Battle of Olita, June 22/23 1941

[big_buddha]

Hello,

I'm looking for information on the Battle to cross the Njesma river at Olita, which was fought by Army Group Centre at the opening of Barbarossa, 22/23 June 1941, in particular the actions of 7th Panzer Division during the battle.

Also, I'm looking for info the the 5th Tank Division, the Soviet force that 7th Panzer destroyed during the batle, but lost half its panzer in the process.

[Marko]

Hi big budda, here are some additional facts about the battle, not much but hope it helps.

At 0305 hrs on 22 July 7.Pz.Div. started its attack and at 0800 hrs captured Kalvarija. The division then formed a KG under the command of Oberst Rothenburg composed from Pz.Rgt.25 (Oberst Rothenburg) and K7 *(Major v.Steinkeller). The KG reached Olita at 1240hrs and managed to capture both bridges over the river Njemen intact, but as the panzers wanted to proceed to the high grounds to the east, they were fired upon by the entrenched enemy tanks, which inflicted heavy losses to the Pz.Rgt. Nevertheless KG managed to build bridgeheads at both bridges. Russians now launched heavy counterattacks with tank support.
Northern bridgehead was defended by: Pz.Rgt.25 (without II.Abt.), K7 (Maj.v.Steinkeller), I./AR78 (Hptm.Oll), 1./Pi.Btl.58,
and the southern by: AA37(Fhr.v.Paar), II./Pz.Rgt.25(Maj.Dr.Schirmer), 6./SR6, 2.&3./Pi.Btl.58
(all mentioned were divisional units)
Enemy counterattacks lasted till the evening and caused several critical situations especially in the southern bridgehead, causing the deployment of Pz.Rgt.25 and I./AR78. But by the end of the day the Russians lost 82 tanks and started retreating eastwards.
----------------------------------------------------
*Kradschutzenbataillon 7 (Motorcycle battalion)
----------------------------------------------------
Karl Rothenburg
(1894-1941)
Pour le Merite (WWI)
KC:3 July 1940
Wehrmachtbericht (8 July 1941)

Assignments:
Kdr.II./Pz.Rgt.6: 1936-1939,
Kdr. Pz.Rgt.6: Sept.1939-Feb.1940,
Kdr.Pz.Rgt.25: Feb.1940-28.Jun.1941.
--------------------------------------------
Friederich-Carl von Steinkeller
(1896-??)
DKiG: 25 May 1942,
KC: 31 March 1943,
Verwundetenabzeichen in Gold,
Wehrmachtbericht (8 July 1941)

Assignments:
IIb XV.AK: 1.Nov.1938-1939,
Kdr. K7: 17.Oct 1939-1942,
Kdr. Pz.Gren.Rgt.7: 1942-10. Jan. 1944,
Kdr. 7.Pz.Div.: 12.Dec.1943-??.Dec.1943 (only temporary),
Kdr. 60.Pz.Gren.Div. »Feldherrnhalle«: 1.Apr.1944-9.Jul.1944 (taken prisoner)

[big_buddha]

Thanks Marko, thats very useful info, if you have any more info on 7th Panzer during Barbarossa I'd love to read it.

[tigre]

Hello to all ; something more about this little known battle from the point of view of the PR 21 (20 Pz)........

Alytus 1941.

The road to the battle.

The PR 21 was formed on October 1, 1940 in Stuttgar-Vaihingen in WK V and was within the framework of the 20 Pz, together with the SR 59, the SR 112, the AR 92; the Kradsch. Btl 20, the Pz Jag Abt 92; the Pi Btl 92 and the PAA 92. Wheeled vehicles were mostly French war booty. The bulk of the personnel in the regiment had no combat experience and the training took place in the small armored training ground of Böblingen. After a short training period, the regiment carried out some maneuvers with the infantry at the training camp in Ludwigsburg. During the 03 and 04 of April, 1941 the regiment moved to the training camp at Ohrdruf.

