The VIII AK through Upper Silesia 1939.

[tigre]

hello to all ; a new topic here..............................

The VIII AK in Upper Silesia.

At last, on Aug 31 1939 at 19:00 hours, the 2. Company of I./ IR 84 (Major d.R. Henrici) under Oberleutnant Fiedler left its garrisons at Keithkasernen heading towards the Schönwald through the Paul-Keller’s street; on either side of the march route were lined up several families from Gleiwitz.

The night from Aug 31 to Sep 01 1939 was clear and cool being the temperature some Celsius Grades over zero. We wore dark camouflages over ours uniforms. The Company was deployed on the ground as follows: 1. Platoon right, 2. Platoon left and 3. Platoon as reserve. To the Left was Oberleutnant Schlabitz’s 1. Company of I./ IR 84.

Sources: Das Verdammte gewissen. Leutnant Erich Mende.
VIII AK KTB - Sep 1939 (courtesy of Bill Russ).
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... er/IR7.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... r/IR38.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... r/IR84.htm
http://derela.republika.pl/grozny.htm#his
http://www.odkrywca.pl

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

hello to all ; the story follows..............................

The VIII AK in Upper Silesia.

The Operations Group Silesia (General Sadowski) – GO Slask - would be attacked by the VIII AK (General d Inf Ernst Busch) from the west by the 8 ID (Generalleutnant Koch) and the 28 ID (Generalleutnant v. Obstfelder) which reject the left wing of the 55 DP (Res) to Zora and the 23 DP to Tychy; from the south by the 5 Pz which introduced a wedge in the direction of Pszczyn/Pless.

At 04:45 hours the three divisions of the Army Corps (8 ID, 28 ID and 5 Pz) crossed the border of the Reich. The 28 ID advanced in the direction of Orzesze without finding resistance on the part of the enemy; the IR 7 (Oberst Wolf Boysen) crossed the border by Nieder-Wilcza.

The 8 ID hit some resistance after penetrating in Polish territory, particularly the I./IR 84 of Major d.R. Henrici encountered resistance in the border town of Knurow but after several fire blows of the machine guns the Poles left the locality and the Platoon of Leutnant Erich Mende reached coverless ground between Ornontowitz and Orzesche where it received artillery fire and underwent the first casaulty Schütze Mendla (KIA); IR 38 (Oberst Sczelinski) also crossed by Gleiwitz.

However both divisions had reached the highway Orzesze - Bujakow almost at the same time. In the wooded zone included between that route, Gostyn and laziska were positioned advance posts of the enemy which withdrew that same afternoon.

Around 17:00 hours, the 28 ID was in front of the Polish Main positions, obstacles of wire fences and forts half finished, the III. /IR 49 found serious resistance in the neighborhoods of Gostyn offered by the 2. Fortress Company (Maj Amon) . By dusk it could not carry out yet the order of the Commander of the Division to break through that defensive zone.

On September 01 of 1939, the Armored Train Nº 54 “Grozny” was patrolling the railway lines and had a skirmish with the German infantry of the 8th Inf. Div. In the evening it was assigned to support the Polish II/ 75 pp (23 DP). The train was attacked by German bombers - it got one close hit, but luckilly the bomb didn't explode.

Sources: Das Verdammte gewissen. Leutnant Erich Mende.
VIII AK KTB - Sep 1939 (courtesy of Bill Russ).
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... er/IR7.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... r/IR38.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... r/IR84.htm
http://derela.republika.pl/grozny.htm#his
http://www.odkrywca.pl

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

hello to all ; the story follows..............................

The VIII AK in Upper Silesia.

The 8 ID could take Laziska against great resistance from infantry with artillery support and brought forward the mass of its artillery, occupying firing positions in the neighborhood of Laziska - Orzesze. On the following day with strong support of the artillery provided by 27 batteries it would be launched the assault towards Wyry.

