Konstantin Abramenko. The use of field and long-term fortification structures by the German army to organize the defense of settlements in the rear area of the 1st Panzer Army in 1943. Part 11
In his report dated May 27, 1943, Captain Duval noted that in the current month the defensive capabilities of the positions around Avdiyivka, Artemivsk, Hryshyn and Yasynuvata were significantly strengthened due to the construction of additional machine gun, mortar and anti-tank gun positions, as well as "Panzer" type firing cells Deckungsloch" and communication routes. Likewise, the captain noted the positive dynamics of construction in Kramatorsk, and assessed the anti-personnel capabilities of defensive positions in Lozova as quite sufficient.
Perhaps the progress in Kramatorsk was connected with the fact that, in accordance with the order of the operational department of the headquarters of the 1st Tank Army, the new military commandant of Kramatorsk, Major Wuttke, took up his duties on May 9. In any case, in the reports and reports of Lieutenant Unger and Captain Duval, the Kramatorsk Military Command was no longer mentioned in the list of stragglers.
What could not be said about the military commandant of Stari Blyznyuki settlement. On June 3, the headquarters of Korück 531 received a telephone message from the headquarters of the 5th SS Panzer-grenadier division "Viking". According to the report of SS Sturmbannführer Hans-Heinrich Lochmann, commander of the 1st battalion of the SS Panzer-grenadier regiment "Nordland", none of the defensive positions indicated on the map in the village of Stari Bliznyuki were built. In general. In some places traces of the old marking of positions, hammered wooden pegs were visible, but nothing more. The battalion, instead of fulfilling the assigned tasks, had to dig in on its own. In connection with this incident, the chief of staff of Korück 531, Colonel Hospke and Captain Duval, urgently left for Stara Blyznyuki.
On June 24, 1943, a conference devoted to the construction of defensive positions was organized by the headquarters of Korück 531 in Kostyantynivka. Each district commandant's office and each military commandant's office delegated one officer and one draftsman. Captain Helwig was present from the headquarters of the Chief of the Army Engineering Service. The event was held in the Soldier's House, opposite the railway station. Captain Duval was the first to speak (from 09:30 to 10:00) with a report "General issues of positional construction". From 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Lieutenant Unger and Captain Duval conducted training sessions on drawing various elements of field fortification on topographic maps. Each participant was handed the latest edition of the instruction on the engineering equipment of the positions. After lunch, the delegates went to their locations.
From June 22 to 25, 1943, Colonels Benike and Hospke, together with a group of officers of the headquarters of the 1st Panzer Army, were on an inspection trip to the rear positions of the army. The results of this inspection and Colonel Hospke's personal impressions of what he saw were reflected in the Korück 531 headquarters report dated June 26, 1943.
The state of defense and the quality of construction of the positions of the settlements of Avdiivka, Artemivsk, Lozova and Yasinuvata received a "good" rating. In Avdiivka, the successful location of positions on the terrain and the excellent quality of the anti-tank ditch on the northeastern side of the settlement were noted. In Yasynuvata - successful masking of the railway station cover positions from the south and compliance of anti-tank ditches with all requirements. The engineering support of positions in the settlements of Hryshyne, Kramatorska, Krasnopavlivka, Mykytivka, Sakhnovshchyna and Chasiv Yar is rated as "satisfactory". The work of the military commandants of Dzerzhinsk, Druzhkivka, Kostyantynivka and Stary Blizniuk was found to be unsatisfactory. The main common problem was determined to be a catastrophic lack of wood. This called into question the timely construction of platoon and company command posts. Likewise, Colonel Hospke noted that the diverse composition of the labor force, mostly women and teenage children, as well as the changing soil conditions - earth, clay, stone - in most cases do not allow for the correct and fair application of the established standards of production for unit wages.
However, money has absolutely no value in the eyes of the local population, and in many cases wages are not collected by the workers at all. Only products are an undoubted value. It's all about chronic difficulties in supplying food to the local population. With sufficient allocation of additional food by the army, the motivation to work and, therefore, labor productivity will most likely increase many times over. But even today, where the contract principle of works is applied (determining a fixed amount of work, after the completion of which the employee can go home), the local population works better and faster.
In the photo: Rifle cell of the "Panzer Deckungsloch" type
Create fortification monument of World War II, Ukraine
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Konstantin
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Konstantin Abramenko. The use of field and long-term fortification structures by the German army to organize the defense of settlements in the rear area of the 1st Panzer Army in 1943. Part 12
The main discussion revolved around the production norms of the civilian population involved in the construction of defensive positions.
The head of the Economic Administration of the Exploitation of the Temporarily Occupied District "Stalino" (German: Wirtschaftskommando Stalino), Lt. Col. Turner, claimed that local labor standards in some cases are significantly lower than the corresponding standards in Germany. While in the construction of defensive positions, the norm is often less than 1 cubic meter per day on average, in road construction, which is engaged in by his Department, the actual rates of production exceeded the previously established indicators by 4-6 times. The only incentive was the contract system of labor organization. When every worker had the right to go home after fulfilling his quota to engage in his personal farm. Statistics showed that about 10% of workers worked until 2:00 p.m. (with a 10-hour workday, a shift from 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with a 45-minute lunch break). The other 90% of workers performed their work until 15:00 and 16:00.