Sources: http://forum.rytufrontas.net/viewtopic. ... t=60#p2779
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... PR21-R.htm
Tigers in the mud. Otto carius.
http://s41.photobucket.com/albums/e285/ ... ino/CARRI/

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

Alytus 1941.

The road to the battle.

Combat Role of PR 21 as June 22 of 1941.

Regiment HQ: Oberstleutnant Schmidt, Adjutant Hauptmann von Langenthal.

I. / PR 21: Oberstleutnant Von Gersdorff, Adjutant Oberleutnant Kuchenbuch.
1. / PR 21: Kompanie Führer Oberleutnant Gundelach, Zugführer Oberleutnant Decker, Leutnant Held, Leutnant von Schiller.
2. / PR 21: Kompanie Führer Oberleutnant Sahmel, Zugführer Oberleutnant Mielenhausen, Leutnant Stumpff, Leutnant Frank, Leutnant Winter.
4. / PR 21: Kompanie Führer Oberleutnant von Ritter Gilgenheimb Hentschel, Zugführer Oberleutnant Köckert, Leutnant Seyffer, Leutnant Winneknecht
Light Column: Führer Leutnant Löbbecke.

II. / PR 21: Major Straub, Adjutant Oberleutnant Lüdemann,
5. / PR 21: Kompanie Führer Oberleutnant Willers, Zugführer Leutnant Friese, Leutnant Fuchs, Leutnant Haunstein
6. / PR 21: Kompanie Führer Oberleutnant Dittmer, Zugführer Oberleutnant Hoffmann, Leutnant Schüssler, Leutnant Häussner
8. / PR 21: Kompanie Führer Oberleutnant Henning, Zugführer Leutnant Sonneborn, Leutnant Schmitz, Leutnant Gross,
Light Column: Führer Oberleutnant Bachofner.

III. / PR 21: Major von Bülow, Adjutant Leutnant Schraml.
9. / PR 21: Kompanie Führer Oberleutnant Jordan, Zugführer Leutnant Dreher, Leutnant Schürer, Leutnant Schlüter,
10. / PR 21: Kompanie Führer Oberleutnant Bucker, Zugführer Leutnant Winkler, Leutnant Koch, Leutnant Feiten, Leutnant von Weise
12. / PR 21: Kompanie Führer Oberleutnant Leuer, Zugführer Leutnant Bickhardt, Leutnant Kastorff, Leutnant Hossfeld,
Light Column: Führer Leutnant Goldammer

Maintenance Company: Führer Oberleutnant Neff, Zugführer Leutnant Hellenes, Leutnant Busch.

Sources: http://forum.rytufrontas.net/viewtopic. ... t=60#p2779
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... PR21-R.htm
Tigers in the mud. Otto carius.
http://s41.photobucket.com/albums/e285/ ... ino/CARRI/

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

Alytus 1941.

The road to the battle.

East Prussia - Spring 1941.

On June 18, 1941 the PR 21 belonging to the 20 Pz, occupied an assembly area in East Prussia around Rogonnen, Griesen, Duneiken, Rothebude, Borken about 40 kilometers due north of the Arys training camp. No one had a clear idea of ​​what to expect and meanwhile the tank crews enjoyed the lakes of East Prussia and helped the rural population there.

Sources: http://forum.rytufrontas.net/viewtopic. ... t=60#p2779
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... PR21-R.htm
Tigers in the mud. Otto carius.
http://s41.photobucket.com/albums/e285/ ... ino/CARRI/

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

Alytus 1941.

The road to the battle.

East Prussia - Spring 1941.

On June 20, 1941 the PR 25 (7 Pz) occupied an assembly area north of Osinki, the HQ in the grove 1 km NE of Osinki, the I. / PR 25 Grove 1.4 km NE Osinki; the II. / PR 25 grove 3 km NW of Osinki and the III. / PR 25 grove 3 km N of Osinki and the Pz Abt 101 road Cesar 2 km N of Osinki. The I. / Flak Abt 84 provided anti-aircraft coverage to the 7 Pz.

