Pioniers im Kampf 1939 - 1940

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

Construction of a bridge over the Bzura
Gefreiter Nickel 3./Pi.Btl. 19.

After crossing the Bzura, the division turned northeast and pushed towards the Vistula's bulge, helping to secure the inner ring of the encirclement. Therefore between Łowicz and Sochaczew there was hardly any German unit. Polish forces had been detected in Łowicz, so a surprise movement should be expected from that direction. The company of sappers, without reinforcements of infantry should assure the wing of the division. Therefore reconnaissance patrols were sent along the route Łowicz - Sochaczew and the company proceeded with its tasks, having the weapons on hand in order to react quickly to any threat.

On September 18, 1939 at 05:00 hours while the 1. Platoon finished to reinforce the central trestle of the bridge, crossed a medical column, and meanwhile the 2. and 3. Platoons loaded the material and equipment.

Source: : Pioniere im Kampf, Oberstleutnant Liere, Berlin 1942, Hptm. Hainrich
http://www.pionier39.pl/pioniere_dzialania.html

Cheers. Raúl M .

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

Construction of a bridge over the Bzura
Gefreiter Nickel 3./Pi.Btl. 19.

On the afternoon of September 18, 1939, the company headed by Sochaczew towards the assembly area at Ruszki, acting as a reserve of one infantry regiment. After a short rest it was ordered to take action against Marysin. During the journey was necessary to remove various obstacles and perform detours on the destroyed sections in the road. The rifle companies reached the southwestern edge of Marysin. It was expected an enemy attempt to break on the left wing of the infantry regiment. The company of sappers quickly rejected the Polish planned attack on the wing of the regiment. The artillery fired all night over the German positions.

On September 19, 1939 at 06:00 intensified the artillery barrages. Now attacked the Infantry Regiment, the 3. Company marched towards Stefanow farm. There at 16:00 hours it was received the news of the unconditional surrender of the Polish forces in the bulge of the Vistula, the battle of the Bzura was over.

Source: : Pioniere im Kampf, Oberstleutnant Liere, Berlin 1942, Hptm. Hainrich
http://www.pionier39.pl/pioniere_dzialania.html

It's all folks. Cheers. Raúl M .

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Hello to all ; something more............................

OoB of the Sappers' Battalion (Divisional level).

PM=Staff; Comp=Coy; Sección=Platoon; a pie=on foot; motorizada=motorized; Pelotón=squad; Parque Ligero=light train; Tren de puentes=Bridges' train.

Source: Los Ingenieros en la guerra relámpago. Revista del Ejército de Tierra Español Nº 27 Abril de 1942.

Cheers. Raúl M .

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Hello to all ; a new story here.................

The Pi Btl 655 in the Operation Kleine Bär .

The battalion was created on January 25, 1940 in Pirna , Military District IV. It was organized as a battalion of army troops with three companies, taking for it the 15. Companies of the IR 304 and 394 as well as the 1. Company of Pi Btl 209 of the 209 Infantry Division.

On May 15, 1940 was carried out the battalion`s enrollment in 24 hours. On May 23, 1940 took place the inspection of the Inspector of Engineers, General Hopff. On June 1, 1940 came the marching order for June 3, 1940, also it was ordered to carry two bridge columns. On June 2, 1940 continued the preparations for the march and the assembly of the battalion. On June 3, 1940 the battalion departed from the station of Pirna on four trains. The journey passed through Dresden, Chemnitz and Saalfeld to Gera.

On June 5, 1940 it was established on the CP and on June 6, 1940 together with the Pi Btl 658 and Pi Btl 660 a bridge over the Rhine, with material M36, was built about 2 km south of Hackenheim, the task was in charge of the Commander of the Pi Btl 655.

Source: http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... t655-R.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

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

[tigre]

Hello to all ; a new story here.................

The Pi Btl 655 in the Operation Kleine Bär.

On June 7, 1940 the Pi Btl 655 was ordered to prepare a second operation of bridges over the Rhine, to that effect were loaded for transport three bridges columns of material M36. On June 8, 1940 Three other bridge columns of material M36 were loaded. On June 9, 1940 the battalion was prepared to march.

On June 10, 1940 began the march. The HQ marched overland by Mannheim, Karlsruhe and Freudenstadt towards Freiburg im Breisgau. The companies and the light engineers column, were transported by rail to there. The HQ and the light column was established at Lielienhof, besides Bickensohl am Kaiserstuhl.

Source: http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... t655-R.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 ; a new story here.................

The Pi Btl 655 in the Operation Kleine Bär.

In support of the 239. ID for postage Rin .....................

