Operation "Wirbelwind" - Aug 1942.
Moderator: sniper1shot
Operation "Wirbelwind" - Aug 1942.
Hello to all friends, greetings from Argentina. I'm trying to get some info on the offensive carried out by the 2.PzA against the Suchinitschi bulge, in the Shisdra area. Could anyone kindly help me with this subject?. TIA. All the best. Tigre.
Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
Re: Operation "Wirbelwind" - Aug 1942.
Hello to all 
; after a long while..here goes something............
Wirbelwind - August 1942.
On 11 August 1942, Operation Wirbelwind is started in the sector of Army Group Center. This operation is an attack launched by the Second Panzer Army at Ssuchinitschi in a north-northwesterly direction in order to pinch off the Russian salient protruding sharply to the west between Ssuchinitschi and Juchnoff. The Führer is under the impression that in this operation the Second Panzer Army concentrates its effort too much on its outer wing, namely its right or eastern flank.
13 Aug 1942.
Thus far, Operation Wirbelwind has not resulted in a decisive success, but the beginning of a favorable development seems to be indicated by the latest reports. According to a report by the Chief of Army General Staff, the Second Panzer Army resumed its attack at its right, eastern wing early this morning, but with a limited objective only, namely an advance of 8 kilometers. Upon reaching this objective, the attack wing will turn to the west in accordance with instructions given by the Führer. The 9th Panzer Division arrived at the Second Panzer Army's right wing behind the sector of the 11th panzer Division; elements of the 4th Panzer Division are also in that sector.
Source: Die 9. Panzer-Division. Bewaffnung – Einsätze – Männer 1938-1945. Carl H. Hermann.
Greiner Diary Notes, 12 Aug 1942 - 12 Mar 1943.
Cheers. Raúl M
.
; after a long while..here goes something............Wirbelwind - August 1942.
On 11 August 1942, Operation Wirbelwind is started in the sector of Army Group Center. This operation is an attack launched by the Second Panzer Army at Ssuchinitschi in a north-northwesterly direction in order to pinch off the Russian salient protruding sharply to the west between Ssuchinitschi and Juchnoff. The Führer is under the impression that in this operation the Second Panzer Army concentrates its effort too much on its outer wing, namely its right or eastern flank.
13 Aug 1942.
Thus far, Operation Wirbelwind has not resulted in a decisive success, but the beginning of a favorable development seems to be indicated by the latest reports. According to a report by the Chief of Army General Staff, the Second Panzer Army resumed its attack at its right, eastern wing early this morning, but with a limited objective only, namely an advance of 8 kilometers. Upon reaching this objective, the attack wing will turn to the west in accordance with instructions given by the Führer. The 9th Panzer Division arrived at the Second Panzer Army's right wing behind the sector of the 11th panzer Division; elements of the 4th Panzer Division are also in that sector.
Source: Die 9. Panzer-Division. Bewaffnung – Einsätze – Männer 1938-1945. Carl H. Hermann.
Greiner Diary Notes, 12 Aug 1942 - 12 Mar 1943.
Cheers. Raúl M
.Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
Re: Operation "Wirbelwind" - Aug 1942.
Hello to all ; more follows........................
The 9th Pz in Wirbelwind - August 1942.
14 Aug 1942.
In the sector of Army Group Center, Operation Wirbelwind has made little progress in the face of very strong enemy resistance and in difficult fortified wooded terrain.
The terrain full of obstacles, hindered the movements both for combat and for logistical support and medical evacuations. Although the town of Wosty was conquered on August 15 1942, the SR 10 was unable to cross the small stream (Shisdra).
Meanwhile, the SR 11 in a violent assault pushed forward and managed to break into the Soviet positions north of Shisdra.
Source: Die 9. Panzer-Division. Bewaffnung – Einsätze – Männer 1938-1945. Carl H. Hermann.
Greiner Diary Notes, 12 Aug 1942 - 12 Mar 1943.
Cheers. Raúl M.
; more follows........................The 9th Pz in Wirbelwind - August 1942.
14 Aug 1942.
In the sector of Army Group Center, Operation Wirbelwind has made little progress in the face of very strong enemy resistance and in difficult fortified wooded terrain.
