First defensive battle along the Don river - 1942.

[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 Soviet 203 Rifle División.

Troops of the Southwestern Front withdrew in heavy fighting on the Voronezh and Stalingrad axes in the summer of 1942 under the onslaught of superior enemy forces. To counter the advancing enemy the VGK [Supreme High Command] Headquarters took urgent steps to build defensive lines on approaches to Stalingrad and to concentrate necessary forces and means.

Among these forces was the 203d Rifle Division, which set up a defense along the line of the Don River in the vicinity of the stanitsa of Veshenskaya. Moved urgently to the vicinity of the stanitsa of Yelanskaya on the night of 21/22 August together with other combined units of 63d Army in connection with the situation which had become complicated, the division made an assault crossing of the Don and fought its first battle successfully.

The personnel were inspired by the successful assault crossing of a major water obstacle on improvised means, seizure of a base of operations, and the first prisoners, major trophies and the weapons, ammunition, clothing and rations captured in depots at the farmsteads of Pleshakovskiy, Nizhniy, Krivskiy and Verkhniy Krivskiy. The base of operations was widened to 12 km in frontage and 13 km in depth. Repeated enemy counterattacks were repulsed successfully by the division's subunits and units. Rifle battalions commanded by senior lieutenants N. F. Buzyurgin and Z. A. Aliyev, who demonstrated good combat schooling, steadfastness, determination and proficiency in the fighting, achieved great successes in the fighting to capture, widen and hold the base of operations.

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.
Review of the book "Idem v nastupleniye" (We're Heading into the Offensive) (War Memoirs) by HSU Maj Gen (Ret) G. S. Zdanovich, Voyenizdat, 1980, 182 pages]

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 Actions.

On August 20, 1942 at 2:30 hours the enemy attacked in force against the front assigned to the 54 ° Reggimento Fanteria "Umbria", particularly on the right sector at Simowskij (II ° / 54 °), the enemy fed the action with fresh forces shifted to the right bank of the Don in the area adjacent to the "Sforzesca" and defended by the 79 ID. A first and then a second attack were repulsed but after six hours of fighting, and before a third attack, the II. / 54 º was forced to retreat, followed by the other battalions.

Five hours after the attack began, at 07:30 hours, on August 20th, 1942 came the sudden order of General Messe, XXXV Army Corps' Commander, to create a combat group which will be made available to the "Sforzesca"; Major Conforti gathered the 1. Group of squadrons, the 1 and 3 Platoons of machine guns and the 3. Battery of Horse artillery (Captain Bodo). The group marched to the Point 213 close to Tschebotarewskij with the task of exploring the flank and carry out actions on Bobrowskij.

At 13:30 hours General Vaccaro, Commander of the "Sforzesca" decided that the column continue towards the Don in order to protect the flank of the infantry in the imminent counterattack to Sesimowskij. After reaching Point 213.5 the 2. Squadron continued the march on foot to protect the flank while the 1. Squadron was exploring the area. The surprise was not long in showing up because the 54º Infantry Regiment was not in Bobrowskij but had been withdrawn and hostile fire was coming to the Italian cavalry.

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.
Review of the book "Idem v nastupleniye" (We're Heading into the Offensive) (War Memoirs) by HSU Maj Gen (Ret) G. S. Zdanovich, Voyenizdat, 1980, 182 pages]

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 Actions.

At 18:00 hours the LXXIX Btg CC.NN. reached the position of Fontanelle (2 kms south of Height 163.1) and the battery took up positions nearby. At dawn on August 21, 1942, the enemy resumed the attack on the border line between two battalions of the "Sforzesca" towards Height 232.2. At 11:50 hours the LXXIX. Btg CC.NN received orders to leave and establish a defensive position between Height 191.4 and Height 188.6. At 15:00 hours the vanguard of the battalion received enemy fire, which had already occupied Height 232.2. At 17:30 hours, the Soviet regardless of casualties and support of mortars fire tried to flank the black shirts battalion, which continued the resistance in the reached positions.

Meanwhile by order of the Italian XXXV Army Corps, the Division "Sforzesca" must establish a strong point in Tschebotarewskij with all available troops to the right, such as the LXIII. Btg CC.NN, the I/54 ° and the LXIII. Btg A.A. Just the enemy realized about the withdrawal, it resumed the actions against the retreating troops, creating a wedge between the LXIII Btg CC.NN and the I./ 54, but taking advantage of the cover furnished by the LXXIX Btg. CC.NN the Italian Infantry could reorganize itself and was able to occupy their positions.