Sources: http://forum.rytufrontas.net/viewtopic. ... t=60#p2779
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... PR21-R.htm
Tigers in the mud. Otto carius.
http://s41.photobucket.com/albums/e285/ ... ino/CARRI/

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

Alytus 1941.

Barbarossa.

On June 22, 1941 shortly after 05:00 hours the PR 21 left its readiness at Smolnica, Jasinowo, forest of Baranowo and marching by Postaweije to Kamenka crossed the international border. Code names for the regiment went till August 18, 1941 "Arcade" to the HQ, for the I. / PR 21 "smoker" for the II. / PR 21 "Turban" and for the III. / PR 21 "Melon". The riflemen had advanced earlier, but were soon overcome. As the first objective Kalwarija offered only slight resistance therefore the regiment continued its advance towards Olita.

Sources: http://forum.rytufrontas.net/viewtopic. ... t=60#p2779
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... PR21-R.htm
Tigers in the mud. Otto carius.
http://s41.photobucket.com/albums/e285/ ... ino/CARRI/

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

Alytus 1941.

Barbarossa.

The aim was to gain eastward as much ground as possible, still the first day of operation, for that reason, the armored vehicles had to have a good amount of fuel on hand. To ensure replenishment each tank was provided with a trailer transporting the fuel, of course this was possible while the tanks moved by roads and trails but cross country the tanks had to fend for themselves.

Sources: http://forum.rytufrontas.net/viewtopic. ... t=60#p2779
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... PR21-R.htm
Tigers in the mud. Otto carius.
http://s41.photobucket.com/albums/e285/ ... ino/CARRI/

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

Alytus 1941.

Barbarossa.

The intense pace and the marshy ground were the cause for which in the evening of the first day only weak elements of the PR 21 were presents before Olita after traveling about 200 kilometers, on June 22, 1941 at 17:10 hours. Still it was averted a taking off of some Soviet planes and there were some shootings at the air base and nearby forests. Aerial reconnaissance reported about Russian tanks in the woods but were not detected.

At night, the PR 21 together with the Kradsch. Btl 20 secured the bridge at Olita, deployed on key features of the terrain. At 19:30 hours the PR 21 took positions in the northern bridgehead behind the PR 25 and handed over one third of its ammunition to the tank regiment of the 7 Pz so it could continue the projection to the east. At night it was chased a Russian tank in the city, otherwise the situation remained calm.

Sources: http://forum.rytufrontas.net/viewtopic. ... t=60#p2779
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... PR21-R.htm
Tigers in the mud. Otto carius.
http://s41.photobucket.com/albums/e285/ ... ino/CARRI/

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

Alytus 1941.

Barbarossa.

On June 23, 1941 at 09:00 hours the advance continued toward Vilna. The PR 21 advanced with the following order: the I. / PR 21, the II. / PR 21 and the III. / PR 21. The 5. / PR 21 met some Soviet tanks at Onuskis, destroying one and the others fled. The II. / PR 21 was bombed and machine-gunned while driving but without casualties. In Rudziszki the I. / PR 21 found resistence but could reduce it and destroyed two enemy tanks. The III. / PR 21 lost two Pz Kw IV in Rudziszki, being the first losses of the regiment, as a counterpart several hostile tanks stayed burning there.

Sources: http://forum.rytufrontas.net/viewtopic. ... t=60#p2779
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... PR21-R.htm
Tigers in the mud. Otto carius.
http://s41.photobucket.com/albums/e285/ ... ino/CARRI/

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

Alytus 1941.

Barbarossa.

In the town of Rudziszki the I./ PR 21 organized a vanguard but it missed the route and moved toward the axis of march of the 7 Pz; as comfort for themselves in Landwarow they stopped one hostile armored train by shooting it. The advance continued without stopping during the night, the race continued, regardless of who could keep up or not.

