Disaster in Romania - Summer of 1944.

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
User avatar
tigre
Member
Posts: 10549
Joined: 20 Mar 2005, 12:48
Location: Argentina

Disaster in Romania - Summer of 1944.

#1

Post by tigre » 05 Feb 2012, 14:19

Hello to all :D; a new little history......................

The 106 ID in Romania - August 1944.

The 106 ID reinforced with Bb Abt. 40 and Stug Brig. 236, subordinated to VII AK, belonging to the 6 AOK within the Heeresgruppe Süd-Ukraine, was deployed north of Calarasi-Targ (60 NW of Kishinew) at the beginning of the struggle. His order of battle was as follows:

GR 113, GR 239 and GR 240 (two battalions each), AR 107 (3 light groups and one heavy) Ersatz Btl 107 (3 Rifle Coys and 1 heavy), Fus Btl 106 (3 Rifle Coys and 1 heavy); Pz Jäg Abt 106 (1 heavy Pak Coy and 1 Flak Coy); Pi Btl 106 (3 companies) and NA 106 (2 companies).

The 106 ID was temporarily commanded by Oberst Ringenberg (GR 240) while at the front of the regiments were:

GR 113 Oberstleutnant Bading, GR 239 Oberst Warwitz, GR 240 Maj. Hase and AR 107 Oberst Schulz.

To the right of the division was the 14 Royal ID (Romanian) and to the left the 370 ID (Generalmajor Graf Hülsen).

Sources: http://www.gaentzsch.biz/html/106_infan ... ision.html(off line).
Die katastrophe in Rumänien 1944. H. Kissel. Darmstadt 1965. http://www.kerstinullrich.de/Fam2-Krieg ... eil-2.html

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).
Attachments
image016.jpg
Deployment of the 106 ID.......................
image016.jpg (47.32 KiB) Viewed 3279 times

User avatar
tigre
Member
Posts: 10549
Joined: 20 Mar 2005, 12:48
Location: Argentina

Re: Disaster in Romania - Summer of 1944.

#2

Post by tigre » 12 Feb 2012, 14:32

Hello to all :D; more follows......................

The 106 ID in Romania - August 1944.

Within the assigned sector, the units of the 106 ID were deployed from right to left as follows:

I. / GR 239
GR 113
GR 240 (reinforced by the Fus. Btl 106)

Each of the regiments of the division had fire support from a light artillery group.

As reserves in Calarasi-Targ: Stug Brig 236, the FEB 107 and the II ./ GR 239 (Army Corps reserve).

Status of the division: weapons, supplies and moral good. Strenght 14,500 men, 365 vehicles (01 Aug 1944), horses: 6500 animals.

In the area of ​​the division the enemy had succeeded in establishing two bridgeheads over the stream Cula, one north of Meleseni and another northwest of Hoginesti.

Sources: http://www.gaentzsch.biz/html/106_infan ... ision.html(off line).
Die katastrophe in Rumänien 1944. H. Kissel. Darmstadt 1965. http://www.kerstinullrich.de/Fam2-Krieg ... eil-2.html

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).
Attachments
image015.jpg
Detail of the deployment...............
image015.jpg (264.98 KiB) Viewed 3118 times


User avatar
tigre
Member
Posts: 10549
Joined: 20 Mar 2005, 12:48
Location: Argentina

Re: Disaster in Romania - Summer of 1944.

#3

Post by tigre » 19 Feb 2012, 16:16

Hello to all :D; more follows......................

The 106 ID in Romania - August 1944.

The particular situation of the 106 ID up to August 22, 1944.

On August 18, 1944, the enemy had penetrated about 5 kilometers in the German positions, had conquered the town of Radeni and occupied the nearby heights. But a German counterattack was able to recover the population again. However a section of the first line of resistance (200 meters) was held by the enemy.

In this way the Russians established a third bridgehead over the river Cula. Another penetration was gained by the enemy on the right side of the 106 ID in the area defended by the Romanian 14 ID. The Soviets made intensive use of the fog and the poor visibility to conquer and strengthened in the field.

