The Volkhov's cauldron - 1942.

[tigre]

Hello to all ; a little story dealing with the 291 ID......................

The Volkhov's Cauldron.

With the III./ IR 506 in the Volkhov's swamps - First Phase.

On Mar 02 1942, the battalion had reached the area of Kamenka, south Lissino and was employed there along the strong points located on the cauldron’s north edge. The Regiment’s Staff followed shortly afterwards being established at Kamenka; at that time only its III./ IR 506, its 13./ IR 506 and weak elements of its 14./ IR 506 were within the unit’s framework.

Sources: Historia de la 291 División de Infantería Alemana. Werner CONZE. Cap III. Círculo Militar. Buenos Aires. 1956.
Original Fotos Konvolut im Fotoalbum von Eine Soldat mit 155 fotos der Gr. 506 I.D. 291. Domingo, 04 de Enero de 2009, 16:04:18
Wolchow Kesselschlacht. G.Gundlach http://www.gundlachphoto.narod.ru/index_2.htm
Buxa, W.: Der Kampf am Wolchow und um Leningrad 1941-1944 90863 Podzun Verlag

Feliz Año Nuevo - Happy New Year - feliz Ano Novo - gluckliches Neues Jahr - Bonne Année - Felice Anno Nuovo!!!

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; more of it......................

The Volkhov's Cauldron.

With the III./ IR 506 in the Volkhov's swamps - First Phase.

On May 23 1942, following new orders the Regiment should press against the cauldron and destroy the enemy encircled there. On May 24, the III./ IR 506 under Hauptmann Weyel (in charge from 22 May) advanced from the railroad junction north of Jeglino through the swamps up to the wooded land located 6 kilometers behind the enemy’s line.

After carrying out a fast reconnaissance, it was ascertained that the woods was occupied by russian troops, hence the German unit launched its assault immediately taken the Soviet troops by surprise. After that the battalion could take also the railroad bridge on the Joska river (1 kilometer northeast of Dubowik).

Sources: Historia de la 291 División de Infantería Alemana. Werner CONZE. Cap III. Círculo Militar. Buenos Aires. 1956.
Original Fotos Konvolut im Fotoalbum von Eine Soldat mit 155 fotos der Gr. 506 I.D. 291. Domingo, 04 de Enero de 2009, 16:04:18
Wolchow Kesselschlacht. G.Gundlach http://www.gundlachphoto.narod.ru/index_2.htm
Buxa, W.: Der Kampf am Wolchow und um Leningrad 1941-1944 90863 Podzun Verlag

Feliz Año Nuevo - Happy New Year - feliz Ano Novo - gluckliches Neues Jahr - Bonne Année - Felice Anno Nuovo!!!

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; more of it......................

The Volkhov's Cauldron.

With the III./ IR 506 in the Volkhov's swamps - First Phase.

Simultaneously, a company under Hauptmann Behlau's command carried out a reconnaissance in force against the enemy supply road Dubowik – Jeglino, detecting strong hostile formations in the woods located between the railway and the road. Others reconnaissances to the south and west accomplished on May 25 1942 reported the same.

On May 26 1942, was seized Dubowik taking advantage of one antitank gun that fired at house by house with piercing ammunition.

Next day, the attack proceeded astride of the railway towards Radofinnikowo. On May 28 1942, the battalion could seize Radofinnikowo as well.

Sources: Historia de la 291 División de Infantería Alemana. Werner CONZE. Cap III. Círculo Militar. Buenos Aires. 1956.
Original Fotos Konvolut im Fotoalbum von Eine Soldat mit 155 fotos der Gr. 506 I.D. 291. Domingo, 04 de Enero de 2009, 16:04:18
Wolchow Kesselschlacht. G.Gundlach http://www.gundlachphoto.narod.ru/index_2.htm
Buxa, W.: Der Kampf am Wolchow und um Leningrad 1941-1944 90863 Podzun Verlag

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; more of it......................

The Volkhov's Cauldron.

With the III./ IR 506 in the Volkhov's swamps - First Phase.

Meanwhile Oberst Gurran with the HQ Company followed the battalion from Kamenka along the railway. On May 29 1942, the III./ IR 506 proceeded its advance before weak enemy resistance reaching Gorka then southwards through swampy ground to Poddubje. Which had been already seized by a surprise raid carried out by a strong combat patrol led by an estonian officer. After carrying out some reconnaissances it was determined that were hostile forces west of the road Poddubje – Tschaschtscha.

Around May 30 1942, that resistance was also broken after hard and costly struggles; in that actions fell two brave and experienced soldiers: Hauptmann Behlau and Oberleutnant Bukowski.

