Infanterie-Regiment 82 - Barbarossa 1941.

[tigre]

Hello to all chaps, taking in account that today is my birthday here goes some excerpts taken from the book "Infanterie im Ostfeldzug, 1941/42" by Friedrich Hossbach.............................

Organization.

The 31 Infanterie Division was organized at Braunschweig on October 1 1936. It comprised two active regiments, the IR 12 and the IR 17, as well one newly raised regiment, the IR 82. The Division was mobilized on Aug 26 1939 and by that time it had the following organization:

Division Staff: at Braunschweig. Its Commanding Officers were:
26. August 1939 Generalleutnant Rudolf Kaempfe.
22. Mai 1941 Generalmajor Kurt Kalmukoff.
13. August 1941 Generalmajor Gerhard Berthold.

IR 12: Staff and III. Battalion, at Halberstadt.; I. Battalion, at Blankenburg; II. Battalion, at Quedlinburg. Its Commanding Officers were: Oberst Stephan Rittau (1. Februar 1939 - 30. September 1940) and
Oberst Erich Hassenstein (20. September 1940 - Januar 1942).

IR 17: at Braunschweig; III. Battalion (Jager) at Goslar. Its Commanding Officers were: Oberst Friedrich Wilhelm Neumann (1 April 1938 – November 1939); Oberst von Traekow (November 1939); Oberst Gerhard Berthold (1 December 1939 – 13 August 1941) and Oberst Hans-Joachim von Stolzmann (since 15 August 1941).

IR 82: Staff and II. Battalion, at Gottingen; III. Battalion at Northeim and I. Battalion at Osterode. Its Commanding Officers were: Oberst Gerhard Berthold (since 26. August 1939)) and Oberst Friedrich Hoßbach (since 25. October 1939).

AR 31: Staff, I and II. Abteilung, at Halberstadt; III. Abteilung at Gottingen. I/ AR 67 at Braunschweig.

Pz Abwehr Abt. 31, at Braunschweig.

Pi. Btl 31 at Hoxter. Its Commanding Officers were: Oberstleutnant Fritz Bingmann and Major Theodor Hürten.

Na. Abt. 31 at Braunschweig.

San. Abt. 31 at Braunschweig, Halberstadt, Blankenburg, Quedlinburg, Goslar, Gottingen, Northeim, Altengrabow and Ludwigslust.

Beobachtungsabt. 31 at Braunschweig.

Source: “Zur Geschichte der Garnison Halberstadt und irher Truppenteile. 1623 – 1994. Werner Hartmann. 4. Band.

Its follows. Cheers. Tigre .

[tigre]

Hello to all, the story goes on......................................

The build up. Set 1940 - Jun 1941.

In the area of the Wartha River. Set 1940-Mar 1941.

The 31 ID was deployed in Normandy at Mortain, Sourdeval and nearby villages on Set 06 1940 when the Division HQ ordered that the Regiment (IR 82) should be ready for transport; as was pointed out there, the journey was to last five days.

After four days, the train carrying the Regimental staff, reached the rail station of Weizenfeld (close to Pleschen) in the morning of 14 Set 1940, breaking any illusion with regard to peace and then a quick return to our home garrisons at Gottingen and Northeim.

The IR 82 (Oberst Hossbach) was billeted at Pleschen, Koschmin and Jarotschin and the bulk of the 31 ID was sent to Kalisch, Kutno and Lodz. The Regiment remained there for about seven months and during this period of time should detach the III./ IR 82 (Maj Moehring), the 14./ IR 82 (anti tank Company) and one Platoon of the 13./ IR 82 (Infantry cannon Company) in order to organize the new 131 ID at the training ground of Bergen (near Celle).

Nevertheless roughly 700 new recruits were sent to the regiment to re-organize the III./ IR 82 and the others elements detached previously. Also General v. Kluge, 4 AOK’s Commander paid several visits to the Regiment while he was traveling to or from Warsaw, where his Command was located.

On Nov 25 1940, a meeting was held with the Divisional Commander (Grl Lt Kaempfe at that time) in which he stressed that Germany had not military intentions against Russia.

On Mar 1941, the III./ IR 82 had to leave Koschmin being billeted at Pleschen.

IR 82 from Set 1940 till 21 Jun 1941.


Source: "Infanterie im Ostfelzug" by F. Hossbach.

Its follows. Cheers. Tigre .

[Tom Houlihan]

Apologies, Tigre!

Happy Birthday! Here's hoping you get to spend many more of them in our company!

