Gebirgsjäger in Russia 1941-42.

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.
User avatar
tigre
Member
Posts: 10550
Joined: 20 Mar 2005, 12:48
Location: Argentina

Gebirgsjäger in Russia 1941-42.

#1

Post by tigre » 15 Jun 2009, 16:13

Hello to all :D; I've stumbled with some pictures in the web and here goes them mixed with a little story....

The 4. Gebirgsdivision.

Built up Period.

The unit was raised on Oct 25 1940, taken elements from the 25 ID (to be motorized) and the 27 ID (converted to a panzer división, the 17 Pz).

The Enzian Division got in that way the Infanterie-Regiment 13 from Ludwigsburg (25 ID) and the Infanterie-Regiment 91 from Kempten (27 ID); the Gebirgsartillerie-Regiment 94 was organized taken one Abteilung (group) from the AR 25 and another Abteilung from AR 27. In turn the Gebirgspionier Bataillon got one Pi. Kp from Pionier Btl 25 and another company from the Pionier Btl 27. As new units were raised within the WK V (Stuttgart) the Geb.Aufkl.Abt 94, the Geb.Pz.Jäg.Abt 94, and the Geb.Nachr.Abt 94 as well supply elements and trains.

The unit was trained at the training ground of (Truppenübungsplatz) Heuberg near Sigmaringen. The garnison were located within the Wehrkreises V (Ulm, Sigmaringen, etc.), while its Staff was at Ebingen. Its first Commanding Officer was Generalmajor Eglseer with Major i.G. Schaefer as its Ops Officer (Ia). The division was declared ready to fight on Mar 20 1941.

Image
Gebirgsjägern belonging to GJR 13 in the training ground area.

Sources: "Enzian und Edelweiß / Die 4. Gebirgsdivision 1940 - 1945" Julius Braun.
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... GebD-R.htm
FotoAlbum Gebirgsjager. Subasta eBay Nº: 230215413603 (finalizada).
http://www.enziandivision.de/Gebirgsdivision.htm

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).
Attachments
image002.jpg
Troops belonging to the Gebirgsjägerregiment 13 at the training ground.
image002.jpg (39.75 KiB) Viewed 6575 times

User avatar
tigre
Member
Posts: 10550
Joined: 20 Mar 2005, 12:48
Location: Argentina

Re: Gebirgsjäger in Russia 1941-42.

#2

Post by tigre » 19 Jun 2009, 23:36

Hello to all :D; the story follows....

The 4. Gebirgsdivision.

TOE.

Image

Image

Infanterie-Regiment 13
Organized on 01.01.1921 as 13. ( Württ. ) Inf.Rgt.;
01.10.1934 Inf.Rgt. Ludwigsburg;
15.10.1935 Inf.Rgt. 13; FStO Ludwigsburg.
25.10.1940 due to re-organization of 25. Inf.Div. in a mot.Div. transformed as Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 13.

Infanterie-Regiment 91
Organized on 06.10.1936; FStO Kempten.
25.10.1940 due to re-organization of 27. Inf.Div into 17. Pz.Div transformed as Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 91.

Aufklärungs-Abteilung 94
Organized on 10.11.1940 from Aufkl. Ers.Abt. 18 at Stuttgart.

Gebirgs-Artillerie-Regiment 94
Organized on 25.10.1940

Gebirgs-Panzerjäger-Abteilung 94
Organized on 07.11.1940

Gebirgs-Pionier-Bataillon 94
Organized on 10.11.1940

Gebirgs-Nachrichten-Abteilung 94
Organized on 15.11.1940

Sources: "Enzian und Edelweiß / Die 4. Gebirgsdivision 1940 - 1945" Julius Braun.
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... GebD-R.htm
FotoAlbum Gebirgsjager. Subasta eBay Nº: 230215413603 (finalizada).
http://www.enziandivision.de/Gebirgsdivision.htm

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).
Attachments
4 GJD.jpg
Summit – Bavarian Mountains.
4 GJD.jpg (33.32 KiB) Viewed 6505 times


User avatar
tigre
Member
Posts: 10550
Joined: 20 Mar 2005, 12:48
Location: Argentina

Re: Gebirgsjäger in Russia 1941-42.

