5. Panzer-Division in Operation Seydlitz

[Mattias Rönnblom]

In July 1942, as Operation Seydlitz, the German 9th Army eliminated the pocketed Russian 39th Army near Rzhev.

Involved in (and indeed created for) this operation was Kavallerie-Brigade zBV beim AOK 9 (aka known as Cavalry Brigade Model), which, supported by 14 tanks, launched a surprise attack on the Russians on 2 July. These tanks came from the 5th Panzer Division.

Does anyone know from which company/battalion of the panzer regiment they came? What type of tanks supported the cavalry?

I'm also interested if Die Geschichte der 5. Panzer-Division 1939 - 1945 by Plato covers the 5. PD involvement in Operation Seydlitz in any detail.

Any help is appreitated. Thanks.

[Jan-Hendrik]

Please send me a PN with your E-Mail-Addi

Yes , von Plato mentions the Kavallerieverband von der Meden ...

Jan-Hendrik

[Mattias Rönnblom]

Thanks, Jan-Hendrik.

Does anyone know where I can find pictures of Cavalry Brigade Model? I guess there are very few, but you never know.

[Jan-Hendrik]

Here you can find a pdf with an article by Klaus Christian Richter on that Operation and Kavalleriekommando z.b.V.



Jan-Hendrik

[tigre]

Thanks pal ; always helping, as usual . Cheers. Raúl M .

[Jerry]

Now if you'll just translate it Raúl, us semi-literate English speakers can read it too!

Jerry

[tigre]

Hello Jerry ; it could be just be a little patient Ok? I'll do my best. Cheers. Raúl M

[Benoit Douville]

I am also waiting for a good description of this Battle by Tigre.

Regards

[Jerry]

Hello Jerry ; it could be just be a little patient Ok? I'll do my best. Cheers. Raúl M

Whenever you can old friend, whenever you can.

Jerry

[tigre]

Hello pals ; a sample it would be more or less like this................

Unternehmen „Seydlitz“
An extraordinary example of military improvisation
by Klaus Christian Richter.

Taking into account the less spectacular but historically not insignificant war enterprises, certainly the Operation Seydlitz deserves to be counted among them for it was a typical example of German improvisation ability.

In the first days of 1942 the German troops in the east, tried to stop the pursuing soviet divisions after the withdrawal carried out during the past icy December's weeks. Nevertheless on January 04 1942 the 9 AOK’s front was broken west of Rshew (later known as the east front’s Cornerstone). Two Soviet Armies threatened not only Rshew, but also endangered the Army Group Center’s left wing. The German counter measures drew in themselves into a succession of cauldron’s battles over a half year, till large parts of the enemy could be destroyed. Among the soviet forces that had broken through was a Cavalry Corps, which advanced far to the south and occasionally threatened the important higway Smolensk – Wiasma. To match the danger of that Cavalry Corps the German Army had not nothing equivalent at that time.

The only German Army Cavalry Force, the East prussian 1 Kavallerie Division had been reorganized as a panzer division (the 24 Pz) in the homeland just a few weeks before. From 1939 to 1941, the German (mounted) cavalry had given already countless examples of how able it was speaking of mobility and combat capability in trackless (hard-to-travel) areas, during mud periods, on frozen roads and in high snow. It was at that time (for the time being) – with the appropiate supply – the only Army’s branch which could maintain its movility under the before mentioned conditions. Besides, to that Army’s branch also belonged the aufklarungsabteilungen (reconnoissance detachments) with its cavalry squadrons (reiterschwadron) together with a cyclist squadron (radfährschwadron) and one motorized heavy squadron (schwereschwadron) which by 1942 were worn out and were not match for the opposite fresh Soviet cavalry forces.

More follows ASAP. Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello pals ; the second part of it................

Unternehmen „Seydlitz“
An extraordinary example of military improvisation
by Klaus Christian Richter.

Generaloberst Model, the strategist of the defensive, was at the same time an unequalled master of the improvisation, in particular forming reserves. He recognized immediately that in those decimated and split up reconnaissance detachments (Aufklarungsabteilungen), with a more appropiate organization, lay an enormous combat capability which could be exploit with success next spring with the beginning of a new mud period.

Thus, in March 1942, he decided to pull all the Aufklarungsabteilungen belonging to the VI., VIII. and XXVII Army Corps, strengthened with the cavalry platoons from the infantry regiments (infanterie-reiter-züge), and then to assemble together within a Kavalleriekommando z.b.V. (Cavalry Command for special employment) later called Cavalry Brigade Model. Besides, Generaloberst Model gave the instruction to set up a cavalry force through and through with only horses and panjewagen (local charts) with no motor vehicles for its mobility.

The latter was after the experiences suffered during the mud period in the autumn of 1941, which meant no troops’ reinforcements, would be now rather a nuisance. That execution’s guidance was out of question however after the large horses mortality in the unusually conditions, even for the russian, of the hard winter 1941/42 so the necessary large number of cavalry squadron (reiterschwadronen) were no more. So the unit also had cyclist squadrons (radfährerschawadronen) and some motor vehicles for carrying the heavy weapons.