Based on the analysis of the current situation, the Department developed the following labor standards for road construction, which were regularly performed by more than 10,000 workers:
1) Earthworks with digging of chernozem with a shovel (including moving the excavated soil 3 meters from the trench), 4 cubic meters in 10 hours. meters
2) Earthworks with digging of chernozem with a shovel (from a depth of 90 centimeters, including moving the excavated soil 8.20 meters from the trench and leveling it), in 10 hours - 1.75 cubic meters. meters
3) Digging sand and gravel with a shovel (and loading it into the body of a truck, the truck drives directly into the quarry, the sand is loosened by an explosion), in 10 hours, including a 45-minute lunch break - 8 cubic meters. meters
4) Loading stones in the quarry, in 10 hours, including with a 45-minute lunch break - 3 cubic meters. meters
Lieutenant Colonel Turner emphasized in every possible way that under no circumstances should these norms be regularly exceeded under normal conditions. Because this will lead to rapid exhaustion of the workforce and, accordingly, disruption of the work schedule. Also, the colonel insisted that unpleasant situations should not be silenced. As soon as the actual output drops by more than 20% without any good reason, the commanders of the construction and construction-mining battalions should report this in detail to the head of the "Arbeit" group in the Economic Management of the operation of the temporarily occupied district "Stalino".
The army did not share the opinion of the economists. Since the construction of defensive positions with its narrow trenches and complex trajectories is much more difficult than road construction, production rates must be reduced by approximately 40%. For example, during the construction of an anti-tank ditch, the fulfillment of the above norms cannot be achieved due to one-sided soil discharge and compaction of the extracted soil over a large area. That is, it is necessary to approach the norms very carefully and not to take wishful thinking for granted. Because a mistake in planning the schedules for the construction of defensive lines can misinform the higher headquarters and turn into sad consequences.
Food for workers from the local population, during the execution of works on the construction of defensive lines, corresponded to the usual norms established by the Economic Administration of the Operation of the Temporarily Occupied District "Stalino". Therefore, any special rations or food bonuses were not provided. However, the army, wanting in every possible way to speed up construction work, introduced a practice from its reserves to award weekly food products to those who fulfill production standards. Of course, due to transport problems and supply interruptions, this rule was constantly violated. But even so, it worked and stimulated compliance with the norms.
For example, construction sites No. 15 and No. 16 of the defense position "Turtle North" in the Kramatorska district. 3,500 - 3,800 workers from the civilian population. List of food items for the weekly incentive of those who fulfilled the work regulations in June 1943:
Meat - no; Bread - 2500 gr.; Butter - 110 gr. Potatoes - no; Vegetable oil - no; Flour - no; Sugar - no; Millet - 1000 gr. Issuance of meat is prohibited. Instead of meat, 110 gr. butter The absence of potatoes and sugar is compensated by an additional 500 gr. millet
On the ground, military commanders were responsible for the distribution of these products. The list of military, district and field commandants in the area of responsibility of Korück 531 as of June 1, 1943:
Slovyansk - commander of the supply group of the 333rd Infantry Division, Major Enneking (German: Enneking)
Chasiv Yar - commander of the 440th communications battalion, Major Schaller (German: Schaller)
Artemivsk (now Bakhmut) - commander of the 511th sapper regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Schlechtweg (German: Schlechtweg)
Kaganovicha (now Popasna) - Major Maagt (German: Maagt)
Dzerzhinsk (now Toretsk) - commander of the supply group of the 83rd Infantry Division, Lieutenant Colonel Feldhuss (German: Feldhuss)
Kramatorskaja (now Kramatorsk) - Major Wuttke (German: Wuttke)
Barvinkove - commander of the supply group of the 46th Infantry Division, Major Münch (German: Münch)
Stary Bliznyki (now Bliznyki) - the position is vacant
Kostyantynivka - the commandant of the 198th Field Commandant, Colonel Bormann (German: Bormann)
Yasinuvata - commandant of the 523rd district commandant's office Major Bauer (German: Bauer)
Grishino (now Pokrovsk) - commandant of the 313th district commandant's office, Major Steinhuber (German: Steinhuber)
Lozova - commandant of the 245th Field Commandant Major General von Löwenich (German: v. Löwenich)
Krasnopavlivka - commandant of the 427th district commandant's office, Captain Fuke (German: Fucke)
In the photos: Kramatorsk during the German occupation 1941-1943
The main discussion revolved around the production norms of the civilian population involved in the construction of defensive positions.
The head of the Economic Administration of the Exploitation of the Temporarily Occupied District "Stalino" (German: Wirtschaftskommando Stalino), Lt. Col. Turner, claimed that local labor standards in some cases are significantly lower than the corresponding standards in Germany. While in the construction of defensive positions, the norm is often less than 1 cubic meter per day on average, in road construction, which is engaged in by his Department, the actual rates of production exceeded the previously established indicators by 4-6 times. The only incentive was the contract system of labor organization. When every worker had the right to go home after fulfilling his quota to engage in his personal farm. Statistics showed that about 10% of workers worked until 2:00 p.m. (with a 10-hour workday, a shift from 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with a 45-minute lunch break). The other 90% of workers performed their work until 15:00 and 16:00.
Based on the analysis of the current situation, the Department developed the following labor standards for road construction, which were regularly performed by more than 10,000 workers:
1) Earthworks with digging of chernozem with a shovel (including moving the excavated soil 3 meters from the trench), 4 cubic meters in 10 hours. meters
2) Earthworks with digging of chernozem with a shovel (from a depth of 90 centimeters, including moving the excavated soil 8.20 meters from the trench and leveling it), in 10 hours - 1.75 cubic meters. meters
3) Digging sand and gravel with a shovel (and loading it into the body of a truck, the truck drives directly into the quarry, the sand is loosened by an explosion), in 10 hours, including a 45-minute lunch break - 8 cubic meters. meters
4) Loading stones in the quarry, in 10 hours, including with a 45-minute lunch break - 3 cubic meters. meters
Lieutenant Colonel Turner emphasized in every possible way that under no circumstances should these norms be regularly exceeded under normal conditions. Because this will lead to rapid exhaustion of the workforce and, accordingly, disruption of the work schedule. Also, the colonel insisted that unpleasant situations should not be silenced. As soon as the actual output drops by more than 20% without any good reason, the commanders of the construction and construction-mining battalions should report this in detail to the head of the "Arbeit" group in the Economic Management of the operation of the temporarily occupied district "Stalino".
