Defense of Prague - Warsaw 1939.

[tigre]

Thanks for that info Peter and you're right about fort Mokotow and I speaking about the whole city of Warsaw now (as the IR 42 fought in the western side of the Vistula (I should clarify about it). Cheers. Raúl M .

[Piotr Kapuscinski]

Regarding that failed breakthrough attempt followed by German combined arms counterattack:

The attempt of breaking through to Warsaw by Thomme's group (mainly 2 DP = 2 Inf.Div. - which spearheaded the assault) failed between 11 and 13 September in combats near Oltarzew. Attacking Polish units (especially 2 DP) were counterattacked by 4. Pz.Div. (with I./IR.33 and attached artillery), SS "LAH", 31. Inf.Div., Korpstruppen and Luftwaffe (whole 5. Pz.Brig., mechanized Aufkl.Abt., mot. Pz.Abw.Abt. & mot. Pi.Btl. of 4. Pz.Div., 13 infantry battalions including 6 mot., 8 artillery battalions - mostly mot., other units of 31. Inf.Div. and Luftwaffe).

E.g. 4th inf.rgt. of 2 DP lost all btl. commanders KIA or MIA (and later found dead) in those combats:

- kpt. E. Sikorski, Kdr. of II./4 pp (MIA on 13 IX)
- kpt. S. Mielczarski, Kdr. of III./4 pp (KIA on 12 IX)
- kpt. J. E. Dziedziniewicz, Kdr. of I./4 pp (perished on 11 / 12 IX, Łaźniew)

Also regimental commander of this regiment was wounded in those combats.

After that failed attempt (partially yet during it) divisions of Thomme marched to Modlin.

That was a bloodbath. Losses (especially those of 2 DP) were huge and are marked by number of graves:

1) War Cemetery in Oltarzew - 982 soldiers (mainly from 2 DP) killed on 10 - 13 September in the region of Oltarzew-Domaniewice-Pogroszew: http://www.sp.ozarow.mazowiecki.ids.pl/cmentarz.htm
2) War Cemetery in Pilaszkow - 72 (incl. 46 unknown) killed (2, 28 & 30 DP) on 12 - 13 September.
3) Quarter on Parish Cemetery in Rokitno (gm. Blonie) - 209 (incl. 167 unknown) soldiers of 2 DP, killed on 12 - 13 September in the region of Kopytow-Plochcin-Swiecice-Lazniew and Orlow.
4) mass graves on Golabki-Ursus Cemetery - 19 soldiers of 2 DP died of wounds in the Polish Red Cross Hospital in Ursus (they were wounded in combats near Blonie-Oltarzew-Ozarow on 12 - 13 September).
5) War Quarter Pruszkow-Tworki - 59 (incl. 7 murdered POWs) soldiers of 2 DP and 28 DP, apart from those several murdered POWs all of them died of wounds suffered in combats on 12 - 13 September.
6) War Quarter on Parish Cemetery in Blonie - 109 died of wounds gathered by Germans from the battlefields and transported to the medical dressing point in Blonie (among them wounded near Lomianki on 22 September and soldiers of 2 DP wounded in combats on 12 - 13 September).

In total ca. 1450 dead - vast majority of them soldiers of 2 DP dead in / due to combats on 12 and 13 IX.

And these are - maybe - not yet all cemeteries in the nearbyhood. See the links below:

Photos of exhumation of scattered burials in the area (from 1940) and graves:

http://www.brwinow.com/index.php?option ... 1&Itemid=3

German counterattack (map - map from ww2 day by day website + I marked some further units):

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/6579/29896534.jpg

On casualties of 2 pułk piechoty Leg. (2 pp Leg.):

http://www.dws.org.pl/viewtopic.php?f=7 ... 0#p1491721

Despite those losses (and those from previous days as well), on 16.09.39 (already as part of the garrison of fortress Modlin) 2 pp Leg. still had 1800 soldiers and 4 pp Leg. (which suffered the most of all inf. regiments of 2 DP - 2., 3. and 4. pp Leg.) - 1100 soldiers. These are numbers from the report of Col. Czyżewski dated 16.09.39.

Discussion on controversions around strength of Lodz Army units after breaking through to Modlin:

http://www.dws.org.pl/viewtopic.php?f=7 ... &start=100

http://www.dws.org.pl/viewtopic.php?f=7 ... 5#p1475328

[tigre]

Thank you very much . Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; more follows...............

Defense of Prague in September 1939.

Actions.

After the aerial attack, the artillery of the three divisions of the XIII AK (100 pieces from 105 to 305 mm), unleashed its fire support.