The Commander of the Army Corps had the impression that the rupture of the enemy defensive position would take place in the sector of the 28 ID and directed the reserve of the Army Corps, the IR 28, behind that division. At dusk came the order from the Army Corps stating the attack should be continued in its respective zones of action

In spite of the several offensive operations which would be carried out (the 28 ID in the wooded zone and the 8 ID in the fortified zone), the Army Corps did not set any zero hour. The 28 ID settled down its hour of the attack at 05:00 hours and the 8 ID did the same by 07:30 hours, although previously it had to fix the enemy deployed before Wyry in order to protect the north flank of the 28 ID.

Leutnant Erich Mende (2. /IR 84) stated that: finally at dusk the German shells whistled over our heads towards the Polish positions in Orzesche. That night we freezed miserably.

Sources: Das Verdammte gewissen. Leutnant Erich Mende.
VIII AK KTB - Sep 1939 (courtesy of Bill Russ).
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... er/IR7.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... r/IR38.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... r/IR84.htm
http://derela.republika.pl/grozny.htm#his
http://www.odkrywca.pl

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

hello to all ; the story follows..............................

The VIII AK in Upper Silesia.

The 5 Pz crossed the Polish border at 04:45 hours divided in three march groups; Marschgruppe A (Oberst Haarde), Marschgruppe B (Oberst Streich) and Marschgruppe AA 8 (Oberstleutnant Grolig).

The AA 8 and the Marschgruppe A both advanced without problems but the Marschgruppe B hit against strong resistance (I./75 pp - Maj Mazewski; Company ON Rybnik - Maj Kwiatkowski and 5. Batería of the II. /23 pal - kpt Stranz) in Rybnik; after hard fighting, the Polish forces were destroyed there.

At 11:45 hours the Marschgruppe A had conquered Warscowice whereas the Marschgruppe B seized Sohrau at 16:45 hours. When coming near to Pszczyną/Pless, some defensive positions due north and south of the locality were detected; here defended the 20 pp (plk Kazimierz Brozek) of the 6 DP (Gen. Bernard Mond). The 5 Pz was organized for the attack in the following way: Marschgruppe A (with three battalions of panzer, PR 31, 15 I./PR and SR 13) should break to the south of Pless while Marschgruppe B (SR 14 and II. /PR 15) should do it by the north of the locality

The Marschgruppe A hit in Brzezce against the III. /20 pp (Maj. Tytus Brzosko) which had been mobilized in July of 1939; the Polish battalion had to fell back towards Mizerow; the Marschgruppe B found fortifications, mines and obstacles in Branica. In the fights that ensued, Oberst Haarde was hurt and his Adjutant, Hauptmann v. Frankenberg und Proschlitz, was killed. The command of the Marschgruppe was assumed by Oberst Lübbe (SR 13) because Oberst Schuckelt (PR 31) who followed in seniority was not found. The III. /20 pp fell back by midnight towards Pszczyną/Pless.

Sources: Das Verdammte gewissen. Leutnant Erich Mende.
VIII AK KTB - Sep 1939 (courtesy of Bill Russ).
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... er/IR7.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... r/IR38.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... r/IR84.htm
http://derela.republika.pl/grozny.htm#his
http://www.odkrywca.pl

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

hello to all ; the story follows..............................

The VIII AK in Upper Silesia.

02 of September of 1939.

At dawn dense fog; according to an order of the Army Corps the 8 ID had to take advantage of artillery barrage and the fog in order to assault the Polish positions at 06:30 hours. Erich Mende remembered: the company received as axis of attack the heights in direction Nikolai-Tichau and had to reach the deposits of wastes (of the mining basin) in the neighborhood of Orzesche. In this very day the 2. /IR 84 lost its company chef, Oberleutnant Fiedler, hence Leutnant Erich Mende assumed as acting company leader.

The Commando of the Army Corps had considered that the 28 ID should move its last regiment (IR 7) towards Kobior in the South flank of the adversary and subordinate the Pi Btl 47 to it, but before the news of the rupture in Gostyn brought by the wounded Ib, Hauptmann I.G. Barchewitz, this order was changed and the IR 28 was engaged there instead. At dusk the Division had reached the edge of the wooded zone. The IR 7 had reached Chelm.

The attack of the 8 ID had been very little success in the first hours in that morning. Around noon, half of laziska had been conquered. However, finally the attack was halted completely. The Army Corps now moved all the artillery towards the sector of the 28 ID in the direction of Wyry.