Sources: Historia de la 291 División de Infantería Alemana. Werner CONZE. Cap III. Círculo Militar. Buenos Aires. 1956.
Original Fotos Konvolut im Fotoalbum von Eine Soldat mit 155 fotos der Gr. 506 I.D. 291. Domingo, 04 de Enero de 2009, 16:04:18
Wolchow Kesselschlacht. G.Gundlach http://www.gundlachphoto.narod.ru/index_2.htm
Buxa, W.: Der Kampf am Wolchow und um Leningrad 1941-1944 90863 Podzun Verlag

Cheers. Raúl M .

[John W. Howard]

Hello Raul:
Fantastic photos!! It's amazing how just a few photos can convey the misery of having to fight in such conditions; great post!!

[tigre]

Thanks for joining and your compliment John . Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; more of it......................

The Volkhov's Cauldron.

The Kampfgruppe Gurran.

On Jun 06 1942, after ending the actions in the area of Tschaschtscha, the III./ IR 506 was entrucked and shifted southwest of Tschudowo being attached to the 61 ID there. On Jun 07 1942, it was followed by the Regimental Staff, the HQ Coy and parts of the 13. and 14. companies.

There the battalion could take a short rest (two days) in the Sennaja-Kerestj area and on Jun 09 1942, it was moved up to its readiness area behind the frontline some 8 kilometers southeast of Sennaja-Kerestj.

The beginning of the new attack had been foreseen for the next day, Jun 10 1942; the operation should end with the clearing of the eastern part of the cauldron.

Sources: Historia de la 291 División de Infantería Alemana. Werner CONZE. Cap III. Círculo Militar. Buenos Aires. 1956.
Original Fotos Konvolut im Fotoalbum von Eine Soldat mit 155 fotos der Gr. 506 I.D. 291. Domingo, 04 de Enero de 2009, 16:04:18
Wolchow Kesselschlacht. G.Gundlach http://www.gundlachphoto.narod.ru/index_2.htm
Buxa, W.: Der Kampf am Wolchow und um Leningrad 1941-1944 90863 Podzun Verlag

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; more of it......................

The Volkhov's Cauldron.

The Kampfgruppe Gurran.

After carrying out his reconnaissance, Hauptmann Weyel chose the infiltration as course of action; the German troops should infiltrate at dawn along the Kerestj which offered good cover instead of carry out a frontal attack against a well fortified and strongly manned forest. In order to accomplish this attack, the 5./ IR 505 should be subordinated to the battalion.

Still in the darkness, the battalion could infiltrate itself without being detected, reaching a wooded land located south of the enemy position. After dawn, the II./ PR 29, pressed forward to the left of the battalion, following the Kerestj.

Sources: Historia de la 291 División de Infantería Alemana. Werner CONZE. Cap III. Círculo Militar. Buenos Aires. 1956.
Original Fotos Konvolut im Fotoalbum von Eine Soldat mit 155 fotos der Gr. 506 I.D. 291. Domingo, 04 de Enero de 2009, 16:04:18
Wolchow Kesselschlacht. G.Gundlach http://www.gundlachphoto.narod.ru/index_2.htm
Buxa, W.: Der Kampf am Wolchow und um Leningrad 1941-1944 90863 Podzun Verlag

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; more of it......................

The Volkhov's Cauldron.

The Kampfgruppe Gurran.

The attack, carried out through swampy and densely wooded grounds went well ahead where the 5./ IR 505 took the security of the open right flank, pushing back all the hostil troops. The objective was the well fortified positions located on the Trubiza. Thanks to the good fire support furnished by the artillery, the battalion moved forward and seized the fortifications quickly.

Sources: Historia de la 291 División de Infantería Alemana. Werner CONZE. Cap III. Círculo Militar. Buenos Aires. 1956.
Original Fotos Konvolut im Fotoalbum von Eine Soldat mit 155 fotos der Gr. 506 I.D. 291. Domingo, 04 de Enero de 2009, 16:04:18
Wolchow Kesselschlacht. G.Gundlach http://www.gundlachphoto.narod.ru/index_2.htm
Buxa, W.: Der Kampf am Wolchow und um Leningrad 1941-1944 90863 Podzun Verlag

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; more of it......................

The Volkhov's Cauldron.

The Kampfgruppe Gurran.

On Jun 11 1942, the attack proceeded towards Oljchowka and then the battalion (already without the 5./ IR 505) was gathered in a new readiness area in order to launch an attack against the wooded land located east of Kerestj. The II./ IR 505 was the neighbour to the left while to the right remained the II./ PR 29.

