Strength of 1. PD, 7. PD, DR, 19. PD, 25.P.D. at Zhitomir

[Igorn]

Hi Igorn,

From the OKH Dekade Reports filed by the G.I.d.Pz.Tr. Unfortunately the dates between weren't recorded. It's possible that 7. Panzer filed a Monatemeldung for November that may contain the 31 Oct strength, but I don't have a copy of it. Otherwise you will need to dig through the divisional/corps/army records to see if they recorded strengths for other days.

Hope this helps.

Einsatzbereit/Instands

7. Panzer 20 Oct 43
PzII 4/0
PzIII (l) 2/13
PzIV (l43) 2/14
PzIV (l48) 8/13
PzBef 2/2

7. Panzer 10 Nov 43:
PzII 1/3
PzIII (l) 6/9
PzIV (l43) 1/13
PzIV (l48) 9/9
PzBef 4/0

7. Panzer 10 Dec 43
PzII 0/2
PzIII (l) 2/5
PzIV (l43) 0/6
PzIV (l48) 6/18
PzBef 2/0

19. Panzer 31 Oct 43
PzIII (l) 0/6
PzIV (k) 0/2
PzIV (l48) 8/11
PzBef 0/2
PzBeob 0/1

19. Panzer 20 Nov 43
PzIII (l) 3/3
PzIV (k) 0/2
PzIV (l48) 6/13
PzBef 0/2
PzBeob 1/0

19. Panzer 30 Nov 43
PzIII (l) 2/3
PzIV (k) 0/2
PzIV (l48) 6/11
PzBef 1/1
PzBeob 0/1

Hi Rich,

Thanks for information. I have also checked a book of Burkhart Mueller-Hillebrand and discovered there a report on the availability of tanks in Group Army South as of 20.11.1943.

1. PD - 140
6. PD- 38 (25)
7. PD- 47 (16)
8. PD -66 (7)
9. PD -30 (6)
13. PD-32 (15)
14. PD -52 (37)
23. PD -27 (16)
24. PD-57 (34)
25. PD-63
GD -31 (7)
LAH - 155
DR -136 (22)
T -103 (14)

Best Regards from Russia,

[Rich]

Thanks for information. I have also checked a book of Burkhart Mueller-Hillebrand and discovered there a report on the availability of tanks in Group Army South as of 20.11.1943.

Hi again Igorn,

I rather suspect that MH took that from the 20 November G.I.d.Pz.-Tr. report. What is important to realize though, is that the individual entries for the different divisions may actually be for different reporting periods. I will check Monday to see if that is what he did. What are the numbers in parens supposed to be? Operational? Or in repair?

Rich

[Igorn]

What are the numbers in parens supposed to be? Operational? Or in repair? Rich

First number is Operational tanks. In brakets are tanks in repair. MH also provided number of tanks which arrived before 21.11.43 as a replenishment.

Best Regards from Russia,

[GaryD]

I am not disputing that the combats at Zhitomir in November-December 1943 were equally costly for the Russian tank forces. But let's not forget that at that time Germans temporarilly had advantage in tank gun power over Russians (Pz IV (lg), Pz- V, Pz-VI over T-34/76 and KV) and Manstein managed to get an impressive tank grouping including some fully refitted first-rate formations like the LAH or 1. Panzer Division to repeat his back-hand blow, defeat the forces of General Vatutin and recapture Kiev.

The result was the complete failure.

I imagine that the condition of the defending forces had something to do with it. The Soviet units defending against the "back-hand blow" were completely over-extended: out of gas, out ammo, and out of luck. What was the condition of the Soviet units at Zhitomir?

[Martin Block]

This is the 20.11.1943 tanks status of the units mentioned by Müller-Hillebrand taken from the Pz.- und Stu.Gesch.-Lage compiled by the Gen.Qu./Gruppe V(K) III every 10 days. If the report of a certain unit was for some reason not available when the document was prepared the report as of 10 days earlier was simply repeated. This is marked accordingly in what is written below.
The number of replacement tanks was taken from the allocation and delivery files of the Gen.Insp.d.Pz.. Because in most cases only the day of shipment is given the time of arrival in some cases had to be guessed using the 'in Zuführung' remarks in the 10 day reports of the Gen.Qu.
Had to go through a considerable amout of paperwork for this and I hope I did not make to many transcription errors.

