Hello to all; the story follows..............................
17 July 1941 (before noon)
On Jul 17 1941, at 04:00 the attack was resumed with IR 181 and IR 163; the IR 205 was under the division's framework again.
At 05:00 hours, the I./ IR 205 took over the security of Podsjoly. The Divisional CP advanced to Point 152.
At 05:12 hours an order was radioed to the IR 163, it was to press forward to support the IR 181.
At 06:00 hours the IR 181 reached the northern edge of Sapolje.
At 06:12 the IR 163 radioed that was pushing on slowly due to strong enemy actions against its flank; great losses in men and equipment.
At 06:20 hours an aerial attack towards Blisnezy was carried out.
At 06:50 hours the enemy retreated towards Kostjanschowo (informed by IR 163).
At 07:10 AA 152 sent one Reconnaissance patrol to Madora.
At 07:45 hours PC towards Hf. Michajleff. The IR 163 informed about strong artillery fire on Kostjanschowo and west of the village. Also the road Kostjaschowo - Chapany was under strong artillery fire.
At 08:00 hours III./ AR 152 informed that hostile Infantry had entered Ssemenkowitschi, Sapolje, Nordrand Chapany. Also the height 1000 meters southwest of Manjki was grasped.
At 08:30 hours the II./ IR 205 (less its 7. Company) which was fighting with the IR 497 in the Masaloff area (12 kilometers southwest of Rogatschev) took Tscheremucha.
At 08:45 hours a radio message was sent to Pi.Btl.152 it pointed out that the Brücko T 152 should march off on Division orders by Falewitschi - Markowo - Nowo Alexandrowski - Straße Buda to Molinoje Kupowje.
At 09:20 hours The 52 ID’s command informed to German LIII.AK that IR 181 had reached the line Ssemenkowitschi, Sapoliskoje, bridge 2 kilometers southeast Manjki and IR 163 had seized Kostjaschowo at 6:50 hours; the town was under strong artillery fire.
At 10:30 hours as ordered by the Divisional Commander, two Pz Jager Platoons were to advance towards Rogatschev and avoid, as they were able, the railway bridge destruction. Both Platoons ran against strong resistance west of Sstrenki and took up fire positions there.
At 10:40 hours IV./ AR 152 informed that the IR 181 had reached the motorway with its II.Battalion.
The Division decided to follow the Army Corps order about the attack on Rogatschev. The Divisional CP was moved to Sabolotzkij. The enemy was compeled to retreat towards one position stretched 5 kilometers west of the Druth. Around noon, the higway running between Bobruisk and Rogatschev was reached and surpassed towards south where defensive positions were established.
At 12:00 hours orders to IR 181 (given by General Rendulic in person), it was to seize the road bridge at Rogatschev and then establish a bridgehead on the east river bank. To IR 163 (Orderly) it was to seize the rail bridge at Rogatschev and then establish a bridgehead on the east river bank.
Source: "Luchas, Victorias y Derrotas" Lothar Rendulic. Círculo Militar. Buenos Aires.
http://www.rogachev.de
Hinze's "Bug - Moskwa - Berezina"
It follows. Cheers. Raúl M
.