Operation Wirbelwind 1942

[alchemy]

Hi,
somebody has any information about the attack of the 9th PzD to Sschinitsschi and River Shisdra positions in the frame of Operation Wirbelwind?

Javier

[tigre]

Hola Javier ; here goes a little info on that, hope it be useful .....................

The 9th Pz in Wirbelwind - August 1942.

At the beginning of 1942, the 9 Pz suffered a series of changes and reorganized its forces, the AA 9 is combined with the Kradsch. Btl 59, the PR 33 received a III. Abt and the AR 102 an IV. Abt (Flak) and a Target Acquisition Battery (beobachtungsbatterie).

In mid-April 1942 its Commander, Generalleutnant Ritter v. Hubicki left the division and he was replaced by Generalmajor Baessler, being the Oberstleutnant Ia i. V. G Necker.

Source: Die 9. Panzer-Division. Bewaffnung – Einsätze – Männer 1938-1945. Carl H. Hermann.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[Paul_Atreides]

At the beginning of 1942, the 9 Pz suffered a series of changes and reorganized its forces ... the PR 33 received a III. Abt

Jentz in his Panzertruppen, vol.1, p.219 writes that this happened on 10th May 1942.

[tigre]

Hello to all , thanks Paul........

being the Oberstleutnant Ia i. V. G Necker.

Correct: being the Ia Oberstleutnant i.G v.Necker. Cheers. Raúl M .

[alchemy]

Thank you both.

So, I understand that the final line 2.8.1942 belongs to the positions at the time of Wirbelwind...

Javier

[tigre]

Hello to all ; yes Javier on Aug 22. Now more follows........................

The 9th Pz in Wirbelwind - August 1942.


http://members.shaw.ca/grossdeutschland/russia2.htm

So on June 28, 1942 the 9 Pz within the framework of the XXIV Pz Korps began its participation in Operation Blau. Armoured Grenadiers crossed the river Tim in rubber boats and established a bridgehead on the eastern shore.

While the Pi Btl 89 built a war bridge in one hour to allow the tanks to advance towards Woronesh.

Source: Die 9. Panzer-Division. Bewaffnung – Einsätze – Männer 1938-1945. Carl H. Hermann.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[alchemy]

Thank you Raul. But Wirbelwind occurs between later than the cross of the Tim river, at that time 9th Panzer was in 24 PzK in Army Group South and later was transferred to 41 PzK in Army Group Center.

I've found "two" Wirbelwinds, one called Wirbelwind, dated Jul 1942 and other called Klein Wirbelwind between 11th August to the 10th September, don't know if due to the operations development, the "kleine" operation were the final result.

I will continue seeking.

Best regards,
Javier

[tigre]

Hello Javier ; OK I'm going from Woronesh to Ssuchinitschi. I'm telling this from memory (taken from the book written by Rendulic, his 52 ID took part in that "kleine" Wirbelwind). At first it was planned a big operation which would be launched from north and south of the Ssuchinitschi bulge but later due to the actions around Rshew it would be launched along the Shidra only (the kleine) jumping from the south. Rendulic recalled that it was the first operation (the kleine) that was launched without faith. Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

Hello to all ; yes Javier on Aug 22. Now more follows........................

The 9th Pz in Wirbelwind - August 1942.

After that the penetration continued towards Kobylía Ssnowa, the displacement was carried out across an open ground. On July 6, 1942 the division faced serious resistance from the enemy on the north flank at Ssemljansk. The PR 33 reinforced with part of the armored riflemen was headed up to there ...

........and it was engaged in combat with Soviet armored brigades. In the area of the 2 AOK, only in July, there were about 750 enemy tanks destroyed. Often this meant - here and there - a vision of human tragedy for both drivers and commanders.

Source: Die 9. Panzer-Division. Bewaffnung – Einsätze – Männer 1938-1945. Carl H. Hermann.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

The 9th Pz in Wirbelwind - August 1942.

With support from the mortars and the howitzers of the AR 102, the 9. Pz Gren Brigade fought later at Bol .Wereika moving quickly from offense to defense thanks to the skillful leadership of the Division Commander and his Ia.

Surprisingly on August 4, 1942, the 9 Pz was removed from the front and sent by Orel to around Bolchoff in order to take part in an attack in the direction of Ssuchinitschi.

Source: Die 9. Panzer-Division. Bewaffnung – Einsätze – Männer 1938-1945. Carl H. Hermann.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

The 9th Pz in Wirbelwind - August 1942.

On 11 August 1942, Operation Wirbelwind is started in the sector of Army Group Center. This operation is an attack launched by the Second Panzer Army at Ssuchinitschi in a north-northwesterly direction in order to pinch off the Russian salient protruding sharply to the west between Ssuchinitschi and Juchnoff. The Führer is under the impression that in this operation the Second Panzer Army concentrates its effort too much on its outer wing, namely its right or eastern flank.