At 12:15 hours both battalions (I.Battalion to the right and II. Battalion to the Left) went to the attack. When the first riflemen of the I. Battalion reached the barbed wire Oberstleutnant Uebe (Battalion Commander) was killed by shrapnel from a German aerial bomb. The Fort Tsche was taken from its rear and then the battalion reached the objectives of the day on the Allea Sobieski.

The II. Battalion crossed the park Krolikarnia and parts of the 6. / IR 42 reached the suburbs of Henrykow. In the evening this battalion and some elements of the 13. and 14. Companies progressed to Służew and Kloster Potok.

Casualties of the day, 10 killed and 37 wounded.

on September 26 at dawn, started the fire of the artillery preparation and at 08:00 hours the troops of the XIII AK rushed to the attack. As planned the attack of the IX AK was to start next day.

Sources: Defensa de Praga en septiembre de 1939. Memorias de los defensores. Erwin Łaciok
La Campaña de Polonia (Septiembre de 1939). Robert Jars. Círculo Militar.
Das Infanterie-Regiment 23 im Polenfeldzug. Ein Beitrag zur Geschichte der 11. Infanterie-Division. Oberstleutnant i. G. a. D. Arnold Tamm,
Der Zweite Weltkrieg. Janusz Piekalkiewicz
Die Einnahme von Warschau. Blaskowitz, Johannes
Entscheidende Stunden. Erich Borchert.
eBay Österreich Jnfantrie Regt_ 42 Hof General Hüttner Sudetenlandbes_ (Artikel 300322813209 endet 14_08_09 125006 MESZ).
Marsch und Einsatz des IR 42. H. Stahlmann/ M. Atzesberger.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[Piotr Kapuscinski]

Casualties of the day, 10 killed and 37 wounded.

Casualties of the day but of which unit?

[tigre]

Hello Peter ; for the Infanterie Regiment 42 (including the CO of the I./ IR 42). Cheers. Raúl M .

[Piotr Kapuscinski]

Thanks Raul!

[tigre]

Hello to all ; more follows...............

Defense of Prague in September 1939.

Actions.

At dawn on September 26, 1939, the German forces launched their infantry supported by tanks against the Polish positions, the first target of the attack: docks on the southeast end of the town - north edge of the airfield Mokotow - railway ring - Vistula - the north bridge. SW and O the attack progresses slowly, falling the fort of Mokotow. The XI AK attacked Warsaw from the north and the XIII AK did the same from the south. The I AK supported the attack from Prague with the 11 ID to the XIII AK and with the 217 ID to XI AK, the 61 ID engaged the Polish forces before their positions.

Hauptmann Steinhardt and Leutnant Stolz of IR 51 conducted a glorious feat. At the head of a detachment reinforced with pioneers they attacked Fort II located in Wawrzyszewa, which was fiercely defended by the enemy. The Infantry of Hauptmann Steinhardt cleared the way to the fort, while Leutnant Stolz won a Polish anti-tank position and then emplaced their guns against the fort itself. Cheering, the brave soldiers stormed the fortress. The two officers later received the Knights Cross on behalf the Führer and Supreme Commander of the Wehrmacht. At dusk the forces of the XIII AK had captured Mokotow and Ochota, although it was not reached the objective of the day. The continuation of the attack was ordered for September 27 at 06:00 hours.

Sources: Defensa de Praga en septiembre de 1939. Memorias de los defensores. Erwin Łaciok
La Campaña de Polonia (Septiembre de 1939). Robert Jars. Círculo Militar.
Das Infanterie-Regiment 23 im Polenfeldzug. Ein Beitrag zur Geschichte der 11. Infanterie-Division. Oberstleutnant i. G. a. D. Arnold Tamm,
Der Zweite Weltkrieg. Janusz Piekalkiewicz
Die Einnahme von Warschau. Blaskowitz, Johannes
Entscheidende Stunden. Erich Borchert.
eBay Österreich Jnfantrie Regt_ 42 Hof General Hüttner Sudetenlandbes_ (Artikel 300322813209 endet 14_08_09 125006 MESZ).
Marsch und Einsatz des IR 42. H. Stahlmann/ M. Atzesberger.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; more follows...............

Defense of Prague in September 1939.

Actions.

The IR 42.

Early in the morning Oberstleutnant Dr. Phil Uebe was buried in the castle of D. Ursinow.

To continue the attack on Warsaw:

The I. Battalion (right) had within its sector, a rubber factory and a sausage factory. The I. / AR 114 set afire the rubber factory with its bursts. The battalion battle groups won some houses on the Allee Sobieskiego and the suburbs of Henrykow, some patrols reached the anti-tank ditch before the sausage factory. But the attack was stopped by fire from the flanks.

