XXII Armeekorps

[Nibelung]

Hello,

I would need to know who were the Staff of the XXII A.K.

I would be also more than grateful if someone could provide me with the basic info on their movements and operations in Poland; marchroutes, korps headquarters, actions of individual divisions under its command...as I can't find anything useful about this korps for 1939.

Thank you all in advance!

best regards,
Miha

[tigre]

Hello Nibelung, so long. Something about that subject.

CO: Grl v. Kleist.
CoS: Oberst K. Zeitzler

As for 31 Aug 1939 - Corps troops at Olmutz, Staff at Sillein. It was ordered (by 14. Army) that the Corps should relieve the XVIII Geb.AK on Sep 02 1939.

As for 01 Sep 1939 - The Commander, CoS and Ic proceeded towards Turdosin (XVIII Geb.AK HQ) the Staff moved at Rosenberg.

As for 02 Sep 1939 - The Corps Commando arrived at Turdosin at 10:00 hours. The Corps staff at 14:00 hours. The XVIII Geb. AK framework was:

3. Geb. D (less II./GJR 139) attacking eastwards the line Zuberec - Habowka and the heights northwest Zakopane.

4. Lei. D (less group v. Hauenschild) attacking on the line Piekielnik - Jablonka and the road hub of Rabka. Aufklarungs group Vigidill from Cimhova on Hladovka - Chocholow towards Czarny.

2. Pz D main effort to the left on Bobrow and northwards Glubova height towards Jablonka and Podwilk.

Group v. Hauenschild (1/2 Aufklarungs Reg. 9) eastwards Tatra heights towards Nowy Targ.

At 18:00 hours the relieve was accomplished, the situation was as follows:

Group v. Hauenschild (1/2 Aufklarungs Reg. 9) reached Czorsztyn.

3. Geb. D marching towards Czarny Dunajec at Klykuszowa (reached that place in the afternoon).

4. Lei. D reached Nowy Targ with its right flank (group Vigidill).

2. Pz. D reconnoitering the sector of Skawa southeast of Jordanow.

Patrols detached from the AA 5 were covering and surveying the Corps left flank also the Kradsch. Btl. 2 was at Glinne Pass.

Source: T314/665/10 - XXII KTB.

I hope this be useful. Cheers. Tigre.

[Nibelung]

Tigre, this helps me a lot, now I understand not only the XVIII relieve order, but also the confusion with Oob for 1.9.1939!!

Thank you, big time!

very best regards,
Miha

[tigre]

Hi Nibelung, you're welcome; also you should get the new William Russ's book entitled "Case White: the German Army in the Polish Campaign-September 1939", see the link below.

http://www.feldgrau.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=19927

Cheers. Tigre.

[Nibelung]

Wow, Tigre, thanks for mentioning it!!

It does sound interesting...

best,
Miha

[tigre]

Hello to all ; after a while a little complement..............................

First actions of the 4. Le. Div in Poland 1939. Advance through Hladovka towards Skomla................

The Aufkl. Rgt. 9 (Oberstleutnant Bruno Ritter von Hauenschild) had occupied its assembly area, within the 4. le. Div, since August 19, 1939 west of the High Tatra.

At 4:45 hours on September 1, 1939 the troops of the 4. le. Div went on the attack. By a raid it should be captured intact a bridge on the route Trestená-Chyzne north of the border of the Reich. But the bridges had been destroyed already. In some places the German troops were shot at by snipers. In retaliation some houses were burned. Two injured.


The first target of attack - Hladovka was quickly crossed.................


Hladovka first Polish town - September 1, 1939 ...........................


The commander of the 4. le Div, Generalmajor Alfred Ritter von Hubicki, in his CP at Chyzne awaiting news of the conquest of Czarny and Nowy Targ - Sep 01 1939 at 11:00 hours............

Sources: 1.09.1939. Westerplatte, Wieluń, Berlin. Część 2. http://www.kontrowersje.net/book/export/html/4080
Die 9. Panzer-Division. Carl Hans HermannDörfler.
KTB XXII AK (Mot)
http://www.odkrywca.pl
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/Gebirgsjagerregimenter/GJR138.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

Feliz Navidad - Feliz Natal - Frohe Weihnachten - Joyeux Noël - Merry Christmas - Wesołych Świąt!.

[tigre]

Hello to all ; more follows..............................

First actions of the 4. Le. Div in Poland 1939. Advance through Hladovka towards Skomla................

Meanwhile the GJR 138, belonging to the 3. GD, on 01 September 1939 advanced with the II. Battalion in the lead through the High Tatra towards Poland through the Huty Pass. In the border line brief fight with the Polish border guards.


In the distance the High Tatra mountain range, rise on the horizon amid a still peaceful atmosphere...........


A Pz Kw IIa of the Pz Abt 33 moving ahead by Polish soil.............

