Infanterie im Ostfeldzug - IR 82 in 1941.

[tigre]

Hello folks; I think it could be of interest for someone in this forum and taking in account that the 31 ID fought across the Dnjepr just little to the north of the 52 ID, I'll post here as a good complement the actions carried out by the IR 82 during the first stages of Barbarossa from Jun till Oct 1941. Now the first part of it.....................................

Organization.

The 31 Infanterie Division was organized at Braunschweig on October 1 1936. It comprised two active regiments, the IR 12 and the IR 17, as well one newly raised regiment, the IR 82. The Division was mobilized on Aug 26 1939 and by that time it had the following organization:

Division Staff: at Braunschweig. Its Commanding Officers were:
26. August 1939 Generalleutnant Rudolf Kaempfe.
22. Mai 1941 Generalmajor Kurt Kalmukoff.
13. August 1941 Generalmajor Gerhard Berthold.

IR 12: Staff and III. Battalion, at Halberstadt.; I. Battalion, at Blankenburg; II. Battalion, at Quedlinburg. Its Commanding Officers were: Oberst Stephan Rittau (1. Februar 1939 - 30. September 1940) and
Oberst Erich Hassenstein (20. September 1940 - Januar 1942).

IR 17: at Braunschweig; III. Battalion (Jager) at Goslar. Its Commanding Officers were: Oberst Friedrich Wilhelm Neumann (1 April 1938 – November 1939); Oberst von Traekow (November 1939); Oberst Gerhard Berthold (1 December 1939 – 13 August 1941) and Oberst Hans-Joachim von Stolzmann (since 15 August 1941).

IR 82: Staff and II. Battalion, at Gottingen; III. Battalion at Northeim and I. Battalion at Osterode. Its Commanding Officers were: Oberst Gerhard Berthold (since 26. August 1939)) and Oberst Friedrich Hoßbach (since 25. October 1939).

AR 31: Staff, I and II. Abteilung, at Halberstadt; III. Abteilung at Gottingen. I/ AR 67 at Braunschweig.

Pz Abwehr Abt. 31, at Braunschweig.

Pi. Btl 31 at Hoxter. Its Commanding Officers were: Oberstleutnant Fritz Bingmann and Major Theodor Hürten.

Na. Abt. 31 at Braunschweig.

San. Abt. 31 at Braunschweig, Halberstadt, Blankenburg, Quedlinburg, Goslar, Gottingen, Northeim, Altengrabow and Ludwigslust.

Beobachtungsabt. 31 at Braunschweig.

Source: “Zur Geschichte der Garnison Halberstadt und irher Truppenteile. 1623 – 1994. Werner Hartmann. 4. Band.

Its follows. Cheers. Tigre .

[tigre]

Hello to all, the story goes on......................................

The build up. Set 1940 - Jun 1941.

In the area of the Wartha River. Set 1940-Mar 1941.

The 31 ID was deployed in Normandy at Mortain, Sourdeval and nearby villages on Set 06 1940 when the Division HQ ordered that the Regiment (IR 82) should be ready for transport; as was pointed out there, the journey was to last five days.

After four days, the train carrying the Regimental staff, reached the rail station of Weizenfeld (close to Pleschen) in the morning of 14 Set 1940, breaking any illusion with regard to peace and then a quick return to our home garrisons at Gottingen and Northeim.

The IR 82 (Oberst Hossbach) was billeted at Pleschen, Koschmin and Jarotschin and the bulk of the 31 ID was sent to Kalisch, Kutno and Lodz. The Regiment remained there for about seven months and during this period of time should detach the III./ IR 82 (Maj Moehring), the 14./ IR 82 (anti tank Company) and one Platoon of the 13./ IR 82 (Infantry cannon Company) in order to organize the new 131 ID at the training ground of Bergen (near Celle).

Nevertheless roughly 700 new recruits were sent to the regiment to re-organize the III./ IR 82 and the others elements detached previously. Also General v. Kluge, 4 AOK’s Commander paid several visits to the Regiment while he was traveling to or from Warsaw, where his Command was located.