1. Pz.Div.
10 on hand (? operational) Pz. VK 601+1801
7 on hand (7 operational) Bef.Pz. III
9 on hand (9 operational) Beob.Pz. III
7 on hand (7 operational) Pz. III (Flamm)
64 on hand (64 operational) Pz. IV L/43
Replacements arrived 20.11.-31.12.1943: 35 Pz. IV L/48 and 76 Pz. V arrived before the end of Nov. [22 Pz. V shipped in late Dec. 1943, arrived in early Jan. 1944]

6. Pz.Div.
4 (2) Pz. II
3 (2) Bef.Pz. III
3 (0) Pz. III (Flamm)
1 (1) Pz. III (75kz)
7 (3) Pz. III (50lg)
27 (21) Pz. IV L/48
Replacements arrived 20.11.-31.12.1943: 5 Pz. IV

7. Pz.Div. (Stand 10.11.1943)
4 (1) Pz. II
4 (4) Bef.Pz. III
15 (6) Pz. III (50lg)
14 (1) Pz. IV L/43
18 (9) Pz. IV L/48
Replacements arrived 10.11.-31.12.1943: 50 or 70 Pz. IV (20 may have arrived only in January 1944, data somewhat confusing)

8. Pz.Div.
7 (0) Pz. II
12 (1) Bef.Pz. III
2 (0) Pz. III (75kz)
4 (0) Pz. III (50kz)
15 (2) Pz. III (50lg)
5 (1) Pz. IV L/24
10 (1) Pz. IV L/43
30 (3) Pz. IV L/48
Replacements arrived 20.11.-31.12.1943: 20 Pz. IV

9. Pz.Div.
6 (1) Bef.Pz. III
9 (3) Beob.Pz. III
13 (2) Pz. III (50lg)
3 (0) Pz. IV L/24
2 (0) Pz. IV L/43
12 (4) Pz. IV L/48
Replacements arrived 20.11.-31.12.1943: 10 Pz. IV

13. Pz.Div. (Stand 10.11.1943)
6 (3) Bef.Pz. III
4 (1) Pz. II used as Beob.Pz.
7 (2) Pz. III (50lg)
6 (2) Pz. IV L/43
19 (5) Pz. IV L/48
Replacements arrived 20.11.-31.12.1943: 10 Pz. IV

14. Pz.Div.
9 (9) Bef.Pz. III
6 (5) Beob.Pz. III
7 (7) Pz. III (Flamm)
6 (2) Pz. III (50kz)
39 (28) Pz. IV L/48
36 (26) StuG III L/48
Replacements arrived 20.11.-31.12.1943: 5 Pz. IV

19. Pz.Div.
2 (0) Bef.Pz. III
1 (1) Beob.Pz. III
6 (3) Pz. III (50lg)
2 (0) Pz. IV L/24
19 (6) Pz. IV L/43 u. L/48
Replacements arrived 20.11.-31.12.1943: None

23. Pz.Div.
3 (2) Bef.Pz. III
1 (1) Beob.Pz. III
1 (1) Pz. III (50lg)
5 (4) Pz. IV L/43
5 (0) Pz. IV L/48
16 (6) Pz. V
Replacements arrived 20.11.-31.12.1943: 5 Pz. IV

24. Pz.Div.
8 (7) Bef.Pz. III
9 (5) Beob.Pz. III
14 (7) Pz. III (Flamm)
3 (3) Pz. IV L/43
40 (24) Pz. IV L/48
41 (20) StuG III L/48
Replacements arrived 20.11.-31.12.1943: 5 Pz. IV

25. Pz.Div.
6 (4) Bef.Pz. III
6 (3) Beob.Pz. III
11 (4) Pz. IV L/43
52 (15) Pz. IV L/48
Replacements arrived 20.11.-31.12.1943: None

Pz.Gren.Div. GD
3 (2) Bef.Pz. III
6 (1) Beob.Pz. III
5 (0) Pz. III (50lg)
2 (1) Pz. IV L/24
9 (2) Pz. IV L/43
2 (0) Pz. IV L/48
27 (4) Pz. V [Pz.Abt. 51]
13 (4) Pz. VI
15 (5) StuG III L/48
Replacements arrived 20.11.-31.12.1943: 10 Pz. IV