Sources: 1.09.1939. Westerplatte, Wieluń, Berlin. Część 2. http://www.kontrowersje.net/book/export/html/4080
Die 9. Panzer-Division. Carl Hans Hermann Dörfler.
KTB XXII AK (Mot)
http://www.odkrywca.pl
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/Gebirgsjagerregimenter/GJR138.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

Feliz Año Nuevo - Happy New Year - feliz Ano Novo - gluckliches Neues Jahr - Bonne Année - Felice Anno Nuovo - Szczęśliwego nowego roku!!

[tigre]

Hello to all ; more follows..............................

First actions of the 4. Le. Div in Poland 1939. Advance through Hladovka towards Skomla................

On September 2, 1939 and according to directives issued by the 14. AOK, the XVIII Geb. AK was relieved by the XXII AK (Mot) and the 4. Le Div was subordinated to latter, having the task of pressing toward the line Piekielnik - Jablonka. The Kampfgruppe v. Hauenschild attacked towards Nowy Targ, looking for liaison with the 3. Geb. Div, while Aukl. Gruppe Vichytil (I. / Aufkl. Rgt 9) reinforced by artillery advanced from Cimhova by Hladovka and Chocholow towards Czarny in order to support the advance of the Mountain Division......................


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cc/Orawa_1938.jpg

Sources: 1.09.1939. Westerplatte, Wieluń, Berlin. Część 2. http://www.kontrowersje.net/book/export/html/4080
Die 9. Panzer-Division. Carl Hans Hermann Dörfler.
KTB XXII AK (Mot)
http://www.odkrywca.pl
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/Gebirgsjagerregimenter/GJR138.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; more follows..............................

First actions of the 4. Le. Div in Poland 1939. Advance through Hladovka towards Skomla................

The boundary between the 4. le. Div. and the 3. Geb. Div ran by Vitanová - Chocholow - Ludzimierz (towns for the 4. le Div). Until September 03, 1939 the GJR 138 progressed almost without resistance by Habowka - Chocholow - Rabka in direction of Mszana Dolna. Also the 4. le Div advanced up to the line Mszana Dolna - East of Naprawa, but could not progress beyond. The objective ordered for that day, the mountain pass towards Myslenice, was not reached. On this day, the Polish tanks (Vickers Mk E) of the 121. light tank company (commander: por. Stanisław Raczkowski), attacking along the road, twice repelled the infantry of the 2nd Pz, which was attacking the flank of Polish 10th Mounted Rifle Rgt. (10. psk).


A light armored recce vehicle of the Aufkl. Regt 9 (Sd Kfz 222) destroyed in the struggles by Mszana Dolna...............


Defensive struggles of the Polish 10. Mot. Brig...........

Sources: 1.09.1939. Westerplatte, Wieluń, Berlin. Część 2. http://www.kontrowersje.net/book/export/html/4080
Die 9. Panzer-Division. Carl Hans Hermann Dörfler.
KTB XXII AK (Mot)
http://www.odkrywca.pl
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... GJR138.htm
http://derela.republika.pl/vickers.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; more follows..............................

First actions of the 4. Le. Div in Poland 1939. Advance through Hladovka towards Skomla................

On September 4, 1939, the left Kampfgruppe of the 4. Le. Div in advance by Tenczyn to Lubien. Before the right kampfgruppe, west of Kasinka, no enemies. The division was ordered to proceed towards Myslenice. This order was modified since the 2. Pz won the road to Myslenice ahead. The 4. Le. Div now had to clear the area Kasinka - Lubien and further north and stop the advance from Dolna Mszana to the east.

On this very day the the 121. light tank company supported an assault of the 24th Lancer Rgt. at Kasina Wielka W, along with the 101st Reconnaissance Tank Company. It helped to repel the elements of the 4th Light Division and the 3rd Mountain Division. On that day, the Germans lost 3 tanks and 2 armoured cars. Polish forces stopped the enemy advance that day, losing two Vickers tanks and few tankettes (one tank stuck in creek, and its turret was later utilized as a monument at Kasina Wielka).

Sources: 1.09.1939. Westerplatte, Wieluń, Berlin. Część 2. http://www.kontrowersje.net/book/export/html/4080
Die 9. Panzer-Division. Carl Hans Hermann Dörfler.
KTB XXII AK (Mot)
http://www.odkrywca.pl
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... GJR138.htm
http://derela.republika.pl/vickers.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; more follows..............................

First actions of the 2. Pz Div. in Poland 1939. Advance towards Jordanow y Myslenice................

On September 01, 1939 the 2. Pz under General Veiel, attacked along the northern axis of the southern end of the front of the army group South, jumping out from its readiness area on the Polish border. at 04: 45 hours the PR 3 crossed the international border and then the advance continued by Spitkowice towards Jordanow and Myslenice....

Rolf Hertenstein, a veteran who was an Unteroffizier and the gunner in the Panzer IV of Leutnant Heinz Meyer (who was also the platoon leader) recalled: We started out south of Krakow and went east toward Lemberg [Lwow]. The Polish roads weren't as good as Germany's. They had fewer paved roads. Poland was more rural and agricultural than industrial at that time. I don't remember if we saw any action that first day.

