Tschertkowo 1942/43

[Marko]

25.12.1942

He.Gr.B informs KG Göller that 298.Inf.Div. is bypassing Mankowo.

Air report to KG Göller.

02.00: In Iwankowka a two hour rest is ordered.
05.00: Attack by Gren.-Rgt.525 and Aufkl.Abt.298 supported by 3 Sturmgeschütze on railway station Scheptuchowka.
08.00: Railway station Scheptuchowka is firmly in our hands. The division has the intention to advance to Welikozk, 6 km W Tschertkowo and from there to link up with KG Göller.
09.00: Gren.-Rgt.526 is moved forward to take over the spearhead. Gren.-Rgt. 525 is due to heavy losses not in the condition.
10.40: He.Gr.B informs KG Göller that the bulk of 298. Inf.Div. is located at the railway station Scheptuchowka and orders it:
10.46: to force the link up with the division.
12.00: The Division is to set off towards Welikozk.
12.15: Panzer company Oblt. Kegel, coming from Tschertkowo, reaches railway station Scheptuchowka with orders to escort the Division to Stützpunkt Tschertkowo.
12.30: The Division moves out alongside railway line towards Tschertkowo. One company is carried aboard panzers.
13.35: He.Gr.B asks KG Göller about the situation.
13.48: KG Göller reports to AOK8, reconnaissance in force in direction of 298. Inf.Div.
14.00: Div.Kdr. Generalmajor Szelinski and O1 return to the division by plane.
16.25: Situation report from KG Göller to He.Gr.B.
17.47: He.Gr.B asks about the location of dropping sites for the air supply.
19.00: First parts of Division arrive in Tschertkowo. Report on dropping site and the arrival of 298. Inf.Div. to AOK8.

26.12.1942

Two general staff officers arrive by plane to inform themselves about the KG's situation. Transport of important supplies was discussed.
08.48: Ia report to AOK8 the bulk of division arrived without enemy pressure in Tschertkowo on 25.12.1942 at 21.30.
KG Göller. requests the urgent transport of dressing materiel, etc., by airplanes.
09.15: Air report: Roads around Tschertkowo are without trafic and enemy movements.
10.17: KG Göller reports to 3.Geb.Div. (Kreysing) that 298.Inf.Div. and Italians were without problems accepted in Tschertkowo.

Telegram from AOK8: Oberst Dr. Göller and Oberst Michaelis are awarded the KC.

Generalmajor Szelinski takes over the command of Stützpunkt Tschertkowo. Stab Göller commands its elements as before.

Div.Stab is structured from:
Generalmajor Szelinski Kdr.
Hptm. Klehr Ia
Oblt. Flohr O1
'' van Setten Ic
Hptm. Zander Ib
Oblt. Falkner z.b.V.

In the morning a battalion strength attack from NW.

27.12.1942

The Division is again deployed.
Reserves:
Flak-Zug Lt.Grothewohl
Pak-Kompanie Oblt.Prahmschiefer
Panzerkompanie Oblt.Kegel
1 Schneeräumkompanie
Selbstfahrlafettenzug Oblt. Köhler
The remnants of Pz.Jg.Abt.654
'' Stug.Abt.201
'' Pz.Jäg.Abt.298 (Oblt. Schönfeld)
'' Pi.-Btl.298 (Lt.Mosler)

In the morning a Hsch-Aufkl-126/B lands with an officer of the Ju-Transportstaffel which overturns itself in the process. Because of this a new landing site was observed and paved.

28.12.1942

In the forenoon 3 Ju with two surgeons land and take with them the wounded on the return flight. One Ju is hit by an anti tank gun in the motor. The Russians oversee the airport from the »White House«, S of Tschertkowo.

Through day harrasing fire with artillery, salvo guns and mortars firing in town.

29.12.1942

08.45: Air report to 298.Inf.Div.: own panzers have taken the town Strelzowka. Own panzers continue rolling towards Tschertkowo. Spearheads 20km SE of Tschertkowo.

16.45: Division reports to Dtsch.General own panzer thrust on Welikozk and makes recommendation for a further attack.

Attack by 1 btl. with panzer support against the »White House« is repulsed.

16.57: Request by Dtsch.Gen. for bombing of White House.