1. SS-Pz.Div. LAH
4 (2) Pz. II
1 (1) Pz III (50kz)
9 (9) Bef.Pz. III
9 (8) Beob.Pz. III
87 (18) Pz. IV L/48
85 (10) Pz. V
25 (12) Pz. VI
33 (31) StuG III L/48
9 (6) StuH 42
Replacements arrived 20.11.-31.12.1943: 14 StuG III [30 Pz. V shipped in late Dec. 1943, arrived in early Jan. 1944]

2. SS-Pz.Div. DR (Stand 10.11.1943)
6 (4) Bef.Pz. III
9 (2) Beob.Pz. III
22 (2) Pz. III (50lg)
45 (15) Pz. IV L/48
50 (0) Pz. V
19 (5) Pz. VI
23 (8) StuG III L/48
Replacements arrived 20.11.-31.12.1943: 10 Pz. IV

3. SS-Pz.Div. T
5 (4) Bef.Pz. III
7 (2) Beob.Pz. III
33 (5) Pz. III (50lg)
1 (1) Pz. IV L/24
23 (5) Pz. IV L/43
23 (3) Pz. IV L/48
23 (1) Pz. VI
26 (5) StuG III L/48
Replacements arrived 20.11.-31.12.1943: 5 Pz. IV


Martin Block

[Igorn]

Martin,

Thanks for excellent information. By the way, do you have strength of the HG South Panzer Division prior to the Zhitomir offensive. (early November 1943). From my side I can check for the similar data for the Russian 3rd Guards Tank Army.

Best Regrds from Russia,

[Igorn]

THE FUHRER: So something must be wrong. It’s impossible. This can’t be. Both detachments were equally strong-they had about 90 tanks. There are 61 Panzer IVs, and only 27 of the others, which means that the one lost about 60 and the other 39. And its armor plating is better. He has 17 Tigers and 23 assault guns. It’s like this: one-third of the tanks are gone, one-third of the assault guns are gone, one-third of the Panzer Vis-he had 17-are gone, and two-thirds of the Panzer Vs are gone.There must be some connection.
PFEIFFER: But they can all be repaired quickly
THE FUHRER: I don’t care. At the moment they are all gone. I hear about quick repairs everywhere, but they never come back-they always stay away. I am curious as to when they will appear again. They always say: in a short time.

By the way Hitler was no so wrong in saying ' I hear about quick repairs everywhere, but they never come back-they always stay away'.

After two months of combats near Zhitomor-Berdichev as of January 19th, 1944 1.SS Panzer Division LAH reported the following figures:

Pz-V (Panther): 22 units ready for combat, 7 units in short repair, 7 units in long-term repair, 60 units -write-off
Pz-VI (Tiger): 1 unit ready for combat, 2units in short repair, 6 units in long repair, 18 units-write-off
Pz-IV -25 units ready for action, 4 units in short repair, 4 units in long repair, 63 units -write off
StuG (7.5 cm) 25 units combat ready, 3 units in short repair, 2 units in long repair, 7 units- write off
StuG (10.5 cm) 2 units ready for action, 2 units in short repair, 5 units -write off

Total: 48 panzers & 27 StuG ready for action, 11 panzers & 5 StuG in short repair, 17 panzers & 2 StuG in long -term repair, 141 panzers & 12 StuG were written off

Best Regards from Russia,

[Igorn]

I imagine that the condition of the defending forces had something to do with it. The Soviet units defending against the "back-hand blow" were completely over-extended: out of gas, out ammo, and out of luck. What was the condition of the Soviet units at Zhitomir?

