Between Meleni and Korosten, 23rd of December 1943.🔥🌨️

The sky was overcast. The temperature was around zero degree. Light snowfall fell.¹

During the night between 22nd and 23rd of December, the 226th Rifle Division reported that night passed quietly, with the exception of short fire raids from artillery and mortars, along its battle front facing the LSSAH.²

At 0345 hours, oddly, the SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 1 claimed that Hill 185.3, abandoned by the 8th Rifle Division in previous day, northeast of Meleni was attacked by a strong Soviet forces. The attack was eventually repulsed.³

At 0400 hours, in a report, the 175th Tank Brigade from the 25th Tank Corps acknowledged casualty of thirty-two killed and seventy-seven wounded as a result of fight in previous day. In addition, five tanks with crews from the 3rd Battalion of the Brigade were considered as missing in action.⁴

At 0430 hours, the 1. Panzer-Division claimed that its artillery and mortars were shelling recognized enemy provision distribution point in the area of Chopovychi station.⁵

By 0500 hours, as reinforcement, a force consists of fifteen T-34 tanks and two SU self-propelled guns of the 21st Guards Tank Brigade from the 5th Guards Tank Corps occupied its position 1 kilometer west of Chopovychi station. Later, the Brigade acknowledged suffering losses of three T-34 tanks – two were burned down and the rest of one was knocked out – during the battle, but allegedly destroyed two anti-tank guns, two machine gun nests, and up to twenty German soldiers in return.⁶

At 1145 hours, allegedly, two German tanks approaching to the positions of the 175th Tank Brigade were shot and burned by tank-fire.⁷

At 1230 hours, the 7. Panzer-Division started an attack with a Kampfgruppe from from Dobryn’ (Добринь) to Zabrane (Забране) in the south bank of Irsha River.⁸

At 1300 hours, allegedly, a German force of up to one battalion landed on fifteen vehicles went on the offensive against positions of the 226th Rifle Division nearby Hill 185.3 was repulsed.⁹

By 1400 hours, the elements of the 20th Motorized Rifle Brigade arrived the motor tractor station west of Chopovychi station, where the brigade went into defensive and stood by as the reinforcement of the 25th Tank Corps. It is noteworthy that during the three days fighting from 21st to 23rd of December, the brigade suffered casualty of two hundred and six killed and eight hundred and twenty-eight wounded. Aside from personnel losses, the brigade suffered equipment losses of one APC and one “Ford Model AA” truck.¹⁰

At 1400 hours, meanwhile, the 149th Rifle Division, reinforced by nine tanks from the 162nd Tank Brigade, went on attack towards Stremyhorod and the southern outskirts of Bolyarka.¹¹

At 1425 hours, Guard Captain L. I. Avrutin, the deputy commander of the motorized submachine gunner battalion of the 175th Tank Brigade was seriously wounded. The battalion was holding its position 1.2 kilometers west of Chopovychi station.¹²

At 16:45 hours, Zabrane was allegedly taken by the 7th Panzer Division. The Soviets in the village put up only little resistance and evaded towards the northeastern direction.

At 1700 hours, the LSSAH reported that a Soviet force advancing on the Bolyarka station along the march route (geographically, it should be Korosten-Malin railway) was ambushed and routed by the I./SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 1, whose infantrymen mounted on the assault guns.¹³

At 1800 hours, however, the 568th Rifle Regiment of the 149th Rifle Division, reinforced by nine tanks from the 162nd Tank Brigade allegedly took possession of flour mill on the crossing of Hnidivka River, northeast of the village of Bolyarka. The advance allegedly was still in progress.¹⁴ ¹⁵

At 1800 hours, meanwhile, nine T-34 tanks from the 1st Battalion of the 175th Tank Brigade launched attack towards the grove 2.5 kilometers west of Chopovychi station.¹⁶

At 1900 hours, 175th Tank Brigade reached the edge of the grove but acknowledged losses of three of T-34 tanks burned down during the fight.¹⁷ Aside from equipment, the brigade suffered casualty of thirty-five killed and fifty-one wounded as a result of fight during the day. In return, it allegedly eliminated Germans of five tanks, two Ferdinand tank destroyers, two armored personnel carriers, and up to one company of infantry in the battle.¹⁸

At 1900 hours, meanwhile, the 60th Army claimed that the Germans attacked the 8th Rifle Division along Zlobychi-Meleni road was repulsed by artillery and mortar fire. Four German tanks and up to one hundred and fifty German soldiers allegedly were eliminated as result of battle.¹⁹ Later, the 8th Rifle Division acknowledged that it suffered casualty up to one hundred and eighty-five killed and wounded in action during the day.²⁰

Meanwhile, the 226th Rifle Division claimed that the Germans were thrown back to its starting position towards Lyplyany.²¹ Later, the 226th Rifle Division claimed inflicting losses of four tanks, four self-propelled guns, one APC and up to sixty soldiers upon the Germans, while acknowledged losses of seven machine guns, fifteen killed and thirty-two wounded in action during the day.²²

At the same time, a few tanks of the 162nd Tank Brigade had allegedly crossed the Korosten-Malin railway, pushing towards Hill 187.2 located at 1 kilometer east of Bolyarka. The 25th Tank Corps later claimed that up to two battalions of German infantry, four tanks, eight guns, nine armored vehicles, fifteen vehicles, four mortars, one hundred carts and one hundred and twenty horses were destroyed as result of the fight in 23rd of December.²³

In the course of the afternoon, the LSSAH reported that Soviet tanks had broken into the defensive area of the 291st Infanterie-Division from Khotynivka (Хотинівка) to the west of Stremyhorod. Four Soviet tanks were allegedly knocked down during the fighting. An intervention group consisting of tanks of the SS-Panzer-Regiment 1 temporarily stood on the highway southeast of the Bolyarka station to prevent further breakthrough.²⁴ ²⁵

At nightfall, the LSSAH and the 1. Panzer-Division received order to assemble all combat-ready tanks in Sobolowka (Соболівка), starting at the first light of 24th of December to stand under disposal of the XLVIII. Panzerkorps. In the south, a new emerged crisis is calling the “fire brigade” to fulfill its own duty as usual. A new chapter unfolds slowly…

NOTES

NARA T-314, R-1173, F-362. Tagesmeldung an Pz. A. O. K. 4., 1920 hours dated 23 Dec 43. ↩︎
TsAMO, Fund. 1500, Inv. 1, File 9, Sheet 92. Doc. No. 112ОП. Combat report of 226th Rifle Division, 1500 hours dated 23 Dec 43. ↩︎
NARA T-314, R-1173, F-359. Morgenmeldungen der Divisionen, 0430 hours dated 23 Dec 43. ↩︎
TsAMO, Fund. 3238, Inv. 0000001, File 0017, Sheet 126. Doc. No. 102. Combat report of 175th Tank Brigade, 0400 hours dated 23 Dec 43. ↩︎
NARA T-314, R-1173, F-359. Morgenmeldungen der Divisionen, 0430 hours dated 23 Dec 43. ↩︎
TsAMO, Fund. 3099, Inv. 0000001, File 0004, Sheet 22. Combat report of 21st Guards Tank Brigade. ↩︎
TsAMO, Fund. 3238, Inv. 0000001, File 0011, Sheet 28. Doc. No. 28. Combat report of 175th Tank Brigade. ↩︎
NARA T-314, R-1173, F-362. Tagesmeldung an Pz. A. O. K. 4., 1920 hours dated 23 Dec 43. ↩︎
TsAMO, Fund. 1500, Inv. 1, File 9, Sheet 92. Doc. No. 112ОП. Combat report of 226th Rifle Division, 1500 hours dated 23 Dec 43. ↩︎
TsAMO, Fund. 3372, Inv. 0000001, File 0003, Sheet 285. Doc. No. 31. Operational report of 20th Motorized Rifle Brigade. ↩︎
TsAMO, Fund. 1378, Inv. 1, File 53, Sheet 318. Combat report of 149th Rifle Division. ↩︎
TsAMO, Fund. 3238, Inv. 0000001, File 0017, Sheet 130. Doc. No. 106. Combat report of 175th Tank Brigade, 0630 hours dated 23 Dec 43. ↩︎
Rudolf Lehmann (1990). Leibstandarte III (p. 372). J.J. Fedorowicz Publishing. ↩︎
TsAMO, Fund. 323, Inv. 4756, File 149, Sheet 50. Doc. No. 61. Combat report of 25th Tank Corps. ↩︎
TsAMO, Fund. 1378, Inv. 1, File 53, Sheet 318. Combat report of 149th Rifle Division. ↩︎
TsAMO, Fund. 3238, Inv. 0000001, File 0018, Sheet 8. Doc. No. 2/31. Combat report of 175th Tank Brigade. ↩︎
TsAMO, Fund. 3238, Inv. 0000001, File 0011, Sheet 28. Doc. No. 28. Combat report of 175th Tank Brigade. ↩︎
TsAMO, Fund. 3238, Inv. 0000001, File 0018, Sheet 8. Doc. No. 2/31. Combat report of 175th Tank Brigade. ↩︎
TsAMO, Fund. 417, Inv. 10564, File 315, Sheet 202. Doc. No. 766. Combat report of 60th Army, 1900 hours dated 23 Dec 43. ↩︎
TsAMO, Fund. 1062, Inv. 1, File 90, Sheet 73. Combat report of the 8th Rifle Division. ↩︎
TsAMO, Fund. 417, Inv. 10564, File 315, Sheet 202. Doc. No. 766. Combat report of 60th Army, 1900 hours dated 23 Dec 43. ↩︎
TsAMO, Fund. 1500, Inv. 1, File 9, Sheet 92. Doc. No. 112ОП. Combat report of 226th Rifle Division, 1500 hours dated 23 Dec 43. ↩︎
TsAMO, Fund. 323, Inv. 4756, File 149, Sheet 50. Doc. No. 61. Combat report of 25th Tank Corps. ↩︎
NARA T-314, R-1173, F-362. Tagesmeldung an Pz. A. O. K. 4., 1920 hours dated 23 Dec 43. ↩︎
NARA T-314, R-1173, F-363. Ia Tagesmeldung, 1635 hours dated 23 Dec 43. ↩︎

Between Meleni and Korosten, 22nd of December 1943.🔥🌨

Featured Image: Pz.V and “T-34” at Taraski.
Copyright © Rolf O. G. Stoves. R. Die 1. Panzer-Division (p. 704)

Haze with rain. Clouds hang with height of 100 to 200 meters. Temperature ranges between minus 1 to 3 degrees. [1]

General Hermann Balck of the XXXXVIII. Panzerkorps was busy regrouping his exhausted panzer divisions on the west of Chopovychi station during the night of 21/22nd of December, except the 7. Panzer-Division fought on the southern bank of Irsha River. However, the progress of regrouping was delayed by uninterrupted skirmish fights throughout the night.