Sources: http://www.gaentzsch.biz/html/106_infan ... ision.html(off line).
Die katastrophe in Rumänien 1944. H. Kissel. Darmstadt 1965. http://www.kerstinullrich.de/Fam2-Krieg ... eil-2.html

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).
Attachments
image020.jpg
General Situation as August 19, 1944.
image020.jpg (64.59 KiB) Viewed 2960 times

User avatar
tigre
Member
Posts: 10549
Joined: 20 Mar 2005, 12:48
Location: Argentina

Re: Disaster in Romania - Summer of 1944.

#4

Post by tigre » 26 Feb 2012, 14:37

Hello to all :D; more follows......................

The 106 ID in Romania - August 1944.

August 22, 1944.

At 10:00 hours it was received the order for breaking contact in the evening and to occupy positions on the Traja as directed by the prevailing situation (rupture of the enemy from Jassy to the south and from Tighina to the west). The release was performed as expected and the rearguard withdrew without being disturbed by the enemy.

August 23, 1944.

The Trajan's defensive position was stretching up to the height in the south of the railway Bucovat - Calarasi-Targ, some 30 kilometers south of the previous position. But that position was not occupied and it was continued the retreat looking to gain Husi quickly for the enemy had reached the area north of Husi with armored elements. At 11:00 hours the Russians attacked the town and the bridge in Leuseni from the east and south, there were located most of the logistical and train services of the division (including the 2 and 3 columns of transport, services of the Nachrichten Abteilung 106, 1° and 2° Sanitary Companies 106). Only part of the officers and troops could reach the western shore of the Pruth by swimming.

Sources: http://www.gaentzsch.biz/html/106_infan ... n.html(off line).
Die katastrophe in Rumänien 1944. H. Kissel. Darmstadt 1965. http://www.kerstinullrich.de/Fam2-Krieg ... eil-2.html

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).
Attachments
image007.jpg
General situation on the evening of August 23, 1944.
image007.jpg (132.09 KiB) Viewed 2786 times

User avatar
tigre
Member
Posts: 10549
Joined: 20 Mar 2005, 12:48
Location: Argentina

Re: Disaster in Romania - Summer of 1944.

#5

Post by tigre » 04 Mar 2012, 15:04

Hello to all :D; more follows......................

The 106 ID in Romania - August 1944.

August 24, 1944.

On the morning of August 24, 1944 the infantry approached the river Pruth. The FEB 107 crossed the river by the bridge of 60 tons located in Njemtzeni. The columns came under fire from the enemy Air Force, attacking the bridge with bombs and guns at low level . At dusk the FEB 107 with other infantry elements of the division was able to establish a bridgehead on the eastern bank of the Pruth, south of the bridge. Under command of Oberst Warwitz, the GR 239 was assigned to secure the bridge in Njemtzeni, against the enemy marching from Jassy. The fate of that battle group is uncertain. The GR 113 is readied to attack to Leuseni, although the attack was never executed.

Sources: http://www.gaentzsch.biz/html/106_infan ... n.html(off line).
Die katastrophe in Rumänien 1944. H. Kissel. Darmstadt 1965. http://www.kerstinullrich.de/Fam2-Krieg ... eil-2.html

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).

User avatar
tigre
Member
Posts: 10549
Joined: 20 Mar 2005, 12:48
Location: Argentina

Re: Disaster in Romania - Summer of 1944.

#6

Post by tigre » 11 Mar 2012, 13:57

Hello to all :D; more follows......................

The 106 ID in Romania - August 1944.

Whereas previously the IV. / AR 107 (schw. Abt = heavy group), moved on August 23, 1944 and came into position on the western shore as the first group of artillery. The gun battery commanded by Oberleutnant Spicher was located in Epureni and nothing more was heard about its fate. Around 12 to 15 howitzers of the I. Abteilung were in position north of the bridgehead and neither was heard about them. It was lost also the liaison between the Operations Section and the Quartermaster Section of the Division since August 23, 1944.