Gary, this is partially true. According to Radzievsky, 3rd Guards Tank Army developing offensive on the direction to Belaya Zerkov confronted in the area of Fastov the German 48th Panzer Korps in tank vs. tank engagement. German 48th Tank Corps had a mission in cooperation with the 7th Corps to cut the advancing grouping of the First Ukrainian Front in the area of Fastov, defeat it and restore the situation in this sector of the front. Tank vs, tank engagement started on the 7th November 1943 by combat of the spearheads of the 7th Guards Tank Corps, namely 54th Guards Tank Brigade with the spearheads of the German 25th Panzer Division in the area of Fastovez. In the course of combat, 54th Guards Tank Brigade defeated the German 25th Panzer Division but due to lack of fuel couldn't develop its success. Taking advantage of this situation, the enemy by energetic actions attempted to block spearheads of the 3rd Guards Tank Army in the area of Fastov so that to gain time required for deployment of his main forces. During November 8th 1943 the whole day fierce combats were going on in the area of Fastov. General Pavel Rybalko committed his second echelon, 9th Mechanized Corps inflicting a blow against left flank of the counter-attacking German grouping. At the beginning this assault was developing well but later the German Command committed the fresh forces, SS tank division Adolf Hitler and stopped further 9th Mechanized Corps' assault. In the meantime the enemy managed to deploy his main forces and on November 9th from the area Trilesy, Grebenki inflicted a strike against the left flank of the 3rd Guards Tank Army. After the fierce combats the forces of the Guards Tank Army had to shift to defense. Thus, not timely exploitation of achieved success by the army spearheads accounted for missed chance to start the engagement in the favourable conditions. As a result the Army temporarily lost an intiative and had to shift to defense. On the other hand, the enemy also failed to achieve the set goals.



According to the Combat History of the Third Guards Tank Army (General Zvartsev, Moscow, Voenizdat, 1982) the Third Guards Army (6th Guards Tank Corps, 7th Guards Tank Corps, 9th Mechanized Corps and 91 Tank Brigade) started the Kiev operation (November 3rd 1943) with about 70% of authorized strength having 389 tanks and SP guns.

Best Regards from Russia,

[Martin Block]

This is the 31.10.1943 tanks status of the same Pz.Div. as above taken from the Pz.- und Stu.Gesch.-Lage compiled by the Gen.Qu./Gruppe V(K) III every 10 days.
The number of replacement tanks was taken from the allocation and delivery files of the Gen.Insp.d.Pz.. Because in most cases only the day of shipment is given the time of arrival in some cases had to be guessed using the 'in Zuführung' remarks in the 10 day reports of the Gen.Qu.
Again had to go through a considerable amout of paperwork for this and again I hope I did not make to many transcription errors.

1. Pz.Div. (Stand 20.10.1943)
In transfer from H.Gr. E sector to H.Gr. Süd sector with
10 Pz. VK 601+1801
7 Bef.Pz. III
9 Beob.Pz. III
7 Pz. III (Flamm)
64 Pz. IV L/43
Replacements arrived until 20.11.1943: None

6. Pz.Div.
4 on hand (1 operational) Pz. II
4 on hand (1 operational) Bef.Pz. III
4 on hand (0 operational) Pz. III (Flamm)
1 on hand (0 operational) Pz. III (75kz)
5 on hand (1 operational) Pz. III (50lg)
13 on hand (0 operational) Pz. IV L/48
Replacements arrived 31.10.-20.11.1943: apparently 2 Pz. III (50lg) [don't have Pz. III delivery records available], 15 Pz. IV

7. Pz.Div. (Stand 20.10.1943)
4 (4) Pz. II
4 (2) Bef.Pz. III
15 (6) Pz. III (50lg)
16 (2) Pz. IV L/43
21 (8) Pz. IV L/48
Replacements arrived 31.10.-20.11.1943: None

8. Pz.Div.
7 (3) Pz. II
11 (9) Bef.Pz. III
2 (0) Pz. III (75kz)
8 (1) Pz. III (50kz)
18 (3) Pz. III (50lg)
3 (0) Pz. IV L/24
10 (1) Pz. IV L/43
26 (9) Pz. IV L/48
Replacements arrived 31.10.-20.11.1943: At least 1 Bef.Pz. III (3 reported as 'in Zuführung'), 4 Pz. IV from unknown source (not recorded in allocation files)
3 Pz. IV L/43 were given away to Korück 519 and did apparently not return.