On Nov 25 1940, a meeting was held with the Divisional Commander (Grl Lt Kaempfe at that time) in which he stressed that Germany had not military intentions against Russia.

On Mar 1941, the III./ IR 82 had to leave Koschmin being billeted at Pleschen.

IR 82 from Set 1940 till 21 Jun 1941.


Source: "Infanterie im Ostfelzug" by F. Hossbach.

Its follows. Cheers. Tigre .

[tigre]

Hello folks; the regiment was moving thru Poland.............................

At the Warthelager. Mar - Apr 1941.

At the end of March 1941, the Regiment left the towns of Pleschen and Jarotschin marching towards the Warthelager near Posen. The march (120 kilometers) lasted two and a half days. At the camp the Regiment should take part in two big exercises under XII AK’s framework; the Corps Commander, General Schroth, was in charge. The exercise’s subject was a river crossing in force and then one attack against hostile defensive positions. It was carried out during Apr 07 and 08 1941, and several hundreds spectators observed its development.

After that, the Regiment could not take any rest because the 31 ID was, at that time, leaving its bivouac at Kalisch, Kutno, Lodz and Krotoschin in order to advance towards Pulawy on the Vistula. The Regiment received a twofold proposal, one to take same rest and then follows the 31 ID road on foot or to be conveyed by rail immediately; the Regimental Commander chose the later course of action.

On Apr 08 1941, the IR 82 was transported by rail from Kolo - Kutno - Lowitsch - Warsaw to Siedlez (400 kilometers) and there was attached directly to the Hohere Kommando XXXV.

At Siedlez.

The Regiment remained in that city till 18 Apr when together with the III./ AR 31 and the Pi Btl 31 proceeded its march, this time towards Deblin (before called Ivangorod). There the unit would join the 31 ID which was assembled in the Pulawy area. The distant, 120 kilometers, was traveled in less than 48 hours.

The 8./ AR 81 prior its deployment eastwards


At Deblin.

The bulk of the regiment was billeted in the city’s citadel located on the Vistula’s right bank and the I./ IR 82 at the barracks on the left bank. The unit stayed there one month and the time was useful for increasing the troops’ readiness.

After a two days march (120 kms), the 5./ IR 82 reached Deblin on Apr 20 1941 leading by its commander Oberleutnant Geisendorf (KIA 22 Jun 1941).


Source: "Infanterie im Ostfelzug" by F. Hossbach.

Frohe Weihnachten - Joyeux Noël - Merry Christmas - Feliz Navidad - Feliz Natal.

Its follows. Cheers. Tigre .

[tigre]

Hello folks; the regiment reached the river Bug....................................

On the Bug - Jun 1941.

Attack of the Infanterie Regiment 82 (31 ID).

At the end of May 1941 started the German build up over the east border line (with the Soviet Union) and the 31 ID was moved forward from the river Vistula to the Brest Litowsk’s area. The IR 82 (Oberst Hossbach) left Deblin (Ivangorod) on May 24 by afternoon, together with the Depot Battalion 31, Na. Abt. 31., Light Supply Column 9. (horse drawn) and reached, after five nightly marchs (180 kilometers), via Kock - Radyn - Miedzyrzce - Biala the Bug river. It should take there the security sector stretched between Terespol and Kryczew from May 29 1941 onwards. That sector was watched over until now by three squadrons of the RR 1. About the middle of Jun 1941, the sector’s northern part, Neple included, was handed over to the IR 17.

By Jun 15 1941 all officers, Platoon and Squads leaders were told about the attack. Until mid - Jun the Bug river valley in the area was flooded so to carry out the reconnaissance of the readiness areas and the enemy river bank was difficult. However the flood yielded and the ground got dry in a short period of time.

Missions, tasks and forces.

The definitive mission for the IR 82 set that the Regiment (reinforced) should force the river Bug at Rzeczyca and should break through the enemy defensive positions on both sides of the town. The neighbor to the right (ID 45) should attack Brest Litowsk to the south of the rail road Brest - Terespol. The neighbor to the left (IR 17) should make a crossing of the river Bug at Neple. The IR 12 (less its III. Battalion, attached to IR 82) would be 31 ID’s reserve.