The terrain full of obstacles, hindered the movements both for combat and for logistical support and medical evacuations. Although the town of Wosty was conquered on August 15 1942, the SR 10 was unable to cross the small stream (Shisdra).
Meanwhile, the SR 11 in a violent assault pushed forward and managed to break into the Soviet positions north of Shisdra.
Source: Die 9. Panzer-Division. Bewaffnung – Einsätze – Männer 1938-1945. Carl H. Hermann.
Greiner Diary Notes, 12 Aug 1942 - 12 Mar 1943.
Cheers. Raúl M
.- Attachments
-
- Landscape in front of the banks of Shisdra ... ... ...
- image002.jpg (50.2 KiB) Viewed 10639 times
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- Soviet positions on the river Shisdra.
- image004.jpg (64.4 KiB) Viewed 10639 times
Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
Re: Operation "Wirbelwind" - Aug 1942.
Hello to all ; more follows........................
The 9th Pz in Wirbelwind - August 1942.
16 Aug 1942.
In the sector of Army Group Center, Operation Wirbelwind has been progressing very slowly and the attack forces have sustained heavy losses. General Von Kluge, in a report submitted by telephone, states that the attack cannot succeed because behind every Russian position taken in the forests at Ssuchinitschi another position is encountered and because the passage between these forests is completely blocked by mines. The Second Panzer Army intends therefore to attack in an easterly direction.
Then came a hard and slow progress of the armored riflemen, increasingly worn out, towards the northern edge of the great forest of Kolodesy.
Source: Die 9. Panzer-Division. Bewaffnung – Einsätze – Männer 1938-1945. Carl H. Hermann.
Greiner Diary Notes, 12 Aug 1942 - 12 Mar 1943.
Cheers. Raúl M.
; more follows........................The 9th Pz in Wirbelwind - August 1942.
16 Aug 1942.
In the sector of Army Group Center, Operation Wirbelwind has been progressing very slowly and the attack forces have sustained heavy losses. General Von Kluge, in a report submitted by telephone, states that the attack cannot succeed because behind every Russian position taken in the forests at Ssuchinitschi another position is encountered and because the passage between these forests is completely blocked by mines. The Second Panzer Army intends therefore to attack in an easterly direction.
Then came a hard and slow progress of the armored riflemen, increasingly worn out, towards the northern edge of the great forest of Kolodesy.
Source: Die 9. Panzer-Division. Bewaffnung – Einsätze – Männer 1938-1945. Carl H. Hermann.
Greiner Diary Notes, 12 Aug 1942 - 12 Mar 1943.
Cheers. Raúl M
.- Attachments
-
- The forest of Kolodesy.
- image002.jpg (55.9 KiB) Viewed 10585 times
Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
Re: Operation "Wirbelwind" - Aug 1942.
Hello to all ; more follows........................
The 9th Pz in Wirbelwind - August 1942.
18 Aug 1942.
In the sector of Army Group Center, Operation Wirbelwind is bogged down. The enemy launched a counterattack against the eastern flank of the 11h Panzer Division which could be repelled.
The intense and bitter struggle in the Russian summer heat resulted in heavy losses for the 9 Pz and the actual strenght of the rifle companies fell to 10 to 15 men. Oberst v. Hülsen led his battle group under increasingly difficult conditions.
Source: Die 9. Panzer-Division. Bewaffnung – Einsätze – Männer 1938-1945. Carl H. Hermann.
Greiner Diary Notes, 12 Aug 1942 - 12 Mar 1943.
Cheers. Raúl M.
; more follows........................The 9th Pz in Wirbelwind - August 1942.
18 Aug 1942.
In the sector of Army Group Center, Operation Wirbelwind is bogged down. The enemy launched a counterattack against the eastern flank of the 11h Panzer Division which could be repelled.
The intense and bitter struggle in the Russian summer heat resulted in heavy losses for the 9 Pz and the actual strenght of the rifle companies fell to 10 to 15 men. Oberst v. Hülsen led his battle group under increasingly difficult conditions.
Source: Die 9. Panzer-Division. Bewaffnung – Einsätze – Männer 1938-1945. Carl H. Hermann.
Greiner Diary Notes, 12 Aug 1942 - 12 Mar 1943.
Cheers. Raúl M
.- Attachments
-
- Men of the 9 Pz on the Shisdra's margins.
