................
The motorcyclists of the Kradsch. Btl 4 led the march...................
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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: On the Way to Catastrophe - Summer 1942.

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; here goes another part......................

Towards the Don and beyond - 1942.

Towards Woronesh.

2. The Offensive. With the 24 Pz.

By afternoon the II. / PR 24 got fire from the dominant ground around and north of Bykowo and the advance stopped. So recalled one of the Platoon Leaders of the 5. Squadron, Leutnant Cornelius: when I crossed a hill with my five tanks, I saw the turrets of enemies tanks still out of reach for our guns of 50 mm and reported it. Hostiles heavy tanks moved forward and opened fire. Near one of the houses on the outskirts of Bykowo I detected a target and described it to my gunner; almost at the same time our grenade left the tube, an enemy projectile hit into our barrel pushing it back against the rear of the tower and disabling the gun, a second shot went right of the tower crossed the ration kit and hit the ground near the chains. As the tank could not fire back I ordered the driver to withdraw up to a hollow to get some cover. Several damaged tanks sought cover as well with impacts on them. With the arrival of the night the fight was stopped.

The Soviets.

Although complicated, the situation in the left wing of the Bryansk Front, was not yet a threat. To eliminate the threat, on the night of June 29 were moved the 4th and 24th Tank Corps of the Southwest Front and 17 Tank Corps from the Reserve. It was sent also from the reserve of the Bryansk Front the 1st and the 16th Tank Corps and the 115th and 116 Tank Brigades. These forces were composed of more than 1,000 combat vehicles and, of course, if used well, could radically change the situation.

Sources: Schlacht um Woronesch. 06. Juli 1942 bis 01. August 1942. http://www.neuhaus-nick.de/HP%20Opa/noname5.htm (off line)
Geschichte der Panzergrenadierdivision Grossdeutschland. An der Ostfront 1942-1944.
Die Aufklärer der 1. Kavallerie Division / 24. Pz Division.
Feldzug Dezember 1941 - Februar 1943 - Obojan und Woronesh. http://www.57id.de/index.php/
http://web.archive.org/web/200212242121 ... ist01e.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... /323ID.htm
Die Deutsche Reichsbahn im Zweiten Weltkrieg. Janusz Piekalkiewicz.
http://members.shaw.ca/grossdeutschland/russia2.htm
Unser Regiment. RR 2 - PR 24. Gert Axel Weidemann.
http://militera.lib.ru/research/beshanov_vv/index.html

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Attachments
Moving through the cropfields.......
Moving through the cropfields.......
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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: On the Way to Catastrophe - Summer 1942.

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; here goes another part......................

Towards the Don and beyond - 1942.

Towards Woronesh.

2. The Offensive. With the 24 Pz.

The night before Bykowo.

The Stavka recommended to join the armored corps to defeat the enemy. The Armoured Corps 4th and 24th occupied positions in the north of Stary Oskol, and the 17th Armoured Corps would jump out from the area south Kastornoye. The three gathered under the command of Lieutenant General Ya.N. Fedorenko, who came in to help in organizing the struggle of armored formations. To attack the left flank and rear of the advancing German forces were ready the 1st and 16th Armoured Corps. Therefore, the Bryansk Front was strong enough not only for stopping the group of v. Weichs, but also to defeat its main force.

Bykowo to the right of the zone of action of PR 24 was on fire beaten by German artillery and weapons of the armored personnel carrier which covered the right flank of the tanks. The I. Abteilung to the right and in the vicinity of the II. Abteilung watched to Bykowo, in the depth in the rear was fighting III. Abteilung.

Amid the armored group (panzerpulk) was located the the regiment's command tanks with their turrets numbered 371, 372, 373, under the starlight and protected by those tanks, Oberst Riebel gave his orders for the next day.

Sources: Schlacht um Woronesch. 06. Juli 1942 bis 01. August 1942. http://www.neuhaus-nick.de/HP%20Opa/noname5.htm (off line)
Geschichte der Panzergrenadierdivision Grossdeutschland. An der Ostfront 1942-1944.
Die Aufklärer der 1. Kavallerie Division / 24. Pz Division.
Feldzug Dezember 1941 - Februar 1943 - Obojan und Woronesh. http://www.57id.de/index.php/
http://web.archive.org/web/200212242121 ... ist01e.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... /323ID.htm
Die Deutsche Reichsbahn im Zweiten Weltkrieg. Janusz Piekalkiewicz.
http://members.shaw.ca/grossdeutschland/russia2.htm
Unser Regiment. RR 2 - PR 24. Gert Axel Weidemann.
http://militera.lib.ru/research/beshanov_vv/index.html

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Attachments
issuance of orders in the steppe: Maj. Burgsthaler, Maj v Winterfeld, Oberst Riebel, Maj v der Lancken, Oberleutnant v Helldorf.
issuance of orders in the steppe: Maj. Burgsthaler, Maj v Winterfeld, Oberst Riebel, Maj v der Lancken, Oberleutnant v Helldorf.
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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: On the Way to Catastrophe - Summer 1942.

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; here goes another part......................

Towards the Don and beyond - 1942.

Towards Woronesh.

2. The Offensive. With the 24 Pz.

Armored combat. June 30, 1942.

At first light the roar of the engines broke the morning stillness and the II. Abteilung marched to attack the heights where were the hostile tanks, to the right the I. Abteilung alongside with the APC attacked Bykowo. Meanwhile, the III. Abteilung assuring the left flank, was to conquer Gologusowka and press on the right flank of the enemy force.

The I. Abteilung won the heights and Bykowo and continued east along a creek, the tank of Oberst Riebel followed behind deep into the enemy's left flank while the II. Abteilung went into the right flank. After advancing one kilometer and a half Maj. v. Winterfeld ordered tanks to the left and there, about 1200 meters far away, were the KW I and T-34 facing to the west and showing its flank; after a short firefight several tanks were set ablaze and others began to flee. The Stukas also attended the ground combat and as the command tank of the II. Abteilung was stopped around Bykowo, close to some already destroyed Russian tanks, it was attacked by German aircraft, there perished the Aide, Oberleutnant Hofmann, the Wachtmeister Gembus and Oberwachtmeister Popp, while Maj. Burgsthaler was wounded. Nearly 100 enemy tanks were destroyed and also the town of Gologusowka was captured. Here fought the 16 Armoured Corps under General Pavelkin with the task of eliminating the bridgehead on the left bank of the Kschen.

Sources: Schlacht um Woronesch. 06. Juli 1942 bis 01. August 1942. http://www.neuhaus-nick.de/HP%20Opa/noname5.htm (off line)
Geschichte der Panzergrenadierdivision Grossdeutschland. An der Ostfront 1942-1944.
Die Aufklärer der 1. Kavallerie Division / 24. Pz Division.
Feldzug Dezember 1941 - Februar 1943 - Obojan und Woronesh. http://www.57id.de/index.php/
http://web.archive.org/web/200212242121 ... ist01e.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... /323ID.htm
Die Deutsche Reichsbahn im Zweiten Weltkrieg. Janusz Piekalkiewicz.
http://members.shaw.ca/grossdeutschland/russia2.htm
Unser Regiment. RR 2 - PR 24. Gert Axel Weidemann.
http://militera.lib.ru/research/beshanov_vv/index.html

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Attachments
Aerial supply with Ju-52……was necessary in the vast steppe.
Aerial supply with Ju-52……was necessary in the vast steppe.
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Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
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