Jassy–Kishinev Offensive

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joro
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Location: romania

Jassy–Kishinev Offensive

#1

Post by joro » 04 Feb 2018, 00:52

Jassy–Kishinev Offensive

Does anybody know something about the fights in the first 2 days (20-21 august 1944, the 2nd Ukrainian Front)...?

Thank you.

Art
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Re: Jassy–Kishinev Offensive

#2

Post by Art » 04 Feb 2018, 16:03

What do you want to know exactly?


joro
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Re: Jassy–Kishinev Offensive

#3

Post by joro » 04 Feb 2018, 19:26

HI !

I would like to know "the story" of the first 2-3 days of the Jassy–Kishinev Offensive, mainly (but not only...) the combats from the north of city of Jassy (the units, the combat zones, the movements...)

(*my bad...now I observed that I edited wrong the first post...;-/)

Thank you !

Art
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Re: Jassy–Kishinev Offensive

#4

Post by Art » 04 Feb 2018, 23:27

Immediately north of Jassy was the Soviet 52 Army, which took the city itself on 21 August. See a situation map as of 20.08.1944:
https://pamyat-naroda.ru/documents/view/?id=101094791

joro
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Re: Jassy–Kishinev Offensive

#5

Post by joro » 05 Feb 2018, 07:12

Sorry, but the map is almost...unreadable... ;-( (the map is big...; maybe some details by focusing on the area/zone we talk about...?).

Which were the Axis forces that opposed the Soviet 52 Army (at least between Popricani and the city of Jassy) ? I would like to know the "story" of the battle...mainly before the Soviet 52 Army entered city of Jassy .

Thank you .

Art
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Re: Jassy–Kishinev Offensive

#6

Post by Art » 05 Feb 2018, 07:49

Looks like the fullsize map is unavailable, they must mess up with data on the server. Still you can read units quite clearly.
joro wrote: Which were the Axis forces that opposed the Soviet 52 Army (at least between Popricani and the city of Jassy) ?
A German situation map:
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... IV0844.jpg
shows Romanian 7 Infantry and 5 Cavalry Divisions in the first line. For units status check:
http://www.geocities.ws/dangrecu/St15844.html

joro
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Re: Jassy–Kishinev Offensive

#7

Post by joro » 05 Feb 2018, 10:43

Thanks .

I know these sources...this map...I've seen it a few times .

Unfortunately, the map date is 01.08.1944 !
...was it the same 'situation' on the 20.08.1944 ?!?

...any 'additional' information (maybe a 'description' of the combat...mainly before the Soviet 52 Army entered city of Jassy)...?

Art
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Re: Jassy–Kishinev Offensive

#8

Post by Art » 05 Feb 2018, 20:08

Those units (German 76 and 79 Divisions and Romanian 5 and 7 Division) were detected by Soviet intelligence, including POWs and staff documents captured in battle. Location seems the be reasonable corresponding to the map. The city of Jassy was taken after on 21.8 by 294 and 50 Rifle Divisions and 233 Tank Brigade and some other elements probably.

joro
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Re: Jassy–Kishinev Offensive

#9

Post by joro » 05 Feb 2018, 22:06

Thank you !

...and maybe the Romanian 5th Cavalry division ?

Was there a battle / skirmishes in the area between Horleşti and the Copou area of the city of Jassy in those days ?
Last edited by joro on 06 Feb 2018, 11:58, edited 1 time in total.

joro
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Re: Jassy–Kishinev Offensive

#10

Post by joro » 06 Feb 2018, 11:55

What is that "pointed circle" right "under" the romanian 7th ID and 5th KD...?

Thank you .

Art
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Re: Jassy–Kishinev Offensive

#11

Post by Art » 06 Feb 2018, 18:18

Elements of Romanian 5(?) Cavalry Division, I guess.

joro
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Re: Jassy–Kishinev Offensive

#12

Post by joro » 06 Feb 2018, 22:58

Thank you .

Has any German unit fought into the city of Jassy (76th or 79th ID and/or other unit...) ?