On June 11, 1940 the Pi Btl 655 was attached to the IR 327 of the 239. ID, this regiment was to cross the Rhine in the sector Baltzenheim - Kunheim under Operation "Kleine Bär ". For the impending assault the 1. / Pi Btl 655 reinforced the 10. / IR 327 and the 2. / Pi Btl 655 to the 9. / IR 327 , while the 3. / Pi Btl 655 would follows behind both assault companies. The IR 327 would attack with three battalions deployed in depth, with the III. Battalion leading the crossing. As a first target of the attack was set the wooded area east of the Rhine-Rhone Canal, the second was the canal itself and the third the edge of the forest east of Durrenentsen. When reached the ultimate goal would cease the aggregation of the Pi Btl 655 to the 239. ID.

On June 12, 1940 the day was used to conduct surveys of the sector assigned for the crossing. The site was wooded and therefore suitable for the pre- deployment of assault boats, rafts and other equipment. The opening of the paths in the own obstacles will be carried out at the last moment due to the proximity of the enemy, no more than 200 meters.

Finally on June 14, 1940 at 12:00 hours came the order to occupy the readiness areas since 22:00 hours.

Source: http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... t655-R.htm
ORIG Fotoalbum 112 Fotos Balkaneinsatz 1941 Panzer Bunker Sturmgeschütz. eBay Auction. (11. Feb. 201219:37:34 MEZ).

Cheers. Raúl M .

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

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

The Pi Btl 655 in the Operation Kleine Bär.

In support of the 239. ID for the crossing of the Rhin.....................

The attack was planned for June 15, 1940 at 10:00 hours, this decision was based on a detailed survey of the activities of the French troops who maintained a high level of alert at night and reduced it during the day.

For the future action were prepared small flamethrower and 23 assault boats were transported to the readiness area, two boats were shifted for a special action in Badenweiler. At 17:00 hours came the report that the IR 327 was moving toward its readiness area and the engineer battalion should move forward also. The advanced parties of the Pi Btl 655 moved forward at 19:30 hours and reached the assigned position at 22:00 hours.

At dawn on June 15, 1940 were opened the paths through the Germans own obstacles and the boats and rafts were moved to the crossing points, in places that the sappers could not perform this task due to the proximity of the enemy, were established alleys with explosives for an expedited opening. During the assault the sappers will focus on the casemates and the infantry in the intermediate positions. For the attack against each bunker a Platoon with three assault boats was foreseen, for the intermediate positions, 2-3 assault boats.

Source: http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... t655-R.htm
ORIG Fotoalbum 112 Fotos Balkaneinsatz 1941 Panzer Bunker Sturmgeschütz. eBay Auction. (11. Feb. 201219:37:34 MEZ).

Cheers. Raúl M .

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

The Pi Btl 655 in the Operation Kleine Bär.

In support of the 239. ID for the crossing of the Rhin..............

Offensive - Jun 15, 1940 .

After the assault troops had spent a wet and uncomfortable night within their readiness area, at 10:00 hours on June 15, 1940 the artillery unleashed its preparation fire. At 10:10 hours the artillery fire was displaced and the assault boats were brought to the shore, the crossing point was about 80-100 meters upstream to counter the water flow. At 10:18 hours the boats were in the water while the guns kept its fire support in order to neutralize the bunkers, in less than a minute the assault waves were on the other side without the defenders could unleash a massive fire of protection. However the attackers suffered casualties due to the fire of sharpshooters and infantry shooting from their field positions. After the crossing only 17 boats were serviceable, several of them had had mechanical failures, but two had been sunk.

A fraction of assault sappers, which should be attached to the battalion for the attack against the strongpoint at Kunheim, came too late. The bunkers on the Rhine were destroyed by the fire of antiaircraft and antitank weapons, the rest was easily defeated by coordinated assaults of infantry and sappers.

Source: http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... t655-R.htm
ORIG Fotoalbum 112 Fotos Balkaneinsatz 1941 Panzer Bunker Sturmgeschütz. eBay Auction. (11. Feb. 201219:37:34 MEZ).

Cheers. Raúl M .

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

The Pi Btl 655 in the Operation Kleine Bär.

In support of the 239. ID for the crossing of the Rhine..............