[tigre]

I hope so, thank you Tom. All the best. Tigre .

[tigre]

Hello folks; the regiment was moving thru Poland.............................

At the Warthelager. Mar - Apr 1941.

At the end of March 1941, the Regiment left the towns of Pleschen and Jarotschin marching towards the Warthelager near Posen. The march (120 kilometers) lasted two and a half days. At the camp the Regiment should take part in two big exercises under XII AK’s framework; the Corps Commander, General Schroth, was in charge. The exercise’s subject was a river crossing in force and then one attack against hostile defensive positions. It was carried out during Apr 07 and 08 1941, and several hundreds spectators observed its development.

After that, the Regiment could not take any rest because the 31 ID was, at that time, leaving its bivouac at Kalisch, Kutno, Lodz and Krotoschin in order to advance towards Pulawy on the Vistula. The Regiment received a twofold proposal, one to take same rest and then follows the 31 ID road on foot or to be conveyed by rail immediately; the Regimental Commander chose the later course of action.

On Apr 08 1941, the IR 82 was transported by rail from Kolo - Kutno - Lowitsch - Warsaw to Siedlez (400 kilometers) and there was attached directly to the Hohere Kommando XXXV.

At Siedlez.

The Regiment remained in that city till 18 Apr when together with the III./ AR 31 and the Pi Btl 31 proceeded its march, this time towards Deblin (before called Ivangorod). There the unit would join the 31 ID which was assembled in the Pulawy area. The distant, 120 kilometers, was traveled in less than 48 hours.

The 8./ AR 81 prior its deployment eastwards


At Deblin.

The bulk of the regiment was billeted in the city’s citadel located on the Vistula’s right bank and the I./ IR 82 at the barracks on the left bank. The unit stayed there one month and the time was useful for increasing the troops’ readiness.

After a two days march (120 kms), the 5./ IR 82 reached Deblin on Apr 20 1941 leading by its commander Oberleutnant Geisendorf (KIA 22 Jun 1941).


Source: "Infanterie im Ostfelzug" by F. Hossbach.

Its follows. Cheers. Tigre .

[tigre]

Hello folks; the regiment reached the river Bug....................................

On the Bug - Jun 1941.

Attack of the Infanterie Regiment 82 (31 ID).

At the end of May 1941 started the German build up over the east border line (with the Soviet Union) and the 31 ID was moved forward from the river Vistula to the Brest Litowsk’s area. The IR 82 (Oberst Hossbach) left Deblin (Ivangorod) on May 24 by afternoon, together with the Depot Battalion 31, Na. Abt. 31., Light Supply Column 9. (horse drawn) and reached, after five nightly marchs (180 kilometers), via Kock - Radyn - Miedzyrzce - Biala the Bug river. It should take there the security sector stretched between Terespol and Kryczew from May 29 1941 onwards. That sector was watched over until now by three squadrons of the RR 1. About the middle of Jun 1941, the sector’s northern part, Neple included, was handed over to the IR 17.

By Jun 15 1941 all officers, Platoon and Squads leaders were told about the attack. Until mid - Jun the Bug river valley in the area was flooded so to carry out the reconnaissance of the readiness areas and the enemy river bank was difficult. However the flood yielded and the ground got dry in a short period of time.

Missions, tasks and forces.

The definitive mission for the IR 82 set that the Regiment (reinforced) should force the river Bug at Rzeczyca and should break through the enemy defensive positions on both sides of the town. The neighbor to the right (ID 45) should attack Brest Litowsk to the south of the rail road Brest - Terespol. The neighbor to the left (IR 17) should make a crossing of the river Bug at Neple. The IR 12 (less its III. Battalion, attached to IR 82) would be 31 ID’s reserve.

The ID 31 (Grl Major Kalmukoff) formed part of the XII Army Corps ( Grl Schroth), this Corps should seize Brest Litowsk with the ID 45 and after breaking through the border defenses between Terespol and Neple with the ID 31, proceed toward Zabinka. To the south the XXIV Pz Corps should advance from Koden on the Bug against the road Brest - Kobryn - Pinsk. To the north, the XXXXVII Pz Corps should advance from Legi and Pratulin on the Bug via Pruzana on Slonim.

In order to accomplish its mission the IR 82 was split in three Combat Groups as follows:

III./ IR 82 (Major Zenker), I./ IR 82 (Major Bantje) and AA 31 (Hptm Brinkmann) while the II./ IR 82 (Major Berg) should follow as reserve.