On the evening of August 23, 1944, the Quartermaster Section crossed the Pruth by the bridge of 60 tons in Ghermanesti. On the way up through Epureni, Stalinesti, height of Leova, the section was attacked by tanks, artillery and rifles of the enemy, much of its officers were taken prisoner.

Sources: http://www.gaentzsch.biz/html/106_infan ... n.html(off line).
Die katastrophe in Rumänien 1944. H. Kissel. Darmstadt 1965. http://www.kerstinullrich.de/Fam2-Krieg ... eil-2.html

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).

User avatar
tigre
Member
Posts: 10549
Joined: 20 Mar 2005, 12:48
Location: Argentina

Re: Disaster in Romania - Summer of 1944.

#7

Post by tigre » 18 Mar 2012, 14:55

Hello to all :D; more follows......................

The 106 ID in Romania - August 1944.

August 25, 1944.

On the night from 24 to 25 August 1944, the infantry was ordered to withdraw from the bridgehead. Since the bridge was under intense enemy fire, the withdrawal was carried out by swimming through the river; the casualties by hostile fire and drowning were nevertheless high.

August 26, 1944.

The division assembled again southwest of Ghermanesti, heavy weapons and vehicles were not there. The units had an average of half or one third of its strenght with a part of their weapons. The troops were not able to be engaged in combat due to the efforts made during the previous days and the retreat across the river Pruth.

Sources: http://www.gaentzsch.biz/html/106_infan ... n.html(off line).
Die katastrophe in Rumänien 1944. H. Kissel. Darmstadt 1965. http://www.kerstinullrich.de/Fam2-Krieg ... eil-2.html

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).

User avatar
tigre
Member
Posts: 10549
Joined: 20 Mar 2005, 12:48
Location: Argentina

Re: Disaster in Romania - Summer of 1944.

#8

Post by tigre » 25 Mar 2012, 14:05

Hello to all :D; more follows......................

The 106 ID in Romania - August 1944.

August 27, 1944.

It was occupied a new defensive line facing north about 10 kilometers due north of Husi. About noon the enemy managed to break into a neighboring sector of the division. Under strong pressure from the enemy, the troops retreated southward.

August 28, 1944.

On this day Vutkani was reached. Here we found the rest of the VII AK with the 370 ID, the 376 ID, the 258 ID and the 10 Pz Gr Division. A number of heavy weapons were available, as self-propelled artillery (Hummels), assault guns, self-propelled AA guns of 20 mm. In the evening the enemy launched the attack on Vutkani from all directions, but it was rejected by counterattacks with the support of all weapons and the location was retained.

Sources: http://www.gaentzsch.biz/html/106_infan ... n.html(off line).
Die katastrophe in Rumänien 1944. H. Kissel. Darmstadt 1965. http://www.kerstinullrich.de/Fam2-Krieg ... eil-2.html

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).
Attachments
image015.jpg
Organization of a new defensive front in Hungary from August 24 till September 04 1944.

User avatar
tigre
Member
Posts: 10549
Joined: 20 Mar 2005, 12:48
Location: Argentina

Re: Disaster in Romania - Summer of 1944.

#9

Post by tigre » 01 Apr 2012, 14:52

Hello to all :D; more follows......................

The 106 ID in Romania - August 1944.

August 29, 1944.

In the morning and with the support of heavy weapons, it was launched the operation in order to break the siege of Vutkani. However, the ring was stronger than expected and the first attempt to break only achieved success when some officers on their own initiative changed the direction of rupture to eliminate the powerful flanking fire. But the enemy was able to completely break up the units and any attempt to bring them together again was unsuccessful, because it followed fights with enemy forces before the German troops could begin the reorganization.

August 30, 1944.

From this moment it were arranging small groups of 9/10 men without knowledge of the situation, without topographic maps nor compasses, they marched westwards to Hungary, trying to break through the Sereth. Generally marched at night and during the day remained hidden in forests or cornfields trying to escape the raking fulfilled by the enemy. The villages away from the main roads were not occupied and were only guarded by patrols of horsemen, while the main roads up to 100 or 200 kilometers behind the front were blocked by nests of machine guns.