The army did not share the opinion of the economists. Since the construction of defensive positions with its narrow trenches and complex trajectories is much more difficult than road construction, production rates must be reduced by approximately 40%. For example, during the construction of an anti-tank ditch, the fulfillment of the above norms cannot be achieved due to one-sided soil discharge and compaction of the extracted soil over a large area. That is, it is necessary to approach the norms very carefully and not to take wishful thinking for granted. Because a mistake in planning the schedules for the construction of defensive lines can misinform the higher headquarters and turn into sad consequences.
Food for workers from the local population, during the execution of works on the construction of defensive lines, corresponded to the usual norms established by the Economic Administration of the Operation of the Temporarily Occupied District "Stalino". Therefore, any special rations or food bonuses were not provided. However, the army, wanting in every possible way to speed up construction work, introduced a practice from its reserves to award weekly food products to those who fulfill production standards. Of course, due to transport problems and supply interruptions, this rule was constantly violated. But even so, it worked and stimulated compliance with the norms.
For example, construction sites No. 15 and No. 16 of the defense position "Turtle North" in the Kramatorska district. 3,500 - 3,800 workers from the civilian population. List of food items for the weekly incentive of those who fulfilled the work regulations in June 1943:
Meat - no; Bread - 2500 gr.; Butter - 110 gr. Potatoes - no; Vegetable oil - no; Flour - no; Sugar - no; Millet - 1000 gr. Issuance of meat is prohibited. Instead of meat, 110 gr. butter The absence of potatoes and sugar is compensated by an additional 500 gr. millet
On the ground, military commanders were responsible for the distribution of these products. The list of military, district and field commandants in the area of responsibility of Korück 531 as of June 1, 1943:
Slovyansk - commander of the supply group of the 333rd Infantry Division, Major Enneking (German: Enneking)
Chasiv Yar - commander of the 440th communications battalion, Major Schaller (German: Schaller)
Artemivsk (now Bakhmut) - commander of the 511th sapper regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Schlechtweg (German: Schlechtweg)
Kaganovicha (now Popasna) - Major Maagt (German: Maagt)
Dzerzhinsk (now Toretsk) - commander of the supply group of the 83rd Infantry Division, Lieutenant Colonel Feldhuss (German: Feldhuss)
Kramatorskaja (now Kramatorsk) - Major Wuttke (German: Wuttke)
Barvinkove - commander of the supply group of the 46th Infantry Division, Major Münch (German: Münch)
Stary Bliznyki (now Bliznyki) - the position is vacant
Kostyantynivka - the commandant of the 198th Field Commandant, Colonel Bormann (German: Bormann)
Yasinuvata - commandant of the 523rd district commandant's office Major Bauer (German: Bauer)
Grishino (now Pokrovsk) - commandant of the 313th district commandant's office, Major Steinhuber (German: Steinhuber)
Lozova - commandant of the 245th Field Commandant Major General von Löwenich (German: v. Löwenich)
Krasnopavlivka - commandant of the 427th district commandant's office, Captain Fuke (German: Fucke)
In the photos: Kramatorsk during the German occupation 1941-1943
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Konstantin
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Re: Create fortification monument of World War II, Ukraine
Konstantin Abramenko. The use of field and long-term fortification structures by the German army to organize the defense of settlements in the rear area of the 1st Panzer Army in 1943. Part 13
In the period from June 28 to July 1, 1943, in accordance with the order of the Chief of Staff of the 1st Panzer Army, Major General Walther Wenck (German: Generalmajor Walther Wenck), planned exercises were conducted in all the above-mentioned settlements. The actions of the troops to fill the defensive lines were worked out. The commanders' comments on the quality of the constructed positions (surprisingly not numerous) were forwarded to the Korück 531 headquarters.
To understand the essence of subsequent events, it is obviously necessary to consider the meaning of two purely German terms.
"Fortification maneuver" (German: Befestigungsmanöver) is an opportunity for troops (technical and organizational) to create sufficiently fortified positions in those areas of the front in the shortest possible time and with minimal labor costs, the need to strengthen which is dictated by a change in the combat situation.
"Center of gravity" (German: Schwerpunkt) is an object on the terrain, the capture or holding of which, in the opinion of the command, depends on the success of the task as a whole. In a broad sense, a "crossing point" can be not only a geographical object. Any goal set by the command, the achievement of which requires the concentration of efforts of all units, can be designated as a "crossing point".
At the end of June 1943, in connection with the extremely aggravated situation at the front, the chief of staff of Army Group "South" Lieutenant General Theodor Busse (German: Generalleutnant Theodor Busse) ordered the chiefs of staff of the armies to speed up the construction of spare fortified rear positions as much as possible. The names and locations of the positions were listed, which the headquarters of the army group persistently demanded to be brought to full readiness within a month for the possibility of accepting the replenishment troops. A dozen large industrial and administrative centers, which were either under the direct cover of these rear lines, or in the immediate vicinity of them, were designated as "checkpoints".
In the areas of responsibility of the 1st Panzer and 6th Armies, such rear positions were designated "Turtle" and "Samara - Orel" (German: Ssamara - Orel - Stellung). "Shverpunkts" are the cities of Mariupol, Stalino and Kramatorsk. If everything is more or less clear with Stalino and Mariupol, then the reason for including Kramatorsk in this list requires further research.
It is no coincidence that this settlement was the meeting point of two important rear defense lines - the right flank section No. 16 of the "Turtle North" position and section No. 1 of the "Orel-Samara" position. The presence of two natural water obstacles (Kazenny Torets River on the eastern side, Mayachka River on the northern side) and many dominant heights on the right bank of Kazenny Torets, all this made this settlement ideal from the point of view of organizing a resistance node.