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.
Review of the book "Idem v nastupleniye" (We're Heading into the Offensive) (War Memoirs) by HSU Maj Gen (Ret) G. S. Zdanovich, Voyenizdat, 1980, 182 pages]

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

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

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

The Actions.

At 02:30 hours on August 22, 1942, the LXXIX Btg CC.NN approached Tschebotarewskij and by 05:00 hours became part of the defense on that spot. On August 22, 1942 the rest of the "Savoya" Regiment left Kotowskij to go first to Tschebotarewskij and then towards Height 232.2; while the Group Conforti continued its fight at Fontanelle position together with the black shirts of the "Tagliamento”. General Messe had constituted two strongpoints, one in Jagodnij with the 53 de Fantería, the XV battalion of sappers and the 3. Company of flamethrower and the other in Tschebotarewskij with 54 de Fantería and two battalions of the Legion "Tagliamento”.

On August 23, 1942 at 03:30 hours the enemy (14 Guards Division) struck along the whole line but was stopped with heavy losses and high consumption of ammunition; at 10:00 hours was rejected a second assault and another during the afternoon. This day the "Savoya" Regiment was sent on patrol to Isbuschenskij by the Don and occupied Height 213.5 in order to interdict the supply line of the Russian columns. By nightfall the regiment formed a square on the height and shortly afterwards about 2000 Soviet troops were set in a semicircle about a kilometer ahead of the Italian position.

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.
Review of the book "Idem v nastupleniye" (We're Heading into the Offensive) (War Memoirs) by HSU Maj Gen (Ret) G. S. Zdanovich, Voyenizdat, 1980, 182 pages]

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

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

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

The Actions.

The famous charge of Isbuschenskij.

On August 24, 1942 at 03:30 hours the patrol led by Sergeant Comolli was sent to explore the surroundings. The previous night had been found a farm cart that seemed to have some metallic and Colonel Bettoni fearing an ambush ordered the patrol . The reconnaissance patrol observed only sunflower fields around, when Corporal Bottini saw a helmet he recognized as German. But it actually belonged to a Russian soldier who, on seeing the patrol gave the alarm. The enemy soldier was knocked down by a bullet shot by Petroso, but the patrol received a hail of bullets.

The furious reaction of the Italian was swift and machine guns opened fire, while the artillery of Major Albini and Captain Solaroli di Briona began shelling the Russians. The enemy had superior numbers and firepower and Colonel Bettoni had no doubt, only a charge with his 700 riders could give him any chance of victory. At first he thought to lead the charge of the whole regiment, but at the urging of his assistant, Major Piscicelli, instead he decided to send one squadron to the attack.

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.
Review of the book "Idem v nastupleniye" (We're Heading into the Offensive) (War Memoirs) by HSU Maj Gen (Ret) G. S. Zdanovich, Voyenizdat, 1980, 182 pages]

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

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

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

The Actions.

The famous charge of Isbuschenskij.

The charge of the 2. Squadron.

The attack order was transmitted to 2. Squadron under Lt. De Leone, whose task was to carry out a charge against the left flank of the enemy. The squadron’s men mounted their horses and broke away from the enemy and then perform a conversion. The order sword in hand confirmed to all of them that this day would come into the story. In that charge also participated Mayor Manusardi, until a few days before head of the squadron.

At the cry of charge! All the men shouted in unison: Savoya! then rushed toward the enemy lines. In the excitement, the wounded horses kept galloping till drop dead; Lt. De Leone was on foot and Mayor Manusardi continued the charge. Not being attacked on another front the Soviet soldiers turned around and continued to fire on the riders. The 2nd Squadron was reduced by half.

Colonel Bettoni realized he had to support his squadron and ordered the 4 th Squadron make a frontal attack on foot. The distance to the enemy was about 500 meters. In the Russian plain the Platoons of Abba, Rubino, Compagnoni and Toja advanced with the support of the Foresto’s machine guns. Meanwhile the 2nd Squadron completed a second charge and reached the stronghold of the Italian regiment where Manusardi and other survivors encourage Bettoni to send support for the 4 th Squadron.

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.
Review of the book "Idem v nastupleniye" (We're Heading into the Offensive) (War Memoirs) by HSU Maj Gen (Ret) G. S. Zdanovich, Voyenizdat, 1980, 182 pages]

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

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

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

The Actions.

The famous charge of Isbuschenskij.

The charge of the 3º Squadron.