The ID 31 (Grl Major Kalmukoff) formed part of the XII Army Corps ( Grl Schroth), this Corps should seize Brest Litowsk with the ID 45 and after breaking through the border defenses between Terespol and Neple with the ID 31, proceed toward Zabinka. To the south the XXIV Pz Corps should advance from Koden on the Bug against the road Brest - Kobryn - Pinsk. To the north, the XXXXVII Pz Corps should advance from Legi and Pratulin on the Bug via Pruzana on Slonim.

In order to accomplish its mission the IR 82 was split in three Combat Groups as follows:

III./ IR 82 (Major Zenker), I./ IR 82 (Major Bantje) and AA 31 (Hptm Brinkmann) while the II./ IR 82 (Major Berg) should follow as reserve.

The Combat Groups III. and I./ IR 82, echeloned in depth, should carry out the main attack and cross the Bug west of Rzeczyca then break the enemy border fortifications on both sides of the town. The AA 31, reinforced with elements of the IR 12, should carry out the secondary attack against the fortified positions at Kozlowicze. After that, the AA 31 would be detached from the regiment.

Source: "Infanterie im Ostfelzug" by F. Hossbach. and http://rkkaww2.armchairgeneral.com/maps ... t_ger1.jpg

Happy New Year - Feliz Año Nuevo - Gutes neues Jahr - Feliz Ano Novo - Bonne Année.

It's follows. Cheers. Tigre .

[tigre]

Hello folks; the arrangements for the river crossing...........................

Organization for the attack.

Main attack

III./ IR 82 (to the right) reinforced with:
3 Pl 8./ IR 82 (MGs)
2 light Pl 13./ IR 82 (IGs)
3./Pz Jager 31
1. Pl and 3 flamethrowers 1./ Pio 31
3./Pio 31 (river crossing ops)
1./ Stug Abt 192
1 88 mm gun

I./ IR 82 (to the left) reinforced with:
1 light Pl 13./ IR 82 (IGs)
1 Pl MG and 1 Sq minen werfer 8./ IR 82
14./ IR 82 (Pak)
4 Mine detector teams Pio/ IR 82
2 flamethrowers 1./Pio 31
The bulk of Pio/ IR 82 plus the 1./Pio 31(river crossing ops)
3./ Stug Abt 192

II./ IR 82 (Reserve)

Secondary attack

AA 31 with:
2./ AA 31 (bikes)
3./ AA 31 (heavy)
12./ IR 12 (MGs)
1 Pl / Pio 31

Fire Support (under AR 31’s Commanding Officer)

I./ AR 31 (light guns)
III./ AR 31 (light guns)
II./ AR 66 (Heavy)
I./ AR 67 (Heavy)
Mortar Group 854
Flame thrower Group 6
Battery 833 (very heavy)

The IR 82 could count with 8 assault boats, 90 small rubber boats and 40 big rubber boats to carry out the river Bug crossing operation.

The bulk of the heavy weapons and the artillery went on position during the night of 20/21 of jun. The infantry units ocupied its assembly/readiness areas during the night of 21/22 of jun. The regiment’s officers were gathered by the IR 82’s Commanding Officer on jun 21 at 13:15 hours at Lechuty Male and stressed the importance of the task to be fullfilled.

Source: "Infanterie im Ostfelzug" by F. Hossbach.

Its follows. Cheers. Tigre .

[tigre]

Hello folks, following with the river crossing arrangements, here goes an excerpt taken from the Plan of Distribution of Time - Stug Abt 192. Ia/34 Nº 267/41 Secret. Issued at Billet, 13 jun 1941. (Quoted as Annex 4 of Infanterie im Ostfelzug written by F. Hossbach)

On the Bug - Jun 1941.

Stug Abt 192.

Preparatory works of the Stug Abteilung 192 (Staff, HQ Battery, 1. y 3. Batteries).