22.15: AOK8 shares 19.Pz.Div.'s intention and orders the mission for KG Göller.

30.12.1942

Hptm.Hiller reports those elements of the Division, which broke out with XXIX.AK to Skassyrskaja.

Hptm. v. Werden requests by Dtsch.Gen. the decision over the clear command authority in Tschertkowo.

09.13: Generalmajor Szelinski reports to Dtsch.Gen., that under all circumstances he retains the command of Stützpunkt until relieved.

Order to Hptm.Hiller over the staying at XXIX.AK

18.35: Division reports own panzer attack on eastern outskirts of Welikozk and requests 19.Pz.Div. to inform them about their intentions.

19.40: Division reports to Dtsch.Gen. the failure of operation to open land bridge.

22.45: 19.Pz.Div. reports the operation against Welikozk for 1.1.1943.

31.12.42

Dtsch.Gen. promises Stuka support at favourable flying weather.

1.1.43

01.20: Division will set off at the same time as 19.Pz.Div.
01.36: Division reports to AOK8, the garrison of Stützpunkt with 10,000 Germans and 6,000 Italians.
03.15: KG Göller reports to OKH the hero's death of KC holder Oblt.Kegel from 53.(Pz.Kp.) »Großdeutschland«.

2.1.43

AOK8 informs there won't be a repeat of 19.Pz.Div.'s attack before 4.1.
23.12: HG B asks whether the landing place is cleared enough, so that Jus can land.
Day relatively calm.

3.1.43

Division reports to AOK8 the results of observation towards Jassny Pronin.
Division reports to HG B that landing place is still not cleared.
The doctor, delegated by HG B in Tschertkowo, reports that the situation of wounded is bad and that dressing material is almost consumed.
14.00: Division requests Stuka attacks and asks for the time and number of flights.
19.40: AOK8 informs, that today Stuka attacks won't be possible anymore.
22.35: Dtsch.Gen. orders: on 4.1. 298.Inf.Div. attacks Welikozk as hard as possible and to breakthrough if possible. Attack is for the situation of division life essential.

4.1.43

01.30: Division reports, start of the attack at 06.30 from Tschertkowo in SW direction towards Welikozk
09.50: Division reports to AOK8, heavy enemy resistance. Our own line 500m E of town Welikozk. Further thrust questionable.
15.20: Report to AOK8 about the continuation of concentrated attacks by a strength of 2 regiments.
17.30: To AOK8, ammunition is running low. Holding of Stützpunkt without relief is possible for one more day. Breakout probably still possible. Requesting decision.
20.18: Appreciation of Dtsch.Gen. for the successful advance towards Welikozk and a promise for the air support.

5.1.43

20.00: Urgent request to AOK8 to repeat Stuka attacks.
20.26: Urgent request to AOK8 for ammunition for all weapons
20.52: Report to AOK8 regarding the successful attack and defense on 4/5.1.1943, 2 battalions heavily beaten up.

6.1.43

13.35: Report to AOK8, Generalmajor Szelinski took off with a Storch at 12.25.
17.20: Report about the content of ammunition warehouse to AOK8
17.49: Report to AOK8, enemy is entreching with heavy weapons NW of town. Request bombing.
20.39: HG intendant requests immediate info on the max. supply radius.

Dtsch.Gen. reports that medical material couldn't have been dropped due to damage in dropping mechanism.

[Lupo Solitario]

proceed in parallel...

25/12
the column stops at Sceptukovka from 07.00 to 13.00 showing many troubles about order.
At 22.00 column's head reached Tchercowo

26/12
the entire column recovers in Tchercowo. Italians can finally being hosted in houses. Italian and german commands agree that movement can't proceed

27/12
thru german radio, it's required to army command the sending of medicinals and the evacuation of wounded.
Italians are charged to defend the eastward side of the town

28/12
first air drop for italian forces

29/12
an italian plane landes at Tcherkowo but it's missed in return flight (dies the commander of italian air force in russia, general Pezzi)

30/12
reiforcement of sieging russian forces

31/12
it's opened the italian hospital for 1200 hard wounded. the italian force in tcherkowo is reduced to 7000 of which 3800 in bad health conditions

1/1/43
germans give italians back their food storages in Tcherkowo
An effort of 19th PzDiv to break the siege is rejected

2/1
no facts

3/1
no facts

4/1
an effort of 298th to break the siege fails. Soviet attak on italian positions

5/1
Hard soviet attack against Tcherkowo. Part of gear storages are destroyed
Italian supply airdrop fails

6/1
no notes

[Commissar D, the Evil]

Hi Guys! I just dropped by to tell you guys that this is the best Thread I've seen on Feldgrau or AHF in quite some time.