At 0005 hours, the SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 2 was allegedly attacked by the enemy while it tried to hand over its old position to the 1. Panzer-Division. The attack was repelled. [2]

At 0210 hours, the regrouping continued, the SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 2 was attacked again. This time the enemy was with tanks. The situation was unclear until 0600 hours. [3]

By 0600 hours, the 13th Guards Tank Brigade, the 111th Tank Brigade and the 226th Rifle Division allegedly cleared out the woods west of Chopovychi station. Their further progress was delayed by organized enemy anti-tank defense from the woods on the south of the village Lyplyany (Липляни). [4]

By 0800 hours, after suffering heavy losses, the 13th Guards Tank Brigade the 111th Tank Brigade allegedly broke into the woods area on the south of Lyplyany. [5] The 162nd Tank Brigade, at the same time, took up its jump-off line in the forest 2 kilometers west of Lyplyany. [6]

At 0820 hours, the 4th Guards Tank Corps claimed that an enemy force with twenty-three Tigers launched counterattack against the 111th Tank Brigade and 13th Guards Tank Brigade near Lyplyany. Destroyed five enemy tanks while suffered significant losses, the brigades were forced to retreat and take up new defensive position in the woods west of the Chopovychi station. [7]

At 0900 hours, the 162nd Tank Brigade launched attack toward Lyplyany and allegedly took possession of the village by 0940 hours. The spearhead of the brigade reached the flour mill of the village, where it met fierce artillery resistance. The brigade commander decided to leave two T-34’s at the flour mill as rearguard, while the main force of the brigade kept pushing forward towards the village of Stremyhorod (Стремигород). [8]

Attacked by the 1.Panzer-Division from Stremyhorod and the SS-Panzer-Division LSSAH from the village of Bolyarka (Болярка), the 8th Rifle Division acknowledged suffering one hundred and eighty-five casualties during the day, but claimed inflicting losses of eleven tanks, four self-propelled guns, two armored vehicles, one artillery piece, five machine guns and at least two hundred and fifty casualties upon the enemy. [9]

At 1105 hours, the offensive of the LSSAH was commenced by the SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 1 on the left, the SS-Panzeraufklärung-Abteilung 1 on the middle and the 212 Reserve-Grenadier-Regiment on the right from the area of south and southeast area of Bolyarka station to Meleni. The offensive, however, gained ground slowly. [10]

The 226th Rifle Division claimed that there were two Tigers with flamethrowers approached the edge of the position of 2nd Battalion of the 989th Rifle Regiment at 1100 hours. Both Tigers were driven away by anti-tank artillery fire. [11] Meanwhile, the LSSAH allegedly had only two Tigers under operational conditions during the day. It was a possibility that both Tigers served as decoy to probe the defense fire of the enemy. [12]

At 1300 hours, the 226th Rifle Division claimed that another group of enemy in larger scale – at least fifteen motor vehicles – went into offensive against height 185.3 northeast of Meleni. The attack was beaten off. [13]

By 1400 hours, the 226th Rifle Division claimed that yet another attack from the southeast area of Lyplyany, formed by up to one-and-a-half battalions of infantry supported by at least fifteen tanks, against height 185.3. The attack was also beaten off by the counterattack taken by 20th Mechanized Brigade and the 985th Rifle Regiment. The 226th Rifle Division acknowledged suffering losses of seven machine guns, fifteen killed and thirty-two wounded, but claimed inflicted losses of four tanks, four self-propelled guns, one armored personnel carrier knocked out and up to sixty casualties upon the enemy during the day. [14]

The 111th Guards Tank Brigade, who was also involved in the battle of the height 185.3 at the same time, allegedly attacked by twelve enemy tanks and knocked down seven of them. The brigade held its ground despite losing cover from the riflemen of the 149th Rifle Division that withdrew from their original positions under attack. [15]

At 1500 hours, ten tanks of the 1.Panzer-Division were deployed to the southeastern area of Lyplyany to support grenadiers struggling to hold their grounds under heavy pressure from enemy tanks. [16]

At 1600 hours, the LSSAH claimed its spearhead lay in front of the 3rd defense-line of the enemy, 1500 meters north of Meleni. However, a new offensive to breach it was no longer to be expected. [17] At the same time, the 1st Ukrainian Front claimed there was a concentrate attack from the enemy with up to seventy tanks and two infantry battalions against height 185.3 and forced 8th Rifle Division to abandon the height area subsequently. [18] Last night, the LSSAH reported that there were thirteen tanks and fourteen assault guns under disposal were serviceable. [19]

At 1800 hours, the 162nd Tank Brigade allegedly took possession of Stremyhorod as far as its train station. However, the riflemen from the 149th Rifle Division lagged were still lagging behind. Without support from the riflemen, the brigade was forced to stop its advance. The enemy took the advantage to launch counterattack with a force of an infantry regiment and fifteen tanks and self-propelled guns. As result of the counterattack, the 162nd Tank Brigade was forced to retreat to the western outskirts of Stremyhorod, where the tanks of brigade met the anti-tank fire of the remaining enemy artillery and tank destroyers that they failed to clear out when they passed through the village. The brigade later acknowledged suffering losses of twenty-four tanks knocked out and burned along with fifteen men killed in action, but claimed eliminating six heavy tanks, eight medium tanks, one Panther, three Ferdinand tank destroyers, fourteen armored vehicles, five armored personnel carriers, twenty-three different type of guns and mortars, eight machine guns, twenty-five wagons and up to five hundred and thirty enemy soldiers during the day. [20]

At 1830 hours, the 149th Rifle Division claimed occupying several collective farms and settlements on the outskirts of Stremyhorod. The division allegedly destroyed up to six anti-tank guns, one all-terrain vehicle, one anti-aircraft gun and seventy enemy soldiers, captured sixteen POWs that day. [21]

On the opposite side of the battlefield, the 1.Panzer-Division did not portray much about the engagement in this afternoon. Instead, it claimed success in defensive battle in front of its new battle line on the south of Lyplyany. The II./Panzer-Regiment 1 and the Panzerjäger-Abteilung 37 allegedly shot down twenty-five enemy tanks in the north of the railway line. The I./Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment 73 deployed on the south of Lyplyany allegedly destroyed another ten T-34’s. But the attack of the Red Army continued. Some T-34’s tried to penetrate from the north towards the village of Stremyhorod were all allegedly destroyed. All in all, the 1.Panzer-Division claimed eliminating sixty-nine enemy tanks including T-34 and KV-1. Generalleutnant Walter Krüger estimated his division was attacked by almost two enemy tank corps during the day. [22]

At 1830 hours, the 111th Tank Brigade claimed that the enemy, supposed to be the LSSAH, resumed attack against height 185.3 with fifteen tanks and up to two infantry battalions. The 151st Rifle Regiment of the 8th Rifle Division was forced into retreat. The 111th Tank Brigade claimed it held the line nonetheless and destroyed seven enemy tanks. [23] The 8th Rifle Division described that the particular difficult battle was fought by the 151st Rifle Regiment during the day and a training-company under division reserve and a construction-company of the 229th Rifle Regiment were sent for reinforcement. [24]

By the end of 22nd of December, the 4th Guards Tank Corps allegedly eliminated nineteen enemy tanks and up to four hundred enemy soldiers, but suffered losses of eighteen T-34’s and seven SU-85’s in the battle. [25]

On the opposite side of the battlefield, the LSSAH allegedly captured six T-34’s, one Sherman tank, one 7.62 cm self-propelled anti-tank gun, three 2.2 cm artillery pieces, along with thirty POWs and thirty enemy bodies counted on the battlefield. [26] Later, the commander of the LSSAH replenished that its troops destroyed ten T-34’s, two of them were claimed by Tiger commander SS-Oberscharführer Georg Lötzsch that day. [27][28]

[1] TsAMO, Fund. 236, Inv. 2673, File 115, Sht. 88. Combat Logs of the 1st Ukrainian Front.

[2] NARA T-314, R-1173, F-342. Morgenmeldung an Pz.A.O.K.4. 22. Dec. 43, durchgegeben 0600 Uhr.

[3] NARA T-314, R-1173, F-342. Morgenmeldung an Pz.A.O.K.4. 22. Dec. 43, durchgegeben 0600 Uhr.

[4] TsAMO, Fund. 3402, Inv. 1, File 64, Sht. 17. Combat Logs of the 4th Guards Tank Corps.

[5] TsAMO, Fund. 3402, Inv. 1, File 64, Sht. 17. Combat Logs of the 4th Guards Tank Corps.

[6] TsAMO, Fund. 323, Inv. 4756, File. 149, Sht. 50. Combat Reports of the 25th Tank Division.

[7] TsAMO, Fund. 3402, Inv. 1, File 64, Sht. 17. Combat Logs of the 4th Guards Tank Corps.

[8] TsAMO, Fund. 323, Inv. 4756, File. 149, Sht. 50. Combat Reports of the 25th Tank Division

[9] TsAMO, Fund. 1062, Inv. 1, File 90, Sht. 72-73. Combat Logs of the 8th Rifle Division.

[10] NARA T-314, R-1173, F-347. Tagesmeldung vom 22. Dec. 43. Abschrift von Fernschreiben. 1800 Uhr.

[11] TsAMO, Fund. 1500, Inv. 1, File. 6, Sht. 132. Operational Report of the 226th Rifle Division at 2000 hrs. 22. Dec. 43.

[12] NARA T-314, R-1173, F-347. Tagesmeldung vom 22. Dec. 43. Abschrift von Fernschreiben. 1800 Uhr.

[13] TsAMO, Fund. 1500, Inv. 1, File. 6, Sht. 132. Operational Report of the 226th Rifle Division at 2000 hrs. 22. Dec. 43.

[14] TsAMO, Fund. 1500, Inv. 1, File. 6, Sht. 132. Operational Report of the 226th Rifle Division at 2000 hrs. 22. Dec. 43.

[15] TsAMO, Fund. 3402, Inv. 1, File. 6, Sht. 17. Combat Logs of the 4th Guards Tank Corps.

[16] NARA T-314, R-1173, F-349. Tagesmeldung an Pz.A.O.K.4. 22. Dec. 43, durchgegeben 1915 Uhr.

[17] NARA T-314, R-1173, F-347. Tagesmeldung vom 22. Dec. 43. Abschrift von Fernschreiben. 1800 Uhr.

[18] TsAMO, Fund. 236, Inv. 2673, File 115, Sht. 87. Combat Logs of the 1st Ukrainian Front.

[19] NARA T-314, R-1173, F-337. Ia Tagesmeldung vom 21. Dec. 43. Abschrift von Fernschreiben. 1800 Uhr.

[20] TsAMO, Fund. 323, Inv. 4756, File 149, Sht. 50. Combat Reports of the 25th Tank Division.

[21] TsAMO, Fund. 1378, Inv. 1, File 53, Sht. 317. Combat Logs of the 149th Rifle Division.

[22] Stoves. R. (1961). Die 1. Panzer-Division (p. 468). Hans-Henning Podzun Verlag.

[23] TsAMO, Fund. 3402, Inv. 1, File 64, Sht. 17. Combat Logs of the 4th Guards Tank Corps.

[24] TsAMO, Fund. 1062, Inv. 1, File 90, Sht. 72. Combat Logs of the 8th Rifle Division.

[25] TsAMO, Fund. 3402, Inv. 1, File 64, Sht. 19. Combat Logs of the 4th Guards Tank Corps.

[26] NARA T-314, R-1173, F-348. Tagesmeldung vom 22. Dec. 43. Abschrift von Fernschreiben. 1800 Uhr.

[27] NARA T-314, R-1173, F-349. Tagesmeldung an Pz.A.O.K.4. 22. Dec. 43, durchgegeben 1915 Uhr.

[28] Patrick Agte (2006). Michael Wittmann, Volume One (p. 208). Stackpole Books.

Between Meleni and Korosten, 21st of December 1943.🔥❄️

Light snowfall at night, deep cloud cover. Temperature at 0 degrees.