Hence the Generaloberst Model’s original idea became at least partly shattered. The Armee Kavalleriekommando z.b.V (Army Cavalry Command for special employment) was assembled on April 1942 and comprised three cavalry regiments, each of them with five squadrons. Each regiment had two cavalry squadrons, two cyclist squadrons and one heavy squadron wich gathered all the heavy weapons. Those riders and cyclist squadrons had twelve groups each, each group with two light machineguns; additionally the squadrons had two heavy machineguns. While the cavalry squadrons were mounted on German troophorses (truppenpferden) the cyclist ones could get locals horses (panjepferden) to draw its light charts for transport of weapons, ammunitions, equipment, food supply and backpakcs. This train could fight in every area as be neccesary. In the heavy squadrons of each regiment, six kavallerie-geschützen (cavalry cannons) l IG 18 caliber 75 mm were alloted, it were partly horsedrawn partly drawn by motor vehicles.

More follows ASAP. Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello pals ; the third part of it................

Unternehmen „Seydlitz“
An extraordinary example of military improvisation
by Klaus Christian Richter.

The panzers and panzerjägers’ units would furnish support to the Kavallerie Kommando as necessary in each individual case/operation; in the same way, would act the infantry and the artillery.

After four to six weeks of training together the regiment commanders: Major Laubner (Armee-KR 1), Oberstleutnant von Baath (Armee-KR 2) and Major Briegleb (Armee-KR 3) with the Commander of the Armee-Kavalleriekommando z.b.V Oberst Holste (till the autumn of 1941, Commanding Officer of Reiter AR 1) reported the Kavalleriekommando was ready for action. However, the expected employment was not came for the time being. Parts of the Kavalleriekommando should help in the still dangerous situation out there, where others forces were not stood for action.

But at last the summer came and finally the Armee-Kavalleriekommando was assembled in an area about 9 kilometers south of Olenin in order to carry out the Operation “Seydlitz”. The Operation began on July 02 1942 and its goal was to eliminate the constant threat on the 9 AOK’s supply line. The permanent threat had been developed by the 39. Soviet Army standing on the rear of the German front as well as by the break-through carried out by the Soviet Cavalry Corps Gorin that took place in February which was strengthened by large partisan groups. At 03:00 hours, the Kavalleriekommando left the area south of the railway line Welikije-Luki - Rshew and attacked due south.

[tigre]

Hello to all ; after a while the four part of it...............

Unternehmen „Seydlitz“
An extraordinary example of military improvisation
by Klaus Christian Richter.

On its right flank was operating the 1 Pz Div and to the left ot it the IR 427. Already around 04:30 hours the strong soviet position located south of the Luchessa river had been broken through and afterwards the attack briskly proceeded southwards. Here it should be pointed out that the 1 Pz Div’s tanks could not hold the riders’ speed within the unclear area. Around noon the coming rain transformed the area into a kneel-deep mud in a short time. Horses and vehicles were left first, due to the impenetrable woods south of the Luchessa river rather than due to the soil conditions. In connection with 2 Pz Div, which had attacked from the south, the cauldron around the soviet 39. Army and the XI. Cavalry Corps (Gorin) was closed on July 05 1942. The enemy resitance was broken. Afterwards the cauldron was cleaned, at first with violent fights which diminishing later. Durin the whole operation which lasted eleven days almost 50.000 prisoners were taken besides 230 tanks, 760 cannons and thousands of light weapons were either destroyed or captured.

After smashing the soviet forces, the situation in the 9 AOK’s rear was stabilized. The Army’s rear area was secured, with the exception of further operations carried out by groups of partisans which could not be completely destroyed. The Unternehmen Seydliz had shown in which extend that kind of troops, primarily riders, specially trained and gathered together without technicals means in a thick wooded land and swamp areas could operate with success, although great Hussar’s blows, deep raids or overtaking pursuits had not taken place. In those results obtained together one could not diminish the cooperation of two Panzers Div, which carried out here more a support role and/or a blocking function due to the nature of the ground. Also the Historical Division gave a positive evaluation of this, in their eyes, almost exemplary operation. It notes: “After a battle lasting eleven days Operation Seydlitz ended with a complete German victory”.

Last part follows ASAP. Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; the last part..........................

Unternehmen „Seydlitz“
An extraordinary example of military improvisation
by Klaus Christian Richter.

Walter Görlitz (+) in his Model’s biography represents the view that, the operations had been “only” a large enterprise for hunting partisans, which did not furnish desired success. However, General der Infanterie a.D. Horst Grosmann, Commanding Officer (during 1942-44) of the westfälischen 6 ID engaged at Rshew, told Operation “Seydlitz” was an important success in cleaning the 9 AOK’s back and eliminated the dangerous threat that meant the strong enemy forces which had broken through during the last winter. After the end of the operation, the Kavalleriekommando z.b.V was dissolved because those infantry divisions belonging to the 9 AOK, heavily engaged in the frontline, wanted its aufklarungsabteilungen (recce detachments) and its riders platoons back. Due to the constant and excessive demand of the german forces it depended particularly on each man besides the aufklarungsabteilungen were used as fire-brigade. After few more than a half year cavalry regiments were set up again in the east front, which had existence till the end of the war and lastly grew up into a cavalry corps (hard-core).

It's all folks. Cheers. Raúl M .

[Nicole S.]

Hi Raul,

You have done a good job putting this article into english.

Horrido!

Nicole