First defensive battle along the Don river - 1942.

[tigre]

Hello to all ; here goes another history dealing with the Axis offensive during the summer of 1942..........

On the road to disaster - to the Don and beyond. July to November 1942.

Serafimovich - August 1942.

The ARMIR.

The Armir (Armata Italiana in Russia) or 8º Italian Army was created by direct order of Mussolini against the advice of General Messe, who because of his experience gained from the CSIR told otherwise at the meeting of June 2, 1942. Messe thought the pains and difficulties experienced with 60,000 men (CSIR) was multiplied to infinity with 200,000 men (Armir), mainly due to insufficient and outdated weapons, poverty in tanks, vehicles and lack of transportation.

But the Duce replied: Dear Messe on the table of peace it weigh more these 200,000 of Armir that those 60,000 from the CSIR. The decision had been made.

The Italian Army in Russia was comprised of:

. Alpine Corps of three divisions: Julia, Trento and Cuneense
. The II Army Corps with Infantry Divisions Ravenna, Cosseria, Sforzesca, later the Vicenza
. The XXXV Army Corps (formerly CSIR) with divisions Torino, Pasubio and 3 Celere (*).

(*) 3 º Division Celere (Fast) "Principe Amedeo Duca d'Aosta".

The Commanding Officer was General Italo Gariboldi, who on June 29 at Nikolaiewka will decorate the Savoy Cavalry Regiment’s flag with the bronze medal.

The use of ARMIR in the context of the second great German offensive in the summer of 1942, known as Unternehmen “Blau” was provided for in Directive No. 41 issued by the Führer on April 5, 1942 which stated in Point II Execution of the Operations; Item C. Main Operations on the Eastern Front: To meet the ever more extensive frontage on the River Don will be engaged units of the allied countries, while German troops were concentrated between Orel and Don and to Stalingrad, maintaining German troops behind the Don Front as reserves for the attack. Allied troops will be used as follows: north Hungarians, then the Italians and Romanians to the southern sector.

Fuentes: Legione Croata Autotransportabile http://www.battlefront.co.nz/Article.asp?SectionID=2
IL BERSAGLIERE DEL 6° REGGIMENTO http://nuke.gmtmodellismo.it/Default.aspx
LA CAVALLERIA ITALIANA IN RUSSIA: SCIABOLE CONTRO MITRAGLIATRICI http://www.storiain.net/arret/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/italianis ... artic6.asp
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/italianisti/message/6248
La Milizia Volontaria Sicurezza Nazionale. La Campagna di Russia 1941-1943 (*)
http://www.regioesercito.it/index.htm
Die 305. Infanterie-Division. Hauck
BERSAGLIERI SUL DON. Umberto Salvatores.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; here goes another history dealing with the Axis offensive during the summer of 1942..........

On the road to disaster - to the Don and beyond. July to November 1942.

Serafimovich - August 1942.

The ARMIR.

Towards the River Don.

On June 28, 1942 it was initiated Operation Blue and awaiting the arrival of the rest of the army, the ex - CSIR, renamed XXXV Army Corps, advanced to the Don framed in the 17 AOK; the Army Corps had at its disposal the divisions Pasubio, Celere and Sforzesca, the only newly arrived from Italy and it will soon pay their inexperience and wear from the long journey. The year of 1942 seemed favorable and expectations of victory were high. But the first days of July 1942 were quiet for the bersaglieri and along the whole front dominated the activities of patrolling.

Nikitino.

On July 11, 1942, it was ordered to recognize in order to check the resistence of the enemy. The Group Tagliamento, subordinated to the 3rd Celere Division "Principe Amedeo Duca d'Aosta", was ordered to occupy Nikitino. At 15:30 hours, preceded by an artillery preparation of 30 minutes, the LXIII Btl CCNN (Black Shirt) advanced from Height 301, astride the road to Nikitino. The actions were led by the Recce Platoon, which pointed out the path through the minefield. The first patrol of 18. Company soon was in range of the automatic weapons and mortars of the enemy, suffering the first casualties. The 2. Company moved ahead on the right and also advanced the 3. Company. The town was occupied at 20:30 hours by the fraction of Capomanipolo (Platoon Leader) Menegozzo. On July 12, 1942, at 03:00 hours the 2. Company held Molotow, at 06:30 hours the 3. Company moved by Kruglij and joined with the rest of the battalion in Height 335 due north of Nikitino, surpassing the riflemen of the 3º Bersaglieri. For three days the group stayed in Nikitino.

