Moscow's western approaches - 1941.

[tigre]

Hello to all ; an old unit in a new topic...................

The 19th Pz at the breakthrough to Moscow.

On October 2, 1941 under the code name "Typhoon" it was launched for the Army Group Center the offensive toward Moscow. From the general line: west of Bryansk - High Desna - Jelnja, went to attack the 2 AOK (2 Armored Group), the 4 AOK (4 Armored Group) and 9 AOK (3 Armored Group). The 19th Pz had been relieved of its mission in the Army Group North and marched to the central sector of the front, in the beginning as Army Group’s reserve.

On October 11, 1941 came the attack order for the division, which would be employed on Medyn or Kaluga.

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Geschichte der niedersächsischen 19. Panzer-Division. Otto von Knobelsdorff.
Das 74. Panzer-Grenadier Regiment. http://www.hamelner-geschichte.de/index.php?id=47
http://www.wehrmachtdivisionen.de
Samlung Rolf Hinze: Geschichte der 19 Pz-Division.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; an old unit in a new topic...................

The 19th Pz at the breakthrough to Moscow.

On October 12, 1941 the Division issued the following order for the continuation of the attack on Moscow

After the breakthrough of the LVII Pz K into the outer defensive ring of Moscow on October 11, 1941, on October 12, the enemy approached its reserves and strong artillery. In the afternoon the defensive echelon of the 3 ID (Mot), the reinforced Motorcycle Battalion (Kradsch. Btl) which took defensive positions on the road Medyn – Malojaroslawez at Iljinskoje, was fighting heavily against strong enemy supported with tanks and artillery; meanwhile the assault echelon (the mass of the 3 ID and the armored regiment of the 20th Pz) continued the attack at about 6 kilometers due northwest of Medyn.

The 19th Pz was to march on October 13, 1941 at 01:00 hours starting from the railroad crossing about 15 km southwest of Medyn and ending in the Popolta (30 kilometers southwest of Juchnow) in order to breakthrough towards and into Malojaroslawez on October 14, 1941.

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Geschichte der niedersächsischen 19. Panzer-Division. Otto von Knobelsdorff.
Das 74. Panzer-Grenadier Regiment. http://www.hamelner-geschichte.de/index.php?id=47
http://www.wehrmachtdivisionen.de
Samlung Rolf Hinze: Geschichte der 19 Pz-Division.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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The 19th Pz at the breakthrough to Moscow.

To carry out the attack, the division was organized as follows:

Group A: Staff of the 19. Sch. Brig; III. / AR 119; Pz Beobachter. Bttr 19, 2. / Flak Abt 85.

Group B: Staff of the Division.

Group C: PR 27 with the II. / AR 19.

Group D: HQ of AA 19 with I. / AR 19 and HQ Battery19.

Group E: HQ of SR 73, 7. / Schw Art Abt 427, 3. / Flak Abt 85.

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Geschichte der niedersächsischen 19. Panzer-Division. Otto von Knobelsdorff.
Das 74. Panzer-Grenadier Regiment. http://www.hamelner-geschichte.de/index.php?id=47
http://www.wehrmachtdivisionen.de
Samlung Rolf Hinze: Geschichte der 19 Pz-Division.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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The 19th Pz at the breakthrough to Moscow.

On the road at Iljinskoje ran from the southwest the stream of Wypenka which emptied into the Lusha; the valley of Wypenka - Lusha was selected as a line of defense by the Russians. On the east bank they had built a series of concrete bunkers reinforced with armored domes. On the left wing of the line was located a fortified position in the towns of Bolschaja- Schubinka and Wyglowo about 4 / 8 kilometers southeast of Iljinskoje, to the west of this town there was another position astride the road. The line stretched north and northwest. At Iljinskoje were occupying the position the Cadets of the Podolsk’s War College.

Against this system had crashed the attack of the 3 ID (Mot), falling the IR 29 (Mot), under hostile defensive fire in its attack on the Wypenka.

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Geschichte der niedersächsischen 19. Panzer-Division. Otto von Knobelsdorff.
Das 74. Panzer-Grenadier Regiment. http://www.hamelner-geschichte.de/index.php?id=47
http://www.wehrmachtdivisionen.de
Samlung Rolf Hinze: Geschichte der 19 Pz-Division.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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The 19th Pz at the breakthrough to Moscow.