#3

Post by tigre » 23 Jun 2009, 02:30

Hello to all :D; the story follows....

The 4. Gebirgsdivision.

“Unternehmen Barbarossa” Jun - Oct 1941. From the San to the Mius.

1. Readiness for the new Campaign.

After seizing Belgrado, the Jugoslavia’s capital, the Campaign in the Balkans ended for the 4 GD. After that its units accomplished security tasks within the area of Kragujevac - Jagodina - Paracin – Smederoco. A month later, on May 1941, the gebirgsjäger regiments were gathered south of Belgrado and conveyed towards Slovakia; once there were detrained at Humene.

There the division should reach the General Goverment of Poland through the well known Dukla Pass and occupy an assembly area south and west of Rzeszow within the XXXXIX Gebirgs AK’s framework; in order to conceal the operation the units should proceed in the night. From 14 Jun 1941 onwards, the 4 GD organized four on foot and three motorized columns then the movement started and the Mountain Division marched behind of Generalmajor Sanne’s 100 Le. ID. The last divisional echelon (IV./ Geb AR 94) detrained at Humene on Jun 20 1941.

Sources: "Enzian und Edelweiß / Die 4. Gebirgsdivision 1940 - 1945" Julius Braun.
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... GebD-R.htm
FotoAlbum Gebirgsjager. Subasta eBay Nº: 230215413603 (finalizada).
http://www.enziandivision.de/Gebirgsdivision.htm

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).

User avatar
tigre
Member
Posts: 10550
Joined: 20 Mar 2005, 12:48
Location: Argentina

Re: Gebirgsjäger in Russia 1941-42.

#4

Post by tigre » 29 Jun 2009, 15:11

Hello to all :D; the story follows....

The 4. Gebirgsdivision.

“Unternehmen Barbarossa” Jun - Oct 1941. From the San to the Mius.

First actions.

In the evening of Jun 23 1941, the gebirgsjäger regiments got across the international border with the then called Soviet Union heading to Lemberg. On Jun 26 1941, the 4 GD relieved the 68 ID and proceeded to Kamienobrod where the first engagement of the Enzians would take place. On Jun 28 1941, the troops jumped off against the soviet positions; by noon the resistance had been cracked and by nightfall the kampfgruppe were 15 kilómeters east of Kamienobrod, far behind in the back of the enemy still defending at Grodek. Next day the regiments moved ahead and circled Lemberg from the south.

Image
after a long and a hard march one of the gebirgsjäger got some help for his feet from his comrade.

By Jun 30 1941, Lemberg had been seized at last. The Division marched off towards its next objective the main town of Brzezany, which was taken in turn; in that way, the unit could block the withdrawal of two soviet divisions. On July 05 1941, the Seret river was reached and by July 07 1941 the 4 GD was on the old border between Poland and the Soviet Union. At this time the rain came so the roads became a quagmire. The situation was getting worse as the SS-Wiking’s columns blocked the assigned march’s road for the 4 GD all day long.

Sources: "Enzian und Edelweiß / Die 4. Gebirgsdivision 1940 - 1945" Julius Braun.
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... GebD-R.htm
FotoAlbum Gebirgsjager. Subasta eBay Nº: 230215413603 (finalizada).
http://www.enziandivision.de/Gebirgsdivision.htm

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).
On Jun 29 1941, the II./ GJR 91 (Major Türler) was deployed at Rudno while the I./ GJR 91 (Major Schneider) advancing along the road Grodek – Lemberg had reached Kaltwasser where it was attacked by hostile tanks against which the armor piercing shells of 37 mm and 50 mm fired by the panzerjägers were useless. The brave gunners shot their weapons almost at point blank and even some of them were smashed; the attack was finally driven back but the own (German) losses were heavy.
Attachments
image002.jpg
image002.jpg (30.22 KiB) Viewed 6397 times

User avatar
tigre
Member
Posts: 10550
Joined: 20 Mar 2005, 12:48
Location: Argentina

Re: Gebirgsjäger in Russia 1941-42.