Sources: Legione Croata Autotransportabile http://www.battlefront.co.nz/Article.asp?SectionID=2
IL BERSAGLIERE DEL 6° REGGIMENTO http://nuke.gmtmodellismo.it/Default.aspx
LA CAVALLERIA ITALIANA IN RUSSIA: SCIABOLE CONTRO MITRAGLIATRICI http://www.storiain.net/arret/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/italianis ... artic6.asp
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/italianisti/message/6248
La Milizia Volontaria Sicurezza Nazionale. La Campagna di Russia 1941-1943 (*)
http://www.regioesercito.it/index.htm
Die 305. Infanterie-Division. Hauck
BERSAGLIERI SUL DON. Umberto Salvatores.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

On the road to disaster - to the Don and beyond. July to November 1942.

Serafimovich - August 1942.

The ARMIR.

Towards the River Don.

On July 12, 1942 at 03:00 hours, the 3rd Division Celere was put in motion and with the Division marched also: the 6th Reggimento Bersaglieri commanded by Colonnello Salvatores (with the battalions XI, XIII and XIX) and the motorcycle battalion XLVII and the armored battalion LXVII with Fiat L6/40 light tanks. Also on April 19, 1942, joined the division the Legione Croata Autotransportabile of Tenente Colonnello Egon Zitnik, the Legion had 1100 soldiers, 70 NCO’s and 45 Officers (1215 men in total), divided into three infantry companies, a machine gun coy, a mortar (81 mm) coy and an artillery battery.

On July 13, 1942 after a 10-hour forced march the Savoia Cavalry Regiment reached Ivanowka where still there were the graves of those bersaglieri who had fallen in the struggles of the last winter. On July 16, 1942 had been reached Fatschewka. The enemy decided not to oppose the troops of the Axis and the 3 rd Division Celere chased him towards the mining center of Krasnij Lutsch. The first troops to enter the city were riders belonging to 3. Squadron and the infantry of the Pasubio. In a torrential rain the sappers opened a passage for the other elements of the division.

Sources: Legione Croata Autotransportabile http://www.battlefront.co.nz/Article.asp?SectionID=2
IL BERSAGLIERE DEL 6° REGGIMENTO http://nuke.gmtmodellismo.it/Default.aspx
LA CAVALLERIA ITALIANA IN RUSSIA: SCIABOLE CONTRO MITRAGLIATRICI http://www.storiain.net/arret/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/italianis ... artic6.asp
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/italianisti/message/6248
La Milizia Volontaria Sicurezza Nazionale. La Campagna di Russia 1941-1943 (*)
http://www.regioesercito.it/index.htm
Die 305. Infanterie-Division. Hauck
BERSAGLIERI SUL DON. Umberto Salvatores.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

On the road to disaster - to the Don and beyond. July to November 1942.

Serafimovich - August 1942.

The ARMIR.

Towards the River Don.

Groupement "Mittica."

While on July 15, 1942, the Legion (brigade level) "Tagliamento (*) (Black Shirts - CC NN) together with the Croatian Legione Autotransportabile was moved to Wladimirowka in order to relieve there units of the 198 ID which were cooperating with the XXXV Italian Army Corps.

(*) 63a Legione CC.NN. d'Assalto «Tagliamento» (Consul Mittica).

On the night of 16 to 17 July 1942, it was relieved the IR 308 and was established the Defensive Sector Mittica, reinforced with a Platoon of anti-tank guns 75/39 and two groups of artillery: the III. / 120 and III . Cavalry Group. On the morning of July 17, 1942, the LXXIX. Btg CCNN was to scout towards Schterowka in order to check the presence of the enemy and the strength of their positions, proceeding if possible to the occupation of the area and the Level 342. At 11:00 hours, without fire support advanced from their own lines two scouting groups who after marched about 500 meters received strong machine gun and mortar defensive fire, the 2. Company followed behind the exploration and the artillery unleashed its fire support. Although the 2nd Company suffered heavy casualties it was reached the edge of town.

At 13:00 hours after having accomplished the purpose of the mission they executed the order of withdrawal, bringing their dead, wounded and equioment. The enemy unleashed a counterattack on the right of LXXIX Btg but fighting subsided in the evening. The reconnaissance showed that the enemy front was defended by two battalions, I. and III. / 674 Rifle Regiment with strong fire support. In the early hours of July 18, 1942, the enemy retreated and the LXXIX Btg occupied Schterowka and Suravjewka, capturing prisoners, weapons and ammunition.