9. Pz.Div.
1 (0) Pz. II
6 (2) Bef.Pz. III
11 (3) Beob.Pz. III
5 (0) Pz. III (50kz)
14 (2) Pz. III (50lg)
4 (0) Pz. IV L/24
9 (0) Pz. IV L/43
7 (0) Pz. IV L/48
Replacements arrived 31.10.-20.11.1943: 5 Pz. IV

13. Pz.Div.
7 (4) Bef.Pz. III
4 (2) Pz. II used as Beob.Pz.
10 (0) Pz. III (50lg)
9 (5) Pz. IV L/43
30 (12) Pz. IV L/48
Replacements arrived 31.10.-20.11.1943: 10 Pz. IV

14. Pz.Div. (Stand 10.10.1943)
9 (9) Bef.Pz. III
6 (5) Pz. III (50kz)
49 (47) Pz. IV L/48
44 (40) StuG III L/48
Replacements arrived 10.10.-20.11.1943: 7 Pz. III (Flamm), 7 Beob.Pz. III

23. Pz.Div.
3 (0) Bef.Pz. III
1 (0) Beob.Pz. III
2 (0) Pz. III (75kz)
1 (0) Pz. III (50kz)
1 (0) Pz. III (50lg)
5 (0) Pz. IV L/43
18 (1) Pz. V
Replacements arrived 31.10.-20.11.1943: 5 Pz. IV

24. Pz.Div. (Stand 30.9.1943)
9 (9) Bef.Pz. III
9 (9) Beob.Pz. III
14 (14) Pz. III (Flamm)
5 (3) Pz. IV L/43
44 (37) Pz. IV L/48
44 (39) StuG III L/48
Replacements arrived 30.9.-20.11.1943: None

25. Pz.Div. (Stand 20.10.1943)
8 (8) Bef.Pz. III
16 (16) Pz. IV L/43
37 (34) Pz. IV L/48
Replacements arrived 20.10.-20.11.1943: 6 Beob.Pz. III, 40 Pz. IV

Pz.Gren.Div. GD (Stand 20.10.1943)
5 (3) Bef.Pz. III
7 (3) Beob.Pz. III
7 (0) Pz. III Flamm
11 (2) Pz. III (50lg)
3 (0) Pz. IV L/24
23 (2) Pz. IV L/43
3 (0) Pz. IV L/48
49 (1) Pz. V [Pz.Abt. 51]
23 (2) Pz. VI
27 (8) StuG III L/48
Replacements arrived 20.10.-20.11.1943: None

1. SS-Pz.Div. LAH (Stand 20.10.1943)
In transfer from H.Gr. B sector to H.Gr. Süd sector with
4 Pz. II
1 Pz III (50kz)
9 Bef.Pz. III
9 Beob.Pz. III
58 Pz. IV L/48
70 Pz. V
27 Pz. VI
33 StuG III L/48
9 StuH 42
Replacements arrived 20.10.-20.11.1943: 70 Pz. V Ausf. D exchanged for 96 new Pz. V Ausf. A, 37 Pz. IV

2. SS-Pz.Div. DR
6 (3) Bef.Pz. III
9 (2) Beob.Pz. III
28 (3) Pz. III (50lg)
46 (8) Pz. IV L/48
52 (0) Pz. V
19 (3) Pz. VI
23 (8) StuG III L/48
Replacements arrived 31.10.-20.11.1943: None

3. SS-Pz.Div. T (Stand 20.10.1943)
4 (1) Pz. II
7 (4) Bef.Pz. III
7 (2) Beob.Pz. III
32 (2) Pz. III (50lg)
3 (0) Pz. IV L/24
33 (9) Pz. IV L/43 u. L/48
23 (4) Pz. VI
26 (5) StuG III L/48
Replacements arrived 20.10.-20.11.1943: 10 Pz. IV

I leave any statistics and mathematics to you guys.

@Igorn
Is there any chance to get a similar breakdown for major Russian armored formations units opposing H.Gr. Süd for roughly the same dates?

Martin Block

[Igorn]

Martin,

Thanks for information. I noticed that for 1. PD and LAH you didn't provide number of operational tanks. In fact these two divisions interest me the most. Does it mean that these info is missing in your source?
On my part as promised, I will look for information about the tank status of the Russian 3rd Guards Tank Army.

