Prinz Eugen supports Panzervervand Strachwitz II at Tukkum

German campaigns and battles 1919-1945.

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Charlie645
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Re: Prinz Eugen supports Panzervervand Strachwitz II at Tukkum

Post by Charlie645 »

Hi Blechtrommel,

Yes, Panzerverband Strachwitz was part of the same large German counteroffensive that included the 7th Panzer Division in August 1944. But the 7th Panzer aimed at Shaulyai in the middle of the Soviet salient that had cut off German Army Group North, while Strachwitz struck at the very norther tip at the Baltic coast around Tukum. Panzerverband Strachwitz consisted of elements of Panzer Brigade 101 and SS Panzer Brigade Gross, though there is much uncertaintly about the details. Follow the threads for both of those units here for some more information about the order of battle. With the help of naval gunfire, Strachwitz successful captured Tukum and broke through to Army Group North, opening a narrow corridor. Gunther Fraschka describes this operation in his biography of Strachwitz, but his account has many things that cannot be verified. German General Erhard Raus briefly describes this operation in the English language book "Panzer Operations" edited by Steven H. Newton.

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Michate
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Re: Prinz Eugen supports Panzervervand Strachwitz II at Tukkum

Post by Michate »

This was operation "Doppelkopf", named after a popular card play.

Gerd Niepold has written a good book about that operation (in German).
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Die Blechtrommel
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Re: Prinz Eugen supports Panzervervand Strachwitz II at Tukkum

Post by Die Blechtrommel »

Thanks, Guys!
J-P :[]
“Die Blechtrommel trommelt noch !!“
HB Wade
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Re: Prinz Eugen supports Panzervervand Strachwitz II at Tukkum

Post by HB Wade »

The inclusion of the Second Baltic Task Force to provide support for Graf von Strachwitz's assault August 19/20 was made during the initial planning in German General Staff meeting and was initiated by Adolf Hitler 27 July during the Auftragstatik planning. A embedded naval artillery observer was included in the KG von Strachwitz force which communicated from a direct LOS position to the Prinz Eugen. (p 43)

Graf von Strachwitz was responsible for the planning of the northern most assault which hit Tukum on the morning of 20 August. His Befehstatik planning was perhaps the best example of tactical operation methodology as based upon Frederick the Great's practical theory last seen at the Battle of Leuthen 1757. (p.43)

The task force under the command of Admiral Thiele sortied at midnight of 18/19 August and entered the Riga Meer Bussen just after midnight 19/20 August . Contact was initiated by Panzer verband von Strachwitz immediately after reaching its position at 0704 and coordinates in grid 119 communicated to the bridge of the Prinz Eugen which were based upon sighting a tank formation at the bahnhof yard. (p61) As the morning ground fog burned off Prinz Eugen Arado 196 floatplanes provided the majority of additional observations, over the remainder of the five hour bombardment.

Kemmern was also later targeted by T-33 and T-38, which earlier had been assigned foreshore firing positions for effect, of which was so succesful that the Soviet coastal positions were all abandoned with KG Kleffel later taking possession of ten T-34's and numerous artillery pieces and heavy machine guns. (p62) The Red Army units had fled in teror when the firing opened up.

Some previously published texts state that the Naval action was coincidence however it was all planned precisely and perfectly executed, showing outstanding tactical flair and daring which was clearly lacking in the three other Doppelkopf operations.


Notes from "Survivors of the Kurland Pocket 1944-1945." American Military University 2015
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