Also, the presence of large factories, very important for the economy of the Reich, also played an important role. Which occupation authorities handed over to the concession: Novokramatorsk machine-building plant named after Stalin (German: Maschinenfabrik "Stalin") to Friedrich Krupp AG joint-stock company; metallurgical (German: Hütte Kramatorskaja) and machine-building plant named after Ordzonikidze (German: Maschinenfabrik "Ordzonikidze") to joint-stock company Gutehoffnungshütte AG.
In the photos: Positions for the light infantry gun le.J.G.18
In the period from June 28 to July 1, 1943, in accordance with the order of the Chief of Staff of the 1st Panzer Army, Major General Walther Wenck (German: Generalmajor Walther Wenck), planned exercises were conducted in all the above-mentioned settlements. The actions of the troops to fill the defensive lines were worked out. The commanders' comments on the quality of the constructed positions (surprisingly not numerous) were forwarded to the Korück 531 headquarters.
To understand the essence of subsequent events, it is obviously necessary to consider the meaning of two purely German terms.
"Fortification maneuver" (German: Befestigungsmanöver) is an opportunity for troops (technical and organizational) to create sufficiently fortified positions in those areas of the front in the shortest possible time and with minimal labor costs, the need to strengthen which is dictated by a change in the combat situation.
"Center of gravity" (German: Schwerpunkt) is an object on the terrain, the capture or holding of which, in the opinion of the command, depends on the success of the task as a whole. In a broad sense, a "crossing point" can be not only a geographical object. Any goal set by the command, the achievement of which requires the concentration of efforts of all units, can be designated as a "crossing point".
At the end of June 1943, in connection with the extremely aggravated situation at the front, the chief of staff of Army Group "South" Lieutenant General Theodor Busse (German: Generalleutnant Theodor Busse) ordered the chiefs of staff of the armies to speed up the construction of spare fortified rear positions as much as possible. The names and locations of the positions were listed, which the headquarters of the army group persistently demanded to be brought to full readiness within a month for the possibility of accepting the replenishment troops. A dozen large industrial and administrative centers, which were either under the direct cover of these rear lines, or in the immediate vicinity of them, were designated as "checkpoints".
In the areas of responsibility of the 1st Panzer and 6th Armies, such rear positions were designated "Turtle" and "Samara - Orel" (German: Ssamara - Orel - Stellung). "Shverpunkts" are the cities of Mariupol, Stalino and Kramatorsk. If everything is more or less clear with Stalino and Mariupol, then the reason for including Kramatorsk in this list requires further research.
It is no coincidence that this settlement was the meeting point of two important rear defense lines - the right flank section No. 16 of the "Turtle North" position and section No. 1 of the "Orel-Samara" position. The presence of two natural water obstacles (Kazenny Torets River on the eastern side, Mayachka River on the northern side) and many dominant heights on the right bank of Kazenny Torets, all this made this settlement ideal from the point of view of organizing a resistance node.
Also, the presence of large factories, very important for the economy of the Reich, also played an important role. Which occupation authorities handed over to the concession: Novokramatorsk machine-building plant named after Stalin (German: Maschinenfabrik "Stalin") to Friedrich Krupp AG joint-stock company; metallurgical (German: Hütte Kramatorskaja) and machine-building plant named after Ordzonikidze (German: Maschinenfabrik "Ordzonikidze") to joint-stock company Gutehoffnungshütte AG.
In the photos: Positions for the light infantry gun le.J.G.18
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Konstantin
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Re: Create fortification monument of World War II, Ukraine
Konstantin Abramenko. The use of field and long-term fortification structures by the German army to organize the defense of settlements in the rear area of the 1st Panzer Army in 1943. Part 14
As part of the implementation of the order of the headquarters of Army Group "South", in July 1943, one of the battalion sections of the rear fortified position "Turtle Pivnich" in the Kramatorsk region was equipped with the latest fortifications that came into service with the Wehrmacht - mobile armored machine gun positions (German: MG-Panzernest).
It was an unprecedented step at that time. Because the headquarters of Army Group "South" distributed all these machine gun positions almost individually. But only to strengthen the front edge of the defense. A whole program of their deployment was developed. The first phase of which involved saturating the front edge of the defense of the 57th Tank Corps northwest of Izyum with them.
However, of the eleven machine gun positions assigned to the 198th Infantry Division of this corps, seven were transferred to Stalino and four to Kramatorsk. This was just an example of the practical implementation of the principle of fortification maneuver, for which, in fact, these devices were created.
In July 1943, by construction workers from the 504th light self-propelled road construction battalion (German: Leichte Radfahr-Straßen-Bau-Bataillon 504), all four armored machine gun positions were installed at the "Turtle North" position, in the area between heights 153 .5 and 141.0 (the local population calls this area "Chalk Mountain") in Kramatorsk. The management of the works was carried out directly by the headquarters of the head of the engineering service of the 1st Tank Army. Neither the military commandant of Kramatorsk, nor the headquarters of Korück 531, were involved in these works.
On June 20, 1943, the new head of the engineering service of the 1st Panzer Army, Colonel Wilhelm Ullersperger (German: Oberst Wilhelm Ullersperger), took up his duties. Having solid many years of experience in the field of fortress construction, the colonel personally developed a plan to strengthen the defense of Kramatorsk. Which, in particular, provided for the construction of 23 long-term fortification structures.
Taking into account the difficulties with the supply of building materials and the extremely short terms of project implementation, it was proposed to stop at the construction of 4-embrasure machine gun reinforced concrete fire structures for frontal fire. Capable of withstanding a direct hit from a 10.5 cm artillery shell. The commander of the 1st Panzer Army, Colonel General Eberhard von Mackensen, approved and approved the proposed plan on July 7, 1943.
In the photo: German mobile armored machine gun position MG-Panzernest. The author of the drawing is Robert M. Jurga (Poland).
As part of the implementation of the order of the headquarters of Army Group "South", in July 1943, one of the battalion sections of the rear fortified position "Turtle Pivnich" in the Kramatorsk region was equipped with the latest fortifications that came into service with the Wehrmacht - mobile armored machine gun positions (German: MG-Panzernest).