- image005.jpg (76.98 KiB) Viewed 10533 times
Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
Re: Operation "Wirbelwind" - Aug 1942.
Hello to all ; more follows........................
The 9th Pz in Wirbelwind - August 1942.
21 Aug 1942.
The forces committed in Operation Wirbelwind still have not been able to gain freedom of action. The attack is greatly hampered by the swampy and woody terrain. The German striking power has considerably decreased, and the tank units sustained heavy losses. General Von KLUGE reported yesterday that the attack no longer appears promising unless the attack forces are reinforced by two additional divisions. However, the Führer insists on the continuation of the operation and requests General Von KLUGE to appear at his headquarters tomorrow for a discussion of measures to be taken.
22 Aug 1942.
The enemy, obviously, attaches great importance to the German attack at Ssuchinitschi and moves up reinforcements constantly. This morning he launched a counterattack against the right flank of the Second Panzer Army.
Today's discussion between the Führer and Mariscal Von KLUGE had the following result:
Operation Wirbelwind will be discontinued because decisive success can no longer be expected in view of the difficult terrain and the strength of the enemy forces. However, the continuation of the attack in this front sector is to be simulated in order to tie down the Russian forces and to prevent their employment in attacks against the other thinly manned front sectors. However, no reinforcements are assigned to the Second Panzer Army for this task. On the contrary, the 9th and 11th panzer Divisions will be withdrawn and regrouped in the area north of Kirow in order to launch an attack together with the "Grossdeutschland" Division in a general southsoutheasterly direction, and to attempt to accomplish on a smaller scale the original objective of Operation Wirbelwind.
Source: Die 9. Panzer-Division. Bewaffnung – Einsätze – Männer 1938-1945. Carl H. Hermann.
Greiner Diary Notes, 12 Aug 1942 - 12 Mar 1943.
Cheers. Raúl M.
; more follows........................The 9th Pz in Wirbelwind - August 1942.
21 Aug 1942.
The forces committed in Operation Wirbelwind still have not been able to gain freedom of action. The attack is greatly hampered by the swampy and woody terrain. The German striking power has considerably decreased, and the tank units sustained heavy losses. General Von KLUGE reported yesterday that the attack no longer appears promising unless the attack forces are reinforced by two additional divisions. However, the Führer insists on the continuation of the operation and requests General Von KLUGE to appear at his headquarters tomorrow for a discussion of measures to be taken.
22 Aug 1942.
The enemy, obviously, attaches great importance to the German attack at Ssuchinitschi and moves up reinforcements constantly. This morning he launched a counterattack against the right flank of the Second Panzer Army.
Today's discussion between the Führer and Mariscal Von KLUGE had the following result:
Operation Wirbelwind will be discontinued because decisive success can no longer be expected in view of the difficult terrain and the strength of the enemy forces. However, the continuation of the attack in this front sector is to be simulated in order to tie down the Russian forces and to prevent their employment in attacks against the other thinly manned front sectors. However, no reinforcements are assigned to the Second Panzer Army for this task. On the contrary, the 9th and 11th panzer Divisions will be withdrawn and regrouped in the area north of Kirow in order to launch an attack together with the "Grossdeutschland" Division in a general southsoutheasterly direction, and to attempt to accomplish on a smaller scale the original objective of Operation Wirbelwind.
Source: Die 9. Panzer-Division. Bewaffnung – Einsätze – Männer 1938-1945. Carl H. Hermann.
Greiner Diary Notes, 12 Aug 1942 - 12 Mar 1943.
Cheers. Raúl M
.Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
Re: Operation "Wirbelwind" - Aug 1942.
Hello to all ; more follows........................
The 9th Pz in Wirbelwind - August 1942.
23 Aug 1942.
The enemy has been attacking the eastern flank of the Second Panzer Army with strong forces, including a large number of tanks, on a 50 kilometers-wide front since yesterday morning.
An extension of the attack front toward the north is expected. However, the decision to withdraw the 9th and 11th Panzer Divisions (referred to under 22 August 1942) will be carried out.
25 Aug 1942.
The situation is generally unchanged. The plan to withdraw the 9th and 11th Panzer Division from the Ssuchinitschi sector has not been abandoned. However, the question as to whether these divisions will be committed north of Kirow remains undecided for the moment.
