Does Morozov have similiar information on the other engagements that week cited in Schwaner?Art wrote:There is some stuff mostly based on S.Morozov's work, but in Russian only:
http://zhurnal.lib.ru/m/marchenko_r_a/karius1.shtml
http://militera.borda.ru/?1-3-0-00001026-000-0-0
Some points in few words:
1) Schwaner's report gives a more realistic idea of action on 22.07.1944 than Carius' memoirs.
2) The mysterious heavy tank brigade never existed. In fact the company commanded by Carius was in action against the 41st Tank brigade (T-34 and M3 medium tanks) and the 48th Guards Heavy Tank Regiment, both from the 5th Tank Corps. The first lost some 10 T-34 destroyed at Malinovo/Malinava on 22.07, the latter - 5 IS-2.
3) Some brigade commander (major, HSU) killed by Carius is a pure fantasy. The most high-ranking Soviet tank officer killed at Malinovo on this day was captain Orlovskiy, CO of the 1st battalion, 41st Tank Brigade.
4) Ambush east of Malinovo, in which Carius allegedly destroyed 28 Soviet tanks seems to a fantasy as well. At least no Soviet tank unit ever noticed that it was ambushed in that area.
The correlation between German & Soviet sources that you have highlighted is quite striking (the phantom 28 aside). Schwaner suggests further Soviet engagements/losses to other groups from 502 on 24th, 25th and 26th.
How do the German claims on those days stack up against what the Soviet Forces were saying? For example, on 25th july, the Germans claimed to have knocked out 16 IS IIs for no loss, on 24th outside Krivani they claimed 17 tanks.
Is this supported by Soviet sources of that period?
Regards,
IronDuke