The Colonel decided to send Captain Marchio’s 3º Squadron to the attack straight ahead without taking precautions to avoid detection by the Russians. Seeing this fact, Maj. Litta decided to take part of it with the few men who remained. Lt. Ragazzi, also participated, however against orders. On reaching the 4º Squadron’s combat zone, the riders had to pass through a narrow sector where the Soviets had placed several automatic weapons which took the lives of dozens of Italians. A mortar blast instantly killed Lieutenant Ragazzi. The command group was almost annihilated, Mentasti died while Litta, who could not ride due to a leg injury, managed to reach the position of a machine gun and was killed there. All officers of the 3º Squadron fell, therefore Sergeant Negri led the final assault. The last Russian resistance groups were destroyed with hand grenades and Cossacks sabers blows. The enemies who were not killed had fled. The Savoya Regiment had been the owner of the battle field due to the cavalry charges of 2º and 3º squadrons and the attack on foot carried out by the 4º.

The final balance indicated: 33 KIA and 53 WIA, while 150 horses were lost. Enemy casualties were higher 150 dead, 300 wounded and 500 prisoners.

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.
Review of the book "Idem v nastupleniye" (We're Heading into the Offensive) (War Memoirs) by HSU Maj Gen (Ret) G. S. Zdanovich, Voyenizdat, 1980, 182 pages]

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

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

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

The Actions.

The milestone of Tschebotarewskij.

On August 24 1942 the day had been quiet but on August 25, 1942 at 05:30 hours the Soviets attacked en masse from the east involving the position which was isolated of its command and the artillery unit which provided fire support. In turn, the artillery was private from the security giving by the Infantry but it was able to move boldly south of Kotowskij where were assembling both cavalry regiments. The Legion Tagliamento and one Battalion Infantry Regiment 54, resisted the actions of the enemy undaunted. However, the casualties, the lack of ammunition and water decided the commanders to try a breakthrough to the southwest in order to reach Gorbatowo or if it was impossible any area occupied by friendly troops.

The breakthrough was made in three columns, left the LXXIX. Btg CC.NN, in the center the LXIII. Btg CC.NN with elements of the LXIII Btg. AA, on the right the battalion of the 54 ° Fanteria. In the evening the remnants reached Gorbatowo being at disposal of the Division Sforzesca.

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.
Review of the book "Idem v nastupleniye" (We're Heading into the Offensive) (War Memoirs) by HSU Maj Gen (Ret) G. S. Zdanovich, Voyenizdat, 1980, 182 pages]

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

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

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

The Actions.

The milestone of Tschebotarewskij.

On the morning of August 26, 1942 the Group "Tagliamento" composed of 14 officers and 420 NCOs and soldiers were deployed on the high ground northwest of Gorbatowo when it was ordered to move to the high ground northeast of the town and occupy Height 228 on the ridge between the valleys of Kriuscha and Zuzkan. Contrary to expectations the town was already occupied by the enemy. The unit secured now a front of 15 kilometers by using strongpoints with automatic weapons and mobile patrols. On August 28, 1942 a reconnaissance patrol managed to seize Height 228 by a surprise attack and defended it until relieved by the I. / 54 Fanteria.

On August 30, 1942, the Group Commander sent a company of LXIII Btg. CCNN led by Adjutant Baradello to strengthen the position of on Point 228 which was being attacked by the enemy, in the counterattacks the subunit captured prisoners and an automatic weapon. On August 31, 1942 the company withdrew after the arrival of elements of the Battalion "Vestone" belonging to the Alpine Division "Tridentine". On September 2, 1942 the whole Group of CC.NN "Tagliamento" was removed from the line in order to be used as divisional reserve.

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.
Review of the book "Idem v nastupleniye" (We're Heading into the Offensive) (War Memoirs) by HSU Maj Gen (Ret) G. S. Zdanovich, Voyenizdat, 1980, 182 pages]

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; the end..........

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

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

The Actions.

In the following days the defense will focus on the milestone of Jagodnij, winning the 53 Fanteria the Silver Medal of Valor.

"In four days of heavy fighting on the Don and given the unfavorable conditions of the ground because of the vastness of the area allocated to it, the 53º Infantry, opposed with courage and tenacity, to the limit of human endurance, the penetration of an enemy far superior in number and means. Jagodnij formed an unbeatable barrier which defended continuously, for another ten days to attack from various opponents more powerful, until the enemy physically and morally crushed by so much value, had to abandon the struggle, for perpetuating the glorious traditions of the past and confirmed through the new blood that the sacrifice of life is a little thing when it was given for the country and for the greater glory of the Regiment "(right bank of the Don - Jagodnij - Russian Front, 17 to 31August, 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.

It's all folks. Cheers. Raúl M .