The II. Battalion (left) attacked with its company to the far left end (5. / IR 42) a large gray fortified monoblock from which the Germans received heavy fire at close range, but nevertheless could reach the northern boundary of the park of Krolikarnia. The company was supported by the 2. / Pi 62 but soon after reaching the plateau received heavy fire from the flank which soon caused the death of 20 engineers and serious injuries to the Company Leader, who died shortly afterwards.

As a the key spot in the sector was recognized a house with red walls on which the artillery fire was directed (Battery Orth, 2. / AR 115 and 6. / AR 49 with heavy howitzers). The offering of 6 tanks (2. / PR 23) was not accepted for being “a magnet for the Polish fire" for the unprotected infantry.

Casualties in the Regiment: 6 dead and 40 wounded. The II. Battalion was relieved by the III. Battalion.

Sources: Defensa de Praga en septiembre de 1939. Memorias de los defensores. Erwin Łaciok
La Campaña de Polonia (Septiembre de 1939). Robert Jars. Círculo Militar.
Das Infanterie-Regiment 23 im Polenfeldzug. Ein Beitrag zur Geschichte der 11. Infanterie-Division. Oberstleutnant i. G. a. D. Arnold Tamm,
Der Zweite Weltkrieg. Janusz Piekalkiewicz
Die Einnahme von Warschau. Blaskowitz, Johannes
Entscheidende Stunden. Erich Borchert.
eBay Österreich Jnfantrie Regt_ 42 Hof General Hüttner Sudetenlandbes_ (Artikel 300322813209 endet 14_08_09 125006 MESZ).
Marsch und Einsatz des IR 42. H. Stahlmann/ M. Atzesberger.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; more follows...............

Defense of Prague in September 1939.

The Actions.

Meanwhile because of the appalling living conditions of the civilians inhabitants, General Rommel took the decision to call a "Council of Defense." Also attended the Mayor Starczynski and Generals Kurtzeba, Czuma, Knoll, Tokarzewski, Zulauf, Alter and Abraham. After listening to the participants and an exhibition on the need to surrender, General Rommel decided to open negotiations with the opponent. It was accepted and General Kurtzeba was appointed as head of the parliamentary group. The commander of the defensive sector of Grochow, plk Sosabowski led the last defense.

On September 27 at 09:00 hours the 8 AOK received a report coming from I AK that General Kutrzeba came on behalf of General Rommel to discuss the surrender of the fortress Warsaw. At 09:05 hours, the Army ordered the suspension of the combat actions and to stay in the present positions.

Sources: Defensa de Praga en septiembre de 1939. Memorias de los defensores. Erwin Łaciok
La Campaña de Polonia (Septiembre de 1939). Robert Jars. Círculo Militar.
Das Infanterie-Regiment 23 im Polenfeldzug. Ein Beitrag zur Geschichte der 11. Infanterie-Division. Oberstleutnant i. G. a. D. Arnold Tamm,
Der Zweite Weltkrieg. Janusz Piekalkiewicz
Die Einnahme von Warschau. Blaskowitz, Johannes
Entscheidende Stunden. Erich Borchert.
eBay Österreich Jnfantrie Regt_ 42 Hof General Hüttner Sudetenlandbes_ (Artikel 300322813209 endet 14_08_09 125006 MESZ).
Marsch und Einsatz des IR 42. H. Stahlmann/ M. Atzesberger.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; more follows...............

Defense of Prague in September 1939.

The Actions.

27 Sep 1939.

Among the preparations for the attack of the III. / IR 42:

As for the artillery:

- The I / A.R. 114 Provided forward observers to the front line.

- The Art.Abt.Gef (Artillery CP) was close to the position of fire of the 2./AR 114.
- 200 meters behind the front line was located a howitzer of the 1./AR 114 for direct fire against the house with the red wall and the buried gray blocks.
- The 6 Battery of the s.A.R. 49 moved forward its OP.

Forward Observers of the artillery and the Company of IG were with the III. / IR 42
about 200 m from the front line. The infantry was dispersed for not presenting a profitable target.

At dawn, the Polish artillery fired with intensity, equally active were the Polish riflemen.

Moreover, the Germans began bombing houses especially with artillery, the 6. / schw.AR 49 destroyed one house after another with its shells.

The infantry attack (III Battalion) was supported by the howitzer in direct fire
(Chief Oberleutnant Adam of the 1./A.R. 114).