You guys are wonderful and your dissection of this topic should serve as a lesson for anyone attempting to unravel a complicated and confusing period in military history.

Again, if I can be of any "behind the scenes" help, just drop me a line!

Best Regards,
~DCC (Still with the JNAF, somewhere over Japan )

[Lupo Solitario]

Hi I've recovered a bit of stuff about the retreat of North Group...this comes from a relation wrote at the end of January 1943 by General Roberto Lerici, commander of Torino division and of italian troops in North Group (traslation is mine).

22/12 we are sieged in Arbusow, town in a little valley, surrounded by hills in russian hands...during night russians push from all directions and fire with automaitc weapons, mortars, katiuscja, and cannons on the easy target formed by the bulk of our men forced to stay at open cause all house were occupied by first-arrived germans...it snows and temperature lowers fast. During night all effective and armed men are formed in provisional formations to be givn to german defence as manouver mass. Part of those units, under command of Maj. Bombelli, are given to defence towards south and west. Weapons, food and ammos lack; medicinals lack too...
at 07.00 the german command decides to enlarge the defence circle and troops of 298th div. followed by the mass of italian troops break enemy lines rejecting enemy and giving breath to defence. Many episodes of braveness...made by unknown soldiers of provisional formations.
For all the act (seen by myself) of a soldier who to pull his comrades at attack rides a horse and bearing a great flag at wind charges the enemy followed by all fellows. Our soldiers charge yelling "savoia" and often with only bayonet as weapon. They are not eating by a day. Russians run, many prisoniers.
A lot of deads on our side and of wounded let to open space for lack of closed buildings. German denies the require for some room for wounded telling that all houses are occupied by german commands. Only after a lot of pressure we receive a little isba for hundreds of cumulating wounded.
at 12.00 while reorganizing troops, a grenade hits colonels Santini, Di Gennaro and Rosati, division regiments commanders. Di Gennaro dies soon, Rosati has broken legs, Santini an hard wound at head.
Bombing continues always stronger. The valley is vasted. Wounded grow but medicinals lack.
Airdrop for germans: fuel and ammo.
German command proceed to empty tanks of the few italian vehicles without informing me. I complain but recieve fuel for my vehicle only.
at evening positions reached in morning are abandoned on german order; retire on starting positions
Request to 8th army command, thru german radio, for food, ammos and medicinals.

23/12 Situation worsten. I give order to burn regimental flags. Sieging enemies grow and we got the sensation russians are using weapons not used until now, as 152mm guns. There's no place in valley not signed by enemy shots. Bombings are stronger than Carso's ones in 1915. No shelter.
at 08.00 soldiers are collected at balka Mansinchina to try to reorganize troops for regular regiments and battalions but receive an urgent german require for centuries of armed soldiers to be sent to defensive sectors. We answer that we could give organized comapnies in few hours but there's no way. 14 centuries are formed under enemy fire.
at 10.00 centuries are given to germans, 7 to east sector under Gen. Capizzi and 7 to west sector under Gen. Rossi.
The chief of sanitrian service is killed while caring some wounded. Officers of divisional command joins units to counterattack.
at 18.00 Gen. Rossi, the CS and me are invited to 298th command for a closer cohoperation.
at 19.00 attack of russian armor. Rejected
at 20.30 new russian attack. During this action circulates a false voice about retreating italians. Controlled and verified as false.
after that german command gives order for movement. The order arrives at italian command at 21.30
Situation: under covering of KG Huffmann, 298th and italian troops have to break the siege thru the route: Hill 230- Ssidorowski- Jwanovka. After that, move on Tcherkovo. Italians as rearguard, as always. Movement start at 23.30...wounded not filling slids must be abandoned. The only truck usable is destroyed by enemy.
Movement starts at 23.30 towards west. Russians attack from south our rearguard, part of which doen't reach to retire.
March towards west with a temperature between -30° and -40°. Also for this days soldiers have eaten only snow. No airdrop neither it had been possible having from germans any sort of food. Soldiers compare thier situation with well fed german soldiers.
In the night of 24 december under the good leadership of Col. Michaelis, we exit the Arbusow siege.