Around 12:00 hours the first objective was achieved. The Biesheimer Rhine was achieved all along the sector. The crossing of this branch of the river of about 20 meters wide was harder than expected since the reconnaissance showed that the stream was too deep to be forded and with swampy banks for the use of assault boats. Subsequent reconnaissances discovered a ford north of Balzenheim and the II. / IR 444 crossed the Biesheimer Rhine there and around 20:00 hours managed to establish a bridgehead at that place. Despite an air attack carried out by Stukas against the main line of resistance in the Rhine-Rhone Canal and Kunheim at dusk, the attack could not be continued that day. The I. / IR 444 attacked three times towards Baltzenheim and was always rejected. At 22:00 hour an antitank alarm was raised but it proved be false. About 45 prisoners were taken.

While the Pi Btl 658, reinforced with the 5. / IR 327 and two Platoons of the IR 622 crossed the Rhine in the sector between Biesheim and Kunheim; the attached infantry conquered the forts 195, 196a and 196b and established a bridgehead therefore the engineers began with the laying of the bridge. This was the first bridge built in the area of ​​the 7. AOK and it was finalized on June 15, 1940 in the afternoon.

Sources: http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... t655-R.htm
ORIG Fotoalbum 112 Fotos Balkaneinsatz 1941 Panzer Bunker Sturmgeschütz. eBay Auction. (11. Feb. 201219:37:34 MEZ).
“Ingenieros en Combate”. Brig Grl Paul W. THOMPSON. Círculo Militar. Buenos Aires.

Cheers. Raúl M .

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The Pi Btl 655 in the Operation Kleine Bär.

In support of the 239. ID for the crossing of the Rhine..............

On June 16, 1940 the II. / IR 444 detached several patrols towards the canal, the parties reported that there were many obstacles in the region, mostly barbed wire and the French had retreated from the forts in order to take positions behind the barbed wire along the main line of resistance on the edge of the canal. At 10:20 hours was received from the regiment a warning order specifying an attack with dive bombers at 11:00 hours. After the last bombing attack the division would advance to the Rhine - Rhone Canal.

At 11:00 hours came the attack against the second goal, it was preceded by an aerial bombardment with Stukas which lasted about 15 minutes. At 11:30 hours the Commander of the Pi Btl 655 arrived at Rhine - Rhone Canal and shortly afterwards the first assault boat was thrown into the water; the crossing did not become in attack though, as the own artillery caused heavy casualties among the attackers' ranks. From 12:30 hours onwards the infantry crossed in quick succession with small dinghies and from 15:30 hours was built a gateway with rubber boats and then a pontoon bridge of 12 tons was built.

Sources: http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... t655-R.htm
ORIG Fotoalbum 112 Fotos Balkaneinsatz 1941 Panzer Bunker Sturmgeschütz. eBay Auction. (11. Feb. 201219:37:34 MEZ).
“Ingenieros en Combate”. Brig Grl Paul W. THOMPSON. Círculo Militar. Buenos Aires.

Cheers. Raúl M .

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

The Pi Btl 655 in the Operation Kleine Bär.

In support of the 239. ID for the crossing of the Rhine..............

At 15:30 hours Oberst Mack, the senior sappers officer of the Höheren Kdo XXXIII, thanked the Pi Btl 655 on behalf of the Commanding General. At dusk the Pi Btl 655 established its bivouac in the area where the bridge over the Rhine-Rhône Canal was built.

The French Resistance was apparently finished off and during the afternoon on June 17, 1940 the II / IR 444 was assembled on the road and marched along the Rhine valley towards Belfort; the marching order was as follows: 7. Company, 6. Company and then the 5. Company. Meanwhile the Pi Btl 655 marched to Durrenentzen, the Platoon of the light engineers column of the Pi Btl 239 rejoined its parent unit.

On June 18, 1940 the Pi Btl 655 marched from Durrenentzen by Widensolen, Sunthoffen and Heilig-Kreuz towards Rouffach where the base cantonment was established. On 19 June 1940 the battalion was informed that it should monitor the passes of the Vosges in Gebweiler, Thann and Sennheim. The 2. Company deployed in the sector Gebweiler, Jungholtz, Soultz; the 1 . Company in Uffholtz, Steinbach, Sennheim and the 3. Company in Bitschweiler, Thann und Altthann. For this task the battalion joined the Sperrkolonne ( mot. ) 577. Although because of the delay in crossing the river Ill, the battalion was not utilized in this column.

Sources: http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... t655-R.htm
ORIG Fotoalbum 112 Fotos Balkaneinsatz 1941 Panzer Bunker Sturmgeschütz. eBay Auction. (11. Feb. 201219:37:34 MEZ).
“Ingenieros en Combate”. Brig Grl Paul W. THOMPSON. Círculo Militar. Buenos Aires.

Cheers. Raúl M .

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The Pi Btl 655 in the Operation Kleine Bär.

In support of the 213. ID during advance in the Vosges .......................