The Combat Groups III. and I./ IR 82, echeloned in depth, should carry out the main attack and cross the Bug west of Rzeczyca then break the enemy border fortifications on both sides of the town. The AA 31, reinforced with elements of the IR 12, should carry out the secondary attack against the fortified positions at Kozlowicze. After that, the AA 31 would be detached from the regiment.

German Plan - Jun 1941.


Source: "Infanterie im Ostfelzug" by F. Hossbach. and http://rkkaww2.armchairgeneral.com/maps ... t_ger1.jpg

Its follows. Cheers. Tigre .

[tigre]

Hello folks; the arrangements for the river crossing...........................

Organization for the attack.

Main attack

III./ IR 82 (to the right) reinforced with:
3 Pl 8./ IR 82 (MGs)
2 light Pl 13./ IR 82 (IGs)
3./Pz Jager 31
1. Pl and 3 flamethrowers 1./ Pio 31
3./Pio 31 (river crossing ops)
1./ Stug Abt 192
1 88 mm gun

I./ IR 82 (to the left) reinforced with:
1 light Pl 13./ IR 82 (IGs)
1 Pl MG and 1 Sq minen werfer 8./ IR 82
14./ IR 82 (Pak)
4 Mine detector teams Pio/ IR 82
2 flamethrowers 1./Pio 31
The bulk of Pio/ IR 82 plus the 1./Pio 31(river crossing ops)
3./ Stug Abt 192

II./ IR 82 (Reserve)

Secondary attack

AA 31 with:
2./ AA 31 (bikes)
3./ AA 31 (heavy)
12./ IR 12 (MGs)
1 Pl / Pio 31

Fire Support (under AR 31’s Commanding Officer)

I./ AR 31 (light guns)
III./ AR 31 (light guns)
II./ AR 66 (Heavy)
I./ AR 67 (Heavy)
Mortar Group 854
Flame thrower Group 6
Battery 833 (very heavy)

The IR 82 could count with 8 assault boats, 90 small rubber boats and 40 big rubber boats to carry out the river Bug crossing operation.

The bulk of the heavy weapons and the artillery went on position during the night of 20/21 of jun. The infantry units ocupied its assembly/readiness areas during the night of 21/22 of jun. The regiment’s officers were gathered by the IR 82’s Commanding Officer on jun 21 at 13:15 hours at Lechuty Male and stressed the importance of the task to be fullfilled.

Source: "Infanterie im Ostfelzug" by F. Hossbach.

Its follows. Cheers. Tigre .

[tigre]

Hello folks, following with the river crossing arrangements, here goes an excerpt taken from the Plan of Distribution of Time - Stug Abt 192. Ia/34 Nº 267/41 Secret. Issued at Billet, 13 jun 1941. (Quoted as Annex 4 of Infanterie im Ostfelzug written by F. Hossbach)

On the Bug - Jun 1941.

Stug Abt 192.

Preparatory works of the Stug Abteilung 192 (Staff, HQ Battery, 1. y 3. Batteries).

A. In general.

1. Fortification works, only at night.
2. The Group personnel will be sufficient to build the readiness position.
3. The works must be finished at the latest on jun 20.

B. Works.

1. Reconnaissance.

a) Guns echelon.
1. Reconnaissance of the fire positions, CP(s) and OP(s). (Finished).
2. To determine of the readiness areas. (Finished).
3. To mark the advance path. 20 jun 41.
4. To organize the observation. (Finished).
5. To draw the sketches with objectives included. 17 jun 41.
6. To determine the targets’s ranges. (Finished).
7. Pl leaders, Forward Observers and NCO drill tasks. (Finished).
8. Gun crew drill tasks. 16 and 17 jun 41.
9. Findings interchange (with others guns). Every tuesdays and fridays at 18:00 hours.

2. Fortifications works.

a) Staff and Guns echelon.

1. To entrench and to camouflage guns, vehicles and ammunitions trailers. 18 / 19 jun 41.
2. To entrench CP(s) and OP(s). 20 jun41.
3. To dig the ammunition pits. 20 jun 41.

Signed: Hammon.

The Stug Abt 192 furnished support to the IR 82, at that time main effort of the ID 31 in the river Bug crossing at the start of Operation Barbarossa.

Frohe Weihnachten - Joyeux Noël - Merry Christmas - Feliz Navidad - Feliz Natal.

Source: "Infanterie im Ostfelzug" by F. Hossbach.

Its follows. Cheers. Tigre .