Ok I cut some detail and semplified some expression difficult to be translated by italian, but that's the juice. The Lerici relation covers the entire period december 19- january 17 but translating is quite an hard job, anyway...

[Abel Ravasz]

Great job Lupo!!!!


This gives us some in-depth detail from the Italian side, a much appreciated addition to the resources! Thanks a lot!!!

Lupo, any hint about the identity of the Gen. Rossi in the text? I've encountered one officer called Rossi in the Celere Division, but it can't be him, can it?

Abel

-p.s. check Your PM-

[Lupo Solitario]

Brigade General Cesare Rossi, infantry commander of division Torino from October 25, 1942.

I ignore connections with celere division

[Abel Ravasz]

Thanks Lupo,

seems that mine is another Rossi (but it's a common name, isn't it?).

My Rossi seems to be commander of a battalion of the Celere (Bersaglieri?). But he is not important in this case.

Abel

[Lupo Solitario]

Thanks Lupo,

seems that mine is another Rossi (but it's a common name, isn't it?).

as Smith in an anglo country...

[Abel Ravasz]

My turn with the translations. This one is from

Otto von Knobelsdorff
History of the Upper-Saxonian
19. Panzer-Division
(Until 31. 10. 1940 19. Infanterie Division)
1958 Verlag Hans-Henning Podzun - Bad Nauheim

[excerpt: pages 195 to 206; part one]

XIII.
Fights in the Ukraine at Millerovo and Starobelsk
Januar, Februar 1943

Those were the days, when Soviet winter offensive broke through to the south and west of Stalingrad with great strength and unpredictable masses of troops. The 6. Armee was trapped in the city on the Wolga, and the Red Army advanced to the south seemingly unstoppable. At this dark hour, when the fate of those fighting and dying in Stalingrad was not yet fully sealed, the division was sent from the central part of the frontline to the area east of Kharkov. Here, between the Aidar and the Oskol, the division was assigned a frontline in the northeast part of the Donbass, that had to be defended for several reasons.

... often even behind enemy lines

They fought without reinforcements and relief forces for four long weeks, to the left, right, and even in the back of the enemy. They held off the advance of the enemy, enabling the allied troops a full retreat. They went over to the attack from the defensive, advanced more than 100 kilometres to the east, and freed a there encircled German-allied Kampfgruppe. The army of the enemy was tireless. The Popow Panzer Army pushed on and on towards the south through the division's positions, but always unsuccessful in breaking the division's lines. The armour was followed by Soviet rifle corps. Popow thought that he could leave the destruction of this single divison to them. The German regiments were fighting as lost islands in the masses of the Soviet troops. In two weeks time, one of them was fully separated from the division, and had to break out from the ring on its own for four times. The situation was especially grave in the south. Two Soviet rifle divisions rushed on the division in vein. The commander of the Soviet battle group was then once again ordered to continue advancing to the south. He sent a third corps had to the west, and one full Soviet tank corps was matched against one German regiment, in which the battalions often had one machine gun for a hundred men. But, the Panzergrenadiers and Kradschützen held their lines, and only pulled back when they were ordered to do so.

They beat the enemy also during the retreat.

Then the division pulled back slowly and in full order. First, the way backwards had to be freed. The regiments beat the enemy also during the retreat, while it was trying to destroy them during march and in positional combat many times. They had also taken prisoners, and brought them with themselves, while in all of these weeks, the enemy didn't succeed in taking even the smallest number of prisoners. The division pulled back to take its place in the main frontline, which could be formed unharmed during the weeks of their fighting. Within this frontline, they once again went over to the offensive, and pushed the enemy back to the Donez again.
It's not just about the heavy burden of the responsibility and leadership that from the generals to the innumerable nameless of this division have carried. No-one else knew, how close often the dark fate was in these hours, and they all had to carry the weight of this knowledge!
Thanks go to the soldiers of the division.
In a "Tagesbefehl" about the decoration of the commander of the division with the Oak Leaves to the Knight’s Cross of his Iron Cross, he thanked his soldiers and told them, how proud he was to be their commander. Once again, he talked about the battles, that have brought him, and the whole division, this decoration. He told them, that the order to retreat was given out only when the enemy broke the positions at another frontline with massed attacks and the flanks and rear of the division were endangered. He added: "Never has the enemy broken through our positions".
Could anyone say a unit greater then they were in the whole history of people and battles? Let the fanfares celebrate the trumpets sing, and over the victory and death, sing the lines of the old song, sang along in this regiment so often, that it was never defeated by the enemy.
War reporter Dr. Heinz Simon