The night between 20th and 21st of December was very restless. There was constant enemy artillery and mortar fire poured on the forward positions. Again and again there were clashes between outposts and Soviet patrols who tried to clarify the exact course of the battle lines, according to the report of the 1. Panzer-Division. [1]

At 0400 hours, the Headquarters of the Soviet 4th Guards Tank Corps retreated to the northeastern outskirts of Chopovychi in view of imminent threat from the enemy. Before the retreat, the joint action of the 13th Guards Tank Brigade from the north and the 111th Tank Brigade from the south ended up losses of seven tanks, as result of clashing with the enemy on the eastern outskirts of Chopovychi station. [2]

At 0645 hours, when the Kampfgruppe Bradel of the 1. Panzer-Division advanced from Chopovychi station on the intersection south of Yosypivka (Йосипівка), but hindered by enemy counterattacks in regimental-strong forces. [3] The grenadiers of the III.(gep.)/Panzergrenadier-Regiment 113, mounted on SPW, pulled the approaching enemy tanks to the front of the batteries of the II./ Panzerartillerie-Regiment 73 deployed at the train station, and eliminated the enemy tanks with direct fire from the howitzers. The Panzer IV’s of the II./Panzer-Regiment 1 also scored several kills allegedly. Later, the batteries brought another two mass Soviet riflemen assaults to a standstill by direct fire, before the SPW and tanks forced the enemy into retreat. [4]

According to Soviets, the 479th Rifle Regiment of the 149th Rifle Division and the 175th Tank Brigade of the 25th Tank Corps were ordered to attack Chopovychi station by 0700 hours. Despite failure to retake station, separated houses at the north of the railway and on the south of the station were already fell to the hands of the Soviet riflemen. [5]

At 1100 hours, in one of the many counterattacks that day, the commander SPW of the Panzergrenadier-Regiment 113 took several hits from enemy anti-tank guns at Chopovychi station. Lieutenant Colonel Bradel was badly wounded by flak fragments. His adjutant, Lieutenant Teckenburg, fell. Lieutenant Colonel Neumeister took over the command of the Kampfgruppe Bradel. [6] The 4th Guards Tank Corps reported that an enemy force of eleven tanks and five armored vehicles again burst from the station and occupied the intersection north of Chopovychi. The 13th Guards Tank Brigade, took position west of Yosypivka (Йосипівка), allegedly destroyed six of enemy tanks and drove this enemy force back to the west. Then Chopovychi station, allegedly, was completely occupied by the Soviet riflemen following the tanks. [7]

On the south of the 1. Panzer-Division, the Kampfgruppe Peiper, fighting in even more unfavorable terrain than Kampfgruppe Bradel, has not made any progress after initial success due to heavy enemy resistances. It was even forced to withdraw part of its main battle line in southwestern direction later in the afternoon. [8]

At 1213 hours, Obersturmbannführer Albert Frey reported that the SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 1 has stopped by the eastern edge of the station of Chopovychi station. Initially, his regiment, reinforced by six operational tanks, allegedly destroyed twenty-one enemy tanks during the course of morning, but only one tank was still operational at present. [9]

As for the deployment of the Soviets, the elements of the 175th Tank Brigade and 20th Motorized Infantry Brigade, both subordinated to the 25th Tank Corps, were operating in the west of the station. [10] The 14th Guards Tank Brigade who took up defensive position with three T-34’s and one SU-85 on the northwestern area of the town of Chopovychi, three T-34’s and one SU-85 stood nearby the town, and another four T-34’s and one SU-85 on the highway south of Chopovychi station. [11]

Since 1300 hours, the Panzeraufklärung-Abteilung 1 reported that the grenadiers were entangling with enemy tanks in the wood area southeast of village of Lyplyany (Липляни). Three of enemy tanks even breached the front line of the battalion. [12] The Hill 178.8 east of Lyplyany has already been seized by the 162nd Tank Brigade of the 25th Tank Corps, reinforced by the 568th Rifle Regiment of the 149th Rifle Division at dawn. [13] At the same time, the 112th Rifle Division claimed it has occupied the town of Novaky (Новаки), about 10 kilometers west to Lyplyany. [14]

By 1530 hours, the 8th Rifle Division, Headquarters located in Meleni, reported that up to one hundred fifty enemy infantrymen started an attack against its battle line. Later, a major attack reinforced by enemy’s tanks launched took possession of Chopovychi station. As the result of combat, the Division reported losses of seven killed and twenty-five wounded, but allegedly eliminated up to two companies of enemy infantry, four tanks, two armored vehicles, one other vehicle and one artillery piece in return. [15] The 226th Rifle Division, ordered to enforce the former, allegedly eliminated up to one company of enemy infantry, four machine guns and four armored vehicles, while suffered losses of two killed and nine wounded. [16]

At 1730 hours, the troops of the 25th Tank Corps operating near Chopovychi station were allegedly bombed by friendly aircraft. [17]

By 1930 hours, the Kampfgruppe Peiper was pushed back to the crossroads south of Chopovychi station in the course of the afternoon as a result of flanking maneuvers and the attacks of superior enemy forces. Twenty-three T-34’s were allegedly shot down so far. [18]

Among the attackers who seized the station, the 175 Tank Brigade acknowledged suffering the losses of nineteen tanks burned down and twelve tanks destroyed. Twenty-eight killed with another fifty-nine wounded including the commander of the 3rd Battalion, Captain Struchalin who was seriously wounded, have been reported during the day. In return, the brigade claimed inflicting losses of five Ferdinand self-propelled guns, three Tiger tanks, seven Panzer-IV’s, two artillery pieces, six 8.8cm-FlaK, fifteen anti-tank rifles and one six-barreled mortar upon the enemy during the day. [19]

At 2345 hours, Hauptsturmführer Bormann, leading two battalions of the SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 2 to relieve the Kampfgruppe Peiper, reported that he has reached the eastern exit from the Chopovychi railway complex. However, his grenadiers barely maintained the contact with the Kampfgruppe Peiper, who was at the intersection 2 kilometers east of Chopovychi station, let alone move to clear the enemy forces from the town 100 meters south of the road in front of the station. The enemy tanks were still attacking the railway from the north despite of the darkness, while three of his Pak have already being out of commission. [20]

One hour after the midnight, the last men of the Kampfgruppe Bradel, under the fire reinforcement of the II./Panzer-Regiment 1, evacuated from Chopovychi station. [21]

The Soviet 149th Rifle Division, whose regiments heavily involved in the fight around station of Chopovychi, reported that the “Russian” prisoner captured in the area of station belonged to the “3rd Company” of the SS-Panzer-Division LSSAH. By interrogation, the prisoner claimed his Company has up to twenty-five soldiers, three light and one heavy machine guns. During the fight in 21st of December, the 149th Rifle Division allegedly claimed twenty-one enemy tanks were shot down and burned, one was captured in serviceable condition and transferred to the 175th Tank Brigade. [22]

During two days (from 20th to 21st of December) of fighting, the SS-Panzer-Regiment 1 suffered thirteen killed, eleven wounded and seven missing-in-action in the area of Chopovychi. The companies of the III. (gep.)/SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 2, granted a Close Combat Day for the combat at the village of Yosypivka took heavy casualties. As an example, the 13. (gep.) Kompanie went into action in Chopovychi with some eight SPW and sixty men, came back out of this precarious area with only seven grenadiers unwounded. Seventeen killed and all the rest were wounded. [23] In return, the LSSAH claimed the booty of three T-34 tanks, five 7.62 cm artillery pieces, twelve machine-guns, twenty-two anti-tank rifles, seventy refiles, fifteen machine-pistols and fourteen trucks, along with three hundred of enemy bodies counted in 21st of December. [24]

In 21st of December, the 25th Tank Corps claimed that eleven enemy tanks and two Ferdinand self-propelled guns destroyed, along with seven guns and up to five hundred of enemy soldiers. The Corps acknowledged suffering losses of fourteen tanks burned down, six knocked out, along with two SU-85’s knocked out. [25]

[1] Stoves. R. (1961). Die 1. Panzer-Division (p. 466). Hans-Henning Podzun Verlag.

[2] TsAMO, Fund 3402, Inv 1, Case 64, Page 16. War Logs of the 4th Guard Tank Corps.

[3] NARA T-314, R-1173, F-334. Tagesmeldung an Pz.A.O.K.4, 21. Dec. 43, durchgeben 1930 Uhr.

[4] Stoves. R. (1961). Die 1. Panzer-Division (p. 467). Hans-Henning Podzun Verlag.

[5] TsAMO, Fund 1378, Inv 1, Case 53, Page 315. Doc. No. 095. War Logs of the 149 Rifle Division.

[6] Stoves. R. (1961). Die 1. Panzer-Division (p. 467). Hans-Henning Podzun Verlag.

[7] TsAMO, Fund 3402, Inv 1, Case 64, Page 16. War Logs of the 4th Guard Tank Corps.

[8] Stoves. R. (1961). Die 1. Panzer-Division (p. 467). Hans-Henning Podzun Verlag.

[9] NARA T-314, R-1173, F-337. Ia Tagesmeldung vom 21. Dec. 43. Abschrift von Fernschreiben. 1800 Uhr.

[10] TsAMO, Fund 361, Inv 0006096, Case 0011, Page 41. Battle Report of the 25th Tank Corps at 1700 hrs. 21 Dec. 1943.

[11] TsAMO, Fund 3402, Inv 1, Case 64, Page 16. War Logs of the 4th Guard Tank Corps.

[12] NARA T-314, R-1173, F-334. Tagesmeldung an Pz.A.O.K.4, 21. Dec. 43, durchgeben 1930 Uhr.

[13] TsAMO, Fund 361, Inv 0006096, Case 0011, Page 40. Battle Report of the 25th Tank Corps at 0500 hrs. 21 Dec. 1943.

[14] TsAMO, Fund 969, Inv 1, Case 23, Page 83. War Logs of the 112th Rifle Division on 21 Dec. 1943.

[15] TsAMO, Fund 1062, Inv 1, Case 90, Page 36. War Logs of the 8th Rifle Division.

[16] TsAMO, Fund 1500, Inv 1, Case 6, Page 131. Doc. No. 129. Battle Report of the 226th Rifle Division at 1900 hrs. 21 Dec. 1943.

[17] TsAMO, Fund 361, Inv 0006096, Case 0011, Page 41. Battle Report of the 25th Tank Corps at 1700 hrs. 21 Dec. 1943.

[18] NARA T-314, R-1173, F-334. Tagesmeldung an Pz.A.O.K.4, 21. Dec. 43, durchgeben 1930 Uhr.

[19] TsAMO, Fund 3238, Inv. 0000001, File 0018, Page 7. Doc. No. 2/31. Combat Report of the 175th Tank Brigade.

[20] Lehmann. R. (1990). The Leibstandarte III (p. 367). J.J. Fedorowicz Publishing.

[21] Stoves. R. (1961). Die 1. Panzer-Division (p. 467). Hans-Henning Podzun Verlag.

[22] TsAMO, Fund 1378, Inv 1, Case 53, Page 315. Doc. No. 095. War Logs of the 149th Rifle Division.

[23] Agte. P. (1999). Jochen Peiper (p. 265). J.J. Fedorowicz Publishing.

[24] NARA T-314, R-1173, F-347. Ia Tagesmeldung vom 22. Dec. 43. Abschrift von Fernschreiben. 1800 Uhr.

[25] TsAMO, Fund 361, Inv 0006096, Case 0011, Page 41. Battle Report of the 25th Tank Corps at 1700 hrs. 21 Dec. 1943.

Between Meleni and Korosten, 20th of December 1943.🔥⛄️

Featured Image: A Panzer-IV under command of Untersturmführer Sternebeck (6. Kompanie) just south of the railway line from Kiev to Korosten.
Copyright © Rudolf Lehmann Leibstandarte III

At 2400 hours 19th of December 1943, the 162nd Tank Brigade of the 25th Tank Corps, reinforced by the 1497th Antitank Gun Regiment, deployed its units as follows: [1]

The 1st Tank Battalion, reinforced by two batteries of the 1497th – Bolyarka (Болярка);
The 2nd Tank Battalion, reinforced by two batteries of the 1497th – south of Lyplyany (Липляни);
The 3rd Tank Battalion – Huta-Lohanivs’ka (Гута-Логанівська) area as brigade reserve.