Best Regards from Russia,

[Martin Block]

Well Igorn, I left out those figures because on the date given (20.10.1943) both divisions were far from the battlefield and about to be loaded on trains. In case of the Panthers of LAH any operational figure also would be useless because the 70 Ausf. D were exchanged only days later for 96 completely new Ausf. A. The 1. SS-Pz.Div. also received a number of Pz. IV from the I./Pz.Rgt. 1 and I do not have the operationals status for 1. Pz.Div. and 1. SS-Pz.Div. tanks when they arrived on the Eastern Front. What I can tell you is that about the time when the tanks of the 1. Pz.Div. were loaded on the trains all of them were reported operational and only few of the 1. SS-Pz.Div. were not: 1 Pz. II, 5 Pz. IV, 2 Pz. VI. So if you ask me on average I would say when the transports arrived on the Eastern Front the tank units of both divisions were at least 95% combat ready. But this is only my estimation.

Martin Block

[Igorn]

I do not have the operationals status for 1. Pz.Div. and 1. SS-Pz.Div. tanks when they arrived on the Eastern Front.
Martin Block

Martin, according to Jentz 1. Panzer-Division arrived on the Eastern Front in November 1943 having in its Pz. Rgt 1: 95 Pz IV (lg), 76 Pz Vs, 7 PzBef, 7 Flammpz, 2 VK 6. 01, 8 VK18. 01.

1. SS-Panzer-Division arrived on the Eastern Front having in its SS-Pz. Rgt. 1: 95 Pz IV (lg), 96 Pz Vs, 9 PzBef and 27 Pz VI in its 13. s.SS-Pz Kompanie. According to Velimir Vuksic the strongest element of the LAH division with 96 Panthers was the I.Panzer Abteilung. It was organized into four companies numbered from 1 to 4, each with 22 tanks. The HQ had 3 tanks, and the reconnaissance platoon had another 5 tanks. II./SS Panzer-Regiment 1 had 96 Pz-IV in four companies, numbered 5-8. In January 1944 the LAH had only 20 of these tanks ready for action, and just as many in the repair shop. As part of its armor complement, the LAH had an assault gun battalion (SS-Sturmgeschutz-Abteilung 1) with three battaries, totalling 30 StuG IIIs. They were to reinforce the antitank defense of the division but were used as tanks instead. An SS-Panzer Artillerie-Regiment had four battalions, each with three battaries. The armoured battalion had two light battaries of Wespe self-propelled gun and one heavy battery of Hummel self-propelled guns. Each battery had 6 guns. The Panzerjaeger battalion of an SS-Panzer Division had three companies of antitank guns. One or two companies had self-propelled antitank guns, such as the Marder II. During 1943, the LAH received 20 self-propelled 75mm antitank guns, known as the Marder III Ausf. H.The LAH also had about 90 SdKfz 251 APC in its III'/SS Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 2.

According to Velimir Vuksic due to equipment losses in November 1943, the LAH offensive capacity was significantly reduced. SS. Panzer-Regiment 1 was reduced to only three companies, one eachof Pz Vs, Pz VIs and Pz IVs, totalling about 40 tanks.

According to Rudolf Lehmann as of 22.12.1943 the LAH had the following panzers ready for combat:

Pz VIs -2
Pz Vs - 9
Pz-IVs - 12
Sturmgeschutze - 14
Pak (self-prop) - 7

According to Rudolf Lehmann as of 1.01.1944 the LAH had the following panzers ready for combat:

Pz VIs -0
Pz Vs - 6
Pz-IVs - 10
Sturmgeschutze -8
Pak (self-prop) -5

Best Regards from Russia,

[GaryD]

I imagine that the condition of the defending forces had something to do with it. The Soviet units defending against the "back-hand blow" were completely over-extended: out of gas, out ammo, and out of luck. What was the condition of the Soviet units at Zhitomir?

Gary, this is partially true. According to Radzievsky, 3rd Guards Tank Army developing offensive on the direction to Belaya Zerkov confronted in the area of Fastov the German 48th Panzer Korps in tank vs. tank engagement...

I think we're talking about two separate things - the fighting at Zhitomir was done by 38th Army while the 3GTA was at Fastov, no?