There is little to add to this: at the Christmas of 1942 the division was marched from Briansk to Smolensk, where they were loaded on trains. The transports went to the endangered right flank of the frontline, which, after breakthroughs by the Romanians, Italians and Hungarians, still stood at the Caucasus. At that time, it seemed possible to free the 6. Army fighting at Stalingrad. But this quickly showed its impossibility, as the Russians had far more troops so as for the few divisions, sent here from other fronts, to be enough. Thus, first of all, the troops, fighting together with the allied forces, had to break free to save what could still be saved. The 19. Panzer-Division was committed to action here, and had to fight the hardest fights ever heard, until they have reached the old Mius line, and have fortified in its northern part.
Until this, the division was part of the Armee-Abteilung of General der Artillerie Fretter-Pico. Now the command went over to the 1. Panzer-Armee, Generaloberst v. Mackensen. Generalfeldmarschall v. Manstein, in his book "Verlorene Siege", writes the following about these battles on page 394: "Further to northwest, a wide gap at the front Heeresgruppen B was formed as result of the rout of the Italian army. The rather weak Kampfgruppe Fretter-Pico of Heeresgruppe B fought at Millerowo, from time to time almost completely surrounded." And on the same page, below: "The Armee-Abteilung Fretter-Pico (two shabby divisions), by this time transferred to my command, defended the line of the Donez on both sides near Kamensk." and following "By the 19th January, at Heeresgruppe B, a gap from Woroschilowgrad on the Donez to Woronesch on the Don (about 320 km) was formed as the result of dissolval of the Italian army and the rout of the Hungarian army on the Don. On 23rd January, the "frontline" up to Starobelsk has been subordinated to the Heeresgruppe Don. Practically in this area there was only the more or less weakened 19. Panzer-Division, which had to leave Starobelsk under the impact of three corps of the enemy" and on page 407: "Resistance was only shown in the area Millerowo where as a lonely island in the red tide, Armee-Abteilung Fretter-Pico fought on the recreated right flank of Heeresgruppe B". In his book, Grandfelmarschall Manstein mentions divisions or even corps very seldom. That the 19. Panzer-Division is mentioned has very special importance. As I have already mentioned, I have very few reports at disposition about the battles of the division in these times, thus I will rely on the notices of the Grandfeldmarschall, whose words show what has the division done. On page 427, the following is written: "As we couldn't count on the Italians any more, our unique activum was the 19. Panzer-Division at Starobjelsk. But already on the 24th January the division had to abandon Starobelsk. The fact that this brave division, led perfectly by Generalleutnant Schmidt (here erroneously named Postel) could still break through to the west, deserves special merits. Even though, they could not prevent the superior forces of the enemy in passing the Donez towards the south."

I'm afraid there is not much specific in this one, but still worth a read maybe.

Full credit for the source goes to Mr. David C. Clarke.
The translation (c) Abel Ravasz.

Comments, corrections etc are welcome.

Abel

[Abel Ravasz]

Let's revive this thread once more.
I thought I have already submitted the 2nd part of the 298. I.D. KTB a long time ago, but it seems that not... So here it comes.

--------------------------------------------

7.1.43.

00.28: To the Heeresgruppenintendant B: if warehouses weren't destroyed, the provisions would be available for 16.000 men for 30 more days.
02.32: question to the 19. Pz.Div. about the situation there.
06.15: situation unchanged. 19. Pz.Div. reports its vanguard at Strelzowka-Ost.
07.40: urgent Luftwaffe support is requested from AOK 8 as the enemy, vastly supported by heavy weaponry, is attacking since 06.00 and own counterattacks are fading away.
11.23: urgent request for amunition to H.Gr.B.
13.10: report to AOK 8: the concentric attacks have so far been brought to a halt with heavy efforts. Amunition used up besides some small remainders. Holding positions just with infantry-weapons impossible.
19.38: to H.Gr.B.: amunition for the assault guns no more needed for the guns have fallen out.