Sources: Das Verdammte gewissen. Leutnant Erich Mende.
VIII AK KTB - Sep 1939 (courtesy of Bill Russ).
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... er/IR7.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... r/IR38.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... r/IR84.htm
http://derela.republika.pl/grozny.htm#his
http://www.odkrywca.pl

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; the story follows..............................

The VIII AK in Upper Silesia.

02 of September of 1939.

In order to protect the North flank of the 8 ID it was ordered the advance of the 239 ID by Gieraltowitz and Ornontowitz having as its objective the Height 340 due west of Wyry. This Division reached Bujakow around dusk, emplacing part of its artillery. At dusk the 8 ID, fighting against much resistance offered by groups of dispersed Poles, could penetrate the defensive positions of the opponent in Wyry. For next day it was foreseen the continuation of the rupture towards the Vístula River. The IR 28 returned to the sine of the 8 ID and in order to clear the wooded zone around Kobior was engaged there the SS –Standarte Germania.

In the second day of the war, the armored train covered the Polish infantry near the city of Tychy (South of Katowice) and supported the attack of the III/75 pp (23 DP). The Polish infantry attacked towards the south, throughout the railway line. Although the enemy had positions in the forest, the train moved with the forward edge of the attack, causing great losses to the III IR 48 (28 ID). After the Poles had forced the Germans to withdraw from the forest, the train was used to evacuate all the wounded to Tychy.

In the evening it returned to the action. The attempt with the assault Platoon failed due to the machine-gun and mortar fire of the enemy. The train delayed the enemy until afternoon, in spite of several artillery strikes and from the air raids. Unfortunately, in the final part of the combat, Kpt. Rybczyński was dead in a light tank, while he carried out a reconnaissance. The commando was assumed by Kpt. Józef Kulesza and the train was displaced to the small city of Mysłowice (Myslowitz), according to the orders of the Commander of the Army.

Sources: Das Verdammte gewissen. Leutnant Erich Mende.
VIII AK KTB - Sep 1939 (courtesy of Bill Russ).
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... er/IR7.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... r/IR38.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... r/IR84.htm
http://derela.republika.pl/grozny.htm#his
http://www.odkrywca.pl

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; errata.....................

The Marschgruppe A hit in Brzezce against the III. /20 pp (Maj. Tytus Brzosko) which had been mobilized in July of 1939; the Polish battalion had to fell back towards Mizerow

It was Marschgruppe A which withdrew towards Mizerow after being couterattacked by polish forces..

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; the story follows..............................

The VIII AK in Upper Silesia.

02 of September of 1939.

The 5 Pz.

At 05:00 hours the Marschgruppe B attacked and shortly afterwards it broke due south of Branica and by dusk it had reached the fortifications in front of Stara Wies but the II. /20 pp (Kpt. Waclaw Nowacki) retained the positions until the nightfall. In the evening the SR 14 was directed towards Jankowice. SS-Standard “Germania” received from the Army Corps the task of raking Pless.

Oberst Schuckelt (he assumed the control in the meantime) began the attack with the Marschgruppe A at 10:00 hours and by 11:15 hours Laska had been taken. The armored attack hit against much resistance within the fortified positions but the 7. (por. Stanislaw Kosmala) and the 8. Companies (ppor. Jan Daniec), of the III. /20 pp soon were swept; the 9. Company (por. Roman Scholl) looked for refuge in the adjacent wooded zone the Vístula and it stayed there until the night. The I./ 20 pp (Maj. Ludwik Balos) was maintained in reserve without connection and without knowledge about the situation. At dusk the PR 15 was in Jankowice. At 19:00 hours the Group Lübbe had reached Gora, where it found the bridge blown up; at dusk the II. /SR 13 was in Miedzyrzecze.