Sources: Legione Croata Autotransportabile http://www.battlefront.co.nz/Article.asp?SectionID=2
IL BERSAGLIERE DEL 6° REGGIMENTO http://nuke.gmtmodellismo.it/Default.aspx
LA CAVALLERIA ITALIANA IN RUSSIA: SCIABOLE CONTRO MITRAGLIATRICI http://www.storiain.net/arret/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/italianis ... artic6.asp
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/italianisti/message/6248
La Milizia Volontaria Sicurezza Nazionale. La Campagna di Russia 1941-1943 (*)
http://www.regioesercito.it/index.htm
Die 305. Infanterie-Division. Hauck
BERSAGLIERI SUL DON. Umberto Salvatores.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

On the road to disaster - to the Don and beyond. July to November 1942.

Serafimovich - August 1942.

The ARMIR.

Towards the River Don.

The Command of Division Celere organized the Groupement Mittica; it was composed of Group CC NN 'Tagliamento ", the Croatian Legione and the III. Horse Artillery Group in order to pursue the retreating Russians to Krassnaja Polyana together with the Pasubio which had the same goal. The movement began at 08:00 hours with two companies belonging to the Croatian Legion which formed a reconnaissance detachment, followed immediately by the rest of the group.

Due to the mud, most of the ground became impassable and delayed the movement, however at 12:20 hours was reached Kolpakowo and at 14:00 hours Krassnaja Poliana. On July 18, 1942 the deployment of the Groupement Mittica was as follows :

1a Legione Croata Krassnaja Poliana

HQ of Gruppo «Tagliamento» with:
LXXIX Btg. And parts of LXIII (Heavy Weapons) and the III Gruppo Art. (cavalry) Kolpakowo and Height 351,1

LXIII Btg. And parts of LXIII (Heavy Weapons) Shurawjewka

At 17:00 hours it was relieved by the Lombardi Group belonging to the 3rd Division Celere (Raggruppamento Lombardi) and the Division Pasubio hence the Groupement Mittica was dissolved and on July 19, 1942 the Group CC.NN. Tagliamento was at disposal of the Italian XXXV Army Corps in Iwanowska.

Sources: Legione Croata Autotransportabile http://www.battlefront.co.nz/Article.asp?SectionID=2
IL BERSAGLIERE DEL 6° REGGIMENTO http://nuke.gmtmodellismo.it/Default.aspx
LA CAVALLERIA ITALIANA IN RUSSIA: SCIABOLE CONTRO MITRAGLIATRICI http://www.storiain.net/arret/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/italianis ... artic6.asp
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/italianisti/message/6248
La Milizia Volontaria Sicurezza Nazionale. La Campagna di Russia 1941-1943 (*)
http://www.regioesercito.it/index.htm
Die 305. Infanterie-Division. Hauck
BERSAGLIERI SUL DON. Umberto Salvatores.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

On the road to disaster - to the Don and beyond. July to November 1942.

Serafimovich - August 1942.

The ARMIR.

Towards the River Don.

Serafimovich, July 30 to August 13, 1942.

The next objective was Woroshilovgrad, a city that was occupied on July 25 1942, despite delays caused because the rain had turned the field into a sea of mud. The sappers built a bridge of barges on the river Donets and over it crossed firstly the 3 rd Division Celere sent directly to the loop of Serafimovich, followed alternatively by the divisions of the II Army Corps and XXXV Army Corps, which should assume the defense of Don River, the former due north and the latter due south, relieving the German XXIX AK which was defending the sector assigned to the ARMIR, the Italian Army completed the passage of the Donets on July 31 942. The Croatian Legione Autotransportabile crossed the Donets River by Lubanskoje on July 28, 1942.

On July 25, 1942 the Army Group B presented to General Italo Gariboldi its employment’s intentions about the 8th Italian Army, the Italian General was not satisfied because the effort was diverging after crossing the Donets, the II Army Corps (Ravenna and Torino) on Bielovodsk and the XXXV Army Corps ex - CSIR (Sforzesca and Pasubio) to Millerowo, while the 3rd Celere, was acting as vanguard of the army.