#5

Post by tigre » 04 Jul 2009, 02:09

Hello to all :D; the story follows....

The 4. Gebirgsdivision.

“Unternehmen Barbarossa” Jun - Oct 1941. From the San to the Mius.

Breakthrough the "Stalin Line".

Finally, on Jul 13 1941 the so called Stalin Line was reached; by Jul 14 1941 the first reconaissance tasks were accomplished so on Jul 15 1941, the assault went under way. By nightfall the “Enzian” division had broke through the soviet positions, 72 bunkers had been seized y the gebirsjägers’ spearhead was 15 kilometers deep behind the enemy line.

On Jul 17 1941, the russian deployed a whole Rifle Division in order to retain Winnitza; the fight for that city lasted three days which was firmly in german hands on Jul 20 1941. During these fights fell the brave Oberst Sorko (RKT) who was the GJR 13’s Commanding Officer; then Oberst von Thaysen took over that regiment. After that the Division could rest there for three days.

On Jul 24 1941, the division resumed its advance and by Jul 30 1941, after marching 6 days, the 4 GD reached Nemirow and Gaissin heading to Uman.

Sources: "Enzian und Edelweiß / Die 4. Gebirgsdivision 1940 - 1945" Julius Braun.
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... GebD-R.htm
FotoAlbum Gebirgsjager. Subasta eBay Nº: 230215413603 (finalizada).
http://www.enziandivision.de/Gebirgsdivision.htm

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).
Attachments
image002.jpg
The gebirgsjäger of the GJR 13 marching towards Uman, there they would take part of the first encirclement carried out by the Army Group South.
image002.jpg (28.72 KiB) Viewed 6287 times

User avatar
tigre
Member
Posts: 10550
Joined: 20 Mar 2005, 12:48
Location: Argentina

Re: Gebirgsjäger in Russia 1941-42.

#6

Post by tigre » 06 Jul 2009, 22:31

Hello to all :D; the story follows....

The 4. Gebirgsdivision.

“Unternehmen Barbarossa” Jun - Oct 1941. From the San to the Mius.

The Umán Cauldron.

The division got the mission of marching against Uman and in doing so break through the enemy lines during the night from 31 Jul to 01 Aug 1941, then resume the attack on Aug 01 with strong right flank. To the south it was breaching a gap of almost 15 kilometers between the Jatrany and Ssinjucha rivers, which was to be closed by means of one attack and this was a task for the Enzian division also.

On Aug 02 1941, at 13:00 hours and after marching 28 kilometers, the GJR 91’s spearhead had reached and seized the bridge over the Jatrany river at Polonistoje. After resting for a while the column resumed its march following a sandy road where the vehicles went bogged down anytime. The column finally reached the crossroad located 5 kilometers south of Podwyssokoje.

At the same time, the GJR 13 went across the Jatrany at Peregonowka and established a bridgehead towards Kopjenkowata (high 193 seized by II./ GJR 13 under Major Ott); the division’s front stretched over 20 kilometers counting the gaps. To the north was covering the Pz Jäg Abt belonging to the 97 Le.ID.

Sources: "Enzian und Edelweiß / Die 4. Gebirgsdivision 1940 - 1945" Julius Braun.
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... GebD-R.htm
FotoAlbum Gebirgsjager. Subasta eBay Nº: 230215413603 (finalizada).
http://www.enziandivision.de/Gebirgsdivision.htm

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).

User avatar
Peter H
Member
Posts: 28628
Joined: 30 Dec 2002, 14:18
Location: Australia

Re: Gebirgsjäger in Russia 1941-42.

#7

Post by Peter H » 08 Jul 2009, 04:47

Thanks for this very interesting topic.

From Bruce Quarrie's German Mountain Troops,1980.
Attachments
gebirgs1.jpg
gebirgs1.jpg (128.45 KiB) Viewed 6242 times

User avatar
Peter H
Member
Posts: 28628
Joined: 30 Dec 2002, 14:18
Location: Australia

Re: Gebirgsjäger in Russia 1941-42.