The Commander of the Army “Krakow” (General Szylling) knew about the loss of Czestochowa and the retreat of the 7 DP towards Janow; at noon he arranged the withdrawal towards the line Zawierce - Zabkowice - Przemsza - Sola and put at the disposal of General Sadowski the 22 DP in Zawierce. Later he took contact with the High Command and asked for a withdrawal on the line Nida - Dunajec. Marshal Rydz-Smigly was against it at the outset but by midnight he had authorized the movement. With the fall of the night the 20 pp began to fall back behind the Vístula and later it continued towards Krakow his home garrison.

Sources: Das Verdammte gewissen. Leutnant Erich Mende.
VIII AK KTB - Sep 1939 (courtesy of Bill Russ).
La Campaña de Polonia - Septiembre de 1939. Robert Jars.
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... er/IR7.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... r/IR38.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... r/IR84.htm
http://derela.republika.pl/grozny.htm#his
http://www.odkrywca.pl
http://1939.armiam.com/20pp.html

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; the story follows..............................

The VIII AK in Upper Silesia.

03 of September of 1939.

At 06:00 hours the bridge on the Vístula River at Gora had been finished. The Marschgruppe Lübbe continued its advance towards Brockowice (North of Oswiecin/Auschwitz). The objective was reached at dusk; the highway bridge was destroyed but Leutnant Zeman could establish a bridgehead crossing the river by the railroad bridge . At 19:00 hours a Polish counterattack compelled the Germans to withdraw back to the other side of the river but one hour later with the support of the I. /AR 116 another bridgehead was conquered again. The Marschgruppe Streich (PR 15, SR 14 and the II. /AR 116) reached by mid afternoon the Przemsza in Chelmek but the bridge had been already blown. By radio were received the news about the declaration of war of France and England.

The 28 ID fought due west of Chelmsk with enemy rear guards which retained the Eastern margin of the Przemsza. The 8 ID continued the advance by Tychy towards Jelen with its advanced parts in Holdunow without appreciable resistance on the part of the enemy. Nevertheless in this very day the 2. /IR 84 lost again its leader since Leutnant Mende was wounded and subsequently replaced by Oberleutnant Schroeker (fallen on September 17 of 1939) by this reason it began to be watched like a bad luck company.

The Grz. Abschn. Kdo 3 began with the occupation of the industrial area of the High Silesia. Around dusk it had been reached the line Neudeck - Koslowa Gora - Deutsch Pieckar - Scharley - Birkenhain - Königshütte - Schwientochlowitz - Kochlowitz - Halemba.

On September 03 of 1939, the Armored Train Nº 54 was used again in a brief action towards Tychy, shoting on the German units which advanced, and soon it withdrew in order to protect Polish positions in the sector of the Przemsza River.

In this day the Army “Krakow” was in full retreat but the Army Corps Sadowski withdrew without being pressed by the Germans. Finally at 15:00 hours General Szylling issued the order of withdrawal towards the Nida - Dunajec when the communications with the High Command already were difficult.

Sources: Das Verdammte gewissen. Leutnant Erich Mende.
VIII AK KTB - Sep 1939 (courtesy of Bill Russ).
La Campaña de Polonia - Septiembre de 1939. Robert Jars.
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... er/IR7.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... r/IR38.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... r/IR84.htm
http://derela.republika.pl/grozny.htm#his
http://www.odkrywca.pl
http://1939.armiam.com/20pp.html

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; the story follows..............................

The VIII AK in Upper Silesia.

04 of September of 1939.

During the night from 03 to 04 of September of 1939 the Commando of the 5 Pz avoided the rupture of two Polish battalions due south of Auschwitz; near 1000 men were taken as prisoners. The Division reached the Przemsza and assured to the east of the railway line Oklesna - Nieporaz. At 04:15 hours hostile elements equivalent to one regiment in strength which tried to break eastwards, attacked the Divisional CP; Hauptmann v. d. Groeben (O1) and Hauptmann Mössl organized the resistance with personnel of the Divisional Commando, parts of the NA 77, Pz Abw Abt 53, I./Flak Rgt 38; HQ of AR 116. Later parts of the PR 31 and the AA 8 joined to the fight. The combats lasted till 10:30 hours ending with the defeat of the enemy. Among the casualties were Hptm v. d. Groeben, Hptm Mössl, Lt Rupp and Lt d.R. Hergesell of the NA 77. At 06:00 hours it had been finalized the bridge in Brockowice and at 09:00 hours in Chelmek. The columns continued the march towards Krakow.