It was an unprecedented step at that time. Because the headquarters of Army Group "South" distributed all these machine gun positions almost individually. But only to strengthen the front edge of the defense. A whole program of their deployment was developed. The first phase of which involved saturating the front edge of the defense of the 57th Tank Corps northwest of Izyum with them.
However, of the eleven machine gun positions assigned to the 198th Infantry Division of this corps, seven were transferred to Stalino and four to Kramatorsk. This was just an example of the practical implementation of the principle of fortification maneuver, for which, in fact, these devices were created.
In July 1943, by construction workers from the 504th light self-propelled road construction battalion (German: Leichte Radfahr-Straßen-Bau-Bataillon 504), all four armored machine gun positions were installed at the "Turtle North" position, in the area between heights 153 .5 and 141.0 (the local population calls this area "Chalk Mountain") in Kramatorsk. The management of the works was carried out directly by the headquarters of the head of the engineering service of the 1st Tank Army. Neither the military commandant of Kramatorsk, nor the headquarters of Korück 531, were involved in these works.
On June 20, 1943, the new head of the engineering service of the 1st Panzer Army, Colonel Wilhelm Ullersperger (German: Oberst Wilhelm Ullersperger), took up his duties. Having solid many years of experience in the field of fortress construction, the colonel personally developed a plan to strengthen the defense of Kramatorsk. Which, in particular, provided for the construction of 23 long-term fortification structures.
Taking into account the difficulties with the supply of building materials and the extremely short terms of project implementation, it was proposed to stop at the construction of 4-embrasure machine gun reinforced concrete fire structures for frontal fire. Capable of withstanding a direct hit from a 10.5 cm artillery shell. The commander of the 1st Panzer Army, Colonel General Eberhard von Mackensen, approved and approved the proposed plan on July 7, 1943.
In the photo: German mobile armored machine gun position MG-Panzernest. The author of the drawing is Robert M. Jurga (Poland).
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Konstantin
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Re: Create fortification monument of World War II, Ukraine
Konstantin Abramenko. The use of field and long-term fortification structures by the German army to organize the defense of settlements in the rear area of the 1st Panzer Army in 1943. Part 15
However, the implementation of the plan was bogged down in interdepartmental agreements right from the start. In fact, almost two weeks passed in correspondence between the headquarters of Korück 531 and the engineering service of the 1st Panzer Army. There were objective reasons for this. According to the established procedure, the construction of defensive positions in populated areas was in the area of responsibility of the commandant's office of the rear area. However, Korück 531 did not have qualified specialists to perform this type of work. And he persistently demanded the involvement of specialized sapper units from the army engineering service.
Colonel Ullersperger put an end to this seemingly deadlocked situation. On July 24, the commander of the 504th light self-propelled road construction battalion received an order from the head of the army engineering service to allocate two platoons under the operational temporary subordination of the commandant of the 514th commandant of the Slavic district to Captain Peise (German: Hauptmann Peise). Kramatorsk was also in its area of responsibility. It was proposed to select specialists with experience in concrete and reinforcement works. This order categorically prohibited the involvement of road builders in any work, except for the construction of long-term fortifications.
The technical management of the works was entrusted to the head of the engineering and sapper department of the Korück 531 headquarters, Captain Fritz Duval. The military commandant of Kramatorsk, the commander of the 607th supply battalion, Major Dr. Böhler, was tasked with organizing the uninterrupted supply of the necessary building materials and involving, if necessary, an additional number of civilians in the construction.
The first was built Bunker (long-term firing point) in the settlement Novy Svit, in the area of the intersection of the U5 "Stalino - Kamianka" highway and the road to Kramatorsk (nowadays, the intersection of Oleksa Tykhoi and Konrad Gamper streets in Kramatorsk). The main purpose of this structure was to cover access roads to the road bridge over Kazennyi Torets.
As in all subsequent bunkers, the basis of the design was the idea of the possibility of conducting circular fire and observing the terrain. The idea is not new and was implemented much earlier by German engineers in the typical project "MG-Rundumstand Regelbau Vf 3". By increasing the thickness of the coating and changing the design of the embrasure nodes, it was possible to increase the stability of the structure and, at the same time, simplify the construction technology to the limit. The latter, given the lack of specialized construction units, was a determining factor.
Without waiting for the completion of the construction of the first bunker, the military commandant of the district, Captain Paize, gave the order to begin the construction of three more structures. One of them was built in the area of the Bezkrovnyi hamlet (nowadays, the intersection of Dmytro Mazur and Hryhoriy Skovoroda streets). The tasks of this bunker (long-term fortification structure) were to control the floodplain of the Mayachka River and adjust the artillery fire in the direction of highway B "Kramatorska - Lozova".
Sensing a total shortage of cement, Captain Duval proposed to cast only the protruding combat part of the structure from reinforced concrete, and to use bricks for the construction of the underground part. Also, the captain suggested giving the surface of the coating an angle of inclination so that in the case of a direct hit by an artillery projectile, conditions were created for its ricochet. Such a technical solution was not undisputed, but the permission of the Army Engineering Service was obtained. And this approach was used during the construction of all subsequent bunkers.
The next fortification was built on the western outskirts of Kramatorsk, near highway D "Kramatorsk - Dobropillya" (nowadays, the intersection of Shkilna and Krylova streets). And one more building on the south-western outskirts (nowadays Chervona skelya Street).