Sources: Legione Croata Autotransportabile http://www.battlefront.co.nz/Article.asp?SectionID=2
IL BERSAGLIERE DEL 6° REGGIMENTO http://nuke.gmtmodellismo.it/Default.aspx
LA CAVALLERIA ITALIANA IN RUSSIA: SCIABOLE CONTRO MITRAGLIATRICI http://www.storiain.net/arret/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/italianis ... artic6.asp
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/italianisti/message/6248
La Milizia Volontaria Sicurezza Nazionale. La Campagna di Russia 1941-1943 (*)
http://www.regioesercito.it/index.htm
Die 305. Infanterie-Division. Hauck
BERSAGLIERI SUL DON. Umberto Salvatores.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

On the road to disaster - to the Don and beyond. July to November 1942.

Serafimovich - August 1942.

The ARMIR.

Towards the River Don.

Serafimovich, July 30 to August 13, 1942.

On July 27, 1942 the ARMIR issued the orders for the defensive deployment on the River Don:

Due north the II Army Corps with the 336 ID, Ravenna and Torino.
At the center the German XXIX AK with the 62 ID, the 294 ID and Cosseria.
To the south the XXXV Army Corps with Pasubio and Sforzesca.
The 3 rd Celere as reserve.

After four days of marching and 440 kilometers, the 3rd Division Celere finally arrived in the new area allocated by the Don River in the vicinity of Serafimovich, making contact with the IR 578 (Oberst Winzer) of the 305 ID which had been detached on July 24 and subordinated to the Italian division since July 30, 1942. In this area, between July 30 and August 13, 1942, the bersaglieri of the Celere would pay a high price in human lives.

The town of Serafimovich was in a narrow sector of the river that ran just south of town for about 25 km and included the settlements of Belyavskaya, Bobrovskiy, and Baskovskiy. Units of the Soviet 21 Army were defending there.

Sources: Legione Croata Autotransportabile http://www.battlefront.co.nz/Article.asp?SectionID=2
IL BERSAGLIERE DEL 6° REGGIMENTO http://nuke.gmtmodellismo.it/Default.aspx
LA CAVALLERIA ITALIANA IN RUSSIA: SCIABOLE CONTRO MITRAGLIATRICI http://www.storiain.net/arret/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/italianis ... artic6.asp
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/italianisti/message/6248
La Milizia Volontaria Sicurezza Nazionale. La Campagna di Russia 1941-1943 (*)
http://www.regioesercito.it/index.htm
Die 305. Infanterie-Division. Hauck
BERSAGLIERI SUL DON. Umberto Salvatores.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

On the road to disaster - to the Don and beyond. July to November 1942.

Serafimovich - August 1942.

The ARMIR.

Towards the River Don.

Serafimovich, July 30 to August 13, 1942.

The Battle of the sunflowers.

On July 30, 1942, began the joint efforts with the IR 578 (reinforced by the III. / AR 305) and the 6th Bersaglieri Regiment supported by four artillery groups I (100/17) and II/120 º ( 75/27); II/201 º (75/32) and LXII/30 (105/32) and anti-tank battery of 75/97/38 of 120 º was commissioned to begin offensive operations against the Soviet troops which occupied the bridgehead in the area of Serafimovich because it threatened the German southern flank.

At 03:00 hours began the advance in order to attack the heights before Baskovski. At the same time the Soviet units, hoping to surprise the Italian division while it was deploying, launched a powerful attack with tanks T-34 and BT-reinforced with infantry. At the end of the action 14 out of 39 armored vehicles were lying on the ground.

The tanks appeared around 13:30 hours at about 1000 meters from the anti-tank battery which started the shooting at 800 meters with 30 hollow-charge grenades and 30 high explosive, immobilizing the T-34 N º 78 and BT-7 No. 315 . Three cars went on to the attack and the battery fired another 20 hollow charge shells from about 300 meters, the T-34 N º 76 was immobilized with the second hit. The others two armored turned left and fled away; ten others grenades were fired from about 600 meters without result. Half an hour later suddenly emerged two T-34 and attacked the center of the battery with cannon and machine gun fire, the first was stopped some 8 feet away of piece 2 by a barrage of 10 hollow charge shells, one of them hit next to the gun turret, killing the entire crew. The second, T-34 No. 77, received 8 hollow charge grenades, one of them struck on the left side of the turret immobilizing it.