A. In general.

1. Fortification works, only at night.
2. The Group personnel will be sufficient to build the readiness position.
3. The works must be finished at the latest on jun 20.

B. Works.

1. Reconnaissance.

a) Guns echelon.
1. Reconnaissance of the fire positions, CP(s) and OP(s). (Finished).
2. To determine of the readiness areas. (Finished).
3. To mark the advance path. 20 jun 41.
4. To organize the observation. (Finished).
5. To draw the sketches with objectives included. 17 jun 41.
6. To determine the targets’s ranges. (Finished).
7. Pl leaders, Forward Observers and NCO drill tasks. (Finished).
8. Gun crew drill tasks. 16 and 17 jun 41.
9. Findings interchange (with others guns). Every tuesdays and fridays at 18:00 hours.

2. Fortifications works.

a) Staff and Guns echelon.

1. To entrench and to camouflage guns, vehicles and ammunitions trailers. 18 / 19 jun 41.
2. To entrench CP(s) and OP(s). 20 jun41.
3. To dig the ammunition pits. 20 jun 41.

Signed: Hammon.

The Stug Abt 192 furnished support to the IR 82, at that time main effort of the ID 31 in the river Bug crossing at the start of Operation Barbarossa.

Source: "Infanterie im Ostfelzug" by F. Hossbach.

Its follows. Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello chaps; at last the attack goes under way.................................

Between the river Bug and the river Dniepr.

First day of the war.

On Jun 21 1941, at dusk, the Regimental Staff was shifted to Lechuty-Male. Every half hour the three Combat groups (III/IR 82, I/IR 82 and AA 31) informed about news from the front, all was quiet yet. Before the attack Marshall v. Kluge arrived at the IR 82’s CP to follow the beggining of the offensive. At 03:15 AM the artillery fire opened on both sides of Brest-Litowsk, broking the silent in this cool and wet morning.

The first act, the river crossing was a success as well as the second, the break through. The III/ IR 82 had seized the fortification of “Count Berg” with the first assault, the I/IR 82 had seized Rzeczyca and the AA 31 the fortifications at Kozlowice. The II/IR 82 had followed quickly, as reserve and was by 05:30 AM on the eastern bank of the river.

The Staff of the IR 82 followed behind the I/IR 82 and was established at Rzeczyca. Due to own artillery shots fired to short, the 3./IR 82 suffered some casualties, among them was Oberschutze Meissner, the regiment’s composer. The excellent Company Commander of 3./Pz Jager 31, Oberleutnant Bex, fell in the assault on the fort “Count Berg”. Another painly loss was the death of Oberleutnant Geisendorf the 5./IR 82’s commander; he was the only casualty suffered by the II/IR 82 that day.

From the right (45 ID) loud noise of combat could be heard, but in front of the regiment no enemy resistance could be expected, so the IR 82 commanding officer decided to proceed the advance towards the east.

By nightfall the regiment could rest at Woloski (II/IR 82), Kosicle (III/IR 82) and Bratylowo (I/IR 82) behind the security screen. The unit had penetrated 22 kilometers inland, moving by trackless ground and with the material unloaded.

Source: "Infanterie im Ostfelzug" by F. Hossbach.

Its follows. Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all; a little more.............................

Towards Michalin Stare.

The march towards the east proceeded via Zabinka - Tewle - Linowo (6 kilometers south of Pruzana) and after 110 kilometers on Jun 25 reached Sielec on the river Jasiolda. The advance was not fluit due to the bad condition of the sandy march road, especially the ones that run through the woods north of Tewle.

Taken from the 1./ IR 82 KTB: 24 Jun 1941. Leave at 04:15. An awful ground. Hot day, thick cloud of dust over the column. The vehicles got stuck in the sand. The whole company was split in pushing teams. The company advanced slowly. On 25 Jun at 05:00 was reached the march’s objective. Almost 50 kilometers in 25 hours. 08:00 moving again.