In the photos: 1. German MG-Rundumstand in the village of Novy Svit. The beginning of the 50s of the 20th century. Photo from the personal archive of I. Rokytyanskyi; 2. MG-Rundumstand in Novy Svit village. 1943 year. Foto from the Center of the Central Committee of Ukraine named after H. S. Pshenychny; 3. Field fragmentation shelter for 6 soldiers; 4. Observation point
However, the implementation of the plan was bogged down in interdepartmental agreements right from the start. In fact, almost two weeks passed in correspondence between the headquarters of Korück 531 and the engineering service of the 1st Panzer Army. There were objective reasons for this. According to the established procedure, the construction of defensive positions in populated areas was in the area of responsibility of the commandant's office of the rear area. However, Korück 531 did not have qualified specialists to perform this type of work. And he persistently demanded the involvement of specialized sapper units from the army engineering service.
Colonel Ullersperger put an end to this seemingly deadlocked situation. On July 24, the commander of the 504th light self-propelled road construction battalion received an order from the head of the army engineering service to allocate two platoons under the operational temporary subordination of the commandant of the 514th commandant of the Slavic district to Captain Peise (German: Hauptmann Peise). Kramatorsk was also in its area of responsibility. It was proposed to select specialists with experience in concrete and reinforcement works. This order categorically prohibited the involvement of road builders in any work, except for the construction of long-term fortifications.
The technical management of the works was entrusted to the head of the engineering and sapper department of the Korück 531 headquarters, Captain Fritz Duval. The military commandant of Kramatorsk, the commander of the 607th supply battalion, Major Dr. Böhler, was tasked with organizing the uninterrupted supply of the necessary building materials and involving, if necessary, an additional number of civilians in the construction.
The first was built Bunker (long-term firing point) in the settlement Novy Svit, in the area of the intersection of the U5 "Stalino - Kamianka" highway and the road to Kramatorsk (nowadays, the intersection of Oleksa Tykhoi and Konrad Gamper streets in Kramatorsk). The main purpose of this structure was to cover access roads to the road bridge over Kazennyi Torets.
As in all subsequent bunkers, the basis of the design was the idea of the possibility of conducting circular fire and observing the terrain. The idea is not new and was implemented much earlier by German engineers in the typical project "MG-Rundumstand Regelbau Vf 3". By increasing the thickness of the coating and changing the design of the embrasure nodes, it was possible to increase the stability of the structure and, at the same time, simplify the construction technology to the limit. The latter, given the lack of specialized construction units, was a determining factor.
Without waiting for the completion of the construction of the first bunker, the military commandant of the district, Captain Paize, gave the order to begin the construction of three more structures. One of them was built in the area of the Bezkrovnyi hamlet (nowadays, the intersection of Dmytro Mazur and Hryhoriy Skovoroda streets). The tasks of this bunker (long-term fortification structure) were to control the floodplain of the Mayachka River and adjust the artillery fire in the direction of highway B "Kramatorska - Lozova".
Sensing a total shortage of cement, Captain Duval proposed to cast only the protruding combat part of the structure from reinforced concrete, and to use bricks for the construction of the underground part. Also, the captain suggested giving the surface of the coating an angle of inclination so that in the case of a direct hit by an artillery projectile, conditions were created for its ricochet. Such a technical solution was not undisputed, but the permission of the Army Engineering Service was obtained. And this approach was used during the construction of all subsequent bunkers.
The next fortification was built on the western outskirts of Kramatorsk, near highway D "Kramatorsk - Dobropillya" (nowadays, the intersection of Shkilna and Krylova streets). And one more building on the south-western outskirts (nowadays Chervona skelya Street).
In the photos: 1. German MG-Rundumstand in the village of Novy Svit. The beginning of the 50s of the 20th century. Photo from the personal archive of I. Rokytyanskyi; 2. MG-Rundumstand in Novy Svit village. 1943 year. Foto from the Center of the Central Committee of Ukraine named after H. S. Pshenychny; 3. Field fragmentation shelter for 6 soldiers; 4. Observation point
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Konstantin
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- Joined: 06 May 2009 10:14
- Location: Poltava, Ukraine
Re: Create fortification monument of World War II, Ukraine
Konstantin Abramenko. The use of field and long-term fortification structures by the German army to organize the defense of settlements in the rear area of the 1st Panzer Army in 1943. Part 16
In the weekly final reports, Captain Duval constantly emphasized that the deadlines for the implementation of the program for the construction of defensive positions at Kramatorsk are chronically interrupted due to the fault of the command of the 504th light self-propelled road construction battalion. Most likely, it was an attempt to shift the blame from a sick head to a healthy one. Because the supply of construction materials, primarily cement and wood, was done by hand very poorly. However, the fighting ability of the highwaymen was clearly not up to par.
The 504th light self-propelled road construction battalion arrived in Kramatorsk on July 15, 1943 and settled in the village of Ivanivka. At that time, the battalion, not counting the sick and those on leave, had 9 officers, 1 freelance employee, 39 non-commissioned officers, 164 private soldiers and 248 so-called "voluntary assistants" (German: Hilfswilliger, Hiwi). The battalion's technical equipment consisted of 3 Volkswagen 82 cars (German: Kübelwagen), 14 trucks of various types, 2 motorcycles, 106 horses and 28 vehicles. All the bicycles of the battalion (more than 300 on staff) became unusable back in the Caucasus, and their fleet was not updated.
The bulk of the "voluntary helpers" were persons of Armenian nationality. Which were characterized by the battalion commander as unreliable and secretive. There was no question of any significant assistance from them in controlling the added workers from the local population. Given the low technical equipment of the battalion, the army allocated it two cars, seven trucks and two motorcycles.
In the photo: German MG-Rundumstand in the area of the Bezkrovnyi hamlet (nowadays, the intersection of Dmytro Mazur and Hryhoriy Skovoroda streets in Kramatorsk). The author of the drawing is Kostyantyn Abramenko
In the weekly final reports, Captain Duval constantly emphasized that the deadlines for the implementation of the program for the construction of defensive positions at Kramatorsk are chronically interrupted due to the fault of the command of the 504th light self-propelled road construction battalion. Most likely, it was an attempt to shift the blame from a sick head to a healthy one. Because the supply of construction materials, primarily cement and wood, was done by hand very poorly. However, the fighting ability of the highwaymen was clearly not up to par.