Column Lübbe (SR 13, II. /PR 31 and I./AR 116).

Column Degener (SR 14, I./ PR 31 and II. /AR 116)

The PR 15 like reserve.

At dusk had been reached the line Alwernia (Lübbe) - Plaza (AA 8 ) - Pollecin (Degener). The 28 ID followed the 5 Pz in the direction of Chrzanow. The 8 ID which crossed the Przemsza by Jelen and Brzezinka, entered into combat with hostile forces between Chrzanow and Trzebinia due east of Jaworzno.

On September 04 of 1939, the armored train Nº 54 protected the right flank of the GO "Jagmin" (previous GO "Slask") while it was retreating. In the evening the train was under artillery fire. The platform underwent impacts and the commander was slightly wounded. At dusk it went towards Krakow.

Sources: Das Verdammte gewissen. Leutnant Erich Mende.
VIII AK KTB - Sep 1939 (courtesy of Bill Russ).
La Campaña de Polonia - Septiembre de 1939. Robert Jars.
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... er/IR7.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... r/IR38.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... r/IR84.htm
http://derela.republika.pl/grozny.htm#his
http://www.odkrywca.pl
http://1939.armiam.com/20pp.html

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; the story follows..............................

The VIII AK in Upper Silesia.

04 of September of 1939.

The Grz. Absch. Kdo 3 continued with the occupation of the High Silesia. Before the advance of the Army Corps towards Krakow, the Grz Abschn. Kdo would pass under control of the Army and the 239 ID would follow the Army Corps.

The 239 ID occupied Katowice.

At 08:00 hours advanced the IR 444 (the Commander of the 239 ID, Generalmajor Ferdinad Neuling, marched there) and reached a point located to about 3 kilometers of the South edge of the city (Katowice). Shortly afterwards a dispatch raider arrived informing that the forward detachment Höcker (AA 239?), was fighting against hostile elements in the sector of the parachute tower. The IR 444 Keep moving and after half an hour, the Metz battalion had arrived at Level 334 (1 kilometer due south of Katowice). Here Generalmajor Neuling found the personnel of the Grenzschutz-Abschnitt-Kommando 3 (Generalleutnant George Brandt) composed by the Grenzschutz Reg 56 and 68.


The parachute tower.

The IR 444 was engaged in the fight against the parachute tower and according to Generalmajor Neuling it was fired upon with an anti-tank gun pak 36, falling the elevator of the tower after which the enemy no longer responded the fire (end of the myth of scouts?). From 11:00 hours onwards the resistance in the suburbs of Katowice (South Park) was broken and by 11:40 hours the 239 ID entered the city. Already was found some resistance in the city but it was overwhelmed and Generalmajor Neuling himself moved with his automobile by the streets being warmly saluted by the population. On the other hand the Grenzschutz Rgt 68 entered by the north connecting with the 239 ID in the center of the city. The end of another myth.


A machine gun squad in the city.


The inhabitants warmly welcomed the soldiers.

Sources: Das Verdammte gewissen. Leutnant Erich Mende.
VIII AK KTB - Sep 1939 (courtesy of Bill Russ).
La Campaña de Polonia - Septiembre de 1939. Robert Jars.
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... er/IR7.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... r/IR38.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... r/IR84.htm
http://derela.republika.pl/grozny.htm#his
http://www.odkrywca.pl
http://1939.armiam.com/20pp.html
http://www.historycy.org/index.php?showtopic=57879
http://januspablo.blox.pl/2007/09/1939- ... icach.html

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; the story follows..............................

The VIII AK in Upper Silesia.

05 of September of 1939.

The infantry divisions reached their objectives after an strenous march by dusty routes and much heat. The enemy fell back in disorder in the majority of the cases. The reconnaissance detachments of the infantry still determined at dusk the occupation of the lines of defense in front of Krakow. Harassment fire unleashed from positions located behind the fortifications.


A reconnaissance element on the move - in the foreground, one panzerspähwagen Sd Kfz 221.