On October 13, 1941 the Division issued the following order of attack:

The enemy stands on the Wypenka, hostile armored vehicles due west of the position. Two light batteries to the west of Kulinowo, a heavy battery southeast of Kulinowo and another heavy battery west of Malojaroslawez. On this last place there were concrete bunkers. The road is mined, the mines with electric detonator.

The 19th Pz was to attack on October 14, 1941 at 00:00 hours south of the road Medyn - Malojaroslawez and breakthrough the enemy positions in Iljinskoje and win the Protwa’s crossing located some 9 kilometers northeast of Malojaroslawez. The artillery was to support the rupture of the 19 Sch. Brigade while covering the flanks on Maly-Schubinka and Lukjanowo.

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Geschichte der niedersächsischen 19. Panzer-Division. Otto von Knobelsdorff.
Das 74. Panzer-Grenadier Regiment. http://www.hamelner-geschichte.de/index.php?id=47
http://www.wehrmachtdivisionen.de
Samlung Rolf Hinze: Geschichte der 19 Pz-Division.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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The 19th Pz at the breakthrough to Moscow.

Attack against Iljinskoje.

While the AA 19 Pz reconnoitered and covered the southern flank towards the fortifications of Bol Schobinka and Wyglowo, the SR 74 reinforced with the I. / AR 19 reached the Wypenka in Poshidajewo and won the eastern shore on the evening of October 14, 1941. On October 15 of 1941 the II. / SR 74 resumed its attack from there advancing through the forest in the northeast direction and reached the road at the village of Tscherkassowo about 12 kilometers due east of Iljinskoje, deep in the enemy’s deployment.

The town of Tscherkassowo was taken at 14:00 hours and next days were repulsed strong enemies counterattacks which sought to regain control of the major supply route; a company of the PR 27 followed behind as support of the II. Battalion (SR 74). Early in the afternoon, the II. / SR 73 crossed the Wypenka and then attacked due north by Iljinskoje on the rear of the Soviet positions. The IR 29 (Mot) with the support of all weapons and the bulk of the PR 27 then launched a frontal attack on the Wypenka positions.

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Geschichte der niedersächsischen 19. Panzer-Division. Otto von Knobelsdorff.
Das 74. Panzer-Grenadier Regiment. http://www.hamelner-geschichte.de/index.php?id=47
http://www.wehrmachtdivisionen.de
Samlung Rolf Hinze: Geschichte der 19 Pz-Division.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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The 19th Pz at the breakthrough to Moscow.

Attack against Iljinskoje.

While the II. / SR 74 with the observers of I. / AR 19 whose howitzers could not afford support because they were out of reach, held Tscherkassowo, the II. / SR 73 was advancing in the midst of a snowstorm. Near Ilinskoje it was detected a bunker strongly manned and defended.

At nightfall the battalion reached the village in the central sector, there fell the forward observer of the 7. / AR 19 Leutnant Langenberg and the radio equipment was destroyed. The General Commander Feldmarschall v. Kluge followed the action from the OP of the II. / AR 19.

The II./ SR 73 could not progress any longer in its advance and had to retreat south to their starting positions, a small group which was not got the order to retreat kept going and reached the CP of the IR 29 west of Wypenka.

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Geschichte der niedersächsischen 19. Panzer-Division. Otto von Knobelsdorff.
Das 74. Panzer-Grenadier Regiment. http://www.hamelner-geschichte.de/index.php?id=47
http://www.wehrmachtdivisionen.de
Samlung Rolf Hinze: Geschichte der 19 Pz-Division.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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The 19th Pz at the breakthrough to Moscow.

Attack against Iljinskoje.

In the following days, the II. / SR 73 again moved northwards, veering to the right (east) towards Sergejewka in view of the main road looking for the road and the liaison with the I / SR 73 and II /. SR 74, as well as the tanks located in Tscherkassowo PR 27.

Meanwhile, the II. / SR 74 and the I / SR 73 with the support from the 2. / AR 19 suffered intense enemy counterattacks which were repulsed with the support of the batteries 1. and 3. / AR 19 carrying out the firing missions from the outside. The 3. / SR 74 continued pushing westwards with the tanks up to the Wypenka bridgehead.