The XII AK’s commander, Grl Schroth met the Regiment Commander, Oberst Hossbach and complained about the low march’s rate. The regiment Commander invited Grl Schroth to travel back following the ones assigned to the unit; of course, the vehicle could not go ahead. The Grl recognized his mistake and put his complain aside.

On 25 Jun at 12:00 hours. the IR 82 (reinforced) was resting at Sielec. AA 31 was covering the bridge on the river Jasiolda at the north edge of the town. Early afternoon was ordered that the regiment should seize Michalin Stare this very day.

The difficult task was carried out by the II./ IR 82 with the fire support furnished by the III./ AR 31. The battalion advanced forward with its 7. and 6. Companies astride a causeway of six kilometers long, leading towards Michalin Stare. By nightfall the 6./ IR 82 had grasped the first houses at the town’s edge and the 7./ IR 82 was involved in hard fights in the woodlands nearby. At dawn the enemy, after accomplished its delaying tasks had withdrawn. The II./ IR 82 sustained high number of casualties (23 dead and 50 wounded).

Source: "Infanterie im Ostfelzug" by F. Hossbach.

Its follows. Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all fellows; the IR 82 goes deeper into Russia.........................

On the river Zelwianka.

On Jun 27 the march proceeded through Busiaz, Urzecze, Sterki toward the Szczara. The IR 82 (reinforced with III./ AR 31 and 1./ Pi. 31) halted for a rest at noon, along the road march. The vanguard (I./ IR 82, 7./ AR 31 and 1./ Pi. 31) was resting nearby of Borowiki. Around 14:30 hours the regimental commander received a message from the division HQ. It pointed out that the regiment should advance in order to attack to the west immediately and the commanding officer should meet the division commander at Grodek (8 kms east of Rozana). The II./ IR 82 (tail battalion) moved through Urzecze to Kowale. The I. and III. battalions towards Sosnowka area. the II./ IR 82 had reached Kowale and by nightfall Pawlowo; the regiment’s bulk the area Grodek - Jarutycze.

On Jun 28, the IR 82 took up positions to the north of Rozana among the forces deployed on the line Zadworce - Holynka - Zelwa - river Zelwianka in order to avoid the retreat of the russsian troops encircled in the Bialystok cauldron.

At 10:00 hours the regiment, with the support of III./ AR 31, advance in loosing formation from the area Grodek - Pawlowo, through Blizna, toward Krokotka. This night the eastern bank of the river Zelwianka from Rudawka to Chonicze, was in the regiment hands; to the south contact with the IR 17 had been established and to the north a gap existed since the ID 34 had not arrived yet.

The sector frontage was 10 kms. The northern half was hilly without trees, with excellent fields of sight and fire to the west; the point 193,1 located immediately to the west of Krokotka was the key ground. The southern half was thicky wooded and the trees reached almost up to the river shore. The river Zelwianka could be forded by infantry and riders and in some points even by tanks.

The II. and III. battalions had taken up positions to the west and the I. battalion (initially held in reserve at Sieiawicze) was deployed to the north of the Krokotka hills, late afternoon on Jun 29.

The night of 29/30 Jun was a hard one; around 21:30 hours the fight started first in the sector of III. battalion and later on the II. battalion too.

Source: "Infanterie im Ostfelzug" by F. Hossbach.

Its follows. Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello folks, the end on the Zelwianka river bank.............................

On 30 jun at 02:00 hours the enemy attacked all over the battalion front (II./ IR 82) with strong forces and in several waves. One anti tank gun and one tank were placed against the 5./ IR 82 and its right platoon was wiped out; the russian could break through the gap but a counter attack carried out by Lt Bahl’s platoon, rejected the hostile troops again up to the river Zelwianka line. Only one small russian group, mainly officers, could pass between the 6. and 7. Companies, trying to assail the battalion CP around 03:30 without success; we could count 28 russian corpses in the neighbourhood. (II./ IR 82 KTB).

Hostile cavalry charged against the 2./ IR 82 (on the center sector) and the I./ IR 82 (less its 2. Company) on the north flank. Some riders went through the german riflemen and trying to escape, in doing so attacked the trains and supply troops.