The 504th light self-propelled road construction battalion arrived in Kramatorsk on July 15, 1943 and settled in the village of Ivanivka. At that time, the battalion, not counting the sick and those on leave, had 9 officers, 1 freelance employee, 39 non-commissioned officers, 164 private soldiers and 248 so-called "voluntary assistants" (German: Hilfswilliger, Hiwi). The battalion's technical equipment consisted of 3 Volkswagen 82 cars (German: Kübelwagen), 14 trucks of various types, 2 motorcycles, 106 horses and 28 vehicles. All the bicycles of the battalion (more than 300 on staff) became unusable back in the Caucasus, and their fleet was not updated.
The bulk of the "voluntary helpers" were persons of Armenian nationality. Which were characterized by the battalion commander as unreliable and secretive. There was no question of any significant assistance from them in controlling the added workers from the local population. Given the low technical equipment of the battalion, the army allocated it two cars, seven trucks and two motorcycles.
In the photo: German MG-Rundumstand in the area of the Bezkrovnyi hamlet (nowadays, the intersection of Dmytro Mazur and Hryhoriy Skovoroda streets in Kramatorsk). The author of the drawing is Kostyantyn Abramenko
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Konstantin
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- Joined: 06 May 2009 10:14
- Location: Poltava, Ukraine
Re: Create fortification monument of World War II, Ukraine
Konstantin Abramenko. The use of field and long-term fortification structures by the German army to organize the defense of settlements in the rear area of the 1st Panzer Army in 1943. Part 16, final
On August 28, 1943, in the final report of the headquarters of Korück 531 on the state of construction of defensive positions in populated areas, it was noted that in Kramatorsk four bunkers were completely built and ready to accept the filling troops. The construction of nineteen more bunkers continued. The pace of construction was planned to increase due to the involvement of the army headquarters in the construction work of one platoon of the 50th motorized urban construction column type B (German: Brückenkolonne B 50).
However, on August 1, 1943, in connection with the transition of Soviet troops to the offensive along the entire front, all measures for position construction in the lane of the 1st Tank Army were stopped. Minesweeping, construction and bridge-building units of the army (with the exception of demolition teams and divisional sappers) urgently began to evacuate engineering parks, property and personnel to the Dnipro border.
The results of the work of the headquarters of the commandant's office of the 531st rear district on the organization of the defense of important settlements (see Table 1) for 6 months (from 01.03.43 to 28.08.43) at first glance look very modest. However, their objective assessment is impossible without studying and analyzing the combat use of these positions in the battles of September 1-10, 1943. This will be done by the author in the next article.
Konstantin Abramenko
Gadyach, Ukraine
2022
Literature and sources:
1. Rolf Dieter Müller. Die Deutsche Wirtschaftspolitik in den besetzten sowjetischen Gebieten 1941–1943: der Abschlussbericht des Wirtschaftsstabes Ost und Aufzeichnungen eines Angehörigen des Wirtschaftskommandos Kiew. Oldenbourg Verlag, 1991.
2. Dieter Pohl: Die Herrschaft der Wehrmacht: Deutsche Militärbesatzung und einheimische Bevölkerung in der Sowjetunion 1941–1944. Oldenbourg, München 2009.
3. Bogusław Perzyk. Niemieckie przewoźne pancerne gniazdo ckm w Wojsku Polskim 1945–1960 cz.1. Wojsko i Technika – Historia, numer specjalny 1, 2016.
4. Panzer-Armeeoberkommando 1. A.Pi.Fü. Anlage A z. Tätigkeitsbericht. Stellenbesetzungen, Gliederungen, Feb 1–Apr 30,1943. NARA , T 313 Roll 51.
5. Panzer-Armeeoberkommando 1. A.Pi.Fü. Anlage E 3 z. Tätigkeitsbericht. Kartenanlage. Maps on roads, bridges, fortifications and mine fields in the Caucasus Mountains and Donez River areas. Feb 1–Apr 30, 1943. NARA , T 313 Roll 52.
6. Panzer-Armeeoberkommando 1. A.Pi.Fü. Anlage F z. Tätigkeitsbericht. Ausbildung, Erfahrungen. Activity and experience reports of engineer units in the Caucasus Mountains and Donez River areas. Feb 1–Apr 30, 1943. NARA, T 313 Roll 52.
7. Panzer-Armeeoberkommando 1. A.Pi.Fü. Anlage B z. Tätigkeitsbericht. Assignments and orders for engineer construction units and Org. Todt, employment of prisoners and civilians in engineer units, maps and other information on engineer activities in the battleson the Donez and the Dnieper. May 1–Sep 30, 1943. NARA, T 313 Roll 54.
8. Panzer-Armeeoberkommando 1. A.Pi.Fü. Anlage C 1 z. Tätigkeitsbericht. Reports on construction of the Donez position, information on mine fields and other engineer activities in the battles along the Donez and Dnieper. May 1–Sep 30, 1943. NARA, T 313 Roll 55.
9. Panzer-Armeeoberkommando 1. A.Pi.Fü. Anlagen G 2 u, 3 z. Tätigkeitsbericht. Kartenmappe. Situation maps (1:300,000) showing military position at Mius, 1941–42, Donez defense position, and other fortified positions in southern Russia. May 1–Sep 30, 1943. NARA, T 313 Roll 55.
10. Kommandant des rückwärtigen Armeegebietes 531. Folder from the files of Kdt.d.rückw.Ageb. 531, containing KTB of the command, for the period 16 Sep 1942–31 Jul 1943. NARA, T 501 Roll 76.
11. Kommandant des rückwärtigen Armeegebietes 531. Folder from the files of Kdt.d.rückw.Ageb. 531, containing Anlagen to the KTB consisting of monthly reports of Korück and activity reports of Abt. IVa, for the period 1 Jan–31 Mar 1943. NARA, T 501 Roll 77.