[tigre]

Hello chaps; at last the attack goes under way.................................

Between the river Bug and the river Dniepr.

First day of the war.

On Jun 21 1941, at dusk, the Regimental Staff was shifted to Lechuty-Male. Every half hour the three Combat groups (III/IR 82, I/IR 82 and AA 31) informed about news from the front, all was quiet yet. Before the attack Marshall v. Kluge arrived at the IR 82’s CP to follow the beggining of the offensive. At 03:15 AM the artillery fire opened on both sides of Brest-Litowsk, broking the silent in this cool and wet morning.

The first act, the river crossing was a success as well as the second, the break through. The III/ IR 82 had seized the fortification of “Count Berg” with the first assault, the I/IR 82 had seized Rzeczyca and the AA 31 the fortifications at Kozlowice. The II/IR 82 had followed quickly, as reserve and was by 05:30 AM on the eastern bank of the river.

The Staff of the IR 82 followed behind the I/IR 82 and was established at Rzeczyca. Due to own artillery shots fired to short, the 3./IR 82 suffered some casualties, among them was Oberschutze Meissner, the regiment’s composer. The excellent Company Commander of 3./Pz Jager 31, Oberleutnant Bex, fell in the assault on the fort “Count Berg”. Another painly loss was the death of Oberleutnant Geisendorf the 5./IR 82’s commander; he was the only casualty suffered by the II/IR 82 that day.

From the right (45 ID) loud noise of combat could be heard, but in front of the regiment no enemy resistance could be expected, so the IR 82 commanding officer decided to proceed the advance towards the east.

By nightfall the regiment could rest at Woloski (II/IR 82), Kosicle (III/IR 82) and Bratylowo (I/IR 82) behind the security screen. The unit had penetrated 22 kilometers inland, moving by trackless ground and with the material unloaded.



Source: "Infanterie im Ostfelzug" by F. Hossbach.

Happy New Year - Feliz Año Nuevo - Gutes neues Jahr - Feliz Ano Novo - Bonne Année.

Its follows. Cheers. Tigre .

[tigre]

Hello to all; a little more.............................

Towards Michalin Stare.

The march towards the east proceeded via Zabinka - Tewle - Linowo (6 kilometers south of Pruzana) and after 110 kilometers on Jun 25 reached Sielec on the river Jasiolda. The advance was not fluit due to the bad condition of the sandy march road, especially the ones that run through the woods north of Tewle.

Taken from the 1./ IR 82 KTB: 24 Jun 1941. Leave at 04:15. An awful ground. Hot day, thick cloud of dust over the column. The vehicles got stuck in the sand. The whole company was split in pushing teams. The company advanced slowly. On 25 Jun at 05:00 was reached the march’s objective. Almost 50 kilometers in 25 hours. 08:00 moving again.

The XII AK’s commander, Grl Schroth met the Regiment Commander, Oberst Hossbach and complained about the low march’s rate. The regiment Commander invited Grl Schroth to travel back following the ones assigned to the unit; of course, the vehicle could not go ahead. The Grl recognized his mistake and put his complain aside.

On 25 Jun at 12:00 hours. the IR 82 (reinforced) was resting at Sielec. AA 31 was covering the bridge on the river Jasiolda at the north edge of the town. Early afternoon was ordered that the regiment should seize Michalin Stare this very day.

The difficult task was carried out by the II./ IR 82 with the fire support furnished by the III./ AR 31. The battalion advanced forward with its 7. and 6. Companies astride a causeway of six kilometers long, leading towards Michalin Stare. By nightfall the 6./ IR 82 had grasped the first houses at the town’s edge and the 7./ IR 82 was involved in hard fights in the woodlands nearby. At dawn the enemy, after accomplished its delaying tasks had withdrawn. The II./ IR 82 sustained high number of casualties (23 dead and 50 wounded).

Source: "Infanterie im Ostfelzug" by F. Hossbach.

Its follows. Cheers. Tigre .

[tigre]

Hello to all fellows; the IR 82 goes deeper into Russia.........................

On the river Zelwianka.

On Jun 27 the march proceeded through Busiaz, Urzecze, Sterki toward the Szczara. The IR 82 (reinforced with III./ AR 31 and 1./ Pi. 31) halted for a rest at noon, along the road march. The vanguard (I./ IR 82, 7./ AR 31 and 1./ Pi. 31) was resting nearby of Borowiki. Around 14:30 hours the regimental commander received a message from the division HQ. It pointed out that the regiment should advance in order to attack to the west immediately and the commanding officer should meet the division commander at Grodek (8 kms east of Rozana). The II./ IR 82 (tail battalion) moved through Urzecze to Kowale. The I. and III. battalions towards Sosnowka area. the II./ IR 82 had reached Kowale and by nightfall Pawlowo; the regiment’s bulk the area Grodek - Jarutycze.