With several gaps in its front, fights developing in its rear and artillery fire positions, shortage of ammunition and with its communications destroyed the regiment had employed untill the last man on its front and north flank. At that serious moment loud noise of combat could be heard to the east and heavy german shells were falling on krokotka; the right neighbour (34 ID) had finally arrived on the battle field.

As the day broke, the IR 82 had retained all its positions. The 34 ID closed the gap north of Koszele. The I./ IR 82 could be deployed between the III. and II. battalions in order to reinforce the western front. Also were attached to the regiment the II./ IR 17 (Maj Korfes) and the 1./ AR 845. The mission was finally accomplished on Jul 01 when the IR 12 advanced towards north in front of the regiment along the western shore of the river Zelwianka.

On Jul 01, at noon Marshall v. Kluge visited the regiment’s CP for congratulating the men. From the 28 Jun to 01 Jul the regiment lost more than 150 men; the fallen soldiers, among them: Olt Winar (10./ IR 82), Lt Schmidt (5./ IR 82), Ofw Riechert (5. / IR 82), Lt Stoltz (7./ IR 82), Ofw Faulbaun (7./ IR 82) and Fw Juschkus (4./ AR 31), were all buried on a hill located north of Wielka - Krokotka.

Source: "Infanterie im Ostfelzug" by F. Hossbach.

Its follows. Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello chaps; after a whileeeeeee the story follows .................................................

Towards Staryj Bychoff on the Dnjepr river.

As 31 ID’s advance March Group, the IR 82 with III./ AR 31, 1./ Pi 31 and 9./ Supply Train 31 (Light) had departed from the Zelwianka battle field on Jul 02 1941; this very day crossed the Szczara at Zyrowice (8 kms south of Slonim); the Myszanka river at Baranowicze on Jul 04; the Losha at Losha on Jul 08; the Ptycz at Kobylicze on Jul 09; the Berezina at Perewos on Jul 13 and the Drutj at Dolshanka on Jul 16.

On Jul 16 at dawn, the march group halted for a rest in the Wekscha area along the road Bobruisk - Mogilew, sending out recce patrols towards the east and south due to the unknown situation in the Staryj Bychoff area.

When the area was secured and the troops were resting the regiment was alarmed by radio; the Mölders’s hunter group was in troubles at Staryj Bychoff. The IR 82 resumed its march at 13.30 hours from Lubjanka - Gorodez to Staryj Bychoff but in arriving there the regimental commander found a quiet situation. Oberst Hossbach informed the situation to the division and complained for that order. Next day General Schroth told the commander that the Hunter group was not asked for the regiment help, the request was done by Göring himself.

The 1. KD was deployed there with the bulk on the eastern bank and one third on the western bank of the Dnjepr river protecting the XXIV Pz K’s flank. The regimental commander got in contact by phone with the XXIV Pz K’s CoS, Oberst Schilling and was told about the Corps’s fights between Propoisk and Kritschew. The bulk of the regiment closed in late afternoon and parts of the III./ IR 82 secured the bridge over the Dniepr at Staryj Bychoff. On the night of 16 / 17 Jul 1941 the 1. KD units on the western bank should be relieved by the AA 31.

Source: "Infanterie im Ostfelzug" by F. Hossbach.

Its follows. Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all chaps ; the story follows on the Dnjepr river banks.............

On the Dnjepr river . (17 Jul - 17 Aug 1941).

On Jul 17 the 31 ID’s balance had reached the river at Staryj Bychoff. This very day own aerial reconnaissance could observe new enemy forces on the Dnjeper’s eastern bank; seemingly the russian would press towards the north between the Druth and Dniepr rivers.

Therefore the 31 ID (less its IR 17) should attack on Jul 19 the enemy bridgehead established at Nowyj Bychoff , throwing it towards the eastern bank. The IR 82 should be the main effort while the IR 12 should follows behind echeloned to the right.

The IR 82 employed the III. and I. battalions as frontline elements, the II./ IR 82 should be the reserve.