On June 20, 1940 the Pi Btl 655 was attached to the 213. ID and continued the attack into the Vosges, being engaged in the area Gebweiler - Bitschweiler with the task of supporting the breaking of enemy defensive positions. The goal was the western edge of the Vosges. The battalion attached a company to the IR 406 and two companies to IR 318, and was given the task of supporting the infantry attack.

Both regiments marched to the attack at 15:30 hours and the resistance was soon broken. The 2. / Pi Btl 655 attached to IR 406, in turn supported each infantry battalion with a Platoon of sappers. At 22:00 hours was reached the line Wintzfelden - Lautenbach. The obstacles were removed from the routes by the German sappers, who also repaired a 16 tons bridge damaged in Buhl. The 1. / Pi Btl 655 supported the III. / IR 318 and the 3. / Pi Btl 655 supported the other two battalions of the regiment. The 1. Company removed several obstacles on the path to Hartmannsweilerkopf.

Source: http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... t655-R.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

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

The Pi Btl 655 in the Operation Kleine Bär.

In support of the 213. ID during advance in the Vosges .......................

At 22:45 hours the flag was hoisted on the Hartmannsweilerkopf. While clearing the ground, the German captured 22 prisoners. Half of the 3rd Company, attacking with the II. / IR 318, removed half of obstacles. The other half of the 3rd Company built a passage for heavy trucks on railroad tracks in Weiler. The bridge at Weiler was so well demolished that there was nothing left of it. The most advanced parts of the IR 318 reached the line Hartmannsweilerkopf - Ranspach-West - Nitzach-Nord around 22:00 hours. The battalions spent the night in that positions.

On June 21, 1940 the enemy withdrew across the front of the division and at 09:00 hours was reached the line Linthal - Höfen - crossroads 1 km south of Jungfraukopf - Oderen - Ranspach - Urbes - Kunbach East of Mollau. Several prisoners were taken and particularly in the field of the IR 318 were captured equipment and weaponry. The 213. ID received the task of pressing from the line St. Amarin - Urbes towards Bussang and destroy the enemy located between Fellering and Bussang. At the same time the route to Col du Ventron, along the stretch between Gebweiler and Uffholtz, should be cleared of enemies.

Source: http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... t655-R.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

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The Pi Btl 655 in the Operation Kleine Bär.

In support of the 213. ID during advance in the Vosges .......................

At 11:00 hours Fellering and Mollau were firmly secured in German hands. The capture of the road tunnel located about 3.5 km from Bussang could not be performed due to defensive fire. During the night the HQ was established in Banspach , the 1. Company at Oderen, the 2. Company bivouacked towards Markstein, the 3. Company in Urbes and the light Column in Moosch.

On the morning of June 22, 1940 the IR 406, reinforced with the 2./ Pi Btl 655, marched by the route Kruth – Ventron, seeking to connect with an armored division advancing from the west. The sappers were tasked in order to remove a blockage in the path about 6-7 kms west of Kruth and release the road for the advance of the Regiment's vehicles. The 3./ Pi Btl 655 subordinate to the III./ IR 318 was tasked to capture, intact if possible, the tunnel on the route of advance of the battalion. It was planned to capture the tunnel from the south slope after an artillery preparation by a battery of 150 mm. The attack was set for 05:00 hours; at 06:10 hours the Eastern entrance was in German hands and by 06:20 hours the western access was conquered also. At 06:40 hours all obstacles had been removed.

Source: http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... t655-R.htm

Cheers. Raúl M .

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

The Pi Btl 655 in the Operation Kleine Bär.

In support of the 213. ID during advance in the Vosges .......................

An attack on Bussang was difficult to implement because of the fierce resistance. Therefore parts of the III. / IR 318 were used for raking the mountainous areas. The rest of the regiment, reinforced with the 3. / Pi Btl 655, was to attack Bussang; it was decided to use engineers troops with flamethrowers and demolition charges. The use of explosive charges demoralized in such a way the enemy that between 19:00 hours and 20:30 hours Bussang was conquered after fighting house by house. Then eight others barriers were eliminated, including two heavy. At 20:30 hours was detached a mixed squad of engineers and infantry towards St. Maurice. At 22:30 hours the news of the armistice with France were received.

The Battalion Command Post was shifted to Ranspach while the 1. Company was in Oderen, the 2. Company in Kruth, the 3. Company in Bussang and the Light Column in Moosch. On June 23, 1940 at 11:30 hours ceased the subordination to 213. ID. The fighting in the Vosges had successfully completed.

Source: http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... t655-R.htm

It's all folks. Cheers. Raúl M .