At 0200 hours, the Kampfgruppe Bradel was replaced by Panzer-Aufklarungsabteilung 1 in Khotynivka (Хотинівка) and set off eastward towards Stremyhorod (Стремигород). After reaching the center of the village, the Soviets attacked the Kampfgruppe from the north. The first wave was beaten back by the artillery fire of the IV./Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment 73 and six Soviet tanks were left behind. [2]

At 0230 hours, the Kampfgruppe Bradel reported that it is moving in ESE direction towards Chopovychi station. In the meantime, the Kampfgruppe Neumeister was attacking Lyplyany (Липляни). [3]

The XXXXVIII. Panzerkorps reported that the coordinated attack of the 1. SS-Panzer-Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler and 1. Panzer-Division then encountered repeated counterattacks from Soviet 112th, 8th, 280th and 226th rifle divisions, the 6th Guards rifle division and the 4th Guards Tank Corps. [4]

At 0300 hours, the LSSAH launched its first wave of attack against Chopovychi station. The attack failed. The division retreated to the forest southwest. [5] On its way oapproaching to the station, the leading detachment lost two Panzer-IV’s to undetected Soviet antitank fire. Two tank commanders – Obersturmfuhrer Roland Michalski (8. Kompanie) and Rottenfurer Hans Kazmaier (5. Kompanie) – were killed in action, while the leading Panzer-IV under command of Unterscharfuhrer Hans Oeser (5. Kompanie) remained somehow intact. Oeser managed to take back the survived drivers and radiomen in aforesaid two tanks. He then radioed Hauptsturmfuhrer Kling on what had happened, and Kling ordered him to retreat. [6] Moment later the Soviets launched several counterattacks in battalion strength, but all beaten back. [7]

At 0400 hours, the Soviet 149th Rifle Division reported its deployment as follows: [8]

The 568th Rifle Regiment – Lyplyany and Chopovychi Station.
The 744th Rifle Regimnet – from the brick plant south of Yosypivka (Йосипівка) along the toll road to 500 meters southeast of the town of Chopovychi.
The 479th Rifle Regiment, as the divisional reserve, was only able to take its defense locations on the eastern and southern outskirts of Yosypivka by 0530 hours.
314th Artillery Regiment – twelve guns – the area on the southern outskirts of Lyplyany, and the crossroads of highways south of the Chopovychi station. [9]
Three Batteries – nine guns – of the 271st Independent Antitank Division, as the reinforcement, were deployed to the western and southern outskirts of Yosypivka.

At 0530 hours, seven Soviet tanks broke into the edge of village of Stremyhorod from the northeast, but the II./Panzer-Regiment 1 under the Kampfgruppe Bradel inflicted two total losses upon them and forced them to retreat. After strengthening the situation around Stremyhorod, the Kampfgruppe Bradel set off again in ESE direction, along the railway line Korosten – Malin. Meanwhile, the IV./Panzer- Artillerie-Regiment 73 changed its location to Bolyarka. [10]

By 0800 hours, after night march the 13th and 14th Guards Tank Brigades of the 4th Guards Tank Corps took up their new defense positions near Chopovychi. The 12th Guards Tank Brigade, on the other hand, together with part of forces of the 111th Tank Brigade of 25th Tank Corps, took up positions in Ustynivka (Устинівка) and the forest edge on northeast of the village. [11]

Since 1000 hours, a German force (supposed to be the LSSAH) attacked from Desyatyny (Десятини) to Hraby (Граби), the 385th Rifle Regiment of the 112th Rifle Division was forced to retreat. Due to the advance of enemy, the Divisional Exchange Station (ДОП) and Medical Battalion of the 112th Rifle Division were evacuated from Lyplyany to Velykyi Lis (Великий Лес). [12]

At 1100 hours, the 12th Guards Tank Brigade reported that a German force (supposed to be the 7. Panzer-Division) went on offensive towards Ustynivka, the attack was repelled. During 20th of December, the Brigade reported losses of six T-34’s and three SU-85’s, but repelled five waves of attack in total and allegedly knocked out fourteen enemy tanks, including four Tigers, in return. [13][14]

Later, the 7. Panzer-Division reported nine enemy tanks and fifteen enemy s.Pak were destroyed during the action, while one Panzer-III’s, seven Panzer-IV’s and one Tiger were still fit for combat. [15]

Four among the fourteen knocked out enemy tanks were claimed by the platoon led by Lieutenant Komarov (Комаров) at the village of Slobidka (Слобідка) at around 1000 hours. In an effort to prevent enemy from penetrating the village, his platoon fired from its ambush position 600-800 meters away from the enemy and allegedly eliminated two enemy tanks, forcing enemy into retreat. Another two Tigers were allegedly knocked out in point-range range during the second attempt of enemy to capture the village, according to Komarov’s report. [16]

At 1300 hours, the Soviet 25th Tank Corps reported that it lost four tanks, three among them were burned out. In return, fourteen enemy tanks were allegedly destroyed, six among them were burned out. [17]

At 1330 hours, a coordinated attack was commenced according to the discussion between Sturmbannführer Peiper and Oberstleutnant Bradel of the 1. Panzer-Division at Bradel’s command post. The Kampfgruppe Bradel would attack north of the railway embankment while the Kampfgruppe Peiper attacks along the other side. [18]

At 1345 hours, the SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 1 attacked Hill 185.3 from the intersection 2 kilometers south of Lyplyany. The woodland was heavy-occupied by the enemy reinforced by tanks – six T-34’s were detected then two of them were shot down – and heavily mined. Due to the dense underwood, the attack only gaining ground slowly. [19]

At 1430 hours, the Kampfgruppe Peiper launched another attack coordinating with the Kampfgruppe Bradel. [20] They penetrated the junction between two Rifle Regiments of the 149th Rifle Division, with eighteen tanks from the northeast and ten tanks from the woods southwest of Chopovychi station simultaneously. The formation of the 149th Rifle Division was crushed and the attackers infiltrated into the woods east of Chopovychi station. [21]

In the meantime, 1430 hours, the commander of the 25th Tank Corps received orders from the 1st Ukrainian Front to mobilize the 111th Tank Brigade for a counterattack at 1630 hours in order to retake the village of Bolyarka (Болярка) from the 1. Panzer-Division. [22] That order was apparently changed later due to critical situation at Chopovychi station.

At 1445 hours, the tanks of the Kampfgruppe Peiper were fighting for the train station at Chopovychi. [23]

At 1600 hours, the elements of the III. (gep.)/SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 2 was forced to withdraw to its jump-off positions due to heavy Soviet antitank gun fire. One SPW was lost to a direct hit. [24]

At about 1630 hours, the assault troops of the I.(gep.)/Panzergrenadier-Regiment 113 broke into the Chopovychi station area. The station Chepovichi fell after a brief but fierce fight. However, enemy resistance demanded considerable losses that day. So far, the Panzer-Aufklärungsabteilung 1 was in Khotynivka (Хотинівка), screening the northern flank (left wing) of the Kampfgruppe Bradel. The I.(sf.)/Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment 73 was in the south of Lyplyany. The I. (gep.)/Panzergrenadier-Regiment 113 and the II./Panzer-Regiment 1 was securing the houses and station of Chopovychi. The 2.(gep.)/Panzer-Pionier-Bataillon 37 stood on the south and southeast edge of the town. The passageway to Stremyhorod was held by the II./Panzergrenadier-Regiment 113. [25]

By 1600 hours, the 12th Guards Tank Brigade, under attack on the north bank of Zdryvlya River by fifteen enemy tanks, was forced to retreat to its new locations on the south of Slobidka (Слобідка). One tank was reportedly lost, but the Brigade claimed four enemy tanks, including two Tigers, were destroyed in return. [26]

At 1730 hours, the Kampfgruppen Peiper and Bradel stood at 2 kilometers west of street of Chopovychi and Yosypivka (Йосипівка). The fight continued. [27]

At 1800 hours, the Leibstandarte issued a booty report that fourteen T-34’s and, twenty-nine Pak 7.62cm, seven le.J.G., one Pak 3.7cm, five machine pistols and fifteen rifles. [28] Later, another three T-34’s, four assault guns, two 76.2cm self-propelled guns, one Pak 7.62cm and four Pak 4.7cm were added on the list. [29]

According to the divisional reports in 19th and 20th of December, two Panzer-IV’s were written of from the order of battle of the SS-Panzer-Regiment 1 as result of the battle. [30][31]

At 2330 hours, the I. and II./SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 2 reached the eastern portion of the Chopovychi station and made contact with the Kampfgruppe Peiper on the railroad crossing 2 kilometers east of the station. During the night between 20/21st of December, the Kampfgruppe Peiper waited for resupply on the embankment east of Chopovychi. [32]

At 1900 hours, the 4th Guards Tank Corps reported that approximately forty-five German tanks burst into the Chopovychi station, the fighting continued until 2030 hours. The 13th Guards Tank Brigade was cut into two parts, its telephone communication with 14th Guards Tank Brigade was interrupted so the communication was carried only by radio. With help from the 111th Tank Brigade, the 13th Guards Tank Brigade eventually prevented enemy from further breakthrough at 2400 hours, it lost three T-34’s and two SU-85’s, but claimed ten enemy tanks destroyed during the fight around Chopovychi station. [33]

Today, the 8th Rifle Division also seen combat. According to divisional reports, its troops fought off four waves of attack altogether in the areas of Meleni and Chopovychi, and claimed eliminated seventy enemy soldiers and two armored vehicles, which allegedly belonged to the Leibstandarte, during the combat while suffered twelve casualties – two killed and ten wounded. [34]

On the other hand, some Soviet units identified by German reconnaissance had not seen combat during the daytime of 20th of December. Among them the 6th Guards Rifle Division was digging in around the outskirts of Iskorost’ (Искорость). On his west was the 112th Rifle Division in Ushomyr (Ушомир), and to his north was the 397th Rifle Division in Kupyshche (Купище). [35] The units of the 280th Rifle Division, whose Headquarters stationed in Lidivka (Лидовка) 17 kilometers east of Chopovychi, had not seen worth mentioning action either. [36]

[1] TsAMO, Fund 361, Inv 0006096, Case 0011, Page 26. Doc. No. 89. Battle Report of the 25th Tank Corps at 1300 hrs. 20 Dec. 1943.

[2] Stoves. R. (1961). Die 1. Panzer-Division (p. 465). Hans-Henning Podzun Verlag.

[3] NARA, T-314, Roll 1173, Frame 313. Morgenmeldungen der Dvisionen at 0355 hrs. 20 Dec. 1943.

[4] NARA, T-314, Roll 1173, Frame 318. Tagesmeldung an Pz.A.O.K.4. at 1930 hrs. 20 Dec. 1943.

[5] NARA, T-314, Roll 1173, Frame 318. Tagesmeldung an Pz.A.O.K.4. at 1930 hrs. 20 Dec. 1943.

[6] Agte, P. (1990). Jochen Peiper (pp. 263-264). J.J. Fedorowicz Publishing.

[7] NARA, T-314, Roll 1173, Frame 318. Tagesmeldung an Pz.A.O.K.4. at 1930 hrs. 20 Dec. 1943.

[8] TsAMO, Fund 1378, Inv 1, Case 53, Page 1. Combat Logs of the 149th Rifle Division in 20 Dec. 1943.

[9] TsAMO, Fund 1378, Inv 1, Case 39, Page 105. Doc. No. 409. Battle Report of the 149th Rifle Division at 1200 hrs. 20 Dec. 1943.

[10] Stoves. R. (1961). Die 1. Panzer-Division (p. 465). Hans-Henning Podzun Verlag.

[11] TsAMO, Fund 3402, Inv 1, Case 64, Page 14. The Combat Logs of the 4th Guards Tank Corps in 20 Dec. 1943.

[12] TsAMO, Fund 236, Inv 0002673, Case 0083, Sheet 136-137. Operational Report of the 112nd Rifle Division at 2400 hrs. 20 Dec. 1943.

[13] TsAMO, Fund 3402, Inv 1, Case 64, Page 14. The Combat Logs of the 4th Guards Tank Corps in 20 Dec. 1943.

[14] TsAMO, Fund 3085, Inv 1, Case 11, Page 8. The Combat Logs of the 12th Guards Tank Brigade in 20 Dec. 1943.