The Regiment was organized as follows:

III./ IR 82
Two 13.(IG) / IR 82’s Platoons.
1./ Pi. 31
2./ Pz Jg 31
1./ Flak 610
Half of 2./ Stug 201

I./ IR 82
Pi Platoon / IR 82
Two 13.(IG) / IR 82’s Platoons.
12./ IR 82
Half of 2./ Stug 201

On 19 Jul - At 09:00 hours the artillery and heavy weapons opened fire, increasing it from 10:45 to 11:00 hours. The reconnaissance informed about weak hostile troops in front of the III./ IR 82 and manned field defensive positions in front of the I./ IR 82, but the enemy was far stronger than previously informed.

The infantry jumped out at 11:00 hours and had to fight hard for every meter of ground from one cover to another till finally by dusk the enemy resistance was broken; Lidtschina and Ssjatachenje were taken and the russian were compeled to withdraw, also several tanks were destroyed and roughly 2.000 POWs were taken.

On Jul 20 the IR 12 chased the enemy towards Nowyj Bychoff, throwing it to the eastern river bank. The IR 82’s losses amounted to 225 men ( the III./ IR 82 suffered 25 KIA and 60 WIA).

Source: "Infanterie im Ostfelzug" by F. Hossbach.

Its follows. Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all chaps; the story follows on the Dnjepr river banks.............

On the Dnjepr river . (17 Jul - 17 Aug 1941). 2º part.

On Jul 20 at 08:45 hours the IR 82 (reinforced with the II./ AR 31 and 1./ Pi. 31) advanced to Lidtschina. Without contact with the enemy and following dirty roads, the regiment reached by Komartschi the area Istopki - Tschjornolessje (north of the road Nowyj Bychoff - Rogatschev). The unit rested detaching security to the south and east. Contact with the AA 31 (Hptm Brinkmann), which was covering the Dniepr bend at Nishnjaja Toschtschiza, was established.The IR 12 had advanced from Nowyj Bychoff via Priwolyahie towards the south and was fighting hardly in the woods around Dubrowskij.

On Jul 21, the IR 12 requested some help thence, at dusk, the Divisional Commander ordered the IR 82 to attack, in order to bring relief to the sister regiment and conquer Wiljachowka on the Dnieper river.

The attack was to be accomplished by the II./ IR 82 (reinforced with two IG’s platoons and two PzJg’s platoons). The battalion left Tschornolessje at 18:00 hours (21 Jul) and after march 2 kilometers over a very bad dirty road reached its readiness area 2 kilometers due north of Wiljachowka.

The III./ IR 82 followed as reserve; the I./ IR 82 had the mission of covering towards the west against the guerrillas bands and remnants of hostile troops which were razing the area around the railway Staryj Bychoff - Rogatscheff under General Kulik’s orders.

Under the fire support furnished by the well tested II./ AR 31 (Major Kohler), the II./ IR 82 jumped off shortly before nighfall. The town itself was located in a hollow so could not be observed by the attackers, as noticeables points, three wind mills that were standing out onto the crest north of Wiljachowka were designated.

In spite of the Battalion Commander’s concerns, the hard night combat expected never occurred and at 22:00 hours several flares raised pointing out that the II./ IR 82 had accomplished its mission. The enemy had fled and several vehicles, guns and 100 POWs were taken by the 5. and 6. Companies as frontline subunits. The Battalion had not casualties and surprised by this success the enemy, also left its positions in front of the IR 12.

Source: "Infanterie im Ostfelzug" by F. Hossbach.

Its follows. Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all chaps ; the story follows on the Dnjepr river banks.............

On the Dnjepr river . (17 Jul - 17 Aug 1941). 3º part.

On July 23 1941, the 2º German AOK occupied defensive positions on both sides of the Dniepr river with the LIII AK, XII AK (31 ID and 1 KD) and XIII AK. The 31 ID (less its IR 17) was deployed in three sectors. In the west the AA 31 together with the Pi Btl 31 covered between the Druth river and the railway Starij Bychoff - Rogatschev; in the middle the IR 82 and in the east the IR 12. The IR 82’s MRL ran through the woods south of Shilachowska, south of Baranowtschina up to the height east of Nishnjaja-Toschtschiza.