Sources: Legione Croata Autotransportabile http://www.battlefront.co.nz/Article.asp?SectionID=2
IL BERSAGLIERE DEL 6° REGGIMENTO http://nuke.gmtmodellismo.it/Default.aspx
LA CAVALLERIA ITALIANA IN RUSSIA: SCIABOLE CONTRO MITRAGLIATRICI http://www.storiain.net/arret/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/italianis ... artic6.asp
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/italianisti/message/6248
La Milizia Volontaria Sicurezza Nazionale. La Campagna di Russia 1941-1943 (*)
http://www.regioesercito.it/index.htm
Die 305. Infanterie-Division. Hauck
BERSAGLIERI SUL DON. Umberto Salvatores.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

On the road to disaster - to the Don and beyond. July to November 1942.

Serafimovich - August 1942.

The ARMIR. Towards the River Don.

Serafimovich, July 30 to August 13, 1942.

The Battle of the sunflowers.

On August 1, 1942 the assault began with (left to right): IR 578, XX Battalion and XVII Battalion. That very day, 17 Russian tanks were destroyed northwest of Pleskaja. Soviet attempts to cross the Don northwest of Kasanskaja failed.

Brobovski was taken and lost several times, but finally on August 3, 1942 at 06:30 hours, with the help of two battalions of the 3rd Regiment of Bersaglieri, the Don West Bank was completely clear and the enemy retreated into the bridgehead. At midnight, continued to attack of both Italian regiments together with the German regiment in order to conquer Serafimovich and Bjelajevskti.

Operations at the elbow of the Don continued until August 14, 1942 in bloody fighting in the wooded area between Bobrowski and Baskovski. The 3rd Division Celere had had 1700 dead and 200 wounded but managed to capture 5,800 prisoners and 10 guns. The IR 578 returned to the 305 ID on August 4, 1942 and the sector was occupied by the III. / IR 208 belonging to the 79 ID. The IR 578 suffered heavy losses in fighting for Sserafimovich (HQ - Staff Group 78%, 13./IR 578: 60%, 14./IR 578: 62%, I./ IR 578: 45%, II./ IR 578: 38% III./ IR 578: 26%.).

Sources: Legione Croata Autotransportabile http://www.battlefront.co.nz/Article.asp?SectionID=2
IL BERSAGLIERE DEL 6° REGGIMENTO http://nuke.gmtmodellismo.it/Default.aspx
LA CAVALLERIA ITALIANA IN RUSSIA: SCIABOLE CONTRO MITRAGLIATRICI http://www.storiain.net/arret/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/italianis ... artic6.asp
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/italianisti/message/6248
La Milizia Volontaria Sicurezza Nazionale. La Campagna di Russia 1941-1943 (*)
http://www.regioesercito.it/index.htm
Die 305. Infanterie-Division. Hauck
BERSAGLIERI SUL DON. Umberto Salvatores.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

On the road to disaster - to the Don and beyond. July to November 1942.

Serafimovich - August 1942.

Don's first defensive battle. "Prima battaglia difensiva del Don."

A crisis in fuel supply delayed the progress of the ARMIR which gathered on the railroad Rossosc-Millerovo, while the XXIX AK was covering the sector assigned to the Italian army (about 270 kilometers with three ternary divisions). On August 10, 1942 the 336th ID was transferred to another sector and the deployment changed as the 294 ID came to the sector of the II Army Corps.

The Italian deployment was as follows on August 13, 1942:

• Corpo d'Armata II

294 ID (German) 65 km, Kolkoz Bugilovka to the river Tciornaja Kalitva;
Divisione Cosseria, 34 km, Tciornaja Kaltiva to the western margin of Verhnij Mamon’s bulge;
Divisione Ravenna, 30 km from the western margin of Verhnij Mamon’s bulge to the mouth of Boguciar;

• XXIX AK (German) with:

Divisione Torino, 35 km from the mouth of Boguciar to Suchoj Donez sector;
62 ID (Germany), 55 km, Suchoj Donez to Merkulov sector;

• Corpo d'Armata XXXV - CSIR, with:

Divisione Pasubio, 30 km, Merkulov to Rubescinskj sector;
Divisione Sforzesca, 33 km from Rubescinski to the Choper’s mouth.