Sources: Defensa de Praga en septiembre de 1939. Memorias de los defensores. Erwin Łaciok
La Campaña de Polonia (Septiembre de 1939). Robert Jars. Círculo Militar.
Das Infanterie-Regiment 23 im Polenfeldzug. Ein Beitrag zur Geschichte der 11. Infanterie-Division. Oberstleutnant i. G. a. D. Arnold Tamm,
Der Zweite Weltkrieg. Janusz Piekalkiewicz
Die Einnahme von Warschau. Blaskowitz, Johannes
Entscheidende Stunden. Erich Borchert.
eBay Österreich Jnfantrie Regt_ 42 Hof General Hüttner Sudetenlandbes_ (Artikel 300322813209 endet 14_08_09 125006 MESZ).
Marsch und Einsatz des IR 42. H. Stahlmann/ M. Atzesberger.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; more follows...............

Defense of Prague in September 1939.

The Actions.

27 Sep 1939.

The 9. and the 11. Companies pushed ahead up to the gardens of the castle organized into assault teams; in front of the 9. / IR 42 marched the battalion commander, Maj. Mayr. The Poles counterattacked with forces of about 3 companies with main effort on the fort Tsche but were rejected by the 7. Company. On the left the IR 41 (10 ID) seized the gray monoblock. To the right, in the sector of the 1. / IR 42 the Poles managed to break the German lines, there the company commander, Oberleutnant d.R. Küfner, was killed in action while leading the counterattack. The acting Commander of the I. Battalion, Hauptmann Audorff restored the situation with the 2. Company.

Then at 10:00 hours reached the regiment the news that Warsaw would be taken without a fight and they were discussing its surrender. The II. Battalion remained between the fort Tsche and the castle. The three days of fighting against Warsaw cost the regiment 35 killed and 114 wounded in action.

Sources: Defensa de Praga en septiembre de 1939. Memorias de los defensores. Erwin Łaciok
La Campaña de Polonia (Septiembre de 1939). Robert Jars. Círculo Militar.
Das Infanterie-Regiment 23 im Polenfeldzug. Ein Beitrag zur Geschichte der 11. Infanterie-Division. Oberstleutnant i. G. a. D. Arnold Tamm,
Der Zweite Weltkrieg. Janusz Piekalkiewicz
Die Einnahme von Warschau. Blaskowitz, Johannes
Entscheidende Stunden. Erich Borchert.
eBay Österreich Jnfantrie Regt_ 42 Hof General Hüttner Sudetenlandbes_ (Artikel 300322813209 endet 14_08_09 125006 MESZ).
Marsch und Einsatz des IR 42. H. Stahlmann/ M. Atzesberger.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[Piotr Kapuscinski]

Interesting read!

After the aerial attack, the artillery of the three divisions of the XIII AK (100 pieces from 105 to 305 mm), unleashed its fire support.

At 12:15 hours both battalions (I.Battalion to the right and II. Battalion to the Left) went to the attack. When the first riflemen of the I. Battalion reached the barbed wire Oberstleutnant Uebe (Battalion Commander) was killed by shrapnel from a German aerial bomb.

He was killed by shrapnel from a bomb already after the end of the bombing? How is it possible?

Is he included in those 35 KIA in Warsaw / 10 KIA on that day (despite being supposedly a "friendly fire" victim?).

[tigre]

Hello Domen ; thanks for your comment. The text in German says "fiel der Btl Kdr Oberstleutnant Uebe getroffen von einer fliegerbombe". Hence if my assumption was correct: fliegerbombe = (aerial) bomb, then two possibilities: it could be possible the German had asked for an aerial fire support on Fort Tsche or an unexploded bomb. I assume he was counted as casualty by the regiment (IR 42). Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; more follows...............

Defense of Prague in September 1939.

The Actions.

27 Sep 1939.

Polish envoys were received by the German plenipotentiaries on September 27, 1939 at 09:29 hours. Because of its bravery, the opponent agreed in accepting the surrender of the Army "Warsaw" and recognized military honors to it; the officers will keep their swords and the troops will be released. On this day at 12:00 hours cease all military operations in the capital of Poland. Poles burned their banners and flags, destroyed their weapons and buried their dead.

Sources: Defensa de Praga en septiembre de 1939. Memorias de los defensores. Erwin Łaciok
La Campaña de Polonia (Septiembre de 1939). Robert Jars. Círculo Militar.
Das Infanterie-Regiment 23 im Polenfeldzug. Ein Beitrag zur Geschichte der 11. Infanterie-Division. Oberstleutnant i. G. a. D. Arnold Tamm,
Der Zweite Weltkrieg. Janusz Piekalkiewicz
Die Einnahme von Warschau. Blaskowitz, Johannes
Entscheidende Stunden. Erich Borchert.
eBay Österreich Jnfantrie Regt_ 42 Hof General Hüttner Sudetenlandbes_ (Artikel 300322813209 endet 14_08_09 125006 MESZ).
Marsch und Einsatz des IR 42. H. Stahlmann/ M. Atzesberger.

Cheers. Raúl M .