Hi Marko,
let me answer the point raised by You first, then give You some extra data on the units involved.
Schn.Abt 127 is the incorrect designation of the PzJg Abt 127 (renaming occured 2/12/42).
Thanks. How could I've missed this one? How do you mean incorrect?
I mean that in fact, the Schn Abt was renamed into the PzJg Abt 127, and not the other way round. So, by the given timeframe, the correct designation was already PzJg Abt 127.
Nah, it would be too obvious .
Maempel only had one rifle company to accompany his Rgt.Stab and as it seems some elements of Schn.Abt 127 (Abt.Stab of which plus some further elements managed to reach Millerowo)
So, in fact, KG Maempel was of sub-battalional dimensions, but with a regimental command. An ideal replacement for the ad-hoc HQ of KG Göller (BTW, do You have any clue who this Oberst Göller / Göhler was? I couldn't find any single info on him yet).
Do you have a date for this OoB? It seems like the composition of KG Göller remained virtually the same throughout the siege (another one dated in late December is identical).
No specific date on this one, at least not after 22/12/42. But as You will see below, it is quite reasonable to assume that in fact these units were part of the Kgr throughout the siege.
I'm just trying to find out the situation in Chertkovo (Oops, I meant I was looking for info on the anti-tank companies ). Maempel definately one way or the other found its way to Chertkovo. The question now remains what units did he have under his command during the long journey. As an afternote there appears to had been two battle groups in the town, Göller and a KG from 298.Inf.Div., but who was its CO (Oberst Michaelis, Schulte or Maempel?).
Do You have any source to say that only a KGr from the 298. Inf Div was involved in Tschertkowo? AFAIK the whole division, plus attached sub-units made its way to the city. All my data has the full 298. Inf Div present inside the Chertkovo pocket during the breakout attempt. So, I assume that not only a KG of the division was involved.
About the commander - there was a sudden replacement in the command chain of the division on 27/12/42 - Genm Herbert Michaelis replaced Arnold Szelinski as the CO of the unit. As the division fought its way to Chertkovo only a few days before, it is fairly logical to assume that Szelinski was trapped outside and was replaced by the acting commander in field (Führer, if You please), Michaelis. Someone could prove my point here if You can.
Interesting, maybe the battalion (or at least part of it) did find its way to Chertkovo.
The answer was in front of our eyes, but my emphasis was at a wrong place.
Panzerjäger-Abteilung 654 (mot.)
[...]
6 Nov 42 9 Pak 40 and 1 Pak 97/38 (f) serviceable, 1 Pak 97/38 (f) unserviceable in 1./, two companies entirely without AT guns
Dec 42 elements attached to 298th Infantry Division, II Italian Corps, 8th Italian Army
12 Dec 42 2./ issued 9 Marder IIs at Kantemirovka, guns turned over to 3./
19 Dec 42 16 more Marder IIs arrive at Kantemirovka and are almost overrun by the Soviets
mid-Feb 43 battalion ordered to Hamburg to reform
1 Apr 43 schwere-Panzerjäger-Kompanie 518 and 1./Pz.Jg.Abt. 168 incorporated
[...]
So, elements - and if I assume right, it could only have been the 1. coy (see the note for 12/12/42 above mentioning the other two coys at Kantemirovka) - were in fact with the 298. Inf Div column.
This was part one, and now let's move on to part 2 - data on the units involved.
298. Infanterie Division
- commander Genl Arnold Szelinski replaced 27/12/42 by Genm Herbert Michaelis
- full division deployed with XXXV. Ita AK (CHIR)
- was part of Blocco Nord
- made its way to Chertkovo, and took on garrison duties there
Blocco Nord
- composite name for units retreating in the "298. Inf Div column"
- had elements of Torino, Ravenna, Pasubio, 298. Inf Divs plus subdivisional units
- there was no real central command to lead grouping, seems unofficial
Kampfgruppe Maempel
- commanded by Obst Rolf Maempel, CO PzGren Reg 140
- had his own HQ, Begleit Coy and elements of PzJg Abt 127
- was cut off from parent division 27. Pz Div during Russian offensive
- arrived at Chertkovo with Blocco Nord, and HQ assumed command of KG Göller's units
Kampfgruppe Göller
- commanded by Obst Göller replaced 25/12/42 by Obst Maempel
- formed ad-hoc 22/12/42 from local units at Chertkovo
- had garrison command duties before the arrival of the 298. Inf Div
Grenadier Regiment 538
- was deployed at AOK 18 until 11/42
- transferred to join division at the southern front but got stuck at Chertkovo
- II. bn was disbanded during the autumn of 1942
- was made part of KG Göller with the remaining two bns
Torino Division
- full division retreated to Chertkovo with Blocco Nord
Ravenna Division
- just fragments were with Blocco Nord
- main body of division was rejected to the west and later joined Fretter-Pico's group
Pasubio Division
- just fragments were with Blocco Nord
- main body of division was engaged to the east with Blocco Sud
CCNN Brigade 23 Marzo
- just very small parts were with Blocco Nord
- bulk of unit was grouped with the Ravenna Div
CCNN Brigade 3 Gennaio
- full unit was attached to Blocco Nord
- was involved in heavy fighting (Arbusov) and had heavy casualties
- highly praised by the Germans as rearguard unit at breakthrough
Gruppe Huffmann
- commander Major Heinz Huffmann of StuG Abt 201
- composite battalion formed around HQ and 3./StuG Abt 201
- was attached to the Blocco Nord and later fought at Chertkovo
schwere Panzerjäger Abteilung B
- was trapped at Chertkovo
- 3. coy with 75 mm guns avoided encirclement and ended up with KG Fegelein
- attachment to KG Maempel highly probable
Panzerjäger Abteilung 654
- 2. and 3., freshly equipped with Marder IIs, was present at Kantemirovka 19/12/42
- elements (most probably 1. coy) were trapped at Chertkovo
- attachment to KG Maempel highly probable
1.,4./SS Polizei-Schützen Regiment 1
- unit sent via rail from Debica to join KG Schuldt
- 19/12/42 second transport of bataillon got cut off at Chertkovo with 1. and 4. coys
- unit organized ad hoc town defenses immediately
- detachment joined KG Göller
4.,5./Führer Begleit Bataillon
- unit sent via rail from Germany to strenghten Italian lines
- 23/12/42 second transport of unit got cut off at Chertkovo with 5. (Pz) Kp and parts of 4. coy
- detachment joined KG Göller
schwere Panzerjäger Kompanie 517
- present at Chertkovo 22/12/42
- was made part of KG Göller
Panzerjäger Kompanie 12
- affiliation with KG Maempel possible
Panzerjäger Kompanie 13
- affiliation with KG Maempel possible
SS Batterie Krause
- was part of KG Göller
Bau Pionier Bataillon 3
- was part of KG Göller
Panzergrenadier Regiment 63
- deployed at PzAOK 4 with 17. Pz Div
- elements of I. bn possibly present at Chertkovo with KG Göller
- could be typo for remnants of PzGren Reg 64's KG outside the pocket
---------
So, that's where I stand today.
Please add Your comments and any further data and (as You would say) sorry for the long post
Best,
Abel