[Igorn]

@Igorn
Is there any chance to get a similar breakdown for major Russian armored formations units opposing H.Gr. Süd for roughly the same dates?

Martin,

Now about the Russian Third Guards Tank Army. As of 15.09.1943 it had the following strength:

6th Guards Tank Corps

T 34 - 161 (161)
SU 76 - 21 (21)
SU 152 12 (11)
KV 1 (1)

7th Guards Tank Corps

T 34 - 164 (161)
SU 76 - 21 (20)
SU 152 12 (11)
KV 1 (1)

91st Separate Tank Brigade

T 34 -53 (53)

9th Mechanized Corps

T 34 -47 (46)
T-70 - 7 (7)
M4A2 - 15 (14)
MK-3 - 36 (36)
MK-5 - 1 (1)
MK-7 - 45 (45)
MK-9 - 49 (49)
SU-122 - 16 (16)

Other formations of the army

T-34 - 25 (25)

Grand Total:

T-34 - 450 (446)
T-70 - 7 (7)
M4A2 - 15 (14)
MK-3 - 36 (36)
MK-5 - 1 (1)
MK-7 - 45 (45)
MK-9 - 49 (49)
SU-76 -42 (41)
SU-122 - 16 (16)
SU 152 12 (11)
KV 2 (2)

Source: Central Archive of the Russian Defense Ministry (ZAMO RF, f. 315, op. 4440, d. 134. l.1 )

According to recently published book of Dmitry Shein during marshing to Dnepr and force-crossing of Dnepr river in September 1943 64 machines were disabled due to technical reasons. The combat losses through September 1943 were as follows:

T-34: out of 231 tanks engaged in action 30 tanks were destroyed (write-off) and 85 tanks were temporarily disabled
SU-76: out of 8 machines non were destroyed, 3 machines were disabled
SU 152: out of 8 machines one was destroyed and 1 was disabled.

Source: ZAMO RF, f. 315, op. 4440, d. 134., l.5

As of 26 October 1943 the 3rd Guards Tank Army had:

T-34 - 382 (272)
T-70 - 6 (4)
M4A2 - 10 (5)
MK - 100 (72)
SU-76 -40 (14)
SU-122 - 14 (10)
SU 152 24 (15)
KV 2 (2)


As of 10 November 1943 the 3rd Guards Tank Army had:

T-34 - 420 (183)
T-70 - 63 (38 -thirty eight; - 60 tanks arrived between 4-10th November 1943
M4A2 - 9 (0)
MK - 78 (40)
SU-76 -20 (3)
SU-122 - 14 (5)
SU 152 16 (4)
KV 2 (0)

As of 22 December 1943 the 3rd Guards Tank Army had:

T-34 - 207
T-70 - 28
MK - 9
SU-122 - 5
SU 152 -7
SU-85 - 92

As of 15 January 1944 the 3rd Guards Tank Army had:

T-34 - 261 (61)
T-70 - 20 (9)
MK - 19 (0)
SU-76 - 3 (0)
SU-122 - 8 (3)
SU 152 - 8 (0)
SU-85 - 80 (29)
KV 1 (0)



Sources: Central Archive of Russian Defense Ministry, Dmitry Shein: Tanki Vedet Rybalko (Rybalko leads the tanks).

Best Regards from Russia,

[Igorn]

I think we're talking about two separate things - the fighting at Zhitomir was done by 38th Army while the 3GTA was at Fastov, no?

Gary, as of November 7th 1943 indeed the 38th Army was ordered to assault to Zhitomir and Belaya Zerkov and 3rd Guards Tank Army to Berdichev, Kazatin. (Fastov was liberated on 7 November 1943). During 7-12 November 1943 the 3rd Guards Tank Army fought against 6. PD, 7. PD and DR. Since November 13th onwards (to 21 Jan. 1944) the 3rd Guards Tank Army fought against the LAH and 1. PD and some other formations (e.g. DR, 8. PD etc.) first in the area of north-west of Fastov and later in the area of Zhitomir (e.g. highway Kiev-Zhitomir and railroad Zhitomir-Berdichev) and in the area of Brusilov.

Source: The Combat History of the 3rd Guards Tank Army (General Zvartsev).

Best Regards from Russia,