Sources: Legione Croata Autotransportabile http://www.battlefront.co.nz/Article.asp?SectionID=2
IL BERSAGLIERE DEL 6° REGGIMENTO http://nuke.gmtmodellismo.it/Default.aspx
LA CAVALLERIA ITALIANA IN RUSSIA: SCIABOLE CONTRO MITRAGLIATRICI http://www.storiain.net/arret/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/italianis ... artic6.asp
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/italianisti/message/6248
La Milizia Volontaria Sicurezza Nazionale. La Campagna di Russia 1941-1943 (*)
http://www.regioesercito.it/index.htm
Die 305. Infanterie-Division. Hauck
BERSAGLIERI SUL DON. Umberto Salvatores.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

On the road to disaster - to the Don and beyond. July to November 1942.

Serafimovich - August 1942.

First defensive battle along the River Don. "Prima battaglia difensiva del Don."

The Italian XXXV Army Corps (ex - CSIR) was deployed on the River Don with the Divisione Pasubio to the left and the Divisione Sforzesca to the right, this unit had reached the River Don only on August 13, 1942 after marching 300 kilometers . To the right of the latter was the 79 ID (German) in whose area the Russians occupied a bridgehead comprising the towns of Kremenshkija and Bobrowskij.

In an area of about 30 km on the right bank of the river from the mouth of Choper to the great bend of the Don in Sserafimovich, the watching of the watercourse was assigned to a reconnaissance group composed of a cavalry squadron, one cyclist squadron and a company of engineers. This unit was deployed on a few kilometers, well separated from the river bank and along a broad front. In this situation the Russians dominated the coastal areas and spread to the south on the border between the XXXV Army Corps (Italian) and the XVII AK (German).

Sources: Legione Croata Autotransportabile http://www.battlefront.co.nz/Article.asp?SectionID=2
IL BERSAGLIERE DEL 6° REGGIMENTO http://nuke.gmtmodellismo.it/Default.aspx
LA CAVALLERIA ITALIANA IN RUSSIA: SCIABOLE CONTRO MITRAGLIATRICI http://www.storiain.net/arret/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/italianis ... artic6.asp
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/italianisti/message/6248
La Milizia Volontaria Sicurezza Nazionale. La Campagna di Russia 1941-1943 (*)
http://www.regioesercito.it/index.htm
Die 305. Infanterie-Division. Hauck
BERSAGLIERI SUL DON. Umberto Salvatores.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

On the road to disaster - to the Don and beyond. July to November 1942.

Serafimovich - August 1942.

First defensive battle along the River Don. "Prima battaglia difensiva del Don."

On August 16, 1942, the Soviets executed some demonstrations. Aware of the danger, General Messe decided that the Cavalry groupement ("Savoia Cavalleria", "Lancieri di Novara 'and' Reggimento Artiglieria a cavallo") and the Groupement CC.NN "3 Gennaio" in which the black shirts of the Tagliamento were the majority, would be deployed in the area of responsibility of the Division Sforzesca which had took positions shortly before and had little experience in order to deal with a co-ordinated attack of Russian troops.

Taking into account this uncertain situation, the "Sforzesca" decided to protect its regiment on the right (54 Infantry) deployed two battalions in front (facing north) and one on second line (facing east). As it was mentioned before, the XXXV Army Corps deployed its reserves on the right, the Raggruppamento CC.NN "3 Gennaio" and the Raggruppamento a Cavallo.

Sources: Legione Croata Autotransportabile http://www.battlefront.co.nz/Article.asp?SectionID=2
IL BERSAGLIERE DEL 6° REGGIMENTO http://nuke.gmtmodellismo.it/Default.aspx
LA CAVALLERIA ITALIANA IN RUSSIA: SCIABOLE CONTRO MITRAGLIATRICI http://www.storiain.net/arret/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/italianis ... artic6.asp
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/italianisti/message/6248
La Milizia Volontaria Sicurezza Nazionale. La Campagna di Russia 1941-1943 (*)
http://www.regioesercito.it/index.htm
Die 305. Infanterie-Division. Hauck
BERSAGLIERI SUL DON. Umberto Salvatores.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

On the road to disaster - to the Don and beyond. July to November 1942.

Serafimovich - August 1942.

First defensive battle along the River Don. "Prima battaglia difensiva del Don."

On August 17, 1942 were detected enemy movement to the west and south of the curve by Sserafimovich towards the Italian forces. The HQ of Group "Tagliamento" and Battalion LXIII. CCNN move from Bolschoij towards Dewjatkin, Battalion LXXIX. reached Kotowskij where it was deployed its 1 st Company, the first battery Artillery Regiment 201 (Motorized) was assigned as reinforcement to the Groupement CCNN, which moved its CP to Dewjatkin.