13 Aug 1942.

Thus far, Operation Wirbelwind has not resulted in a decisive success, but the beginning of a favorable development seems to be indicated by the latest reports. According to a report by the Chief of Army General Staff, the Second Panzer Army resumed its attack at its right, eastern wing early this morning, but with a limited objective only, namely an advance of 8 kilometers. Upon reaching this objective, the attack wing will turn to the west in accordance with instructions given by the Führer. The 9th Panzer Division arrived at the Second Panzer Army's right wing behind the sector of the 11th panzer Division; elements of the 4th Panzer Division are also in that sector.

Source: Die 9. Panzer-Division. Bewaffnung – Einsätze – Männer 1938-1945. Carl H. Hermann.
Greiner Diary Notes, 12 Aug 1942 - 12 Mar 1943.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

The 9th Pz in Wirbelwind - August 1942.

14 Aug 1942.

In the sector of Army Group Center, Operation Wirbelwind has made little progress in the face of very strong enemy resistance and in difficult fortified wooded terrain.

The terrain full of obstacles, hindered the movements both for combat and for logistical support and medical evacuations. Although the town of Wosty was conquered on August 15 1942, the SR 10 was unable to cross the small stream (Shisdra).

Meanwhile, the SR 11 in a violent assault pushed forward and managed to break into the Soviet positions north of Shisdra.

Source: Die 9. Panzer-Division. Bewaffnung – Einsätze – Männer 1938-1945. Carl H. Hermann.
Greiner Diary Notes, 12 Aug 1942 - 12 Mar 1943.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

The 9th Pz in Wirbelwind - August 1942.

16 Aug 1942.

In the sector of Army Group Center, Operation Wirbelwind has been progressing very slowly and the attack forces have sustained heavy losses. General Von Kluge, in a report submitted by telephone, states that the attack cannot succeed because behind every Russian position taken in the forests at Ssuchinitschi another position is encountered and because the passage between these forests is completely blocked by mines. The Second Panzer Army intends therefore to attack in an easterly direction.

Then came a hard and slow progress of the armored riflemen, increasingly worn out, towards the northern edge of the great forest of Kolodesy.

Source: Die 9. Panzer-Division. Bewaffnung – Einsätze – Männer 1938-1945. Carl H. Hermann.
Greiner Diary Notes, 12 Aug 1942 - 12 Mar 1943.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

The 9th Pz in Wirbelwind - August 1942.

18 Aug 1942.

In the sector of Army Group Center, Operation Wirbelwind is bogged down. The enemy launched a counterattack against the eastern flank of the 11h Panzer Division which could be repelled.

The intense and bitter struggle in the Russian summer heat resulted in heavy losses for the 9 Pz and the actual strenght of the rifle companies fell to 10 to 15 men. Oberst v. Hülsen led his battle group under increasingly difficult conditions.

Source: Die 9. Panzer-Division. Bewaffnung – Einsätze – Männer 1938-1945. Carl H. Hermann.
Greiner Diary Notes, 12 Aug 1942 - 12 Mar 1943.

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

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

The 9th Pz in Wirbelwind - August 1942.

21 Aug 1942.

The forces committed in Operation Wirbelwind still have not been able to gain freedom of action. The attack is greatly hampered by the swampy and woody terrain. The German striking power has considerably decreased, and the tank units sustained heavy losses. General Von KLUGE reported yesterday that the attack no longer appears promising unless the attack forces are reinforced by two additional divisions. However, the Führer insists on the continuation of the operation and requests General Von KLUGE to appear at his headquarters tomorrow for a discussion of measures to be taken.

22 Aug 1942.

The enemy, obviously, attaches great importance to the German attack at Ssuchinitschi and moves up reinforcements constantly. This morning he launched a counterattack against the right flank of the Second Panzer Army.

Today's discussion between the Führer and Mariscal Von KLUGE had the following result:

Operation Wirbelwind will be discontinued because decisive success can no longer be expected in view of the difficult terrain and the strength of the enemy forces. However, the continuation of the attack in this front sector is to be simulated in order to tie down the Russian forces and to prevent their employment in attacks against the other thinly manned front sectors. However, no reinforcements are assigned to the Second Panzer Army for this task. On the contrary, the 9th and 11th panzer Divisions will be withdrawn and regrouped in the area north of Kirow in order to launch an attack together with the "Grossdeutschland" Division in a general southsoutheasterly direction, and to attempt to accomplish on a smaller scale the original objective of Operation Wirbelwind.

Source: Die 9. Panzer-Division. Bewaffnung – Einsätze – Männer 1938-1945. Carl H. Hermann.
Greiner Diary Notes, 12 Aug 1942 - 12 Mar 1943.

Cheers. Raúl M .