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  • Concord 6534 Into The Cauldron

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    6534 ~o~) !)~~ ili]~jJ !)JJ '!iJ~ ~~~j~1 JJ ;1 DJJ'j: Robert Michulec & Dmitriy zgonnik ~{/I~~{/I~(p PUBLICATIONS COMPANY 6534 InlO Ihe Cauldron Das Reich on the Eastern Front Text by Robert Michulec Color plates by Omitriy zgonnik Copyright © 2010 by CONCORD PUBLICATIONS CO, 101F, B 1, 603-609 Castle Peak Road Kong Nam Industrial Building Tsuen Wan, New Territories Hong Kong www.concord-publications.com All rights reserved, No part of

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    Concord 6534 Into the Cauldron

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    6534 ~o~) !)~~ ili]~jJ !)JJ '!iJ~ ~~~j~1 JJ ;1 DJJ'j: Robert Michulec & Dmitriy zgonnik ~{/I~~{/I~(p PUBLICATIONS COMPANY 6534 InlO Ihe Cauldron Das Reich on the Eastern Front Text by Robert Michulec Color plates by Omitriy zgonnik Copyright © 2010 by CONCORD PUBLICATIONS CO, 101F, B 1, 603-609 Castle Peak Road Kong Nam Industrial Building Tsuen Wan, New Territories Hong Kong www.concord-publications.com All rights reserved, No part of

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    Concord 6534 Into The Cauldron

    Hochgeladen von

    zredline
    6534 ~o~) !)~~ ili]~jJ !)JJ '!iJ~ ~~~j~1 JJ ;1 DJJ'j: Robert Michulec & Dmitriy zgonnik ~{/I~~{/I~(p PUBLICATIONS COMPANY 6534 InlO Ihe Cauldron Das Reich on the Eastern Front Text by Robert Michulec Color plates by Omitriy zgonnik Copyright © 2010 by CONCORD PUBLICATIONS CO, 101F, B 1, 603-609 Castle Peak Road Kong Nam Industrial Building Tsuen Wan, New Territories Hong Kong www.concord-publications.com All rights reserved, No part of

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    imo the Gannon (<3=~Das Reich on the Bastern Front é Robert Michulec & Dmitriy Zgonnik i j , rae Fe /_ Ged GG = PUBLICATIONS COMPANY 6534 Das Reich on the Eastern Front Text by Robert Michulec Color plates by Dmitriy Zgonnik eae Seeesees* Copyright © 2010 by CONCORD PUBLICATIONS CO. 1O/F, 81, 603-609 Castle Peak Road Kong Nam Industrial Building Tsuen Wan, New Territories Hong Kong \www.concord-publications.com All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical. photocopying or otherwise, without the prior written permission of ‘Concord Publications Co. We welcome authors who can help ‘expand our range of books. If you would like to submit material, please feel free to contact us. We are always on the look-out for new, unpublished photos for this series. If you have photos or sides or Information you feel may be useful to future volumes, please send thern to us for possible future publication. Full photo credls will be given upon publication. ISBN 962-361-170-6 printed in Hong Kong SS WN RopUCTION as Afler a long preparation, the “Das Reich” Division moved to the German-Soviet border, and when German forces finaly atackod the Soviet, Union on 22 June 1941, the division moved across the frontier to begin ‘operations. “Das Reich” was incorporated into 45.Panzer-Korps along with LOPaneer-Division and the famous “GroBdcutschland” Division. Almost immediately it pushed through the central sector of the Eastern Front in support of Heeresgruppe Mitte, It was dioeted int the Bialystok area, where the Germans almost straightaway encircled large groups of bewildered Red Anny forces. Within a month the division reached the area around Yelna, where leading spearieads of Heeresgruppe Mite had slowed, “Das Reich”, along with ater Komps units thon fought a series of heavy battles around Yelnia where it struggled to stem strong and determined Soviet forces. In spite of serious ammunition shorages and hot daytime temperatures, the S$ units were ‘successful and forced badly mauled Russian troops to Finally abandon Yeni However it was not without serious loss in SS men and equipment, although Soviet losses were much higher. twas estimated some 20,000 men had been Killed and caprued, with 250 armored fighting vehicles and 100 guns destroyed or captured, as well as about 30 aircraft shot down, Following the hate at Yelnia, General Guderian pulled out “Das Ree” from the area and replaced it with Wehrmacht units that would subsequently go on to suffer just as heavy casualties as their formidable counterparts di, The Fighting around Yelnis had shocked even some of the most hardened SS. Soldiers, and the extent of death and destruction that liteed the countryside was an ominous indication ofthe had fighting they had ahead of them if they were going to win the war in the Eas Aller “Das Reich had been removed from the area around Yelnia it spent a few weeks in the