[15] NARA, T-314, Roll 1173, Frame 318. Tagesmeldung an Pz.A.O.K.4. at 1930 hrs. 20. Dec. 1943.

[16] TsAMO, Fund 3402, Inv 0000001, Case 0066, Pages 29-30. The Battle Episodes of the 12th Guards Tank Brigade in the Patriotic War.

[17] TsAMO, Fund 361, Inv 0006096, Case 0011, Page 26. Doc. No. 89. Battle Report of the 25th Tank Corps at 1300 hrs., 20 Dec. 1943.

[18] Agte, P. (1990). Jochen Peiper (p. 263). J.J. Fedorowicz Publishing.

[19] NARA, T-314, Roll 1173, Frame 321. Ia Tagesmeldung at 1800 hrs. 20 Dec. 1943.

[20] NARA, T-314, Roll 1173, Frame 321. Ia Tagesmeldung at 1800 hrs. 20 Dec. 1943.

[21] TsAMO, Fund 3402, Inv 1, Case 64, Pages 16. The Combat Logs of the 4th Guards Tank Corps in 20 Dec. 1943.

[22] TsAMO, Fund 3402, Inv 1, Case 64, Pages 14, 16. The Combat Logs of the 4th Guards Tank Corps in 20 Dec. 1943.

[23] Agte, P. (1990). Jochen Peiper (p. 263). J.J. Fedorowicz Publishing.

[24] Agte, P. (1990). Jochen Peiper (p. 263). J.J. Fedorowicz Publishing.

[25] Stoves. R. (1961). Die 1. Panzer-Division (p. 466). Hans-Henning Podzun Verlag.

[26] TsAMO, Fund 3402, Inv 1, Case 64, Page 16. The Combat Logs of the 4th Guards Tank Corps in 20 Dec. 1943

[27] NARA, T-314, Roll 1173, Frame 318. Tagesmeldung an Pz.A.O.K.4. at 1930 hrs. 20 Dec. 1943.

[28] NARA, T-314, Roll 1173, Frames 321-322. Ia Tagesmeldung at 1800 hrs. 20 Dec. 1943.

[29] NARA, T-314, Roll 1173, Frame 338. Ia Tagesmeldung at 1800 hrs. 21 Dec. 1943.

[30] NARA, T-314, Roll 1173, Frame 321. Ia Tagesmeldung at 1800 hrs. 20 Dec. 1943.

[31] NRAR, T-314, Roll 1173, Frame 302. Ia Tagesmeldung at 1820 hrs. 19 Dec. 1943.

[32] Agte, P. (1990). Jochen Peiper (p. 264). J.J. Fedorowicz Publishing.

[33] TsAMO, Fund 3402, Inv 1, Case 64, Pages 16. The Combat Logs of the 4th Guards Tank Corps in 20 Dec. 1943.

[34] TsAMO, Fund 1062, Inv 1, Case 90, Pages 70-71. The Combat Logs of the 8th Rifle Division in 20 Dec. 1943.

[35] TsAMO, Fund 1056, Inv 1, Case 10, Page 341. Doc. No. 301. Battle Report of the 6th Rifle Division in 20 Dec. 1943.

[36] TsAMO, Fund 1578, Inv 1, Case 52, Page 243. Doc. No. 495. Operational Report of the 280th Rifle Division in 20 Dec. 1943.

The Race for Belgorod. Reloaded. 19th of March 1943. 🏰🏇🇷🇺

As an addendum to The Race for Belgorod.

At 1315 hours, the Kampfgruppe Peiper holding the northern part of Belgorod, together with the 7./SS-Panzer-Regiment.1 and two Tigers, set off to the northwest.

At 1535 hours Peiper reported engagement with enemy tanks near Streleskoye (Стрелецкое), in which seven of enemy tanks were destroyed without any losses of tanks, although one of his SPWs took a direct hit. The bridge at the village of Streleskoye was destroyed and the SPWs and tanks withdrew to the eastern section during the night. [1]

Obersturmführer Rudolf von Ribbentrop, who took part the actions on 19th of March remembered:

“On that day the Panzergruppe had to carry out a recon sweep to the north. One or two Tigers and a few SPW were advancing in the front of my company. As we emerged from a small patch of woods, the lead elements were hit by an artillery attack. An SPW was hit and immediately burst into flames. As the Panzergruppe really didn’t have a combat mission, it pulled back behind the patch of woods. Peiper commented: ‘Well, there’s nothing to be gained here today!’ The Suddenly, directing his question to the tank crews, he asked who was ready to go back again and see if anyone was left alive from the SPW crew and, if so, bring him back. I heard the commander of the SPW was an Oberscharführer who had been with Peiper for a long time. I then volunteered with my Panzer IV and drove back to the burning SPW. As I was sure that we would be shelled again when my tank appeared, I jumped out of my tank myself and carefully examined the burning SPW and the dead men lying around it to the extent possible to see if there had been any survivors. I was able to pick up a few pay books and some dog tags and, in this way, assure Peiper that the entire crews of the vehicle had been killed. I could see how much Peiper valued an exact report, as he thanked me very sincerely.”

At 1830 hours, by the command of the 40th Army, the 3rd Guards Tank Corps retreated to new frontline, suffered heavy losses – for 18th Guards Tank Brigade alone, twenty-six tanks, among them nineteen T-34’s, destroyed. Most of the losses were inflicted by enemy dive bombers. [2]

The 18th Guards Tank Brigade reported that it suffered losses of twenty-four T-34’s and seven T-70’s in the battle of 19th March 1943, but destroyed eleven enemy tanks, six guns of different caliber and four vehicles in return. Later the brigade retreated to north, taking new position screening the road of Kazatskoye (Казацкое) – Tomarovka (Томаровка). [3]

The Leibstandarte reported the losses of four dead, seven wounded and one Sd.Kfz 251, but inflicted losses of one KV-1, one KV-2, five T-34’s, one T-40, two light American tanks, two armored reconnaissance cars and ten trucks upon enemy in return. [4]

By 19th of March Manstein’s counterattack had died down. The SS divisions amounted to less than thirty-five panzers apiece, they the incurred heavy losses in terms of both personnel and equipment. [5] Furthermore, the spring season of mud had arrived, which had traditionally become one which saw a pause in operations on both sides. Therefore, the next day following the capture of Belgorod, Kempf’s Army Group was ordered to release the divisions of the 4. Panzerarmee and to occupy a front in the area around Belgorod and Tomarovka…

*************************************

The Kampfgruppe Peiper during 19th of March 1943. There are two “Streletskoye” in map nowadays but given descriptions in different sources, the Streletskoye near Tomarovka should be more likely to be the place where the battle took place.

*************************************

[1] Will Fey (2003), Armor Battles of the Waffen SS: 1943-45, pp. 17-18.

[2] TsAMO, Fond 203, Inv 2843, Case 487/1, Pages 130-131. Summary of the fight of the 3rd Guards Tank Corps.

[3] TsAMO, Fond 203, Inv 2843, Case 487/1, Page 146. Report of fight of the 18th Tank Brigade.

[4] Rudolf Lehmann (1990), The Leibstandarte III, p. 181.

[5] Alexei Isaev (2018), The End of The Gallop, p. 123.

*************************************

More on https://www.facebook.com/groups/2444292139149782/

The Race for Belgorod. Reloaded. 17-18th of March 1943. 🏰🏇🇷🇺

“In the Soviet army it takes more courage to retreat than advance.” — Joseph Stalin

*************************************

As an addendum to The Race for Belgorod.

17th of March 1943:

On 17 March, 1230 hours. The Kampfgruppe Peiper set out across the sector held by the I./SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment.2 (under Sturmbannführer Kraas). Because of extremely bad road conditions, it only reached the road of Shurawkowka (Zhuravlevka) – Kassatschjalopan (Kozacha Lopan’) by nightfall. When Kampfgruppe reached the bend in the road southwest of Nechotejewka (Nekhoteyevka) they encounter an enemy Pakfront, Just as night was falling, supported by the Panzer IV’s under Obersturmführer von Ribbentrop (who just passed away on 20th of May 2019), the Kampfgruppe managed to break through it.

At 1700 hours, Kraas’ battalion took Shurawkowka and established contact with the Kampfgruppe.

The defense they faced could be set up by the 107th Rifle Division, who has being deployed in the area of Kozacha Lopan’ as the second echelon of the 69th Army, preventing the possible enemy breakthrough since 13th of March. By the command of 69th Army, Major General T. Rogoznoy, the division started to disengage the enemy from Kozacha Lopan’ area after the sunset. [1]

In a private conference between Peiper and the Ia of the Leibstandarte, the idea of a “race for Belgorod” was discussed. The Ia informed him that there would be a Stuka attack on the enemy roadblocks between Krestowo and Naumowka (Наумовка) promptly at tomorrow 0700 hours.

18th of March 1943:

At 0640 hours, Kampfgruppe Peiper had been set on march by Standartenführer Wisch. At 0710 hours, Peiper reported that it had broken through the line and was making a motorized thrust as far as Otradnyj (Otradnoye Отрадное).

By 1000 hours, Peiper had reported that the village of Krassnoje (Красное) had been captured. There he encountered no enemy troops. With that, the attack objective for that day had been left far behind. Acted on his own initiative, Peiper decided to continue the thrust.

Although his left flank was exposed to the 161st Rifle Division operating in Shchetinovka (Щетиновка) and Solokhi (Солохи) areas, it fortunately offered not much interference to his advance. After the 167th Rifle Division gave away Bessonovka (Бессоновка) to Panzergrenadierdivision Grossdeutschland approaching from the west, the 161st was also forced to retreat via Ugrim (Угрим) after the sunset. [2]

Peiper reported at 1100 hours:

“Spearhead eight kilometers southwest of Belgorod on the march route. The Russians are retreating to the west. Two enemy tanks destroyed.

Commander of the III./2.”

His next report, arriving at 1135 hours, read:

“Belgorod taken in surprise attack. Eight enemy tanks destroyed.

Commander of the III./2.”

At 1150 hours, the 107th Rifle Division reported its troops would withdraw to the east coast of the Siverskyi Donets River as the result of 2 hours continuous bombardment by up to 60 enemy aircraft and the pursuit of apparent superiority enemy forces. [3]

Untersturmführer Gührs experienced the surprising capture of Belgorod:

“18 March 1943. Bright, clear sky. Snow. Peiper met early with the company commanders and myself and informed us that several divisions of the Waffen-SS along with Heer’s Grossdeutschland were to attack Belgorod. He then reported that he had been over at the Stuka command post, where he was promised an attack on the Russian roadblock in front of us at 0700 hours. The battalion was to get ready and, exploiting the surprise, push forward along the road through the Russian main lines. There were two or three Tigers with us. We wanted to break through to Belgorod. I was to bring up the rear with my cannon platoon.

Everything went as planned. We made it through. By radio, Peiper urged the lead elements to top speed. The Russians rubbed their eyes. Their tanks were still under cover. They were laying wires and apparently involved in their morning routine as we drove through the villages toward Belgorod. I did not know how it was going up front, as our column was fairly long. But we did not stop. The Russians gradually figured out what was going on, and I saw the first Russian tanks chasing us from the rear at very long range. But we were moving at considerable speed. Through a depression and across a bridge, we then arrived in Belgorod – taking everyone by surprise. I later heard that our first radio message to division was received with disbelief: ‘Heavy house-to-house fighting in Belgorod’. Second message: ‘Belgorod firmly in our hands’. I wasn’t there when the divisional commander arrived in the Storch because I had to cover the bridge to our rear with my platoon.”