On Jun 28, the IR 82 took up positions to the north of Rozana among the forces deployed on the line Zadworce - Holynka - Zelwa - river Zelwianka in order to avoid the retreat of the russsian troops encircled in the Bialystok cauldron.

At 10:00 hours the regiment, with the support of III./ AR 31, advance in loosing formation from the area Grodek - Pawlowo, through Blizna, toward Krokotka. This night the eastern bank of the river Zelwianka from Rudawka to Chonicze, was in the regiment hands; to the south contact with the IR 17 had been established and to the north a gap existed since the ID 34 had not arrived yet.

The sector frontage was 10 kms. The northern half was hilly without trees, with excellent fields of sight and fire to the west; the point 193,1 located immediately to the west of Krokotka was the key ground. The southern half was thicky wooded and the trees reached almost up to the river shore. The river Zelwianka could be forded by infantry and riders and in some points even by tanks.

The II. and III. battalions had taken up positions to the west and the I. battalion (initially held in reserve at Sieiawicze) was deployed to the north of the Krokotka hills, late afternoon on Jun 29.

The night of 29/30 Jun was a hard one; around 21:30 hours the fight started first in the sector of III. battalion and later on the II. battalion too.



Source: "Infanterie im Ostfelzug" by F. Hossbach.

Its follows. Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello folks, the end on the Zelwianka river bank.............................

On 30 jun at 02:00 hours the enemy attacked all over the battalion front (II./ IR 82) with strong forces and in several waves. One anti tank gun and one tank were placed against the 5./ IR 82 and its right platoon was wiped out; the russian could break through the gap but a counter attack carried out by Lt Bahl’s platoon, rejected the hostile troops again up to the river Zelwianka line. Only one small russian group, mainly officers, could pass between the 6. and 7. Companies, trying to assail the battalion CP around 03:30 without success; we could count 28 russian corpses in the neighbourhood. (II./ IR 82 KTB).

Hostile cavalry charged against the 2./ IR 82 (on the center sector) and the I./ IR 82 (less its 2. Company) on the north flank. Some riders went through the german riflemen and trying to escape, in doing so attacked the trains and supply troops.

With several gaps in its front, fights developing in its rear and artillery fire positions, shortage of ammunition and with its communications destroyed the regiment had employed untill the last man on its front and north flank. At that serious moment loud noise of combat could be heard to the east and heavy german shells were falling on krokotka; the right neighbour (34 ID) had finally arrived on the battle field.

As the day broke, the IR 82 had retained all its positions. The 34 ID closed the gap north of Koszele. The I./ IR 82 could be deployed between the III. and II. battalions in order to reinforce the western front. Also were attached to the regiment the II./ IR 17 (Maj Korfes) and the 1./ AR 845. The mission was finally accomplished on Jul 01 when the IR 12 advanced towards north in front of the regiment along the western shore of the river Zelwianka.

On Jul 01, at noon Marshall v. Kluge visited the regiment’s CP for congratulating the men. From the 28 Jun to 01 Jul the regiment lost more than 150 men; the fallen soldiers, among them: Olt Winar (10./ IR 82), Lt Schmidt (5./ IR 82), Ofw Riechert (5. / IR 82), Lt Stoltz (7./ IR 82), Ofw Faulbaun (7./ IR 82) and Fw Juschkus (4./ AR 31), were all buried on a hill located north of Wielka - Krokotka.

Source: "Infanterie im Ostfelzug" by F. Hossbach.

Its follows. Cheers. Raúl M .

[Richard Hargreaves]

Sadly the 31 ID divisional history, Löwendivision, is rubbish on the fighting at Brest. Luckily, the 45 ID history by Gschöpf is considerably better,

[tigre]

Hello Richard, thanks for joining here; glad to greet you . And what on the IR 12's history, "Das Infanterie-regiment 12: Sein Kriegsschicksal im Verbande der 31.(löwen-) Division by Albert Bollmann, Hermann Flörke. If someone here owns it, please feel free to contribute to shed some lights on this interesting division. All the best. Raúl M .

[Richard Hargreaves]

Hi Raul,

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