8.1.43.

05.40: Div. requests relief through bomber attacks already for the early morning hours.
07.55: Dtsch.Gen. reports that the Luftwaffe will start out at the first possibility and is going to support the 19.Pz.Div. in its attacks in the eastern direction.
10.03: report to AOK 8: because of gunfire hitting its motor, a He 111 has made an emergency landing between the lines. Crew unharmed. Supply bombs still out there.
11.06: Dtsch.Gen. reports that the K.G. 3 is constantly in the air and the Stukagruppe is in readiness should the weather improve.
16.21: Dtsch.Gen. reports the success of the Kampfgruppe Tschertkowo's attack on Welikozk on 3.1. Fighting strength of the Russian 41. Guards Rifle Division heavily reduced.
Situation report to AOK 8.

9.1.43.

06.50: urgent message to AOK 8: preparations for an attack with 9 Panzers on the road to Welikozk recognized. Immediate relief through Luftwaffe requested.
08.12: Luftwaffe understands, reports the Dtsch.Gen.
12.44: very urgent request for munitions to the Dtsch.Gen. as a tank attack is underway.
13.54: Oberst Göller is relieved and picked up by a Storch. Oberst Michaelis, Führer 298. I.D. takes over command of the Kampfgruppe Tschertkowo.
17.30: daily report to AOK 8 (8 T-34s destroyed).
19.59: the delegated doctor of the H.Gr.B. reports to the Dtsch.Gen.: number of wounded grows fast. Two houses used as hospitals were destroyed today. Today no transport of medical supplies. All supplies are used up. Transportation unconditionally required.
20.29: division requests aerial bombing for 10.1.
20.37: Div. reports to AOK 8, that the conditions and number of wounded and the conditions of destruction of the city force immediate relief.

10.1.43.

The divisions asks the AOK 8 several times regarding the absence of air support.
16.26: the division requests support from the 19.Pz.Div. because of heavy own losses and asks about the situation there.
17.47: the 19.Pz.Div. reports holding current positions with all forces.

11.1.43.

02.41: situation report of 10.1. at AOK 8.
Stuka-attacks on the "White House". Several direct hits.

12.1.43.

Day progresses quietly.

13.1.43.

Panzer and Pak situation report to AOK 8. The artillery, Pak and morarfire is becoming weaker.

14.1.43.

Day progresses quietly.

15.1.43.

12.00: Commanders' conference at the divisional headquarters. The Heeresgruppe B has ordered the breakthrough to Strelzowka.
20.00: Departure from Tschertkowo without enemy pressure. Jassny Pronin is taken in an assault.
Losowaja and Beresowo are taken after a short fight. Own Panzers are screening towards Welikozk.

16.1.43.

06.00: attack on Petrowskij. The enemy is completely surprised. 5 Flak and several armoured cars are captured.
08.00: 4 enemy tanks break through from the flank in the sled columns going through Petrowskij. Panic. The tanks overrun everything. Own Panzers are not operational because they have fallen through ice.
12 Stukas appear and attack infantry and battery positions of the Russians. Thus the possibility of own breakthrough is reached.
10.00: the road to Strelzowka is cleared.
The Luftwaffe constantly supports the breakthrough.
In the afternoon the bulk of the division reaches the bridgehead Strelzowka held by the 19.Pz.Div.
The division is set in march towards Belowodsk.
The wounded are taken over by truck columns and transported to Starobelsk via Belowodsk.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Parts of the division find themselves in the so called "outside command" (Aussenkommando) in Belowodsk.

8.1.43.

The division receives the order from the Dtsch.Gen. to deploy its medical and supply units in Belowodsk.
Stragglers from the division, furlough and march companies are transferred to Belowodsk and there subordinated to the 19.Pz.Div.
Order to the Aussenkommando 298. I.D. to use energetic officers for the securing and defense of villages.

11.1.43.

Daily report to the Dtsch.Gen.

15.1.43.