Source: Die 9. Panzer-Division. Bewaffnung – Einsätze – Männer 1938-1945. Carl H. Hermann.
Greiner Diary Notes, 12 Aug 1942 - 12 Mar 1943.
Cheers. Raúl M.
; more follows........................The 9th Pz in Wirbelwind - August 1942.
23 Aug 1942.
The enemy has been attacking the eastern flank of the Second Panzer Army with strong forces, including a large number of tanks, on a 50 kilometers-wide front since yesterday morning.
An extension of the attack front toward the north is expected. However, the decision to withdraw the 9th and 11th Panzer Divisions (referred to under 22 August 1942) will be carried out.
25 Aug 1942.
The situation is generally unchanged. The plan to withdraw the 9th and 11th Panzer Division from the Ssuchinitschi sector has not been abandoned. However, the question as to whether these divisions will be committed north of Kirow remains undecided for the moment.
Source: Die 9. Panzer-Division. Bewaffnung – Einsätze – Männer 1938-1945. Carl H. Hermann.
Greiner Diary Notes, 12 Aug 1942 - 12 Mar 1943.
Cheers. Raúl M
.Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
Re: Operation "Wirbelwind" - Aug 1942.
Hello to all ; last part........................
The 9th Pz in Wirbelwind - August 1942.
Very calmly, but with deep indignation, the Führer receives the report of the Chief of Army General Staff to the effect that, in the sector of Army Group Center, the Second Panzer Army had withdrawn its front line at Ssuchinitschi on its own initiative. The enemy has thus been relieved of pressure at this point, but no German forces have been freed by this action.
Source: Die 9. Panzer-Division. Bewaffnung – Einsätze – Männer 1938-1945. Carl H. Hermann.
Greiner Diary Notes, 12 Aug 1942 - 12 Mar 1943.
¡Feliz Navidad - Feliz Natal - Frohe Weihnachten - Joyeux Noël - Merry Christmas - Wesołych Świąt!.
It's all folks. Cheers. Raúl M.
; last part........................The 9th Pz in Wirbelwind - August 1942.
Very calmly, but with deep indignation, the Führer receives the report of the Chief of Army General Staff to the effect that, in the sector of Army Group Center, the Second Panzer Army had withdrawn its front line at Ssuchinitschi on its own initiative. The enemy has thus been relieved of pressure at this point, but no German forces have been freed by this action.
Source: Die 9. Panzer-Division. Bewaffnung – Einsätze – Männer 1938-1945. Carl H. Hermann.
Greiner Diary Notes, 12 Aug 1942 - 12 Mar 1943.
¡Feliz Navidad - Feliz Natal - Frohe Weihnachten - Joyeux Noël - Merry Christmas - Wesołych Świąt!.
It's all folks. Cheers. Raúl M
.Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
Re: Operation "Wirbelwind" - Aug 1942.
I've been meaning to follow this up as soon as I retrieved my login details after a change of address.
I didn't know Wirbelwind was one of two options, the other one being a larger-scale attack that would bring the front to the Oka-Ugra line rather than the Oka-Shanya line.
http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/USA ... ion-36.jpg
The page from which this comes (http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/USA ... on-20.html) is an outstanding multi-part overview of the Eastern Front in general.
Matt
I didn't know Wirbelwind was one of two options, the other one being a larger-scale attack that would bring the front to the Oka-Ugra line rather than the Oka-Shanya line.
http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/USA ... ion-36.jpg
The page from which this comes (http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/USA ... on-20.html) is an outstanding multi-part overview of the Eastern Front in general.
Matt
Re: Operation "Wirbelwind" - Aug 1942.
Hello to all ; thanks for those links Matt 
. cheers. Raúl M .
; thanks for those links Matt . cheers. Raúl M .Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
Re: Operation "Wirbelwind" - Aug 1942.
Interesting to me is why 9 and 11 pz divs were moved from woronesch sector where they had caused big losses and the situation was fluid . Seems like one of the big errors on german side in 1942.
Re: Operation "Wirbelwind" - Aug 1942.
Hello lufty1 ; yes at that time Hitler interfered trying to bite more than he could swallow, and thus dispersing its forces. Cheers. Raúl M .
; yes at that time Hitler interfered trying to bite more than he could swallow, and thus dispersing its forces. Cheers. Raúl M .Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.