; here goes a little new story...........................Great Russian offensive in the north.
On January 12, 1943 the Soviets launched the Second Battle of Lake Ladoga, supported by a hurricane of fire unleashed by four thousand five hundred guns. In both sectors of the German corridor, south of Schlüsselburg, broke a barrage of fire that lasted up to one hundred forty minutes.
Then came the assault from the east, the divisions of the Soviet 2nd Shock Army of Lieutenant General Romanowski. At the same time attacked jumping from the West, the five infantry divisions and the armored brigade of the Soviet 67th Army of General Duchanow.
With a double pincer movement, the Soviets sought to restore the land connection to Leningrad. After that, the attack would continue south of the Kirow railroad. General Duchanow advanced with his divisions against the weak defensive positions of the 170. ID.
The 86th Rifle Division attempted to wrap and encircle Schlüsselburg by its flank, advancing across the frozen Neva river. The Soviet soldiers came under concentrated fire from the German grenadiers. The frozen river was full of wounded. The MG 42 (model 42 machine gun, air-cooled, gas operated recoil, rate of fire: 1500 rounds per minute, length: 1,22 m, Weight: 11.6 kg, metal construction. For its terrible rate of fire this weapon was called by the soldiers "bone saw" sowed death among the attackers' waves, generating horrific casualties. The attack had to be stopped.
The 45th Guards Rifle Division under General Krasnov, tried to break on the southern ring road. There was defended the GR 399 commanded by Oberst Griesbach (Franz Griesbach decorated as Mayor with the Knight's Cross on March 14, 1942. As Oberst and 242 º German soldier with the oak leaves, on March 6, 1944 as 53rd German soldier and in charge of the 170th ID with the swords). But Oberst Griesbach's soldiers beat back the enemy in close combat.
Sources: KARL KOLLATZ. Leutnant Hans Bölter. Erich Pabel Verlag
http://www.96id.de/geschichte/kaempfezw ... /index.php
http://www.ostvermisste-1944.de/KTB-170.ID/34.htm
http://www.boerner-hannover.de/Erich%20Boerner.htm
Cheers. Raúl M
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