Order of battle of the Sicherungsverband Hptm. Tiedemann to the Dtsch.Gen.

16.1.43.

Divisional order Nr. 4 of the 19.Pz.Div. is received.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

16.1.43.
Belowodsk

23.45: divisional order for the march to Jewssug from Belowodsk on 17.1.43.

17.1.43.

Divisional headquarters transferred to Starobelsk.
Starobelsk 23.00: commanders conference by Oberst Michaelis.

-------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------

More to follow soon.

Abel

[Abel Ravasz]

This one is from the Lerici report, kindly translated and summarized by Mr. Lupo Solitario

-------------------------

20/12
Division at Makarow. Roads blocked by a traffic jam. Fuel is low. Torino joins the 298. I.D. Torino has to give 1000 liters of fuel to suit the needs of KG Huffmann. Many vehicles are abandoned. The movement of division is blocked by the growing mass of unarmed people.

21/12
At Pnjakow a battle with the Russians is solved by an attack of the 81st Infantry. The unarmed are infiltrating the regular units, disturbing the cohesion. Another battle is fought by Germans in the afternoon. Arrival at Arbusow at 20.00. Heavy equipment is reduced to four trucks, two cars and three 75mm guns. No food neither connections. Complains for Germans.

22 and 23/12
See above.

24/12
Marching. Fightings at Mankowo.

25/12
Scheptkowa. Soldiers start to become mad, still no food. At 22.00 arrival at Tcherkowo.

26/12
The column groups in Tcherkowo. Request for help.

27/12
Italians are finally given shelter. The east sector is given to Italians. Two sub-sectors are formed.

28/12
First Italian airdrop.

29/12
First evacuation of wounded including Gen. Rossi. In the afternoon, the ARMIR's aviation commander, Gen. Pezzi dies in a rescue mission.

30/12
Germans require a force of 500 armed Italians, the force is formed with some trouble. The exceptional behaviour of the troops of 7th Defence sector is noted.

31/12
An italian hospital with 6 physicians for 1200 wounded is opened. The Italian force is estimated on 7000 men of which 3800 are wounded or frozen.

1/1
The commander of the 7th sector dies. Constant fighting. Germans give the Italians food depots (the own Italian ones!)

2/1
Quiet. Medicine is airdropped.

3/1
Idem.

4/1
298. I.D. attacks towards the west. In the afternoon, counterattack in the Italian sector.

5/1
Heavy bombing.

6/1
Quiet.

7/1
Soviet attacks the whole day. Göller assumes command at Tcherkowo.

8/1
Quiet. Report to the German command. Germans require the Italian soldiers to be fielded directly in German units. Amunition is airdropped.

9/1
Heavy Soviet attack.

10/1
Report on the situation.

11/1
Göller reaches the 8th Army command. Luftwaffe attacks Soviet positions.

12/1
Quiet. 300 Italians are incorporated into the German units.

13/1
Quiet.

14/1
Idem.

15/1
Order to break through the Soviet positions. Italians start out at 20.00, reduced to appr. 6000 men. 298. I.D. leads the way.

16/1
Battle at Losowaja solved with Luftwaffe support. Lots of fighting.

17/1
Arrival at Belowodsk. End of the retreat.

---------------------------

More to follow next week!
Any help, even the smallest, would be great since there are still holes in the data we have!

Ábel

[arodoef]

If you still need further information concerning Oberst Rolf Maempel, perhaps I can find answers to your questions in the documents given to me by my family.
I am the daughter of the late Oberst Rolf Maempel.
arodoef

[Marko]

Hi arodoef!

Thank you very much for offering your assistance and also for reviving an old thread

If you still need further information concerning Oberst Rolf Maempel, perhaps I can find answers to your questions in the documents given to me by my family.
I am the daughter of the late Oberst Rolf Maempel.

This would be absolutely great, extremely appreciated as way to little is known about such a great officer as was your father (may he RIP).

Mit freundliche Grüßen
Marko

[Jan-Hendrik]

I would be interested , too !!

This would be a great contribution to all reseachers !

Best regards ,

Jan-Hendrik

[Abel Ravasz]

Dear arodoef,

I would be very much pleased indeed of You could contribute any of Your father's documents to this research! Any data/documents that You would wish to submit would be of great interest for me, too!

Abel