#8

Post by Peter H » 08 Jul 2009, 06:23

More..
Attachments
gebirgs2.jpg
gebirgs2.jpg (104.47 KiB) Viewed 6242 times
gebirgs3.jpg
gebirgs3.jpg (101.11 KiB) Viewed 6242 times
gebirgs4.jpg
gebirgs4.jpg (90.66 KiB) Viewed 6242 times

User avatar
tigre
Member
Posts: 10550
Joined: 20 Mar 2005, 12:48
Location: Argentina

Re: Gebirgsjäger in Russia 1941-42.

#9

Post by tigre » 09 Jul 2009, 07:04

Thanks for sharing those pictures here Peter :wink:. Cheers. Raúl M 8-).

User avatar
tigre
Member
Posts: 10550
Joined: 20 Mar 2005, 12:48
Location: Argentina

Re: Gebirgsjäger in Russia 1941-42.

#10

Post by tigre » 10 Jul 2009, 13:52

Hello to all :D; the story follows....

The 4. Gebirgsdivision.

“Unternehmen Barbarossa” Jun - Oct 1941. From the San to the Mius.

The Umán Cauldron.

A big gap stretched between both gebirgsjäger regiments to the south, southwest and west of Kopjenkowata and to the wooded land that stretched eastwards; that front should be secured. The Army Corps ordered that an attack should be carried out on Aug 03 1941 to the Podwyssokoje’s direction.

On Aug 04 1941, the 4 GD held its positions along the line Rassochowatjez – crossroad located 4 kilometers south Kopjenkowata – Height 203 (GJR 91) – High ground east of Peregonowka (GJR 13).

On Aug 05 1941, the XXXXIX Geb AK ordered that the knock out would be given to the enemy. The 4 GD’s objectives were: for the kampfgruppe attacking from the south, Podwyssokoje and for the kampfgruppe attacking from west the woods located near Kopjenkowata. The Enzian Division attacked towards Podwyssokoje with two regiments, the GJR 91 and the IR 477 (detached from the 257 ID) which could count with the fire support furnished by 10 batteries; the GJR 13 pressing to Kopjenkowata had the fire support of 5 batteries.

By nightfall Gefechtsgruppe Stettner (4 GD) linked with Gefechtsgruppe Pickert (1 GD) and there were taken defensive positions along the line Wladjimirowka – northwest corner of the woods located southeast of Podwyssokoje – western edge of Rassochowatjez.

Sources: "Enzian und Edelweiß / Die 4. Gebirgsdivision 1940 - 1945" Julius Braun.
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... GebD-R.htm
FotoAlbum Gebirgsjager. Subasta eBay Nº: 230215413603 (finalizada).
http://www.enziandivision.de/Gebirgsdivision.htm

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).
Attachments
image002.jpg
The operation's area for the GJR 13: around Kopjenkowata – Aug 1941.
image002.jpg (28.83 KiB) Viewed 6210 times

User avatar
Peter H
Member
Posts: 28628
Joined: 30 Dec 2002, 14:18
Location: Australia

Re: Gebirgsjäger in Russia 1941-42.

#11

Post by Peter H » 11 Jul 2009, 11:34

Raul

Not the 4. Gebirgsdivision but some photos from ebay,seller appollo133,of Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 99.
Attachments
Geb_Jg_Regtm_99-4.jpg
Geb_Jg_Regtm_99-4.jpg (66.14 KiB) Viewed 6191 times
Geb_Jg_Regtm_99-5.jpg
Geb_Jg_Regtm_99-5.jpg (105.69 KiB) Viewed 6191 times
Geb_Jg_Regtm_99-7.jpg
Geb_Jg_Regtm_99-7.jpg (106.32 KiB) Viewed 6191 times

User avatar
Peter H
Member
Posts: 28628
Joined: 30 Dec 2002, 14:18
Location: Australia

Re: Gebirgsjäger in Russia 1941-42.