rear recuperating. By the time it sa action again in September, Heeresuruppe Mitte had pushed deep into Soviet tersitory noah of| the Pripet Marshes, while Heeresgruppe Sid had driven into the Ukraine, Between these two regions, at least five Soviet armies occupied an area that had become a large salient extending some 93 miles. The western tip of this salient was an area surrounding the city of Kiev. For Hitler and his generals, the area around Kiew was the pefeet opportunity to trap 50 or more enemy Livisions and smash them to picees. To accomplish this grand states 2.Armee and 2.Panzergruppen were to sweep in fom the north and take blocking positions east of the city. Prom the south, 17.Armec LLPancergruppen were to perform a similar mancuver and link up with the ther wo German formations, this preventing the Soviets from escaping 10 the east, Attached to 2.Panzegruppen was the “Das Reich” Division, which served on the Fight wing of 24.Korps moved southwest and pushed through the enemy lines With nothing but a string of vietoies behind them by the end of September 1941, Heoresgruppe Mite was regrouped for the Final assault on Moscow. {known as Operation Typhoon, At fits! the drive to Moscow for “Das Reich ‘went well, but by early October the weather began o change as cold driving ‘ain fell on the toops, Within hours the Russian countryside had been tured Jno a quagmiee, with roads and fields becoming virtually impassable. ll roads leading to Moscow had become a boggy swamp. The eather conditions were so bad that even the Panzer units could not support the SS foot soldiers. To make matters worse, since “Typhoon” had begun, Heeresgruppe Mitte had lost some 35,000 men excluding the sick and injured, In spite of the tersible arctic conditions and high casualty rate, on 18 November 1941 the “Das Reich” Division continued pushing forward in a two-pronged assault. Within a week the SS units ad gallantly fought their way to the River Ista and established a bridgehead, After crossing te river, ‘Das Reich” attacked approaching enemy fores and put them o flight. What followed was a biter and bloody battle for the town of Istra and the surrounding area, When the SS finally captured the town, a fully edged tack on Moscow begin in eamest on 27 November. Duting this decisive ‘phase of Operation Typhoon, the “Das Reich” Division seized Yasokova and soon reported it was closing in on the city. However, after a few days of continuous heavy lasses from combat and the cold weather, the SS units were becoming steadily ground down in a battle of attrition. By the end of the ‘month, the “Der Fuhrer” Regiment had lost huge quantities of men and uipment and the depleted 2Batallon assigned its survivors to oter parts of| the regiment. “Deutschland” too had also suffered at the bands of strong Soviet resistance, and its 3.Baillon had to be broken up Despite repeated stubborn attacks by “Das Reich” and its Wehamacht counterparts, despaie gripped the Heeresgruppe Mite front as battered and exhausted oops froze 10 death in front of the Russian capital. German teritvial gains that winter were limited to 40-mile belt on the approaches to Moscow, ‘The failure to capture Moscow had been a complete disaster for Hecresgruppe Mite. Is fore had changed out ofall recognition from their victorious summer operations. The "Das Reich” Division was just one of a number of| German divisions that had been badly mauled by the taumatie evens, The division had lost more than half ofits iil strength and could not sustain such high losses for much longer. By January 1942, Waffen-SS units had sutfered immeasurably at the hands ofthe Red Army and the bitter inten total some 8,500 had been killed, with another 29,000 missing or wounded, Yet, in spite of ongoing high exsualty rates, the SS soldi enthusiastic as long as their division was abl to perform its usual offensive actions. But not even the elite unis of the the overwhelming might of the growing Red Army. lis renewed pressure on the German lines throughout February was enough to cause "Das Reich” further losses in men and equipment. Thus, it was reluctantly withdrawn from the front before it was completely annihilated. ‘oul def During late February 1942,“ renamed "Das Reich” Kampfzruppen. After reoviving 3000 new 1 ‘replenish its hatalions the “Der Firer” Regiment became a Panzer luni. By March, the new $S-Kampfgruppen was back in action taking up positions along the River Volga, Fortwo months “Das Reich” fought a series fof heavy battles and once again was seriously mauled by heavy Soviet attacks. The “Deutschland” Regiment was almost annihilated by the free lunceasng fighting. Luckily for this SS