Units defended Gumbinnen, October 22,1944

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Life Standarda
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Units defended Gumbinnen, October 22,1944

#1

Post by Life Standarda » 26 Sep 2019, 10:30

Hello guys,I just read some report and war diary of 2nd guard tank corp,which metion an attack on Gumbinnen October 22.1944. Two guard tank brigades, 4th and 26th participated the battle(from southwest and southeast respectively),supported by elements from 4th guard motorised brigade.

Although the attack was very vigrous, it only achieved limited results. This action seems to be a horror fight and costs heavy losses for both brigades. According to their own war diary,4GTB reported loss as 17 tank burnt and 2 damaged on the day, and 26GTB also reported 8 burnt T34-85. Personnal casualties for the units amounts to 58 killed and 71 wounded. Both units failed to seized Gumbinnen, and their rear was threatened by counter-attack German tanks from north and south.

I wonder which German units were defending Gumbinnen on the same day? According to some resource,elements of HG pzdiv were in Gumbinnen at that time; several units from 5 PzDiv were also actiong "nearby" the city. But I have only limmited information and no detail about this action on German side.Could you guys offer some information?

Best regards.

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Life Standarda
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Re: Units defended Gumbinnen, October 22,1944

#2

Post by Life Standarda » 26 Sep 2019, 10:33

Further more, a combat situation map of 2GTC between 15-24 can be found here:
https://pamyat-naroda.ru/documents/view ... arti:shemi


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Re: Units defended Gumbinnen, October 22,1944

#3

Post by Ken S. » 10 Oct 2019, 04:55

Not sure if this helps:

"The lead Soviet attack elements entered Gumbinnen. On 21 October, there were only Flak Abteilung 802 (Oberstleutnant Salomon) and stragglers from combat groups of FJR 16. All enemy breakthrough attempts failed here at this blocking position. The flak battalion alone destroyed 28 enemy tanks on this day, while the 1st battery (your one) alone put 21 combat vehicles and 19 anti-tank guns out of commission. Volkssturm companies were thrown into the battle to support the artillerymen and paratroopers. Battalions Goldap and Treoburg distinguished themselves."
http://wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/show ... hp?t=74395

Account of the fighting by Salomon:
http://www.many-roads.com/2009/08/22/en ... stpreusen/

Some photos of the aftermath:
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-downe ... 47458.html
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-downe ... 47463.html
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-downe ... 47475.html
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-downe ... 47469.html

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I have questions
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Re: Units defended Gumbinnen, October 22,1944

#4

Post by I have questions » 12 Oct 2019, 06:12

In "Battleground Prussia" I believe it was said that the Hermann Goring parachute panzer division was present, as well as the 18th flak division. Ken S. has already said something to that effect however, just thought I might clarify if that is necessary. Those are some really good pics as well, first I have seen of them.

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Xavier
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Re: Units defended Gumbinnen, October 22,1944

#5

Post by Xavier » 13 Oct 2019, 04:00

this documentary contains footage corresponding to the pictures shared by Ken S.
go to 25:00
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_dmQibFstE

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Re: Units defended Gumbinnen, October 22,1944

#6

Post by Ken S. » 17 Oct 2019, 07:20

Not sure about that video, but you can see some of the actual wrecks from the pictures in this video (last section of reel No. 2).
https://www.net-film.us/film-57686/

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