Battle of Dmitrowsk, February-March 1943

Discussions on all (non-biographical) aspects of the Freikorps, Reichswehr, Austrian Bundesheer, Heer, Waffen-SS, Volkssturm and Fallschirmjäger and the other Luftwaffe ground forces. Hosted by Christoph Awender.
Post Reply
CNE503
Member
Posts: 2395
Joined: 23 Aug 2010, 13:01
Location: Dijon, Bourgogne, France

Battle of Dmitrowsk, February-March 1943

#1

Post by CNE503 » 28 Nov 2016, 22:35

Hello,

Please could someone tell me which was the German high command which led this battle? It was fought late February and early March 1943. It was decisive to strengthen the German hold on the Orel bulge.
An educated guess would be the 2. Panzerarmee (its XXXXVI. Panzerkorps in particular), but I'm not completely sure.

Thank you!
Cheers,

CNE503
"Sicut Aquila" / "Ils s'instruisent pour vaincre" / "par l'exemple, le coeur et la raison" / "Labor Omnia Vincit"

GregSingh
Member
Posts: 3877
Joined: 21 Jun 2012, 02:11
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Re: Battle of Dmitrowsk, February-March 1943

#2

Post by GregSingh » 28 Nov 2016, 23:53

All correct. Tessin agrees with you! :D


CNE503
Member
Posts: 2395
Joined: 23 Aug 2010, 13:01
Location: Dijon, Bourgogne, France

Re: Battle of Dmitrowsk, February-March 1943

#3

Post by CNE503 » 29 Nov 2016, 21:03

Thank you Gregsingh.
To be honest with you, I checked Tessin before asking on the forum, but his books provide only fragmentary information.
XXXXVI. Panzerkorps is listed under 4. Armee in February 1943, and under 2. Panzerarmee in March 1943.
If the course of events led me to think that it was transferred from 4. Armee to 2. Panzeramee in the second half of February, it is not very precise...

It is the most logical guess, so I bet it is the truth, even if I can be totally affirmative (and I don't like that!).

Cheers,

CNE503
"Sicut Aquila" / "Ils s'instruisent pour vaincre" / "par l'exemple, le coeur et la raison" / "Labor Omnia Vincit"

GregSingh
Member
Posts: 3877
Joined: 21 Jun 2012, 02:11
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Re: Battle of Dmitrowsk, February-March 1943

#4

Post by GregSingh » 29 Nov 2016, 23:25

Units in Dmitrowsk area were under control of 2. Panzerarmee with HQ in Orel.
HQ of 4. Armee was in Spass-Demensk. Neither of HQ's moved in that time.

So it is unlikely that XXXXVI. Panzerkorps after moving from Spass-Demensk to Dmitrowsk area still remained under control of 4. Armee.

Check German daily maps at John's site.

From my files on XXXXVI. Panzerkorps, I have one document dated 13th of February showing it in A.O.K.9. Another document from 20th of February as in Pz.-A.O.K.2. Nothing in between unfortunately...

78.Sturm-Div joined XXXXVI. Panzerkorps in early March.

CNE503
Member
Posts: 2395
Joined: 23 Aug 2010, 13:01
Location: Dijon, Bourgogne, France

Re: Battle of Dmitrowsk, February-March 1943

#5

Post by CNE503 » 30 Nov 2016, 21:12

Thank you Gregsingh. Can I correct something?
According to Das Buch von 78. Sturm-Division, the division was sent from Sytchevka area in Orel area from February 21st, 1943. It fought alongside the 12. Panzer Division the Soviet 65th Army in Dmitrowsk area as of February 27th, 1943. From March 6th to March 10th, 1943, it was submitted to heavy attacks from Soviet 70th Army in the same area.

My guess is that the division joined the XXXXVI. Panzerkorps sometimes between February 21st and February 27th, 1943. Don't you think?

Cheers,

CNE503
"Sicut Aquila" / "Ils s'instruisent pour vaincre" / "par l'exemple, le coeur et la raison" / "Labor Omnia Vincit"

GregSingh
Member
Posts: 3877
Joined: 21 Jun 2012, 02:11
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Re: Battle of Dmitrowsk, February-March 1943

#6

Post by GregSingh » 30 Nov 2016, 23:21

You are right!
Corps document mentions 78th as of 25th of February.
78SD.jpg
78. Sturm Division - 25.02.43

CNE503
Member
Posts: 2395
Joined: 23 Aug 2010, 13:01
Location: Dijon, Bourgogne, France

Re: Battle of Dmitrowsk, February-March 1943

#7

Post by CNE503 » 01 Dec 2016, 21:00

Hello Gregsingh,

Great! I add immediatly this document to my "primary sources" file about the 78. Infanterie/Sturm-Division. Many thanks for sharing it!
Cheers,

CNE503
"Sicut Aquila" / "Ils s'instruisent pour vaincre" / "par l'exemple, le coeur et la raison" / "Labor Omnia Vincit"

Post Reply

Return to “Heer, Waffen-SS & Fallschirmjäger”