Kradschützen-Batallion 40 (10.ID)

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Kradschützen-Batallion 40 (10.ID)

Post by cpa95 »

The war diary for the time in Russia begins on 1.1.1942. So the earlier time was filled by maps, a list of engagements and losses of the K 40 and the history of the 10th infantry division.

Introduction (15.11.1940-31.12.1941):

15.11.1940 daily order: The Kradschützen-Btl. 40 was built from the MG Btl. 6.

November 1940 The K 40 moved to Passau as a part of the 10th ID (motorised).

Februar 1941 The K40 moved on road from Passau to Wildflecken (training area). K 40 prepared his companies up to 10.6.1941.

11.6.1941 The K 40 leaved Wildflecken at 01.00 pm and moved via Meiningen, Breslau Radom to the area 20 km west of Brest-Litowsk, arriving on 21.6.1941. K 40 became a division reserve up to

25.6.1941, then K 40 crossed the Bug on a war-bridge ("Kriegsbrücke") near Koden. As a part of 10th ID, the Btl. marched east, following the other units of XXIV. PK (Panzergruppe 2, on "Rollbahn" 1).

27.6.1941 The first engagement happened on the southern front of the Bialystock-encirclement. The K 40 fought against russian troops (2000 men) and took 400 PoWs. During the next days the K 40 marched forward in front of the 10th ID.

2.7.1941 The K 40 crossed the polish-russian border and arrived the city of Sluzk.

4.7.1941 Minor fighting nw of Bobruisk.

5.7. and 6.7.1941 The K 40 rested in a wood near Swislotsch and was hold back again as a reserve of the 10th ID.

8.7.1941 K 40 became order to clear an area in the west and near Daschkowka. The day saw heavy fighting on the hills near the street Bobruisk-Mogilew. 16 kia. Up to the

12.7.1941 the K 40 secured the northern flank nw of Daschkowka, meanwhile the division moved against Mogilew. This day the K 40 crossed the Dnjepr south of Mogilew on a war-bridge and took place on both sides of the road Mogilew-Rogatschew.The battle south of Mogilew ended on

17.7.1941, so the K 40 moved on to Propoisk as a reserve of the corps, after securing the street Mogilew-Propoisk near Kutnja. Some fights in this area went on up to

23.7.1941, and the K 40 moved to Tscherikoff (northern part). Russian artillery was firing the without a pause.

28.7.1941 Movements followed via Kritschew to Koriarawka. The weather was very hot these days.

29.7.-1.8.1941 The K 40 rested in Koirarawka.

2.8.1941 The whole 10th ID attacked in a southern direction on good roads, K 40 moved in front of the division.

6.8.1941 The K 40 secured the southern flank of the division on both sides of Miloslawitschi, in the area west of Roslawl, there the K 40 took position up to

10.8.1941 with some losses (12 kia). Then later this day the K 40 attacked against strong russian positions, hold by cavalry. Without a pause and up to the

16.8.1941 the K 40 was engaged near Sklimin and Putimelj, east of Roslawl. Order for the Btl. was to close the encirclement of russian troops in the area west of Miloslawitsch near Sklimin. The division took thousands of PoWs, many horses were seen in the landscape. The encirclement of Kritschew ended on 14.8.1941 with the destruction of three russian divisions.

16.8.-17.8.1941 The K 40 rested in Besowitschi.

17.8.1941 The marching groups of the 10th ID started their movements in the direction Ssurash-Nowosybkov, K 40 in front of the division. The roads were very sandy. North of Ssurash the K 40 faced russian troops in a bridgehead on the Iput, supported by some tanks. Together with IR 41 and AA 10 the bridgehead was eliminated at the same day. Up to

19.8.1941 the Btl. Rested in Ssurash, a little city with 30.000 inhabitants, laying between valleys. Then it marched on, fighting against retreating russian troops, passing Klinzy and afterwards Semionowka. Klinzy was taken without a fight on 19.8.1941, and the strengthened K 40 built a bridgehead around the city. 1200 PoWs were taken.
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Kradschützen-Batallion 40 (10.ID)

Post by tigre »

Hello, thank you for sharing it with us. I'm interested, could you put a little more please?. TIA. Cheers. Tigre.
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Post by veiss »

Very interesting!
Are there more details on unit's engagements in Bialystock-encirclement? Any maps or drawings for this battle?
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Post by cpa95 »

19.8.-25.8.1941
in Klinzy. K40 secured the bridgehead.