Art
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Re: Jassy–Kishinev Offensive

#13

Post by Art » 07 Feb 2018, 09:08

After-action report of the 73 Rifle Corps:
https://pamyat-naroda.ru/documents/view/?id=153011815
with some schemes:

Starting positions on the morning of 20.8.44

Image

116 and 294 Rifle Divisions between Iepureni and Porpikani, 375 Rifle Division in the second line (not on the scheme)

Axis defenses between Poprikani and Yassy/Iasi:
Image

fortifications are roughly grouped in four positions: 1) Forward defense line, 2) Artillery protective position several km behind, 3) Iassi perimeter north of the city of Iassi, 4) Position south of the Bahlui River

Plan of attack on Iasi on 20.8.44:

Image

According to this document Axis forces in the first line consisted of the Romanian 7 Infantry Division and at least some elements of the German 76 Infantry Division (178 Infantry Regiment). On 20 August the Corps captured the staff of the 7 ID with staff documents, staff of the Romanian 64 Artillery Regiments with staff documents, staff of the 37 Infantry Regiment/7 Infantry Division. Forces that were met further on at Iasi included elements of the Romanian 5 Cavalry Division (dismounted) and some German troops (identified as belonging to the 258 Infantry Division). Also presence of "tanks" in the region of Iasi was mentioned. I guess, most probably German Stugs belonging to Stug Brigades or Infantry Divisions.

joro
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Re: Jassy–Kishinev Offensive

#14

Post by joro » 07 Feb 2018, 14:24

Simply WOW !

Thank you much for these informations ! I still didn't read all of them because are many and...the maps...u know...it needs some effort to 'read' them... ;-); I will study them well and...I will surely come back with other questions (first of all : what I can't 'read' from maps...) if I do not bother you :? :wink:
I know the slavic alphabet (not the translation... :? :cry: ) :wink: (I already identified a location: Munteni - MYHT... ) , and maybe this will help me...

Art
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Re: Jassy–Kishinev Offensive

#15

Post by Art » 07 Feb 2018, 17:22

Also the war diary of the 294 Rifle Division and its regiments happened to be quite instructive. From the war diary:

294 RD occupied starting positions east of Popricani on 18 August. On 19 August during a probing attack launched by a neighbor unit 9 Romanians from the 7 company/16 Infantry Regiment/7 Division surrender, also occasional shelling by Axis artillery and mortars. On the morning of 20 August the division is ready to attack with 3 regiments deployed abreast (from right to left: 859 Rifle Regiment, 861 Rifle Regiment. 857 Rifle Regiment). Each regiment has one battalion and a penal company in the first line. The divisional strength is 5169 men, the division is supported by 320 guns and mortars and 22 tanks of the 3rd Battalion/233 Tank Brigade. A massive artillery and areal bombardment completely overwhelms defenders, Romanian trenches are practically erased in some places. Attack initially meets only a weak resistance, only some flanking fire from the left, which is ineffective due to clouds of dust and smoke on the battlefield. After noon tanks of the 233 Tank Brigade with 3rd Battalion/859 Rifle Regiment riding on them enter Iasi and start street fighting there. However, the rest of the division troops are checked at the Iasi defense perimeter on the level of Rediu. The perimeter is occupied by a mixed German/Romanian force (at least elements of dismounted Romanian 5 Cavalry Division are identified) with tanks and self-propelled guns. Also the left flank is opened since the neighbor lags behind and the 857 Regiment on the left wing is subject to an attack of 19 Ju-87. Supporting artillery lags behind and ammunition is running out. For these reasons the attack on Iasi is discontinued. 649 prisoners and many trophies are captured during the day, own causalities - about 300 men.
At night Axis troops who face a threat from their flank (116 Rifle Division) crossed the Bahlui River already) start withdrawal. 294 Division pursues them and spends the day of 21.8 mopping up Iasi and neighborhood. On 22.8 combat south of Iasi, especially intensive in the region of "small fortress" (monastery probably). By the end of the day the Axis starts a withdrawal to Vasliu, the road Iasi-Vaslui is partly demolished. The division switches to pursuit.

As follows from this account the city perimeter north of Iasi was occupied by some fresh German-Romanian troops that were probably in a tactical reserve and not subject to an initial Soviet attack, so they checked the first attack on Iasi on 20 August. There is to few information about combat in the city itself on that day, unfortunately documents of the 233 Tank Brigade are not available right now.

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