Obersturmführer von Ribbentrop, supporting this attack with his 7./SS-Panzer-Regiment.1, recalled that in one of the villages before Belgorod they surprised a Russian tank repair unit and destroyed several enemy tanks without even having to stop. However, the individual tanks were able to escape because the destruction was not systematic, and made life hell for the German units coming up behind. [4]

In one of the two Tigers taking part in the attack was gunner Rottenführer Werner Wendt. The tank’s commander was Unterscharführer Modes, driver was Unterscharführer Otto Augst. Wendt related:

“There was still snow everywhere and the road conditions were less than ideal, but a brilliant blue sky lent wings to our plans. In the morning the III./SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment.2 broke through the forward Soviet lines at 0710 hours, we started our engines and formed up. March sequence, direction of advance and objective had been laid down in advance. In the lead was a Panzer IV’s and then our Tigers.

We had hardly gotten going and had just left the forward edge of friendly lines behind us when we detected two well camouflaged T-34’s hiding in ambush. We swung our turret and took these T-34’s under fire. Our shells were on target and this cost the Soviet tanks their cover and their lives. When they tried to escape we destroyed them. They hardly had any opportunity to return fire.

Our tank engine continued to thunder and our tracks gripped the Ukrainian soil and propelled us forward. Then a close reconnaissance aircraft (Henschel Hs 126) flew low over us and signaled us. He dropped a smoke container with the message that even more Soviet tanks were swinging into our attack sector. This message increased our watchfulness. After the last engagement, our Tiger had taken over the lead position, which required special alertness. As we made a surprise entrance into the next village, the advance route made a slight bend to the right. We couldn’t believe our eyes. There was an enemy 7.62cm gun (Ratsch-bum) in position in front of us. We had appeared so unexpectedly, that the Red Army men weren’t standing by their gun. Instead, they were seated on a bench at a nearby nut and were flirting with the girls of the village!

We didn’t even have to shoot. Without much deliberation, we rolled over the gun at full speed and it no longer presented much danger to us, as it was now only worth scrap metal. As we continued on our way, we ran into two more T-34’s which we destroyed without much problem. To the left of the road there was a broad expanse covered with hundreds of Red Army men falling back, driven by the fear of being rolled up by our rapid advance. They ran with fluttering coats as if to escape some approaching doom. We didn’t bother with what was going on to the right or left of us, and concentrated completely on moving at top speed toward the objective of our attack, which was Belgorod.” [5]

Except the 107th Rifle Division, the elements of the 270th and 160th Rifle Divisions were allegedly among the fleeing crowd. [6]

Wendt continued:

“The clock approached 1130 hours, it was getting close to noon, when Belgorod appeared in front of us. We couldn’t read the sign, as none of us could read the Cyrillic letters, but that could be – had to be – the city of Belgorod which we were supposed to take by surprise. Coming from the southwest, we carefully drove across a wooden bridge, but it held up well under our tank, and entered Belgorod headed to the north. Two SPW followed, covering us. Almost at the far end of the city, we heard: ‘Tank to rear!’ The SPW crews left their SPW and took cover in the road ditch. Our commander ordered: ‘Turret 6 o’clock!’ We immediately swung the turret, since the Soviet tank had approached to about 200 meters. Our first shot was a direct hit, since the tank was a ‘General Grant’ model. With such a high silhouette, it was hard to miss.

After destroying this tank, we received a radio message which told us that enemy tanks were firing on our ammunition carriers and other vehicles following us along the route of our advance. We were to ensure that this route remained open under all circumstance with our tracks tearing up the now softened road, we turned back immediately. As we approached the wooden bridge, there was a T-34 some 300 meters behind it which was completely blocking the road. We immediately began to fire. We hit the engine compartment so that the tank began to smoke. In spite of the hit, the T-34 calmly returned our fire. However, our next round was so well-aimed that the enemy’s gun was silenced and the fuss was over. The road was once again open. In the meantime, a second Tiger were Hauptsturmführer Kling and his gunner Panzerschütze ‘Bobby’ Warmbrunn from our company rolled up. It had just cleared the Rollbahn, and any vehicle could now drive on to Belgorod without danger. The city was finally taken and our mission accomplished.” [7]

Those T-34’s engaged with Modes and Kling’s Tigers could be part of the 2nd Guards Tank Corps, which might yet provide threats to the flank of the Kampfgruppe as two waves of its combat patrols with tanks were dispatched, one in the last night and the other in the afternoon, in the direction of Orlovka, Oktyabr’skiy, and Udy. [8]

Rottenführer Werner Kindler witnessed the battle described above between the Tiger and the T-34 on the wooden bridge:

“In addition to the T-34, I also saw a KW I and a KW II on the edge of the town. Both tanks got away. Our SPW, which was located between the bridge and the Tiger, had an engine breakdown. During the exchange of fire our SPW was hit and Unterscharführer Bussacker and I were wounded by shrapnel.” [9]

At this moment, it is alleged that the city of Belgorod itself was almost undefended as the gap between the Soviet 40th and 69th Armies remained open and the 21st Army was still on the march in the area around Oboyani (Обоянь). [10] According to Lieutenant Colonel Azarov of the 69th Army, however, there should be two divisions in the city of Belgorod, reinforced by the 192nd Tank Brigade and KV tanks. [11]

The KV tanks can be part of the 3rd Guards Tank Brigade who was among the Soviet units got involved with this battle. As the consequence of the fights from 14th to 20th of March, it lost 13 T-34’s and 2 KV’s, along with 3 middle ranked commanders and 3 junior command staffs. [12]

At 1210 hours, the Kampfgruppe Peiper was counterattacked by tanks from the northwest of Belgorod. [13] The counterattack was repelled thanks to a small Kampfgruppe formed by two Tigers and three Panzer III’s who successfully covered the northern outskirts of the city. [14]

At 1245 hours, after the arrival of report that Peiper had taken Belgorod, the I./SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment.2 set out from Dementejewka with orders to provide defense for the march route to the west in the sector from the northern edge of Krassnoje (Красное) to southern Dolbino (Veselaya Lopan’).

At 1400 hours, the 192nd Tank Brigade reported that 3 enemy tanks and an armored personnel carrier with submachine gunners broke into the location of the brigade’s headquarters, forced it fled to the old town (Старый Город). As the result of the battles for 18th of March, the brigade lost 2 medium tanks and 2 light tanks, all hit and burned. [15]

At 1600 hours, the reinforced II./SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment.2 (under Sturmbannführer Sandig) reported that it had established contact with the spearhead of Panzergrenadierdivision Grossdeutschland near Dolbino (Veselaya Lopan’) and Nowaja Derewenja. Afterwards, Kampfgruppe Peiper received orders to provide defense during the night to the north and west for western Belgorod, including the road out to the north.

At 1935 hours, the report for the III.(gep.)/SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment.2 of 18th of March read as follows:

“Enemy losses: ten T-34’s, one T-40, one T-60, two General Lee’s, ten 7.62cm guns (Ratsch Bum), six 4.7cm AT-guns, fourteen AT-rifles, eighteen heavy MG’s, thirty-four light MG’s, thirty-eight trucks, several flamethrowers and numerous columns of sleighs. Our losses: one dead, sixteen wounded.” [16]

The 3rd Guards Tank Corps reported:

“The enemy, from the south-west along the road of Kharkov-Belgorod, crushed parts of the 69th army and 2nd Guards Tank Corps and took Belgorod on 18 March, which put the corps in very difficult combat conditions because the rear areas in Belgorod area and to the west were all cut off, essentially excluding combat vehicles from refueling, repair or restoration.” [17]

As the result of the battles for this day and the night followed, the 18th Tank Brigade reported the losses of 3 T-34’s and 4 T-70’s, but destroyed 8 enemy tanks, 9 guns of various calibers and 11 vehicles from the enemy in return . [18]

*************************************

Kampfgruppe Peiper - from 17 to 18 March. 1943.

The Kampfgruppe Peiper between 17-18th of March 1943.

*************************************

Citations noted:

[1] TsAMO, Fund 1296, Inventory 1, Case 1, Page 16. Combat reports of the 107th Rifle Division.

[2] TsAMO, Fund 1396, Inv 1, Case 1, Page 79-80. Combat logs of the 161st Rifle Division.

[3] TsAMO, Fund 1296, Inv 1, Case 1, Page 16. Combat reports of the 107th Rifle Division.

[4] Rudolf Lehmann (1990), The Leibstandarte III, p. 179.

[5] Patrick Agte (2006), Michael Wittmann, Volume One, pp. 56-57.

[6] David Glantz (2013), From the Don to the Dnepr, kindle 3938-3983.

[7] Patrick Agte (2006), Michael Wittmann, Volume One, pp. 56-57.

[8] TsAMO, Fund 203, Inv 2843, Case 290, Page 10. Document No 341. Summary of the fight of the 2nd Guards Tank Corps.

[9] Agte (1999), The Leibstandarte III, p. 114.

[10] Alexei Isaev (2018), The End of The Gallop, p. 123.

[11] TsAMO, Fund 426, Inv 10753, Case 380, Page 38. Document No 4. Combat Logs of the 69th Army.

[12] TsAMO, Fond 3067, Inv 1, Case 24, Page 39. Combat Logs of the 3rd Guards Tank Brigade.

[13] Alexei Isaev (2018), The End of The Gallop, p. 123.

[14] Wolfgang Schneider (1998), Tigers in Combat 2, kindle 1231.

[15] TsAMO, Fund 3127, Inv: 1, Case 5, Page 2. Combat Logs of the 192nd Tank Brigade.

[16] Rudolf Lehmann (1990), The Leibstandarte III, pp. 179-180.

[17] TsAMO, Fond 203, Inv 2843, Case 487/1, Page 130. Summary of the fight of the 3rd Guards Tank Corps.

[18] TsAMO, Fond 203, Inv 2843, Case 487/1, Page 146. Combat reports of the 18th Tank Brigade.

*************************************

More on https://www.facebook.com/groups/2444292139149782/

The Reloaded of the “Operation Peiper”. February 1943. ❄️☃️🇺🇦

As an addendum to The “Operation Peiper”.

Set Off:

At 0430 hours on 12th of February 1943, the Kampfgruppe Peiper set out from Podolkov towards the rescue of the Wehrmacht 320. Infanterie-Division. Alexei Isaev hints its opponents could be the 12th Tank Corps, 62nd Rifle Division, 7th Guards Cavalry Division, or the 350th Rifle Division:

On 12 February, the 15th Tank Corps captured Rogan. While it engaged in the fighting for Rogan, the 12th Tank Corps and the 62nd Rifle Division skirted round the city of Kharkov to the south, such as Merefa. [1]

The Kampfgruppe Peiper was to take Zmiyev (Zmiiv), ford the River Mzha and Udy and establish contact with the 7th Guards Cavalry Corps, and 350th Rifle Division that skirted round the city of Kharkov. [2]

The 12th Guards Cavalry Corps proven the biggest threat to the survival not only of the 320. Infanterie-Division but also the Kampfgruppe itself. During the day of 12th of February, its 13th Motorized Rifle Brigade, 1172nd Anti-Tank Artillery Regiment and 106th Tank Brigade attacked Osnova Station through Lelyuky, while the 30th and 97th Tank Brigade took the other route of Novopokrovka, Vvedenka, Lyzohubivka, Vasyshcheve and Bezliudivka, marching towards Osnova as well. [3]

Meantime, however, the 62nd Rifle Division was approaching Khroly via Rogan [4], the 7th Guards Cavalry Corps was actually operating in Voroshylovs’kyi district of Donetsk Oblast [5], and the 350th Rifle Division, though his leading element had allegedly reached the village of Omel’chenky, was still one step behind the 320. Infanterie-Division. [6] None of them seems be able to engage the Kampfgruppe Peiper on the south bank of the River Udy.

So, who else got to be?

The First Round:

By 05:15 the vanguard detachment of the Kampfgruppe Peiper, led by two assault guns, had reached the River Udy near the village of Krasnaya Polyana (Красна Поляна). [7] Taken by surprise, the enemy, supposed to be the alarm unit of the 111th Rifle Division, had been defending the bridge scattered and the bridge was fell into Germans’ hands intact.