Sources: http://forum.rytufrontas.net/viewtopic. ... t=60#p2779
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... PR21-R.htm
Tigers in the mud. Otto carius.
http://s41.photobucket.com/albums/e285/ ... ino/CARRI/

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

Alytus 1941.

Barbarossa.

In the early hours of June 24, 1941 weaks elements of both detachments (I. and II. / PR 21) reached the suburbs of Vilnius. The I. / PR 21 found riflemen and enemy tanks in Ludwinowo, while the II. / PR 21 clashed with hostile forces scattered around Vaka. Fuel reserves began to dwindle. Since the PR 21 had left its readiness area, the regiment had marched nearly 500 kilometers in three days and two nights. A significant achievement of the drivers considering the heat, dust, swamps and night driving. On June 25, 1941 at 01:20 hours the regiment was again on the move towards Minsk, after making necessary repairs and resupply its vehicles.

Sources: http://forum.rytufrontas.net/viewtopic. ... t=60#p2779
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... PR21-R.htm
Tigers in the mud. Otto carius.
http://s41.photobucket.com/albums/e285/ ... ino/CARRI/

Cheers. Raúl M .

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

[tigre]

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

Alytus 1941.

Barbarossa.

At first the progress was slow because of the obstacles and obstructions of the roads, besides to that, the routes were in poor condition, plus the dust and heat. The advance continued with a night march by Rudkojnie, Miedniki, Oszmiana, Borunj, Krewo; on the morning of June 26, 1941 in Losk, the regiment had to cross a stream, which only allowed a slow crossing it was therefore possible to rest two hours. At 5:30 hours continued the advance. And again, the Soviet fighter-bombers are there. Horodzk, Litwa and Chozow were surpassed. The regiment occupied a bivouac northwest of Grodek. The II. / PR 21 acted as the vanguard and it was reinforced with the 4. / PR 21 (Oberleutnant Köckert) and the Platoon of Leutnant Held of the 1. / PR 21. At Gay it was released a German supply column surrounded by Russian soldiers.

Sources: http://forum.rytufrontas.net/viewtopic. ... t=60#p2779
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... PR21-R.htm
Tigers in the mud. Otto carius.
http://s41.photobucket.com/albums/e285/ ... ino/CARRI/

Cheers. Raúl M .

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

[tigre]

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

Alytus 1941.

Barbarossa.

Due to losses in tanks, the regiment was reorganized as a per special directive of June 26, 1941:

1) Due to the lack of armored combat vehicles until further notice it was organized the Kampfgruppe (Combat Group) Straub:

Leader: Maj. Straub
HQ Company: Oberleutnant Kahl
Light Company: Oberleutnant Dittmer
Light Company: Oberleutnant Bucker
Medium Company: Oberleutnant Henning

2) These companies were formed:

HQ Company from the HQ Company of the II. / PR 21, Recce Platoon of the HQ Company of the III. / PR 21
A Light Company from the 5. and 6. Companies,
A Light Company from the 9. and 10. Companies, a Platoon of Pz Kw 38 (t) of the I. / PR 21 and a light Platoon of the I. / PR 21.
Medium Company from 8. Company and Pz Kw IV tanks of the 4. and 12. companies.

3) The Leader of the Kampfgruppe have disciplinary authority over their subordinates even if they are soldiers from other units of the regiment during the reorganization.
4) Supply by the elements of the II. / PR 21.
5) rations provided by the subordinate companies.
6) LogisticTrains from the subordinate companies.
7) The remaining personnel of the I and III. Groups will report on June 26 at 16:45 hours in the II. Group.

Signed Schmidt.

Sources: http://forum.rytufrontas.net/viewtopic. ... t=60#p2779
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... PR21-R.htm
Tigers in the mud. Otto carius.
http://s41.photobucket.com/albums/e285/ ... ino/CARRI/

It's all folks. Cheers. Raúl M .

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