Batskelevich Cavalry Group in Kiev 1941

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Kelvin
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Batskelevich Cavalry Group in Kiev 1941

#1

Post by Kelvin » 18 Sep 2020, 14:39

Hi, everyone, I would like to know if Soviet Batskelevich Cavalry Group (32nd, 43rd and 47th Cavalry Divisions) was trapped in Kiev pocket, I know it was under the command of 21st Army but I found after battle of Kiev, but three divisions still active. 43rd and 47th Cavalry divisions were disbanded later in Nov 41 and early 42 but 32nd Cavalry division still active after this. So are they destroyed in Kiev or just exhausted and rebuilt later ? Thank

Art
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Re: Batskelevich Cavalry Group in Kiev 1941

#2

Post by Art » 21 Sep 2020, 20:32

This scheme might be helpful (battle path of the 32 Cavalry Division in 1938-1942):
https://pamyat-naroda.ru/documents/view/?id=455178298

According to the Stavka order of 12 September 1941 the group was to be transferred to the 13 Army/Bryansk Front (by that point i was apparently thoroughly exhausted). However, while on the march group happened to be at the focal point of concentric attack by 1st and 2nd Panzer Groups an spent about two weeks wandering cut off from friendly forces. The group remained on the front until mid-October, thereafter it was withdrawn for reorganization. The story of colonel Batsikelvich is the most curious part: heavily wounded he went missing in action, but somehow popped up later and was even promoted to major general in 1944. I don't understand how managed to join friendly forces.


Kelvin
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Re: Batskelevich Cavalry Group in Kiev 1941

#3

Post by Kelvin » 22 Sep 2020, 05:14

Art wrote:
21 Sep 2020, 20:32
This scheme might be helpful (battle path of the 32 Cavalry Division in 1938-1942):
https://pamyat-naroda.ru/documents/view/?id=455178298

According to the Stavka order of 12 September 1941 the group was to be transferred to the 13 Army/Bryansk Front (by that point i was apparently thoroughly exhausted). However, while on the march group happened to be at the focal point of concentric attack by 1st and 2nd Panzer Groups an spent about two weeks wandering cut off from friendly forces. The group remained on the front until mid-October, thereafter it was withdrawn for reorganization. The story of colonel Batsikelvich is the most curious part: heavily wounded he went missing in action, but somehow popped up later and was even promoted to major general in 1944. I don't understand how managed to join friendly forces.
Hi, Art, thank for your detailed answer. You said exhausted I guess you mean as the whole of SW Front was trapped, but Stavka still sent an impractical order to transfer of Cavalry group to Bryansk Front ? thank

Art
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Re: Batskelevich Cavalry Group in Kiev 1941

#4

Post by Art » 22 Sep 2020, 10:59

I mean that it was weakened by losses suffered by that moment.

Kelvin
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Re: Batskelevich Cavalry Group in Kiev 1941

#5

Post by Kelvin » 22 Sep 2020, 11:25

Art wrote:
22 Sep 2020, 10:59
I mean that it was weakened by losses suffered by that moment.
Hi, Art, thank for your answer. BTW, I knew 32nd Cavalry division was still very active in the war. But 43rd and 47th Cavlary divisions were disbanded, did they exist with only force on paper before disbandment ? Thank

mars
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Re: Batskelevich Cavalry Group in Kiev 1941

#6

Post by mars » 22 Sep 2020, 13:56

Art wrote:
21 Sep 2020, 20:32
This scheme might be helpful (battle path of the 32 Cavalry Division in 1938-1942):
https://pamyat-naroda.ru/documents/view/?id=455178298

According to the Stavka order of 12 September 1941 the group was to be transferred to the 13 Army/Bryansk Front (by that point i was apparently thoroughly exhausted). However, while on the march group happened to be at the focal point of concentric attack by 1st and 2nd Panzer Groups an spent about two weeks wandering cut off from friendly forces. The group remained on the front until mid-October, thereafter it was withdrawn for reorganization. The story of colonel Batsikelvich is the most curious part: heavily wounded he went missing in action, but somehow popped up later and was even promoted to major general in 1944. I don't understand how managed to join friendly forces.
Maybe he ended up with partisans, and later rejoin the army in 1944 ?

Art
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Re: Batskelevich Cavalry Group in Kiev 1941

#7

Post by Art » 22 Sep 2020, 18:17

This page has some short info:
https://encyclopedia.mil.ru/encyclopedi ... morfHeroes
On 20 September near Lazar'ki village of the Lubny district/Poltava region colonel A.I.Batskalevich was heavily wounded. In difficult situation of encirclement when it was not possible to evacuate him by order of general Kostenko he was left in [hostile] rear dressed in civilian clothes. Instructor of the political department of the 32 Cavalry Division A.I. Pletnyov and nurse S.M. Khavelo were left with him. After recovery in April 1942 he sett off to the front to the North Caucasus. In January 1943 he went to Soviet troops near Kislovodsk and after that was sent to Moscow for medical treatment.
But 43rd and 47th Cavlary divisions were disbanded, did they exist with only force on paper before disbandment ? Thank
I don't know, I don't see their war diaries or strength reports. History of the 32 Cav.Div. says that by mid-September its cavalry regiments had about 200 men.

Kelvin
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Re: Batskelevich Cavalry Group in Kiev 1941

#8

Post by Kelvin » 23 Sep 2020, 11:58

Art wrote:
22 Sep 2020, 18:17
This page has some short info:
https://encyclopedia.mil.ru/encyclopedi ... morfHeroes
On 20 September near Lazar'ki village of the Lubny district/Poltava region colonel A.I.Batskalevich was heavily wounded. In difficult situation of encirclement when it was not possible to evacuate him by order of general Kostenko he was left in [hostile] rear dressed in civilian clothes. Instructor of the political department of the 32 Cavalry Division A.I. Pletnyov and nurse S.M. Khavelo were left with him. After recovery in April 1942 he sett off to the front to the North Caucasus. In January 1943 he went to Soviet troops near Kislovodsk and after that was sent to Moscow for medical treatment.
But 43rd and 47th Cavlary divisions were disbanded, did they exist with only force on paper before disbandment ? Thank
I don't know, I don't see their war diaries or strength reports. History of the 32 Cav.Div. says that by mid-September its cavalry regiments had about 200 men.
Hello, Art, thank for your data.

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