A member of a German tank crew fallen near Iljinskoje (PR 27)
http://www.weltkriegsopfer.de/Kriegsopf ... 42667.html

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Geschichte der niedersächsischen 19. Panzer-Division. Otto von Knobelsdorff.
Das 74. Panzer-Grenadier Regiment. http://www.hamelner-geschichte.de/index.php?id=47
http://www.wehrmachtdivisionen.de
Samlung Rolf Hinze: Geschichte der 19 Pz-Division.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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The 19th Pz at the breakthrough to Moscow.

Attack against Iljinskoje.

The artillery was re-organized to resume the operations, the Schw. Art Abt 843 with the I. and II. / AR 19 would support the SR 74 while the III. / AR 19 and the I / AR 3 would support the SR 73. These groupings were on orders since October 15, 1941 at 07:30 hours.

On October 16 1941 prior to the attack, the artillery groups, would fire its barrage between 08:00 and 08:15 hours to Iljinskoje and later would cover the breakthrough on the line Kudinow - Lukjanowo.

For further advance were grouped the II. / AR 19 with the I / SR 74 and the AA 19, the I. / AR 19 with the Battle Group Junck, the III. / AR 19 with the II. / SR 73; the Schw. Art Abt. 427 (100 mm guns) with the IR 29. The Commander of the AR 19 grouped the Schw. Art Abt 843 (150 mm howitzers) and Schw. Abt Art. 800 (mortars of 210 mm).

A new Soviet defensive line stretched before the towns of Moshaisk - Weria - Malojaroslawez - Kaluga, with its main positions on the road coming into town from the west. The positions were defended by battalions of workers reinforced by elements of the Communist Party and the 312 Rifle Division with its Rifle Regiments 79, 81 and 83 as regular troops.

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Geschichte der niedersächsischen 19. Panzer-Division. Otto von Knobelsdorff.
Das 74. Panzer-Grenadier Regiment. http://www.hamelner-geschichte.de/index.php?id=47
http://www.wehrmachtdivisionen.de
Samlung Rolf Hinze: Geschichte der 19 Pz-Division.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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The 19th Pz at the breakthrough to Moscow.

Advance to Worobije.

In the meantime it was known about the successful culmination of the Battle of Bryansk pocket which reported as booty 673,098 prisoners, 1277 tanks, 4378 howitzers, 1009 antitank and antiaircraft guns and 87 aircraft.

Meanwhile, the Pi Btl 19 began the task of building a bridge over the Wypenka. The SR 73, reinforced with I / SR 74, covered the crossing deployed to the north and south. With the first tanks crossed the first pieces of the I. / AR 19 which supported the SR 73 with direct fire against the forts. Also were engaged the sappers of Pi Btl 19 with flamethrowers.

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Geschichte der niedersächsischen 19. Panzer-Division. Otto von Knobelsdorff.
Das 74. Panzer-Grenadier Regiment. http://www.hamelner-geschichte.de/index.php?id=47
http://www.wehrmachtdivisionen.de
Samlung Rolf Hinze: Geschichte der 19 Pz-Division.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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The 19th Pz at the breakthrough to Moscow.

Advance to Worobije.

On October 18, 1941 the bridge was completed and the mass of the division proceeded to Malojaroslawez, establishing contact with the forces defending Tscherkassowo. After marching 30 kilometers, on the evening of that day, the advance guard of the 19 Pz captured intact the bridge over the Istja around Worobije.

On October 19, 1941 the division continued its advance towards the east along the road. Upon reaching the positions near the bridge over the Istja the troops of the 19 Pz were as far as 90 km from the Kremlin.

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Geschichte der niedersächsischen 19. Panzer-Division. Otto von Knobelsdorff.
Das 74. Panzer-Grenadier Regiment. http://www.hamelner-geschichte.de/index.php?id=47
http://www.wehrmachtdivisionen.de
Samlung Rolf Hinze: Geschichte der 19 Pz-Division.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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The 19th Pz at the breakthrough to Moscow.

Advance to Worobije.

At dusk the II. / AR 19 took over the security to the north and south at Malojaroslawez. The I./ AR 19 still was fighting against the fortifications to the north and south of Iljinskoje. The III./ AR 19 marched during the night through Malojaroslawez. Other batteries followed and took over security tasks along the road towards the north and south under the command of Arko 121 with the HQ of AR 606 and the Schw. Art Abt 800, Schw. Abt Art. 834 and Schw. Art Abt 427.