regiment, and indeed the forunes of the entre Kampfgruppen, the Soviet counteroffensive abated to allow German forces along the Eastern Front ime to rest and lick their wounds, Two months later, “Das Reich” returned 10 Germany 10 undergo reorganization and receive yet another name. In November, it became known as the SS Panzerprenadie- Division “Das Reich”, It also acquired a panzer hatation containing three companies and PzKpfw.Hll and IV tanks. In tuition to these changes, the “Der Fulree” Regiment now became fully motorized, The Reconnaissance Battalion exchanged its motorcycles for Schwimmwagen cars and became I.Batillon of the newly established “Langmarek" Regiment ‘Das Reich’ recuperated and was temporarily enadice In November 1942, the “Das Reich’ Division and several ater formations moved south and occupied Viehy France, AV the end ofthe year, "Das Reich” underwent further changes, Tt reccived a sei-propeliod gun battalion containing thee batteries, each possessing seven guns, In addition, the ‘Langmarck” Regiment was disbanded, Some ofits men we the Panzer-Batallon, while I.Bataillon resumed its role as a separate [By December 1942, the division was organized asi prepared to return once tore to the Eastern Front to help repel strong Soviet forces in Heeresgruppe Sin the Ukraine “Das Reich” arived in the southern sector of the Easter Front in January 1943, Here it saw extensive fighting against the Soviet 3rd Guards Tank ‘Amy. Near the city of Kharkov ils forces maintained bridgehead between Volokomovka and Kupiansk on the River Oskol, Week later, what followed ‘was bitter and bloody battle forthe eity of Khatkow along with LSS Panzer Korps. After the city was captured by the Red Army, “Dis Reich” and other premier SS units were assigned the ask of is recapture, In early March, the $8 Panzer-Korps, along with "Das Reich”, attacked Khatkoy in a savage batle for possession, By 15 March, the Germans had destroyed the last remnants of the Red Army garrison a a tractor factory jst cast of the city. \Without spending much time to savor thet achievement, “Das Reich” moved out of the smoldering city and underwent more reorwanizaton and re-supply jin order to compensate for the high losses suffered during the Battle of Kharkow In July 1943, German combat formations launched what proved 1 be its last _teat offensive onthe Easter Front agains the Kursk salen, The offensive, ‘codenamed Operation Zitdelle, would smash Red Army formations and Teave the road to Moscow open For this daring offensive, the German force ‘was distributed between the Norther and Southern groups consisting of total of 22 divisions, six of which were Panzer and five Panzergrenadier. Responsibility for the main attack fell to 9.Armee in the noth There were some 335,000 soldiers, $90 tanks and 424 assault guns. In the south, the Germans fielded «much stronger force and concentrated 349,007 troops 1269 tanks and 245 assault guns. Although it was a formidable assembly of firepower with 102 Tiger tanks, it was in fact facing an even greater enemy coupled with almost impregnable defensive belts. In front of the Soviet defensive fortess stood the cream ofall the German combat Formations at Kursk, the premier divisions of the Waffen-SS. In Heetespruppe Sid these lite soldiers were deployed for ation, ready at a moments nice to fight their way through the formidable lines of barbed-wire entanglements, minefields and antitank guns. Here ILSS,Panzet-Korps, commanded by SS Obergruppentrer Paul Hausse, formed part of 4 Panzer-Armee. The Korps ‘comprised the three premier Watlen-SS divisions, “LAH, “Das Reich’ and “Totenkopf. The thre divisions had line strength of 390 ofthe latest tanks and 104 assault guns between them, including 42 ofthe Army Group's Tigers, Ac thoie stating postions, the three SS divisions covered a sector 12 miles ‘wide, “Totenkopt” occupied the left flank ofthe advance, “LAH was in the center and "Das Reich hed the right Daring the days that followed, the Red Army, despite continuing to ineur Inuge losses in both men and weaponry, deprived the S$ of even tactical superiority. Against these elite troops they constantly strengthened their Gefenses through reinforcement, skilfully deploying. mobile armor and lanitank reserves to compensate for their high Losses. Within days the Russians had managed to grind down many ofthe Wehrmacht units, ineluding those in the SS,Panzer-Korps. Through sheer weight of Soviet strength and stubhom combat along an ever-extending font, the German mobile units ‘vere Finally forced. standstill, On 5 July, “Das Reich made contact with “Panzer Division, However, the Russian oflensive tothe north of the salient ‘was now threatening the rear of 9.Armee, and it was forced to begin a planned Withdrawal westwards to avoid encirclement, Following its withdrawal ‘Almost all offensive ation around Prokhorovka ceased and German forces in the area went over to the defensive, Operation Zitadelle was a catastrophe Fr German forees on the Eastern Front. Despite German efforts to hater thei vay through, they had neither the strength nor the resources to do so. The ‘ream of the German Panzer fore, so carefully concentrated prior to the ‘operation, was exhausted, and the Russians had undeniably gained the initiative inthe Eas. The campaign in Russia would now consist ofa series of German withdrawals withthe Waffen-SS fanatically contesting every foot ofthe way But even a6 Zitadelle was drawing to a bloody conclusion, 1L8S.Panzet- Korps was not there to see the end of the battle; the remnants of their exhausted and batered units had already been hurriedly ordered to pull out of the Kutsk area to the relative calm and quiet of Kharkov to wait for new forders, Before “LAH departed for Hay, it waned over all its remaining ‘armored fighting vehicles to “Das Reich. Both “Totenkopt” and “Das Reich ‘were detached from "LAH" and redeployed to the Donetz Basin on 25 July 194s, On the Eastern Front, the fighting had intensified. The Russians were determined not wo allow the Genmans any respite and so launched a massive attack, overrunning Feldmarschall von Manstein’s positions on the River Mius. Both “Totenkopf” and “Das Reich” were rushed north to protect Manstein's let flank. In the southern sector of the Easter Front, troops frantically withdrew as strong Russian forces smashed through the Mius 1d advanced at breakneck speed towards Stalino and Tagantog ‘along the nortiem coast of the Sea of Azov. Although SS troops of “Das Reich” and “Totenkopf” distinguished themselves with bravery. they could only manage to stem the Red Army for short periods of ime. “Throughout the ominous weeks that followed, the German frontlines were pulled further westwards with “Das Reich” defending, attacking and ‘ountrattcking as the situation demanded. A numberof the batls fought in this sector ofthe front were owing 10 the ers of the SS. bu it came ats high price in blood Dring the winter of 1943-44, a feeling of despair and gloom gripped the ‘German frontlines Inthe “Das Reich” area of operations the division aso fought well and with distinetion wo prevent the Russians from marching across the westem Ukraine. However, the unrelenting Fighting had proven to be more than even "Das Reich” could endure, Consequently. by December 1943, it was no longer capable of carrying out the asks given to a full-strength division, and orders were issued to create a Kampfgruppen from the units sil fit for action, On 17 December, the Panzer Kamparuppen was constructed ‘tof Panzergrenadier-Regiment "Das Reich”. The Kampferuppen consisted fo LBataillon "Deutseland” and 2:Batilon “Der Fuller" Regiments. Two companies constituted the Panzer-Batillon “Das Reich and also on strength ‘were the reconnaissance battalion, arillery. Nebelwerfers, pioneers, a heavy inantry-gun company and wo self-propelled gun companies. The strength of ‘Kanipfgruppe “Das Reich sit was now called, would remain onthe Eastem root while the remaining elements returned to Germany fora rei In January 1944, “Das Reich’ was rushed to what became known as the KKorsun Pocket where more than 30,000 Wehrmacht troops were tapped. ‘They were among the rearguard unis, holding fast while the bulk of the cneireled troops made good their escape. “Das Reich” suffered heavy loses 8 a result of thet sel saeritice, and out of $000 solders sent to the ares, ‘ome 1121 ofall ranks were killed in action, In spite ofthe huge Tosses in men nd equipment, some 33,000 German troops escaped with ther lives. Another major disaster had heen averted in southern Russia. The distinguished petformances of the Walfen-SS had once again further increased is reputation asthe foremost fighting machine on the Eastern Front. Following. the breakout inthe Korsun Pocket, the "Das Reich” Division, now totally ‘depleted with most of its armor lost in battle, was withdrawn fom the front land sent to France for rest and reiting, A Kampfgruppen from the “Das Reich’ Division under the command of S8-Oberfuhrer Heinz Lammerding remained in southern Russia 9 continue German attempts to try and hold back the Red Army! In April 1944, «battered and badly depleted “Das Reich” was withdravn from the front and sent 10 the West for resting and reiting. OF the 2500 soldiers ofthe “Das Reich” Kampfgruppe, only around 800 soles reached Toulouse inthe southwest of France