12. Kommandant des rückwärtigen Armeegebietes 531. Folder from the files of Kdt.d.rückw.Ageb. 531 i containing Anlagen to the KTB consisting of Dienstanweisungen and monthly reports, for the period 1 Apr–30 Jun 1943. NARA, T 501 Roll 77.
In the photos: a 3D model of the German MG-Rundumstand in the area of the Bezkrovnyi hamlet (currently the intersection of Dmytro Mazur and Hryhoriy Skovoroda streets in Kramatorsk). By Andrzej Drozdowski (Poland)
Table 1. Results of the work of the headquarters of the commandant's office of the 531st rear district on the organization of the defense of important settlements from 01.03.1943 to 28.08.1943
On August 28, 1943, in the final report of the headquarters of Korück 531 on the state of construction of defensive positions in populated areas, it was noted that in Kramatorsk four bunkers were completely built and ready to accept the filling troops. The construction of nineteen more bunkers continued. The pace of construction was planned to increase due to the involvement of the army headquarters in the construction work of one platoon of the 50th motorized urban construction column type B (German: Brückenkolonne B 50).
However, on August 1, 1943, in connection with the transition of Soviet troops to the offensive along the entire front, all measures for position construction in the lane of the 1st Tank Army were stopped. Minesweeping, construction and bridge-building units of the army (with the exception of demolition teams and divisional sappers) urgently began to evacuate engineering parks, property and personnel to the Dnipro border.
The results of the work of the headquarters of the commandant's office of the 531st rear district on the organization of the defense of important settlements (see Table 1) for 6 months (from 01.03.43 to 28.08.43) at first glance look very modest. However, their objective assessment is impossible without studying and analyzing the combat use of these positions in the battles of September 1-10, 1943. This will be done by the author in the next article.
Konstantin Abramenko
Gadyach, Ukraine
2022
Literature and sources:
1. Rolf Dieter Müller. Die Deutsche Wirtschaftspolitik in den besetzten sowjetischen Gebieten 1941–1943: der Abschlussbericht des Wirtschaftsstabes Ost und Aufzeichnungen eines Angehörigen des Wirtschaftskommandos Kiew. Oldenbourg Verlag, 1991.
2. Dieter Pohl: Die Herrschaft der Wehrmacht: Deutsche Militärbesatzung und einheimische Bevölkerung in der Sowjetunion 1941–1944. Oldenbourg, München 2009.
3. Bogusław Perzyk. Niemieckie przewoźne pancerne gniazdo ckm w Wojsku Polskim 1945–1960 cz.1. Wojsko i Technika – Historia, numer specjalny 1, 2016.
4. Panzer-Armeeoberkommando 1. A.Pi.Fü. Anlage A z. Tätigkeitsbericht. Stellenbesetzungen, Gliederungen, Feb 1–Apr 30,1943. NARA , T 313 Roll 51.
5. Panzer-Armeeoberkommando 1. A.Pi.Fü. Anlage E 3 z. Tätigkeitsbericht. Kartenanlage. Maps on roads, bridges, fortifications and mine fields in the Caucasus Mountains and Donez River areas. Feb 1–Apr 30, 1943. NARA , T 313 Roll 52.
6. Panzer-Armeeoberkommando 1. A.Pi.Fü. Anlage F z. Tätigkeitsbericht. Ausbildung, Erfahrungen. Activity and experience reports of engineer units in the Caucasus Mountains and Donez River areas. Feb 1–Apr 30, 1943. NARA, T 313 Roll 52.
7. Panzer-Armeeoberkommando 1. A.Pi.Fü. Anlage B z. Tätigkeitsbericht. Assignments and orders for engineer construction units and Org. Todt, employment of prisoners and civilians in engineer units, maps and other information on engineer activities in the battleson the Donez and the Dnieper. May 1–Sep 30, 1943. NARA, T 313 Roll 54.
8. Panzer-Armeeoberkommando 1. A.Pi.Fü. Anlage C 1 z. Tätigkeitsbericht. Reports on construction of the Donez position, information on mine fields and other engineer activities in the battles along the Donez and Dnieper. May 1–Sep 30, 1943. NARA, T 313 Roll 55.
9. Panzer-Armeeoberkommando 1. A.Pi.Fü. Anlagen G 2 u, 3 z. Tätigkeitsbericht. Kartenmappe. Situation maps (1:300,000) showing military position at Mius, 1941–42, Donez defense position, and other fortified positions in southern Russia. May 1–Sep 30, 1943. NARA, T 313 Roll 55.
10. Kommandant des rückwärtigen Armeegebietes 531. Folder from the files of Kdt.d.rückw.Ageb. 531, containing KTB of the command, for the period 16 Sep 1942–31 Jul 1943. NARA, T 501 Roll 76.
11. Kommandant des rückwärtigen Armeegebietes 531. Folder from the files of Kdt.d.rückw.Ageb. 531, containing Anlagen to the KTB consisting of monthly reports of Korück and activity reports of Abt. IVa, for the period 1 Jan–31 Mar 1943. NARA, T 501 Roll 77.
12. Kommandant des rückwärtigen Armeegebietes 531. Folder from the files of Kdt.d.rückw.Ageb. 531 i containing Anlagen to the KTB consisting of Dienstanweisungen and monthly reports, for the period 1 Apr–30 Jun 1943. NARA, T 501 Roll 77.
In the photos: a 3D model of the German MG-Rundumstand in the area of the Bezkrovnyi hamlet (currently the intersection of Dmytro Mazur and Hryhoriy Skovoroda streets in Kramatorsk). By Andrzej Drozdowski (Poland)
Table 1. Results of the work of the headquarters of the commandant's office of the 531st rear district on the organization of the defense of important settlements from 01.03.1943 to 28.08.1943
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.