Following the advance through Worobije to the east, the road crossed about 8 kilometers of dense forest with swamps. Here the Soviets had deployed constructions battalions composed of workers from Moscow, untrained recruits and students of the War College of Podolsk. Here the enemy used tanks T-34 which were brought directly from the factories and also harassed the supply lines with artillery fire and rockets (Katiuskas).

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Geschichte der niedersächsischen 19. Panzer-Division. Otto von Knobelsdorff.
Das 74. Panzer-Grenadier Regiment. http://www.hamelner-geschichte.de/index.php?id=47
http://www.wehrmachtdivisionen.de
Samlung Rolf Hinze: Geschichte der 19 Pz-Division.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

The 19th Pz at the breakthrough to Moscow.

Advance to Worobije.

On October 20, 1941 the Russians unleashed an intense artillery attack with air support and several hostile aircraft were shot down by the German anti-aircraft artillery.

On October 21, 1941 a new operation was planned with tanks support. It was carried out an attack southwards in the surrounding forests, for the tanks was a really tough spot. Since the previous night all the batteries were moving again towards the enemy with the objective of disrupting the traffic on the crossing point by the Nara and the crossroads of Krotoj-Wrag. At 07:00 hours with the support of observed artillery fire, the tanks were on the move and won the road leading to Moscow due east of the forests before Buchalowka.

On October 22, 1941 from both sides of the main road broke through the wood the weakened rifle regiments. The SR 73 had fewer than 150 men as it strenght. The artillery support could not compensate this lack of troops.

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Geschichte der niedersächsischen 19. Panzer-Division. Otto von Knobelsdorff.
Das 74. Panzer-Grenadier Regiment. http://www.hamelner-geschichte.de/index.php?id=47
http://www.wehrmachtdivisionen.de
Samlung Rolf Hinze: Geschichte der 19 Pz-Division.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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The 19th Pz at the breakthrough to Moscow.

Attack against the defensive position of Nara.

As dawn broke, the armored regiment crossed into the eastern shore of the Istja on both sides of Worobije. The attack on the position of Nara had been scheduled for October 23, 1941. Due west of Nara of the enemy was defending in the wooded area southwest of Buchalowka and along the Wyderka which crossed the road and emptied into the Nara. It was important to seize intact one of the three bridges located between Orichowka and Gorky.

The SR 59 (20 Pz) was to penetrate into Tshubarowa and from there to clear the road leading to Buchalowka. There it would be committed the IR 282 also. The batteries would support the attack with its main effort on SR 59 and during the night of 22 to 23 October 1941 should unleash harassment fires on Buchalowka and Gorki. The II. and III. / AR 19 plus the Schw. Art Abt 834 would support SR 59; the I / AR 19 with the SR 74. The Arko 121 would support both regiments through Schw. Art Abt. 427 and the Schw Art Abt 800.

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Geschichte der niedersächsischen 19. Panzer-Division. Otto von Knobelsdorff.
Das 74. Panzer-Grenadier Regiment. http://www.hamelner-geschichte.de/index.php?id=47
http://www.wehrmachtdivisionen.de
Samlung Rolf Hinze: Geschichte der 19 Pz-Division.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

The 19th Pz at the breakthrough to Moscow.

Attack against the defensive position of Nara.

On October 24, 1941 two battalions were engaged on the eastern bank of the Nara and some parts of them progressed in the evening against Olechow; at dawn on October 25 1941, those units should cooperate closely with the Regiment of the 98 ID which in turn was attacking on Gorky. Besides it should assure in Nikolskoje and Panina.

The batteries supported the left flank of the attack, along the Nara and at Gorky and the defense on both sides of Panina. Parts of the artillery occupied firing positions around Buchalowka to support the conquest of a bridgehead and the capture of Gorki. The Soviets counterattacking against the German positions were rejected by means of barrage of fire.

The IR 485 of the ID 263 was moved into the bridgehead and took up the security of the flanks.

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Geschichte der niedersächsischen 19. Panzer-Division. Otto von Knobelsdorff.
Das 74. Panzer-Grenadier Regiment. http://www.hamelner-geschichte.de/index.php?id=47
http://www.wehrmachtdivisionen.de
Samlung Rolf Hinze: Geschichte der 19 Pz-Division.

Cheers. Raúl M .