Sources: http://www.gaentzsch.biz/html/106_infan ... n.html(off line).
Die katastrophe in Rumänien 1944. H. Kissel. Darmstadt 1965. http://www.kerstinullrich.de/Fam2-Krieg ... eil-2.html

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).

User avatar
tigre
Member
Posts: 10549
Joined: 20 Mar 2005, 12:48
Location: Argentina

Re: Disaster in Romania - Summer of 1944.

#10

Post by tigre » 08 Apr 2012, 16:52

Hello to all :D; last part......................

The 106 ID in Romania - August 1944.

The bulk of the scattered soldiers reached the German lines on September 08 of 1944 and were assembled in the Divisional Group 106 under the command of the Ib. Maj. Wierss subordinate to the LXXII AK z.b.V. On September 22, 1944 the Group was declared dissolved and Maj. Wierss went to LXXII AK zbV as Quartermaster, meanwhile took command Hauptmann Eichert until October 05, 1944 when it was distributed among the divisions 15 and 76.

balance:

The Commander of the VII AK, General Hell captured; Commander in charge of the 106 ID Oberst Ringenberg captured; Ia Oberstleutnant Döppner captured; IIa (Assistant) Maj. Schauss last seen wounded on August 25, 1944 in Scoropceni; Commander in charge of the GR 240, Maj. Hase captured; Commander of the AR 107 Oberst Schulz last seen in the Sereth on August 30, 1944; Commander of the GR 113 Oberstleutnant Bading last seen at 4 km east of Sereth on September 7, 1944; Commander of the GR 339 Oberst Warwitz was wounded in the head and last seen sitting in his car on August 28, 1944.

Of the II. / GR 230 were captured its commander Hauptmann Masche, the leader of the 5. / GR 239 Leutnant Bersch, the leader of the 6. / GR 239 Leutnant Bielenberg and the leader of the 8. / GR 239 Leutnant Walter.

Sources: http://www.gaentzsch.biz/html/106_infan ... n.html(off line).
Die katastrophe in Rumänien 1944. H. Kissel. Darmstadt 1965. http://www.kerstinullrich.de/Fam2-Krieg ... eil-2.html

it's all folks. Cheers. Raúl M 8-).

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL !! :lol:

User avatar
askropp
Forum Staff
Posts: 7481
Joined: 08 May 2008, 00:42

Re: Disaster in Romania - Summer of 1944.

#11

Post by askropp » 06 Jan 2019, 14:44

The maps and the text are from the Gefechtsbericht in NARA T-78 R-139. More documents and eyewitness reports can be found there.
There are times in history when staying neutral means taking sides.

User avatar
Xavier
Member
Posts: 3259
Joined: 12 Nov 2002, 03:01
Location: South of the Texas Border.. :)

Re: Disaster in Romania - Summer of 1944.

#12

Post by Xavier » 06 Jan 2019, 21:55

until this very moment I did not realize the size of the cathastrope there..... thanks for posting..

Slava2012
Member
Posts: 26
Joined: 02 Sep 2021, 08:40
Location: Украина

Re: Disaster in Romania - Summer of 1944.

#13

Post by Slava2012 » 08 Oct 2021, 20:26

Yes, the battles there were accompanied by a great use of Katyusha and the violence of the nature of destruction.
Attachments
Безымянный1.png

User avatar
Poot
Member
Posts: 581
Joined: 29 Dec 2010, 04:38

Re: Disaster in Romania - Summer of 1944.

#14

Post by Poot » 08 Oct 2021, 22:31

Thanks for sharing with us, tigre.
What is the Trajan's position ('Trajan Stellung') illustrated in post #3? I know that Trajan is still celebrated today in Romania, but have never heard of the 'position.'

Thank you,
Pat
He who lives by the sword, should train with it frequently.

Post Reply

Return to “Heer, Waffen-SS & Fallschirmjäger”