Chopovychi

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

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

Copyright © 2021 John C.W. Lai, Taipei. All rights reserved.

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.

Copyright © 2020 John C.W. Lai, Taipei. All rights reserved.

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]

20.DEC.1943
20th of December 1943.

[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.

Copyright © 2019 John C.W. Lai, Taipei. All rights reserved.