Sources: http://www.historycy.org/index.php?showtopic=64989&st=45
Panzertruppen. Thomas L. Jentz.
Die Geschichte der 2.(Wiener) Panzer-Division.
Interview with Rolf Hertenstein: A World War II Panzerman in Poland and France.
KTB der XXII AK (Mot).

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; more follows..............................

First actions of the 2. Pz.Div. in Poland 1939. Advance towards Jordanow y Myslenice................

After the 2nd Armored Brigade had reached Spitkowice in rapid progress, the I. / PR 3 was attached to the Rifle Brigade which would attack the heights north of the town. The reconnaissance reported that the bridge on the route Spitkowice - Jordanow was destroyed and the stream was an anti-tank obstacle. The sappers facilitated the passage of the water course. The planned attack by the I. / PR 3 and two rifle companies against the heights was suspended for the coming of the night and the panic caused by one alleged enemy armored counterattack.

Sources: http://www.historycy.org/index.php?show ... 4989&st=45
Panzertruppen. Thomas L. Jentz.
Die Geschichte der 2.(Wiener) Panzer-Division.
Interview with Rolf Hertenstein: A World War II Panzerman in Poland and France.
KTB der XXII. AK (mot.).

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; more follows..............................

First actions of the 2. Pz.Div. in Poland 1939. Advance towards Jordanow y Myslenice................

On September 2, 1939 at 04:00 hour fast order for the attack. At 04:30 hours, in the middle of the morning mist, the I. / PR 3 advanced from Spitkowice to Wysoka with the 1. Company and part of the 3. Company right of the road, the bulk of the 3. Company Left of it and the 4. Company behind in the center, but with the main effort on the right side. The frontline companies charged against the Polish defenders, located in well-built field positions and with well-placed anti-tank weapons.

Rolf Hertenstein: I vividly remember our first duel with a Polish antitank gun on the first or second day of the campaign. It was pretty well camouflaged at the edge of a forest about 600 or 700 meters away. They fired at us but missed. It was now a question of who would hit the other first. I had seen the flash of their gunfire, so my second round hit them.

Panzer Regiment 3 was our sister regiment in the division, and they had heavy losses that day or the next. I believe on the second day of the war they fought against a Polish officers' school. Those Poles fought very hard.

Sources: http://www.historycy.org/index.php?show ... 4989&st=45
Panzertruppen. Thomas L. Jentz.
Die Geschichte der 2.(Wiener) Panzer-Division.
Interview with Rolf Hertenstein: A World War II Panzerman in Poland and France.
KTB der XXII. AK (mot.).

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; more follows..............................

First actions of the 2. Pz.Div. in Poland 1939. Advance towards Jordanow y Myslenice................

As the Poles defended within the village, the houses were burned. When the fog lifted came the expected artillery support, which gave a new impetus to the attack. At 09:00 hours the armored regiment Vogt (PR 4) attacked eastward of Wysoka and and impelled its companies forward. At 11:00 the of heights Wysoka and Kralowany were conquered by the riflemen and the tanks. In the afternoon the PR 3 adopted a perimetric defense in the vicinity of the village on fire.

While the story of the PR 4 specified that the regiment attacked at 08:00 hours. As it marched ahead began receiving fire from machine guns and antitank weapons from Wysoka. The II. / PR 4 was shifted to the right, up to the I. / PR 4 and then the objective was attacked on a broad front. While Point 365 was neutralized with well directed fire of the Pz Kw IV. The PR 4 managed to neutralize the hostile antitank defense and reached the heights at Wysoka without substantial losses. Polish Artillery fire was stopped by opening fire on Point 539 and destroying the house where were located the forward observer.

Sources: http://www.historycy.org/index.php?show ... 4989&st=45
Panzertruppen. Thomas L. Jentz.
Die Geschichte der 2.(Wiener) Panzer-Division.
Interview with Rolf Hertenstein: A World War II Panzerman in Poland and France.
KTB der XXII. AK (mot.).

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; more follows..............................

First actions of the 2. Pz.Div. in Poland 1939. Advance towards Jordanow y Myslenice................

While on September 2, 1939 the Kradsch. Btl. 2 commanded by Oberstleutnant Stollbrock, was deployed at Glinne Pass, securing the left flank of the 2. Pz which was attacking towards Jordanow; at the deplyment were attached the reconnaissance patrols of the AA 5.

In the night from 02 till 03 September, 1939 the position of the Kradsch. Btl 2 in Glinne was attacked by strong Polish troops (1-2 battalions) of the Border Protection Corps (KOP), but the assault was repulsed.

Sources: http://www.historycy.org/index.php?show ... 4989&st=45
Panzertruppen. Thomas L. Jentz.
Die Geschichte der 2.(Wiener) Panzer-Division.
Interview with Rolf Hertenstein: A World War II Panzerman in Poland and France.
KTB der XXII. AK (mot.).

Cheers. Raúl M .