According to orders received from the 14 AOK the 5 Pz had to press from Krakow in the south direction.

At 05:00 hours the Column Degener left Pollecin with the AA 8 as its vanguard by Krzesowice - Raclawice - Przegina - Skala to Slomniki.

At 05:15 hours the Column Lübbe left Alwernia by Zalas - Rudawa - Beblo to Slomniki.

At dusk still were registered combats with the enemy rearguards in Beblo (Lübbe), Skala (AA 8 ) and Przegina (Degener).



Sources: Das Verdammte gewissen. Leutnant Erich Mende.
VIII AK KTB - Sep 1939 (courtesy of Bill Russ).
La Campaña de Polonia - Septiembre de 1939. Robert Jars.
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... er/IR7.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... r/IR38.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... r/IR84.htm
http://derela.republika.pl/grozny.htm#his
http://www.odkrywca.pl
http://1939.armiam.com/20pp.html
http://www.historycy.org/index.php?showtopic=57879
http://januspablo.blox.pl/2007/09/1939- ... icach.html

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; the story follows..............................

The VIII AK in Upper Silesia.

06 of September of 1939.

In the night of the 05 to 06 of September of 1939, the Polish defenders left Krakow. The 28 ID with parts of the XVII AK entered and took the city.

In front of the 8 ID were not signs of enemy resistance.

The divisions reached the following objectives:

28 ID Pleszow.
8 ID Kantorowica - Zastow.
5 Pz after the fights between Pless and Auschwitz had carried out a technician halt in order to execute some repairs.

The armor division received the order issued by the 14 AOK of advancing towards the bridges of the Vístula River in Szczucin. The 5 Pz initiated the march at dusk.

Sources: Das Verdammte gewissen. Leutnant Erich Mende.
VIII AK KTB - Sep 1939 (courtesy of Bill Russ).
La Campaña de Polonia - Septiembre de 1939. Robert Jars.
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... er/IR7.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... r/IR38.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... r/IR84.htm
http://derela.republika.pl/grozny.htm#his
http://www.odkrywca.pl
http://1939.armiam.com/20pp.html
http://www.historycy.org/index.php?showtopic=57879
http://januspablo.blox.pl/2007/09/1939- ... icach.html

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; last part..............................

The VIII AK in Upper Silesia.

07 of September of 1939.

Early in the morning the right Column of the 5 Pz and the vanguard under of the Oberstleutnant Wassmuth’s orders, knocked against strong contingents of the Polish 23 DP in Proszowice. After hard fight the Germans managed to break the resistance with heavy losses for the enemy. Throughout the day both columns of the panzer division found Polish resistance between Nidzice and the Nida in Wlk. Kazimierza and Skalbmierz.

The Army Corps received the order issued by the 14 AOK stating that the 5 Pz had not to continue on Szczucin but towards the crossings of the Vístula River in Sandomierz and Annopol. This directive reached the 5 Pz while it was fighting in Nidzice carried by the CoS of the VIII AK.

By dusk the Corps Commander ordered to the 5 Pz to cover on Pincow - Chmielnik towards Staszow. Both infantry divisions (8 ID and 28 ID) received the order to advance towards the Nida.

On September 07 of 1939 the Armored Train Nº 54 moved due east towards Tarnow when apparently the bridge on the Dunajec River was blown up and when the Poles met Germans elements, Kpt Kulesza ordered to destroy and to abandon the train.

Sources: Das Verdammte gewissen. Leutnant Erich Mende.
VIII AK KTB - Sep 1939 (courtesy of Bill Russ).
La Campaña de Polonia - Septiembre de 1939. Robert Jars.
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... er/IR7.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... r/IR38.htm
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... r/IR84.htm
http://derela.republika.pl/grozny.htm#his
http://www.odkrywca.pl
http://1939.armiam.com/20pp.html
http://www.historycy.org/index.php?showtopic=57879
http://januspablo.blox.pl/2007/09/1939- ... icach.html

It's all folks. Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all , here goes a map of the actions on 7 Sept 1939...................

Source: History of the 5 Pz by Anton Detlev v. Plato.

Cheers. Raúl M .