Well supported by the artillery the attack went under way and soon broke the enemy resistance; the Commanding Officer took advantage of this and surpassed the assigned objective some 800 meters in order to seize a densely wooded area which was an important feature in order to proceed wih the attack.

Sources: Historia de la 291 División de Infantería Alemana. Werner CONZE. Cap III. Círculo Militar. Buenos Aires. 1956.
Original Fotos Konvolut im Fotoalbum von Eine Soldat mit 155 fotos der Gr. 506 I.D. 291. Domingo, 04 de Enero de 2009, 16:04:18
Wolchow Kesselschlacht. G.Gundlach http://www.gundlachphoto.narod.ru/index_2.htm
Buxa, W.: Der Kampf am Wolchow und um Leningrad 1941-1944 90863 Podzun Verlag

Cheers. Raúl M .

[John Hilly]

Thank You "Tigre" for this information and especially the photos. Keep up the good work.
By the way, in which Pz.Div. Pz.Reg. 29 belonged? I have a total black out in this matter!

Greets Juha

[tigre]

Thanks for joining Juha take a look here please................

http://www.feldgrau.com/heer12p.html

12 PD - PR 29 as 01 Jul 1942. 2 x Battalions. 2 x Light Companies (Pz Kw III H) 1 x Medium Company (Pz Kw IV E, F).

http://www.scribd.com/doc/8372549/order ... s-in-1942-

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; more of it......................

The Volkhov's Cauldron.

The Kampfgruppe Gurran.

The battalion remained there till Jun 16 1942 being supported by the HQ Coy and one company organized by Russian volunteers (hiwis) dressed up with Estonian uniforms; they were employed mainly in supply and security tasks.

From 17 till 22 of June of 1942, the battalion executed new attacks without neither artillery nor tanks support due to the difficulties of the ground. On June 22 of 1941, the battalion came near to Kretschno and could maintain the liaison with the Wüst Grouping deployed against Kretschno from the west. On June 23 of 1942 the battalion progressed about 2 kilometers in south-east direction.

Sources: Historia de la 291 División de Infantería Alemana. Werner CONZE. Cap III. Círculo Militar. Buenos Aires. 1956.
Original Fotos Konvolut im Fotoalbum von Eine Soldat mit 155 fotos der Gr. 506 I.D. 291. Domingo, 04 de Enero de 2009, 16:04:18
Wolchow Kesselschlacht. G.Gundlach http://www.gundlachphoto.narod.ru/index_2.htm
Buxa, W.: Der Kampf am Wolchow und um Leningrad 1941-1944 90863 Podzun Verlag

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; more of it......................

The Volkhov's Cauldron.

The Kampfgruppe Gurran.

On June 24 of 1942 at 13:00 hours the attack went forward with the II. /IR 505 to the north of the Federico’s trail and the III. /IR 506 due south of it. Soon after initiate the attack, Hauptmann Weyel decided to turn aside himself slightly to the northwest in order to come nearer to the railway line placed by the enemy throughout the Federico’s trail. After overcoming a strong initial resistance the railroad was finally reached. There the battalion found along the railway, a row of wagons completely loaded with dead and wounded Russian soldiers.

Sources: Historia de la 291 División de Infantería Alemana. Werner CONZE. Cap III. Círculo Militar. Buenos Aires. 1956.
Original Fotos Konvolut im Fotoalbum von Eine Soldat mit 155 fotos der Gr. 506 I.D. 291. Domingo, 04 de Enero de 2009, 16:04:18
Wolchow Kesselschlacht. G.Gundlach http://www.gundlachphoto.narod.ru/index_2.htm
Buxa, W.: Der Kampf am Wolchow und um Leningrad 1941-1944 90863 Podzun Verlag

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; more of it......................

The Volkhov's Cauldron.

The Kampfgruppe Gurran.

A little far to the south it was found a primitive camp within the forest with numerous women and children who gave an impression worthy of consideration. Without mediating words the members of the battalion distributed their bread to the women, children and wounded. It was disposed their shipment immediately to Krestchno.

Sources: Historia de la 291 División de Infantería Alemana. Werner CONZE. Cap III. Círculo Militar. Buenos Aires. 1956.
Original Fotos Konvolut im Fotoalbum von Eine Soldat mit 155 fotos der Gr. 506 I.D. 291. Domingo, 04 de Enero de 2009, 16:04:18
Wolchow Kesselschlacht. G.Gundlach http://www.gundlachphoto.narod.ru/index_2.htm
Buxa, W.: Der Kampf am Wolchow und um Leningrad 1941-1944 90863 Podzun Verlag

Cheers. Raúl M .