25.8.1941
Marching to Seminowka. 2 men kia caused by air attacks.

26.8.1941
K 40 stopped in Seminowka.

27.8.1941 Kampfgruppe Plagemann (K40) attacked in the direction Andejewka. The Kampfgruppe took Obolonje (north of Konotop), and the 3./K40 crossed the Desna in small boats. After building a small bridgehead the following attack on

28.8.1941
failed in a hilly area, 4 men kia.

29.8.-31.8.1941
Minor fighting in same area north of Konotop, kia: 9 men of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th Kompanie kia.

31.8.-1.9.1941
the Kampfgruppe Plagemann (K40) was surrounded near Konotop by a russian airlanding brigade. Other units of the 10th ID mot. were helping to break through the encirclement.

1.9.-4.9.1941
Resting near Korop at the Desna, which was taken by the IR 20 (mot.).

5.9.1941
The K40 reinforced the IR 41 (mot.) north of the Desna. It suffered heavy casualties near Smetneff during an attack (16 men of 4./K40 kia).

6.9.-8.9.1941
Engagements in Kuptalisch and Makajewka south of Smetneff (near Konotop).

9.9.1941-14.9.1941
K 40 was used as a Korps reserve in Aljuscha and Baturin. The diary notes heavy raining all days, the streets were not usuable. These villages are laying near Konotop with an important railway crossing an an airport and were taken by the I. and III./IR 41 (mot.) on 10.9.1941 after a short, but heavy fight.

15.9.1941
The K 40 marched in the Romny direction, securing Smetoff and Smeloje and repelling minor russian attacks. Arriving in Romny.

16.9.1941-19.9.1941
Securing the line Nedrigailow-Romny to the eastern direction.

19.9.1941
Heavy russian attack against Romny, supported by tanks (13 men kia).

20.9.1941
Securing the eastern flank of the 10th ID (mot.), northeast of Romny.

21.9.1941-2.10.1941
K 40 and IR 20 were under command of the XXXXVII. Panzerkorps, which ordered to secure the area east of Terny. K 40 suffered casualties (4 men kia in Gorodischtsche).
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Post by cpa95 »

....
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Kradschützen-Batallion 40 (10.ID)

Post by tigre »

Thank you Thomas. About your last post ........ did you forget something?. Cheers. Tigre.
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Post by cpa95 »

Up To 20.9.41 K40 was used for the protection of the east flank of the 10. ID (mot) and the corps in the area northeast of Romny.
From the 21.9. - 10/2/1941 K40 had protection order in the area eastward Terny. It was subordinated to the XXXXVII.PzK together with the reinforced IR20 (mot).
Btl. Losses 1 Uffz. of the 1-st company on 29.9.41 by air bombardment in Terny and on 28.9.41 3 men of the 2-nd company in Gorodischtsche.

October, 1941
In the 10/2/1941 withdrawing of K.40 from Terny, substituted by an IR (mot), with this regiment came Oblt. Link, who was a former Adjutant of a company commander of the MG-Btl.6 (mot).
In nice autumn weather K40 marched at first to Putiwl
K40 stayed on 2. and 3.10.41 in Gluchow and Esmanj.
Gluchow was taken on 28.9.41 by the mass of the 10. ID.
After this K40 was marching to the north to Sjewsk, then resting in Senoje
on 4. and 5.10.41. 4-5 Russian bombers of modern
construction disturbed the line traffic over and over again.

Departure on the10/5/1941 and arrival in Dmitrowsk.
Order:Protection of the marching streets to Orel.
Weather: Rains and snow. The infamous mud period came. At many places the vehicles were able to move themselves only with the help of tractors.
A lot of Losses of vehicles and tanks. Parts of the infantry had to march on foot and loaded their weapons and luggage onto recovered |Panjewagen|. The supplies were complicated.