The I./ IR 82 and III./ IR 82 were employed as frontline battalions; from Jul 24 onwards the three battalions were deployed on the MRL after the II./ IR 82 had been relieved at Wiljachowska by the IR 12. The troops were split in thirds, one was carried out reconnaissance and security tasks, other was deployed on the MRL and another was acting as reserve. The ratio between our striking force and the mission given was satisfactory, even when the ground was difficult with one frontage of 12 kilometers over a terrain dotted with swamps and woods.

After one week, during the night from Jul 31 to Aug 01, the IR 82 occupied Wiljachowska again but only for 24 hours, because during the following night Aug 01 to Aug 02 the entire regiment was relieved by the Sperrverband Jordan (constituted mainly by the Pi Btl 750) in order to be employed on the eastern Dniepr river bank. There the 31 ID should be take part in one attack carried out by the XII AK and XIII AK on Aug 05. Hence the IR 82 marched across the Dniepr river during the night from Aug 02 to Aug 03 through the bridge located at Starij Bychoff and was placed as divisional reserve at Sselez-Cholopejeff.

The expected enemy attack on Aug 06 did not come. Now the German High Command expected new russian offensives on the western bank of the river. Therefore the IR 82, during the night from Aug 07 to Aug 08 had crossed the Dniepr river again at Nowij Bychoff relieving during the night from Aug 08 to Aug 09 two battalions of the IR 315 on the Nishnjaja-Toschtschiza - Laseretwitschi’s sector. The I./ IR 82 and II./ IR 82 were employed on the front line; while the III./ IR 82 as regimental reserve occupied Werchnjaja.

Source: "Infanterie im Ostfelzug" by F. Hossbach.

Its follows. Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all chaps ; the story follows on the Dnjepr river banks.............

On the Dnjepr river . (17 Jul - 17 Aug 1941). 4º part.

The 31 ID was again splited over both river banks; with the IR 82 on the western bank taking defensive positions and with the IR 12 and IR 17 making offensive arrangements. The attacking force of the XII AK were the 31 ID (less its IR 82) and the 112 ID. The assault was to start at 04:00 hours on Aug 11 1941 form the line Wetj - Tisch but was changed for the next day. The IR 82 should attack now towards south across the river and against a well-fortified and organized defensive line. The reconnaissance and the engineers works on the swampy lowlands, were accomplished at night, due to the well aimed hostile fire coming from the positions located on both sides of Schaptschizy.

On Aug 12 at 10:30 hours the Regimental Commander arrived at the II./ IR 82 Command Post (Durbrowskiji) and with all the reconnaissance’s reports on hand talked by phone with the Divisional Commander; taking in account the disadvantages and losses of such attack it was discarded.

On the night of the 12/13 Aug the regiment was relieved and crossed the Dniepr at Nowyj Bychoff towards the east (less its I./ IR 82, which remained for another 24 hours in the old defensive sector). On Aug 13 1941, the 31 ID’s Commander, General Major Kalmukoff was killed together with his Adjutant Major von Barnekow (mine explosion); the IR 17’s Commander, Oberst Berthold took over the Division’s command.

After crossing the bridge at Nowyj Bychoff by third time in the last ten days, on Aug 13, by afternoon, the IR 82 marched through the IR 17’s battle field at Wetj and Iljitsch and by nightfall bivouaqued in the zone Swonez - Gumnischtsche. The II./ IR 82 took over the advanced posts and the Mounted Platoon under Oberfeldwebel Schmidle reconnoitered against the enemy which, due to the attack accomplished by the IR 12 and IR 17, was driven back towards Dowsk (crossroad between the highways Starij Bychoff - Gomel and Rogatschev - Tschernikoff).

Source: "Infanterie im Ostfelzug" by F. Hossbach.

Its follows. Cheers. Raúl M .