Russian units at Jokubavas, Lithuania October 1944

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Aragorn1963
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Russian units at Jokubavas, Lithuania October 1944

#1

Post by Aragorn1963 » 21 Oct 2016, 14:45

I would very much appreciate help with identifying the Russian units involved in the fighting around Jokubavas, Lithuania (East of Krottingen) on the 9th of October 1944 during the Russian Memel Offensive. Elements of the German GD Panzer division launched a counterattack there with some success. I suspect elements of the 5th Guards Tank Army fought at Jokubavas, but need the help of experts on the OOB of the Red Army to identify the exact units, preferably as detailed as possible.

Art
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Re: Russian units at Jokubavas, Lithuania October 1944

#2

Post by Art » 21 Oct 2016, 18:35

Which exactly? Tanks, infantry, artillery? Several different units could be approximately in the same area at the same time.


Aragorn1963
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Re: Russian units at Jokubavas, Lithuania October 1944

#3

Post by Aragorn1963 » 21 Oct 2016, 18:59

Art. All of them please. From the German accounts it is known that Jokubavas was defended by infantry, supported by AT and tanks of the Red Army.

Aragorn1963
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Re: Russian units at Jokubavas, Lithuania October 1944

#4

Post by Aragorn1963 » 22 Oct 2016, 10:47

Place name: Jokubavas
Other names: Jokūbavas, Iokubavas, Jokubavas, Jokubavo, Jokubavos, Jokubiske, Jokūbavas, Jokūbavos, Jokūbiškė, Lakubov, Yakubovo, Yokubavas, Yokubishki, Йокубавас
Country: Lithuania

Art
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Re: Russian units at Jokubavas, Lithuania October 1944

#5

Post by Art » 23 Oct 2016, 18:01

According to a situation report of the 5 GTA's staff:
During 9 October 3 Guards Tank Corps crossed the Miniia River, by the end of the day 3 Guards Tank Brigade - forest 1 km east of Budvieciai, 18 Guards Tank Brigade - forest 1 km north-east of Yakubovo (Jokubiske), 19 Guards Tank Brigade - took Genaiciai, 2 Guards Motor Rifle Brigade - with 3 and 18 Brigades. Losses during the day 3 tanks destroyed and 3 damaged. Presence of strong German armor is noted.
From an earlier report by the end of 8.10 the corps had operational armor:
61 T-34
6 M4A2
20 SU-57
17 SU-76
including 13 T-34 and 1 M4A2 in 3 GTBr, 24 T-34 and 3 M4A2 in 18 GTBr, 22 T-34 and 1 M4A2 in 19 GTBr.

Aragorn1963
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Re: Russian units at Jokubavas, Lithuania October 1944

#6

Post by Aragorn1963 » 23 Oct 2016, 18:14

Thank you so much, Art. So most likely the Germans encountered 18 Guards Tank Brigade on the 9th. Does the report also tell us where the 2 Guard Motor Rifle Brigade was situated by the end of the day?

Art
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Re: Russian units at Jokubavas, Lithuania October 1944

#7

Post by Art » 23 Oct 2016, 19:59

How things are described in the war diary of 2 GMRBr:
The brigade with 1496 Self-Propelled Regiment and 266 Mortar Regiment crossed the Miniia river at 17.00 9 October. At 18.00 an attack on Yakubovo began with 1 Battalion right of Raguviskiai-Yakubovo road and 2 Battalion left of the road. The enemy was holding up the attack with strong armor supported by infantry and heavy artillery. With onset of darkness own infantry bypassed German tanks, 2 Tigers were destroyed. Simultaneously 3 and 18 GTBr operated against German flanks. The enemy retreated and the brigade took Jakubovo at 21.00. During the night tanks stayed at Yakubovo, the brigade with 1496 SP Regiment continued to pursue to Memel, the German border was crossed at 5.00 10 October.

Aragorn1963
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Re: Russian units at Jokubavas, Lithuania October 1944

#8

Post by Aragorn1963 » 24 Oct 2016, 17:04

Very impressive, Art. Thank you for this. It is exactly the information I was looking/hoping for.

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