18 and 19 August, 1942 were used to improve the defensive system.

The old soldier (Messe) was not wrong and the possibility of one attack which was foreseen, came true on 20 August 1942.

Sources: Legione Croata Autotransportabile http://www.battlefront.co.nz/Article.asp?SectionID=2
IL BERSAGLIERE DEL 6° REGGIMENTO http://nuke.gmtmodellismo.it/Default.aspx
LA CAVALLERIA ITALIANA IN RUSSIA: SCIABOLE CONTRO MITRAGLIATRICI http://www.storiain.net/arret/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/italianis ... artic6.asp
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/italianisti/message/6248
La Milizia Volontaria Sicurezza Nazionale. La Campagna di Russia 1941-1943 (*)
http://www.regioesercito.it/index.htm
Die 305. Infanterie-Division. Hauck
BERSAGLIERI SUL DON. Umberto Salvatores.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

On the road to disaster - to the Don and beyond. July to November 1942.

Serafimovich - August 1942.

First defensive battle along the River Don. "Prima battaglia difensiva del Don."

The 79th ID - July 1942.

The 79 ID (Generalmajor Richard Graf von Schwerin) was within the frame of the XVII AK (General Hollidt) deployed on the extreme left of the 6 AOK (General Paulus). On July 2, 1942 had begun its movement towards the Don River. On July 5, 1942 its IR 212 had taken Waluiki; to that location arrived the IR 208 on July 8, 1942 and returned to the bosom of the Division. On July 9, 1942 the IR 208 had conquered Rowenki, whereas the IR 226 had reached the Don River and occupied Migulniskaja.


Sources: Legione Croata Autotransportabile http://www.battlefront.co.nz/Article.asp?SectionID=2
IL BERSAGLIERE DEL 6° REGGIMENTO http://nuke.gmtmodellismo.it/Default.aspx
LA CAVALLERIA ITALIANA IN RUSSIA: SCIABOLE CONTRO MITRAGLIATRICI http://www.storiain.net/arret/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/italianis ... artic6.asp
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/italianisti/message/6248
La Milizia Volontaria Sicurezza Nazionale. La Campagna di Russia 1941-1943 (*)
http://www.regioesercito.it/index.htm
Die 305. Infanterie-Division. Hauck
BERSAGLIERI SUL DON. Umberto Salvatores.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

On the road to disaster - to the Don and beyond. July to November 1942.

Serafimovich - August 1942.

First defensive battle along the River Don. "Prima battaglia difensiva del Don."

The 294 ID July-August 1942.

The 294 ID of Generalmajor Johannes Block advanced towards Oskol since July 10, 1942 onwards, reaching that water course between Wolokonowka and Waluiki. Serious supply problems in the army (6 AOK). On July 14, 1942, the 294 ID carried out raking actions in the Oskol the east bank with its IR 513, IR 514 and IR 515. On July 15, 1942 the Divisional CP at Wejdelewka. On 23 July, 1942 the 294 ID reached the Don River and occupied the defensive sector assigned to it. On July 24, 1942 established a POW camp in Twjerdochlebowka. By July 29, 1942 there was still a severe shortage of fuel and the motorized parts of the division were in the area Holaja - Michailowka – Kantemirowka yet.

On August 1, 1942 the 294 ID left the 6 AOK, being subordinated to the II Italian Army Corps, but the its supply was responsibility of the XXIX AK. August 12th, the 294ID deployed at Rossosch at the bend of the Don River and there it relieved the 336 ID.

Sources: Legione Croata Autotransportabile http://www.battlefront.co.nz/Article.asp?SectionID=2
IL BERSAGLIERE DEL 6° REGGIMENTO http://nuke.gmtmodellismo.it/Default.aspx
LA CAVALLERIA ITALIANA IN RUSSIA: SCIABOLE CONTRO MITRAGLIATRICI http://www.storiain.net/arret/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/italianis ... artic6.asp
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/italianisti/message/6248
La Milizia Volontaria Sicurezza Nazionale. La Campagna di Russia 1941-1943 (*)
http://www.regioesercito.it/index.htm
Die 305. Infanterie-Division. Hauck
BERSAGLIERI SUL DON. Umberto Salvatores.

Cheers. Raúl M .