to rejoin the rest of thei division In January 1945, "Das Reich saw ation once again onthe Eastern Front this ie in Hungary, The division had just arrived straight from the Ardennes offensive, but it was fot the sime mighty SS combat formation that had fought previously in the East “Das Reich” doggedly dofended its ground, but itwas slowly engulfed by superior Soviet forces. By 2 April the Russians had reached Lake Neusiedler on the border between Hungary and Austria, and to days later the last German defenders had been finally driven out of “Hungary. Of the Waffen-SS divisions that had fought in Hungary, the bulk of them withdrew into Austria to defend Vienna, "LAH" and “Das Reich” were put into the line o defend Vienna, before withdeawing into the city and becoming involved in biter fighting, However, by 13 Apri, the Red Army ‘marched into the city. By this period of the War, the bulk of the premier Waffen-SS divisions were carrying out-a fighting withdrawal through Hungary and Austria. In May, scattered into separate battle groups, "Das Reich” disbanded along with all the other Waffen-SS formations. Although “Das Reich’ had all but boen destroyed, inthe eyes of the SS soldiers that marched into captivity, they had laid down their arms in the sound knowledge that no military formation in history had achieved more. They had batted across half of Russia, had shown their skill and endurance at Kursk and Kharko. and gone on fo protect the withdrawal of the rest of the German [Amy tothe very gates of Berlin and beyond. In otder to help conceal the weapon in open splinter shield has been camouaged with fl splay of infantrymen's combat the eater type of camouflage straps around the MS steel helmet. These were eliminated in 1940, but troops were stil ‘seen wearing them during the opening phase of Barbarossa. ‘One ofthe “Das Rech" m ‘funeral ceremony at Bitz cargo truck can be seen aod itanty Kompanies at pod van tactical markings painted in yellow on the vehicle's let fender indicate it belongs to @ motorized infantry ccompary. ‘One of the last parades before leaving barracks for deployment on the Poish-Soviet border in th spring of 1941. Their clean-cut appearance with no ald equipment isa familar occurence during parades ofthis nature. ‘A four-baroled 2om FlaK38 antareraft gun manned by an SS crew, This lthal weapon had a very impressive rate of fire of 1800 rounds per minuto, {and was effective against all kinds of targets up to 300m away. was & valuable weapon for frontine units protecting troop and. vehicle Concentrations against low-ying accra. The weapon was iseued to Wallen 88 flak unis in 1941, when the fist flak battalions of tho SS dviione were created, including those of "Das Rtn May 1941 “Troopers of a heavy weapons platoon equipped vt various infantry equpmant ang ammuntion enter one of the frst Russian vilages along the border with Poland. The "Das Feich” Division {id not partcpate in the inal ground assault across the Fiver Bug, but spent mast of the fist week ofthe Invasion In the east directing trafic Along a line of advance established for 2 Panzergruppen. ‘A pause during manouvers, probably in Germany in early 1941 prior to transportation ofthe SS-Korps to Poland or the invasion of Russia Here we have.an interesting photograph of a Zindapp KE00 with sidecar in the foreground. The motoreyci has the SS license plato “11144 SS troops crossing the Russian frontier marked witha border stone. Inthe ‘arly moming of 22 June 1941, Operation Barbarossa bogan with the “Das Roich" Dision’s Atilory Rogiment ~ along wit many ot attri arrayed along the demarcation line ~ opening fit, laying bare the frontier and smashing tough the thinly hel border r a) F - ‘ioops duting @ pause in the fighting. A Soviet Maxim heavy machinegun Is seen here afixed to an ant-arraft ipod captured by "Das Reich” close to a Ituok that has received some camouflage. Note the weapon's circular “net” gun sight, and the ammunition bets wrapped round the machine-gunners tors. ‘8S troopers clearing the battlefield of Soviet stragglers during the initial stages of Barbarossa. Both the soldiers are armed with Mauser KarQ@k bolt-action files wth fied bayonets. Note that they have ful fieé equipment but no Ystraps. Al the equipment has been attached to the standard SS infatryman's black leatner belt 8 A group of Soviet soldiers has surrendered and a wounded Russian can be seen lying between them. A stationary SS Zundapp motorcycle combination is being used to help clear the local area of Fussian POWs. OF interests the large tre on the fant ofthe motoreyee, which has been fted to give better

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