Since 13.10.41 parts of russian troops in the encirclement of Brjansk tried to break through to the east and southeast
with main focus Dmitrowsk.
Defensive battle of K40 from 18. to 21.10.1941 near Popowka for the protection of the road.
Btl. Losses: 5 men killed near Popowka (6 km to the north of Dmitrowsk) from the 18th to the 21.10.41 from 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th company.

On 21.10.41 the battle for Dmitrowsk ended. The encircled russian army was destroyed. Result of the fights: more than 4000 prisoners, 56 Geschütze, several tanks and vehicles.
As a result of rain since 4.10.41 and the groundless streets and ways the post transportation was not possible for days. PoW-columns were used in the streets to Orel (50 km to the north of Dmitrowsk). From Orel on there was a good road system. Ju 52 provided for supplies, because the units were often cut off by supply. For the rest, one supplied himself from local products.

November, 1941
On the 11/7/1941 10. ID (mot) marched to Orel. In 14.11.41 K.40 left at minus 18 degrees Dmitrowsk and went northward to Oljschany (to the south of Orel), and rested there from the 14th to the 19.11.1941. The quickly incoming frost allowed the troops the marching.
3. Komp. K.40 has been left behind with the special order in Dmitrowsk.
It became a foot troop. Vehicles went to other units.
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Post by panzerschreck1 »

Hi Thomas,

Perhaps, not knowing u have helped me out a great deal with the impotance of the terrain around Konotop(airfield, railway center) incl. the importance of the villages surrounding Konotop...

Same as in 1941 , in 43'after the retreat from Belgorod there were fought heavy battles around Konotop 4th Pz.armee (Akhtyrka, Orel area)

All the best,

Paul
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Post by cpa95 »

panzerschreck1 wrote:Hi Thomas,
Same as in 1941 , in 43'after the retreat from Belgorod there were fought heavy battles around Konotop 4th Pz.armee (Akhtyrka, Orel area)
All the best,
Paul
Hi Paul,

is this a question for more informations according to the battle in 1943?
I am not sure, what is the background of your posting?

I have cited from the war diary of MG-Bat. 6/K.40.

Greetings
Thomas
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Post by panzerschreck1 »

Hallo Thomas,

No , no question needed, i was wondering before about the importance of the area of Konotop, and you have already answered my question in the postings above..

All the best

Paul
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Post by cpa95 »

Continuation of the retreating about Kosowka (from the 11th to the 14.12.41), then Wolowo and Wersch-Plawy (from the 19th to the 20.12.41) to the city of Tschern. The Ski-battalions of the division (now the biggest part of the division) stood under constant fights with sharply pushing from enemy behind. They went back on hardly practicable ways to the southwest.
10. ID (mot) was ordered to march at first in the area of Tschern.
K40 layed as a division reserve from the 22nd to the 24.12.41st in area 6 km to the south of Tschern. The Division was instructed with the defence of Tschern. All attacks of the Russians on 23.12.41 became rejected.

On order of the corps 10 ID (mot) hat to go under order)of the XXXXVII.Korps in the area to the south of Bolchow. Under the protection of rear guards the withdrawal and dismissal occurred.

Then K40 arrived at Mzensk (to the north of Orel) where it spent the night from the 24th to the 25.12.41st. Tschern was left on 24.12.41 about 18.00 (Christmas Eves).
One separated from the prepared Christmas trees.

On 25.12.41 (l. Christmas-Day) K40 went about Orel to the small village Markinowka with Bolchow. Duration of the local stay from the 25th to the 27.12.1941.

Then follwoed the march of K40 on 27.12.41 to Orel, where the Btl. layed from 27. to 31.12.41.

The demotorised parts of the division, among them 2 Kradschützen/companies of K40, became on 30.12.41 loaded on railway from Orel via Brjansk to Suchinitschi.

Order for 10. ID (mot): Operation in the area of Mossalsk-Suchinitschi.

Mass of K40 left on 31.12.41 Orel and went at minus 25 degrees via Bryansk to Roslawl. During the same day (New Year's Eve) the units arrived there. Division staff was already there. There the Btl. met a new division which was transported from France.

In the 1/1/1942 it went to Mossalsk.

In 2 days the K40 (mot) was marching about 520 km on good streets and at minus 25 degrees.
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