Kampfgruppe Eberbach - Tula - Oct/Nov 41

[Bob_Mackenzie]

Gents

There is a very interesting discussion here:
From: http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic. ... &sk=t&sd=a

About the composition of Kampfgruppe Eberbach

Eberbach, Heinrich [42. EL] 31.12.1941 Oberst Kdr 5. Panzer-Brigade
5. Pz-Brig : since 27.01.1941 attached to 3. Pz.Div , but re-assigned to 4. Pz.Div on 25.07.1941 (source: KTB 3.Panzerdivision/ Communication between commanding General and divisional commander 3.PD, evening of this day)

5.Pz.Brigade was before Op.Barbarossa assigned to 3.Pz.Div., but after a friendly fire incident, which basically KO the entire staff, it was transferred to the 4.Pz.Div. on 27.7. with Eberbach becoming the Kdr.

Panzer-Brigade 5 since Jan 27th 1941 under command of 3. Pz.Div to lead the three Abteilungen of Pz.Rgt 6 (because Pz-Brig 3 was to get Stab of 5. leichte Division/Jan 15th 1941).

its unclear to me how many of the Abteilung of Pz Regt 6 were subordinated to Eberbach. It would also be nice to confirm the make-up of the rest of the KG. I have heard of Inf Regt GD (all of it or just II abt?), 202 StuG Abt, 521 PzJgr Abt and II/103 Artillerie Regt

I'd also like to get a clear idea of the the tank strength before Tula on 29/10/41 to 1/11/41

Can anyone enlighten me please?

[Info on the Soviet side of the Tula battle - badly machine translated - can be found here: http://www.testofbattle.com/phpBB2/view ... ac4f3f3e9f]

Cheers

Bob

[Bernd R]

Bob and all,

Yes, was a struggle to come close to this.
Of note : there was a follow-up with a few more bits and pieces in this (2008) Commanders of Panzer-Regiment 7 thread (go down the thread).

regards,
Bernd

[Panzeralex]

I'd also like to get a clear idea of the the tank strength before Tula on 29/10/41 to 1/11/41

Hi Bob
i can provide you some info.
1) According Panzer-Regiment 6, Abt Ia, Abendmeldung, on 21.10.41
combat-ready panzer were:
Rgt. Stab: 2 Pz II
I Abt.: 3 Pz II, 16 Pz III, 5 Pz IV
II Abt.: 5 Pz II, 18 Pz III, 5 pz IV
III Abt.: 1 Pz II, 18 Pz III, 7 Pz IV
and esle 4 panzers: 2 Pz II and 2 Pz III will be operational within 24 hours

2) According Panzer-Regiment 6, Abt Ia, Abendmeldung, on 27.10.41
combat-ready panzer were:
Rgt. Stab: 3 Pz II, 1 Pz III
I Abt.: no info in report
II Abt.: 2 Pz II, 12 Pz III, 2 pz IV
III Abt.: 0 Pz II, 12 Pz III, 7 Pz IV

3) According 5. Panzer-Brigade, Abt Ia, Abendmeldung, on 4.11.41
combat-ready panzer were:
Pz.Rgt.6:
Rgt. Stab: 1 Pz II, 1 Pz III
I Abt.: 1 Pz II, 12 Pz III, 3 Pz IV
II Abt.: 3 Pz II, 11 Pz III, 1 pz IV
III Abt.: 0 Pz II, 10 Pz III, 4 Pz IV
Pz.Rgt. 35:
2 Pz II, 30 Pz III, 3 Pz IV.

other data about combat-ready panzers from reports 3 Pz.D. for the period 27.10.41-4.11.41 I don't have.

best regards,
Panzeralex

[Bob_Mackenzie]

That's fantastic gents - thanks

I note that 5pz Bde does not report any PzJgr-I or StuG so I assume that t521 PzJgr Abt & 202 StuG abt were not attached to KG Eberbach?

Cheers

Bob

[Panzeralex]

Yes, during 27.10.41-4.11.41 Pz.Jag.Abt. 541 and StuG Abt. 202 were not attached to KG Eberbach,
about later days I don't know.
I have only fragmented information, but something else:
According 4. Panzer Division Ia, 16.11.41, Divisions Befehl fur den Angriff am 18.11.41
Kampfgruppe Eberbach consisit of:
Stab 5. Pz.Brig.
Pz.Rgt. 35
Pz.Rgt. 39
I./S.R. 33
3./Pz.Pion. 79
3./Pz.Pion. 27
3./Pz.Jag. 49
II./A.R. 103 mit 1 Bttr. II./A.R. 69
Teile Bruko K.79
1./Flak 11
5./Flak 11
and from 4. Panzer Division Ia, 16.11.41, Divisions Befehl fur den Angriff am 30.11.41
Kampfgruppe Eberbach consisit of:
Stab 5. Pz.Brig.
Pz.Rgt. 35
K.34/Pz. A.A. 7
8./A.R. 103
2./Pz.Pion. 79
3./Pz.Jag. 49
1./Neb. 53
2 - 8,8 cm Flak
1 Strecke Bruko K.79
2. le Zug. 2 San.Kp. 84

best regards,
Panzeralex

[Bob_Mackenzie]

Alex that was great - thanks very much for taking the time to post this.

[Bob_Mackenzie]

I note that IR GD isn't part of the kampfgruppe and neither is 6PR.

To quote from http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic. ... =d%FCntsch

KG Frank (II./Pz.Rgt.6 and 2./GD) lead the thrust towards Tula.

These were the troops that lead the coup de main attack on the 29th and were repulsed

I know that on the 30th there were attacks from two directions, SE & SW. Is it possible that one was KG Frank and the other KG Eberbach?