Ural Tank Division, Korostowa March 1944

[stoveb]

Hi there,

I am researching the history of the 9th Pionier Kompanie, LSSAH.

Between the 5th and 12th of March 1944 the remnants of the Kompanie fought off very strong Russian pressure and supposedly managed to destroy 15 T-34's, killed 400 enemy soldiers and captured 2 Panzer Büchsen, 20 rifles, 3 MG and 13 M.Pi.
(NARA, T-314, Roll 1180)

From a Google search the unit facing them was the Ural Tank Division, which liberated the village on the 12th March. One of the local streets was named after a soldier from the unit, Dobrovy.

I was wondering if anyone knows of a source (in English or German) covering this Division, and the actions during this week from the Soviet point of view?

Thanks for any help.

Cheers
Steve

[Art]

That must be 10 Guards Ural Tank Corps

[stoveb]

Hi,

Yes I believe that is the case. Is there a book or article about this unit?

Thanks very much
Steve

[Yuri]

Hi,

Yes I believe that is the case. Is there a book or article about this unit?

Thanks very much
Steve

This is the 30th Ural Volunteer Tank Corps, which received the title of Guards and became known as the 10th Guards Tank Corps.
In the Urals, this is a very famous and revered combat unit. I know this because the Urals are my homeland.
The corps is made up of volunteers. About 11 thousand people were required, more than 114 thousand applications were submitted. As a result, there was a strict selection of applicants. Each soldier and officer was handed a special knife made of blued (dark) steel. Therefore, the unofficial name is "Division (corps) of black knives".
I have not seen any descriptions in English. There are a lot of them in Russian.

[Yuri]

Hi there,

I am researching the history of the 9th Pionier Kompanie, LSSAH.

Between the 5th and 12th of March 1944 the remnants of the Kompanie fought off very strong Russian pressure and supposedly managed to destroy 15 T-34's, killed 400 enemy soldiers and captured 2 Panzer Büchsen, 20 rifles, 3 MG and 13 M.Pi.
(NARA, T-314, Roll 1180)

From a Google search the unit facing them was the Ural Tank Division, which liberated the village on the 12th March. One of the local streets was named after a soldier from the unit, Dobrovy.

I was wondering if anyone knows of a source (in English or German) covering this Division, and the actions during this week from the Soviet point of view?

Thanks for any help.

Cheers
Steve

What is the name of the village?

Sorry, I saw my mistake.
The name of the village Korostowa

Apparently the correct name in Russian is Korystova (Корыстова)

[Yuri]

The situation on March 6 and 7, 1944.

Actually, the 1st battalion of the 16th Mechanized Brigade of the 6th Guards Red Banner Mechanized Corps was advancing on Korostov. This mechanized corps was advancing from the north and northeast.

The 30th UVTK (aka the 10th UVTK) attacked from the north-west and captured FRIEDRIKHOVKA (61Guards Tank Brigade).

The Ural Corps operated in this area without one tank brigade (62nd Guards Sverdlovsk Tank Brigade), which, by order of Marshal Zhukov was transferred to the 7th Tank Corps.

[stoveb]

Hi Yuri,

Thanks very much! It looks like the small-ish Pionier force was under a lot of pressure there!

Cheers
Steve

[Art]

There were elements of two panzer divisions (LSAH and 7th) and a Tiger tank battalion (503), not just a pioneer force.
BTW what is the 9th Pioneer company? Company of what battalion or regiment?

[Yuri]

Hi Yuri,

Thanks very much! It looks like the small-ish Pionier force was under a lot of pressure there!

Cheers
Steve

From the side of the 10th Guards Ural Volunteer Tank Corps and the 6th Guards Red Banner Mechanized Corps, it looks like this.


The encirclement of the 61st Guards Tank Brigade in Fridrikhovka (8-10 March 44) and the battles of the 10th Guard Ural Vol. Tank Corps (61 and 63 Guard Tank Brs; 29 Guard Mot.Rif.Br; 356 Guard Self.Prop.Art.Reg.) for the capture and retention Podvolochisk, Volochisk and Fridrikhovka (10-15 March 44).

Maneuver of Mechanized Brigades of the 6th GRB Mech. Corps in SKALAT (11-12 March 44).