Some of the tail end of the lorry column, which had arrived late for the start of the operation, came under fire from Soviet troops in Krasnaya Polyana who had recovered quickly from the surprise of the Germans’ attack and had gone back into action again. [8] Aforesaid troops belonged to the 399th Rifle Regiment of the 111th Rifle Division, supported by 3 tanks, attacked at 1100 hours from Temnivka to Vodyane. [9] As the result of the attack, 6 German lorries were destroyed, along with an infantry platoon left behind to guard the bridge, but their drivers were picked up. Peiper, however, was not able to turn around: the Ia of the Leibstandarte told him that a pilot had reported the leading elements of the 320. Infanterie-Division to be near Lyman. [10]

The Intermission:

At 0640 hours, the Kampfgruppe Peiper captured Zmiyev without encountering any noteworthy enemy resistance, but can not cross the River Severskiy Donets with heavy equipment. The scouts were dispatched and contact was establish with 320. Infanterie-Division at 1230 hours.

According to the report of the 350th Rifle Division, the column of the 320. Infanterie-Division consisting of about one and a half regiments of infantry, along with 5 heavy tanks (which were supposed to be assault-guns) and up to 200 vehicles and 200 wagons, reached the eastern edge of the forest from the west of Lake Lyman by 0700 hours. [11] But its neighbor, 111th Rifle Division, did not turn southwardly to sneak up on the back of the Kampfgruppe Peiper, instead it repeatedly attacked in direction against Borove and Bezliudivka during the afternoon of 12th of February 1943. Thanks to stubborn fight of the bulk of the SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment.2, the Germans’ last ground on the north bank of the River Udy was still held for the time being.

The Second Round:

According to the report of the 12th Tank Corps, there was a cluster of enemy infantry and 15 tanks cruised in towards the village of Krasna Polyana at 1310 hours. [12]

At 1150 hours on 13th of February 1943, the columns of the 320. Infanterie-Division, escorted by the Sd.Kfz. 251’s of the Kampfgruppe Peiper from two sides, were confronted by the Soviet troops stationed on the south bank of the River Udy. Erhard Gührs recalled there was a hard fight with a Russian ski battalion at Vodjanoje, the village was cleaned out of enemy only by the evening. His Sd.Kfz. 251/9 as known as Stummel fired 42 shells and the Kampfgruppe suffered 6 dead. [13]

According to the standard provision, a Sd.Kfz. 251/9 has only fifty-two rounds for its 7.5 cm KwK 37 L/24, if without extra carrying..

What they had faced was actually a battalion of the 399th Rifle Regiment, who was likely to receive reinforcement from the bulk of the 468th Rifle Regiment, minus one company, took position in the village of Krasna Polyana, just 3km east of Vodjanoje. [14]

Epilogue:

At 1600 hours, all the lorries with their wounded were brought behind German lines. Since the bridge was not strong enough to hold the Sonderkraftfahrzeugen, the Kampfgruppe was forced to take a detour through Butowka (Butivka), Sidki, Artjuesschewka (Artyukhivka) and Migorod (Myrhorody) in enemy territory, then reunited with the main force of the Leibstandarte. [15]

A mystery still remains as the 350th Rifle Division was utterly absent from the conflicts during the day of 13th of February. The result would have been different if the 350th had joined the fight timely from the south, especially when the Kampfgruppe was encumbered with 1500-odd wounded and the other exhausted foot soldiers of the 320. Infanterie-Division.

***************************************

Citation noted:

[1] Isaev (2018), The End of the Gallop, pp. 49-50.

[2] Isaev, p. 55.

[3] TsAMO, Fund 3405, Inv 0000001, Case 0029, Page 68. Battle Report No. 023. 12th Tank Corps, 0730, 13.2.43.

[4] TsAMO, Fund 1155, Inv 1, Case 3, Page 42. The Combat Log of the 48th Guards Rifle Division.

[5] TsAMO, Fund 3475, Inv 0000001, Case 0023, Page 21. Historical and Fighting Way of the 7th Guards Cavalry Corps.

[6] TsAMO, Fund 232, Inv 590, Case 297, Pages 146 and 161. The Combat Log of the South-Western Front for February 1943.

[7] Isaev, p. 55.

[8] Ibid.

[9] TsAMO, Fund 316, Inv 4487, Case 107, Page 28. Battle Report No. 010. 111th Rifle Division. 12.02.43.

[10] Isaev, p. 55.

[11] TsAMO, Fund 316, Inv 4487, Case 107, Page 28. Battle Report No. 010. 111th Rifle Division. 12.02.43.

[12] TsAMO, Fund 3405, Inv 0000001, Case 0029, Page 69. The Battle Report No. 024. 12th Tank Corps. Issued at 1610 on 13.02.43.

[13] Patrick Agte (1999), Jochen Peiper, p. 102.

[14] TsAMO, Fund 316, Inv 4487, Case 107, Page 28. Battle Report No. 010. 111th Rifle Division. 12.02.43.

[15] Rudolf Lehmann (1990), Die Leibstandarte III, p. 64.

***************************************

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Captions:

(1) The north wing of the 12th Tank Corps. On 12th of February 1943.

(2) The south wing of the 12th Tank Corps. On 12th of February 1943.

(3) The assumed retreat route taken by the 320. Infanterie-Division. On 12th of February. The 350th Rifle Division, seemed ahead of it, was in possession of the village of Omel’chenky, yet it slipped from enemy’s grasp at last.

(4) The south bank of the River Udy. Where the Kampfgruppe Peiper engaged with the troops of the 111th Rifle Division.

***************************************

More on: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2444292139149782/

By the Seine… 🇫🇷

During the late August 1944, the s.SS-Pz.Abt.101 had to fight for its escape. The situation was disarray. Contact between the tanks was lost. There were losses to the frequent fight-bomber attacks, not even the Workshop Company was spared from harm. As a result of the uninterrupted fight, mechanism problem and lack of the means to cross the Seine River. The battalion only managed to ferry several Tigers, allegedly seven, over the Seine at Rouen and Elbeuf and evaded towards Songeons.

SS-Sturmmann Ernst Kufner of the 3./s.SS-Pz.Abt.101 described his experience during the retreat from Falaise. His Tiger broke down with transmission trouble south of Cintheaux on 9th of August and was taken in tow by a prime mover. “In the late hours of the evening our tank was taken by a prime mover equipped with a flatbed trailer, and we continued in the direction of Falaise. By the time we reached Falaise the Workshop Company had moved. The city was already under English artillery fire. The tank and the prime mover took shelter in a forest on the periphery of Falaise. That was 10th of August 1944.

We had to watch all day as the main line of resistance was pounded by tons of heavy bombs dropped by four-engined bombers. Individual aircraft even came down and strafed with their machine guns. We resumed our journey in the direction of Rouen during the night of 11th of August. With the arrival of dawn the tractor and tank had to be camouflaged at the side of the road. The enemy aircraft were in the air from dawn until late evening and kept the road under constant surveillance. They never failed to find badly-camouflaged vehicles beside the road. Once we had to look on as even ambulances were attacked and destroyed.

In mid-August we reached the city of Orbec during the night. Two flighter-bombers dropped ‘Christmas trees’ as we were crossing the empty city square. The square was brightly illuminated. The driver quickly moved the tractor into a side street; however the trailer with the tank and its crew were left on the brightly-lit square. The fighter-bombers attacked our tank with bombs and guns. The attacks followed a certain rhythm as the fighter-bombers had to circle for each new attack. We were somehow able to get out of the tank safely and took cover in a side street. The prime mover, its cargo and we all survived the attacks undamaged.

We continued on in the direction of Rouen. The journey ended on the line of hills before the Seine; however, we failed to find the Workshop Company. Our tank commander enquired as to whether there was a possibility of getting the tank across the river by ferry. This was not possible as there was no 60-tonne ferry…”

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Caption:

Incidentally, the Tiger I is a rare example of a 2./s.SS-Pz.Abt.101 vehicle without spare tracks racked crossing the street of Rouen. The city had apparently just been bombed by the Allied air force. Vehicles in flames and casualties have been seen. ECPAD archives (ref.n° DAT 2692 L.14)
The Ford V3000S ambulance seen in the foreground above, marked K2 (i.e. Krankenwagen 2), belonged to the 10. SS-Pz.Div., as indicated by a barely visible simple white style F insignia on its left fender. The Panther belongs to the I./Pz.Rgt.24, at the time attached to the 116. Pz.Div. You can see a Tiger following close behind. These tanks had just crossed the Seine by ferry, racing for the safety. ECPAD archives (ref.n° DAT 2692 L.13)

The breakthrough. 11th of December 1943, Zhytomyr Oblast, Ukraine. 🇺🇦

***************************************

Gratitude for the interpretation efforts, by courtesy of Dmitry Benzar (Дмитрий Бензар).

***************************************

The frozen soil covered with snow. Right above it the overcast clouds hung with a height of six hundred to eight hundred meters while the wind steady blew in southeastern direction. The visibility was perfect: ten kilometers. Another good news for the Soviet artillery observers was the Luftwaffe would not show up in the course of coming day. [1]

In the late morning hours, the barrage began. But it was from the opposite side. Apparently after previous fruitless attempts to remove the Soviet bridgehead on the west bank of Teterev River, Standartenführer Wisch wanted his division to carry out next assault with more proper fire support than running “naked” through the open grounds under the cross-fires of the Soviet Paks fortified in the frontline and the heavy artillery installed along the raised east bank of the Teterev, he brought the artillery forces from his neighbor to the north, the 1. Panzer-Division, along with his own artillery units to conduct coordinated barrage against known targets around the village of Krassnoborka (Краснобірка).

When the barrage stopped at 1200 hours sharp, along with the Kampfgruppe Peiper (bulk of the SS-Panzerregiment 1), the Kampfgruppe Kraas (bulk of the SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 2) jumped out from their LOD hiding in the gutter northwest of Mezhyrichka (Межирічка), pushing southwest in direction on Krassnoborka, penetrated the village by 1250 hours and then turn to southeastern direction, took the Hill 170.2 at 1300 hours after destroyed eighteen Paks there. At 1515 hours, the Kampfgruppen broke into the north edge of the village of Velyka Racha (Велика Рача), whose western edge was considerably fortified by Soviet Paks, which was supposed to stop the advance of Kampfgruppe Frey (bulk of the SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 1). [2] During the drive over Hill 170.2 towards Velyka Racha, Untersturmführer Kalinowsky’s Tiger was hit and he was wounded in the face and nose by splinters. [3]

The 1st Guards Army reported the battle formations of the 271st Rifle Division was crushed as enemy penetrated into its defense line [4] and its 864th and 867th Rifle Regiment were retreating into the areas of Hill 179.6 and 170.2. [5]

The 107sth Rifle Corps later claimed it was attacked by at least fifty enemy tanks and two infantry battalions at 1430 hours. [6] In the contrast, at 1745 hours of 10th of December the Leibstandarte reported that fourteen tanks were serviceable under disposal of the Kampfgruppe Peiper who had as many as one hundred and fifty-six tanks under repair as a result of uninterrupted actions during previous days. [7]

By 18:00 hours, despite the success of the 328th Rifle Division who yet again repelled all the attacks against the southwestern areas of Radomyshl, securing village of Hlukhiv Pershyi (Глухов 1-й) and Hill 187.1 (north-west of Radomyshl), its right flank was already threatened as the 271st Rifle Division had withdrew to the line of Chudyn (Чудин), where the command posts of the 271st and 30th Rifle Divisions were located. [8][9]

Against Balck’s wishes, Wisch did not force his exhausted troops to execute another attack against Chudyn which reportedly was heavy occupied by the enemy. The Leibstandarte later submitted a booty report [10] of forty-two s.Paks, although the exact losses of its opponents on 11th of December was unclear so far. Since the next day, the Leibstandarte started to evacuate its damaged tanks to the repair shops in the rear. Inferring from the daily report [11] submitted by the Ia (Chief of Staff) on 12th of December, the total losses the enemy inflicted upon the Kampfgruppe Peiper on 11th of December should be three Panzer IV’s.