#12

Post by Peter H » 11 Jul 2009, 11:39

More..
Attachments
Geb_Jg_Regtm_99-8.jpg
Geb_Jg_Regtm_99-8.jpg (83.95 KiB) Viewed 6191 times
Geb_Jg_Regtm_99-10.jpg
Geb_Jg_Regtm_99-10.jpg (140.57 KiB) Viewed 6191 times
Geb_Jg_Regtm_99-2.jpg
Geb_Jg_Regtm_99-2.jpg (93.26 KiB) Viewed 6191 times

User avatar
tigre
Member
Posts: 10550
Joined: 20 Mar 2005, 12:48
Location: Argentina

Re: Gebirgsjäger in Russia 1941-42.

#13

Post by tigre » 11 Jul 2009, 15:21

Thanks pal :D; nice ones :wink:. Cheers. Raúl M 8-).

User avatar
tigre
Member
Posts: 10550
Joined: 20 Mar 2005, 12:48
Location: Argentina

Re: Gebirgsjäger in Russia 1941-42.

#14

Post by tigre » 13 Jul 2009, 15:38

Hello to all :D; the story follows....

The 4. Gebirgsdivision.

“Unternehmen Barbarossa” Jun - Oct 1941. From the San to the Mius.

The Umán Cauldron.

Around midnight the russian launched a new assault in order to break through the 4 GD’s central front but were rejected before the already improved German positions. The situation was as follows:

Infantry attacks supported by tanks against the crossroad located 5 kilometers southwest Podwyssokoje rejected with great enemy casualties, motorized elements engaged against the gap between the III./ GJR 91 (Oberstleutnant Hafner) and the III./ IR 477; the GJR 13 reported: “strong enemy attack from Kopjenkowata against the III./ GJR 13 (Major Krüger) in progress. Liaison with GAR 94 broken”.

At 03:00 hours another message was received in clear: “Tanks”, then nothing more was heard from that regiment. Around 04:00 hours, two heavy batteries emplaced east of Peregonowka were smashed by enemy infantry. However, the russian attempt could be halted and one hostil column that was heading southeast to Peregonowka was totally destroyed but the German also suffered high losses in doing so.

Sources: "Enzian und Edelweiß / Die 4. Gebirgsdivision 1940 - 1945" Julius Braun.
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... GebD-R.htm
FotoAlbum Gebirgsjager. Subasta eBay Nº: 230215413603 (finalizada).
http://www.enziandivision.de/Gebirgsdivision.htm

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).
Attachments
image002.jpg
the soviet column that tried to break through.....
image002.jpg (32.35 KiB) Viewed 6151 times

User avatar
tigre
Member
Posts: 10550
Joined: 20 Mar 2005, 12:48
Location: Argentina

Re: Gebirgsjäger in Russia 1941-42.

#15

Post by tigre » 17 Jul 2009, 19:01

Hello to all :D; the story follows....

The 4. Gebirgsdivision.

“Unternehmen Barbarossa” Jun - Oct 1941. From the San to the Mius.

The Umán Cauldron.

The enemy defended Height 196, the woods near Kopjenkowata and the locality itself like springboard for its attempts of rupture. Towards the north of the position, the Height 913 was lost but it was reconquered by the II. /GJR 13. In the South front of the Mountain Army Corps, before of Kopjenkowata and Podwyssokoje the fight reached a deadlock.

On August 06 1941, the attack was resumed; at 09:00 hours the divisions occupied their departure positions, between 09:00 and 10:00 hours the artillery carried out its fire preparations and around 10:00 hours the attack went on. The mission of the 4 GD was to press towards the north together with the 1 GD. Around 13:00 hours the Commander of the 4 GD informed personally to the Corps Commander on the nocturnal rupture carried out by the Russians.

Sources: "Enzian und Edelweiß / Die 4. Gebirgsdivision 1940 - 1945" Julius Braun.
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... GebD-R.htm
FotoAlbum Gebirgsjager. Subasta eBay Nº: 230215413603 (finalizada).
http://www.enziandivision.de/Gebirgsdivision.htm

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).
Attachments
image002.jpg
image002.jpg (58.7 KiB) Viewed 6126 times

Post Reply

Return to “Heer, Waffen-SS & Fallschirmjäger”