To this day, the counterattack of Balck’s XXXXVIII. Panzerkorps ceased in general and soon his troops would be transferred to the area of Meleni where the new challenges will be expecting them.

***************************************

11.12.43 battle grounds north of Radomyschl.

The hot zone on 11th of December 1943.

***************************************

Citations:

[1] TsAMO, Fund 236, Inv 0002673, Case 0084, Pg 7. Operational Summary of the 1st Guards Army, issued at 2300 on 11.12.43.

[2] NARA T314 R1173 F188. Tagesmeldung an Pz.A.O.K. 4., announced at 1900 on 11.12.43.

[3] Patrick Agte (2006), Michael Wittmann Volume One, p. 206.

[4] TsAMO, Fund 236, Inv 0002673, Case 0084, Pg 7. Operational Summary of the 1st Guards Army, issued at 2300 on 11.12.43.

[5] TsAMO, Fund 999, Inv 1, Case 1, Pg 13. Journal of military action of the 107th Rifle Corps for December 1943.

[6] TsAMO, Fund 999, Inv 1, Case 1, Pg 14. Journal of military action of the 107th Rifle Corps for December 1943.

[7] NARA T314 R1173 F174. Ia-Tagesmeldung, announced at 1745 on 10.12.43.

[8] TsAMO, Fund 236, Inv 0002673, Case 0084, Pg 7. Operational Summary of the 1st Guards Army, issued at 2300 on 11.12.43.

[9] TsAMO, Fund 999, Inv 1, Case 1, Pg 14. Journal of military action of the 107th Rifle Corps for December 1943.

[10] NARA T314 R1173 F192. Morgenmeldung der Divisionen, recorded at 0405 on 12.12.43

[11] NARA T314 R1173 F209. Ia-Tagesmeldung, announced at 1800 on 12.12.43.

***************************************

The Death Dash. 8th of December 1943, Zhytomyr Oblast, Ukraine. 🇺🇦

“The village of Ljachowaja was still burning. Large flecks showed up in the night, visible form a long way off. They shot up into a bright red when collapsing roof timbers sent a rain of sparks into the dark, dying out only slowly, and then finally vanishing as morning arrived.” Paul Kurbjuhn, the war correspondent accompanying the Kampfgruppe Peiper, wrote. [1]

The way to the east is still dark and gloomy. Even though their former opponents, such as the 148th, 322nd and 121st Rifle Divisions, were either routed or surrounded, the newly introduced troops – mostly the 107th Rifle Corps of 1st Guards Army – had already entrenched in the area along the west bank of Teterev River, waiting to grant them another reception.

At about 2100 hours on 7th of December 1943, the attack on the village of Chodory (Khodory Ходори) began. It did not go well at the outset. According to Rotenführer Walter Kühn’s account, the armored column set a suspicious village [very likely to be Horodchyn] on the half left side alight on its way towards Chodory. There was no return fire. But when the column silhouetted against the glow from the village to the left behind it, the bursts of antitank fire suddenly hit the column from another village [allegedly to be Chodory] emerged from the half right side in front of the column. A leading Panther of the 1./SS-Panzer-Regiment 1 took a direct hit, killed three of its crewmen, before Kühn’s SPW of the 14. (Pionier)/SS-Panzer-Regiment 1 suffered the same fate, leaving all its four crewmen badly wounded.

The column was only able to withdraw from out of the light of the destroyed tanks, burning like torches, before enemy’s antitank fire inflicts more damage on it, thanks to the rearguard action of Obersturmführer Hans Stübing, commander of the 2./SS-Panzer-Regiment 1 and the decisively fire support of the 4./SS-Panzer-Regiment 1 from the right flank. After a Panther initially followed him was hit, Stübing commanded his Panther to lure the enemy’s antitank fire, covering the withdrawal of other vehicles. He and Obersturmführer Ernst Otto, commander of the 4./SS-Panzer-Regiment 1 were both recommended for award of the German Cross in Gold by battalion commander, Strumbannführer Kuhlmann.

At 0345 hours on 8th of December 1943, the village of Chodory was eventually taken [2] and Hans Stübing’s company allegedly destroyed fifteen heavy antitank guns, five trucks, twenty antitank rifles, fourteen heavy machine guns, and some one hundred and fifty enemy soldiers. [3]

At 0815 hours, the Kampfgruppe Peiper resumed attack from Chodory towards south against Sabolot (Zabolot’) and took the town from the troops of the 271st Rifle Division at 1015 hours. [4][5]

The attack was allegedly led by Peiper himself. The Panthers provided covering fire, while the Panzer-IV’s attacked from the right in a broad wedge formation. The antitank fire was so violent that Peiper, who attacked with only a few tanks, had to race into the village at top speed to avoid its fire. On the other hands, Hans Stübing, once again took the initiative, tore forward with his company and broke into Sabolot, before his Panther was hit three times by antitank fire and burst into flames. The Russians fled. Their antitank guns stand abandoned or lay with burst barrels amidst their dead crews, who had fired up to the last second. The commander of the 7./SS-Panzer-Regiment 1, Obersturmführer Herbert Sprunk, was killed in action, along with the commander of the 5./SS-Panzer-Regiment 1, Obersturmführer Gerhard Scharke, who stood upright, exposing his upper body out of the turret all the way down to his belt during the attack. Hans Stübing was severely burned, but still managed to save his badly wounded gunner when he bailed out of his burning Panther. [6] One of confirmed knockouts was Unterscharführer Erich Langanger’s Tiger, which was hit at Sabolot and immobilized, when Russians mounted the tank, the Unterscharführer shot himself. He was buried by the church of Sabolot. [7]

The heavy lifting of the house-to-house combats had been carried by the Panzergrenadiers of the III. (gep.)/SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 2 during these days. For Chodory on 7th of December and Sabolot on 8th of December, Rottenführer Werner Kindler of the 14. (s.gep.)/SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 2 received the grant of his 44th and 45th confirmed Close-combat Days respectively. [8]

At 1400 hours, after regrouping from the exhausted night march, the Kampfgruppe Kraas, consisting of the bulk of the SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 2 attacked the village of Kotowka (Kotivka). The village fell by 1445 hours and the leading elements of the II./2 continued its movement towards Sabolot in order to clear the way for Peiper’s supplies to come through. [9]

Meanwhile, the Kampfgruppe Frey, consisting the bulk of the SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 1 also launched attack towards southeast after taking Ljachowaja [10] and forced the 328th Rifle Division to retreat by 1600 hours. [11][12]

The 1 Guards Army estimated it was attacked by up to two hundred tanks during this day. [13] The 1105th Rifle Regiment [of the 328th Rifle Division] allegedly suffered the greatest losses during the combat, but the 107th Rifle Corps claimed that it destroyed twenty-one enemy tanks and eliminated four hundred enemy soldiers and officers during the combat. [14]

On the other hands, the Leibstandarte claimed that from Chodory to Sabolot it captured or destroyed one T-34, eight field guns, one 4.5cm antitank gun, sixty-one 7.62cm antitank guns, twenty-one light antitank guns, fifty-five MGs and five lorries. Nine hundred and thirty Soviet soldiers were killed, only three were taken prisoners. [15][16] Aforesaid figures should consist of the scores of Hans Stübing’s company in Chodory.

Another booty report announced on the next morning: Fifty-four s.Pak, one m.Pak, two pieces of artillery, four antitank rifles, seven mortars, nine trucks about five hundred and eighty enemy dead…, etc. [17]

As for the relative few figure of the prisoners of war, we can only speculate the reasons through the memories of Paul Kurbjuhn: “There still might be a number of Red Army stragglers crouched in the snow behind a wall, each one desperately wondering if he should fire the last round out of his machine pistol into someone’s back or surrender. Every shadow was still an enemy to us, and no one wanted to try guess what as in an armed enemy’s mind…”

[燈] #改 7th (夜間) - 8th of December, Zhytomyr Oblast.

The speculated routes taken by the Kampfgruppe Peiper to approach village of Chodory (Khodory) during the night of 7/8th of December 1943. Due to difficult terrain and enemy resistance, Kampfgruppe Kraas did not take the village of Kotowka (Kotivka) until the noon of 8th of December, causing a certain extent of difficulty on resupply the Kampfgruppe Peiper. The Kampfgruppe Frey was actually operating in the further south area out of this map.

[燈] 7th (夜間) Horodchyn Городчин 前往 Chodory的路上

The speculated location where the encounter took place at the night of 7/8th of December 1943. The armored column approached while the 1. (Werner Pötschke) and 2. (Hans Stübing) Kompanien took point while the 4. (Ernst Otto) Kompanie covering their right flank. The armored column was hit (explode icon) when it was leaving the burning village of Horodchyn, exposed its silhouette to the enemy entrenched in Chodory. The commander of the I. Abteilung (Herbert Kuhlmann) witnessed the whole event.

***************************************

Citations:

[1] Paul Kurbjuhn, Die eisernen Särge (The Iron Coffins) in Das Schwarze Korps, excerpt from Patrick Agte (1999), Jochen Peiper.

[2] NARA T-314, Roll-1173, Frame-134. Tagesmeldung an Pz.A.O.K. 4., announced at 1900 on 8.12.43

[3] Patrick Agte (1999), Jochen Peiper, pp. 258-259.

[4] NARA T-314, Roll-1173, Frame-134. Tagesmeldung an Pz.A.O.K. 4., announced at 1900 on 8.12.43

[5] TsAMO, Fund 456, Inv 6850, Case 226, Sht 36. Military Report of the 107th Rifle Corps, Doc. No 064 issued at 1600, 8.12.43.

[6] Patrick Agte (1999), Jochen Peiper, pp. 258-259.

[7] Wolfgang Schneider (2005), Tigers in Combat 2, Kindle, 1417-1420.

[8] Werner Kindler (2014), Obedient Unto Death, p. 116.

[9] NARA T-314, Roll-1173, Frame-134. Tagesmeldung an Pz.A.O.K. 4., announced at 1900 on 8.12.43.

[10] Allegedly located on the southwest of Kotowka and three kilometers west of Sabolot, but the name “Ljachowaja” is unable to be identified nowadays.

[11] Rudolf Lehmann (1990), The Leibstandarte III, p. 353.

[12] TsAMO, Fund 456, Inv 6850, Case 226, Sht 36. Military Report of the 107th Rifle. Corps, Doc. No 064 issued at 1600, 8.12.43.

[13] TsAMO, Fund 236, Inv 0002673, Case 0084, Sht 4. Operational Summary of the 1st Guards Army, Doc. No 0552, issued at 2330, 8.12.43.

[14] TsAMO, Fund 456, Inv 6850, Case 226, Sht 36. Military Report of the 107th Rifle Corps, Doc. No 064 issued at 1600, 8.12.43.

[15] Werner Kindler (2014), Obedient Unto Death, p. 115.

[16] Patrick Agte (2006), Michael Wittmann volume one, p. 183.

[17] NARA T-314 R-1173, Frame 143. Morgenmeldungen der Divisionen, recorded at 0400 on 9.12.43.

***************************************

	The Race for Belgoro… on The Race for Belgorod 🏰🏇🇷…
	The Race for Belgoro… on The Race for Belgorod 🏰🏇🇷…
	The Reloaded of the… on The “Operation Peiper…
	Ellie Wolfe on The Race for Belgorod 🏰🏇🇷…
	vikinglifeblog on By the Seine… 🇫🇷

	The Race for Belgoro… on The Race for Belgorod 🏰🏇🇷…
	The Race for Belgoro… on The Race for Belgorod 🏰🏇🇷…
	The Reloaded of the… on The “Operation Peiper…
	Ellie Wolfe on The Race for Belgorod 🏰🏇🇷…
	vikinglifeblog on By the Seine… 🇫🇷