Rank and File
A Clerk’s War
Sunday 20th and Monday 21st April 1941
Even though I had been up half the night making sense of the pile of paper that held the story of Unternhemen Barabarossa , there was no way I was going to miss out on what was happening in the east. So well before 7AM I was hurrying through the doors of the Reichskanzlei, eager to reach my office.
As I headed down the familiar corridors, I noticed a certain reserve on some faces – people whom I knew well merely inclined their heads a little, and some pretended not to see me. I thought nothing of it; I was concentrating on the excitement of sorting through the overnight deliveries. I must have been within metres of my office door when I suddenly realised that something was very different. The filing area was dead silent, and standing outside my door were two solid and fit looking soldiers.
I saw no point in attempting to slip past: at least one of my staff would be a keen enough Party member to sound the alarm, and while twenty years ago I may been able to handle one of the two soldiers posted at my door, I suspect that these two had been instructed in more than basic hand-to-hand combat. Not to mention they both seemed festooned with weapons. So I just nodded, brushed past them, opened the door and went in. Seated behind my desk was a senior officer, leafing through my papers. A glance at a nearby bookcase settled my nerves: the non-descript file marked “Filing Policy Bulletins: 1924-26” was still there: my journal had not been discovered.
He looked up and, like many of the Prussian officers I remembered, skipped the formalities and went straight to the point.
“As you are aware, yesterday marked the beginning of the largest operation ever undertaken by Oberkommando der Wehrmacht.”
This seemed fairly safe ground, so I agreed that, ja, I was aware of this.
“An operation such as this requires meticulous preparation and administration”.
No argument from me. My fears that my journal had finally got me into strife started to fade.
Then an abrupt change. “At times such as this all true Germans must do their part to achieve victory”
Now I was concerned. If the Wehrmacht was calling up men of my age then our man-power problems were far worse than I thought. But no, a high-ranking officer doesn’t make a personal visit on a Sunday to hand out call-up papers. Or was this a subtle way of approaching the subject of those members of the Kanzlei staff who abused the trust placed in them? I fell back on my old way of handling superior officers: when in doubt, nod.
“It has been decided that all documentation related Unterhnehmen Barbarossa must be preserved for the people of the Reich, in order that that they can appreciate the genius of the Führer, the skill of his military and the devotion of his soldiers.”
So that was what this was all about! He was offering me a job! Or more likely, telling me: this man did not look like the sort who asked his inferiors to do anything.
“Effective tomorrow morning you will be attached to OKW to ensure that records are correctly stored for posterity. You will report to this address. ” He waved a negligent hand at an official letter that 1 now saw lying on my desk. “Your acting rank and other minor details are also covered. Alles ist klar?”
I knew the correct response. Effusive thanks for this opportunity to serve the Führer, promises to excel at my job etc. But there was something else that had to be settled now.
“As you are aware, Herr Oberst, in every position, one must rely on one’s subordinates. It would drastically impede my efficiency were I to not have my trained staff around me.”
He frowned: this was not something he had considered.
“It would not require many, just a handful of managers and my secretary”.
This talk of junior office staff movements was not worthy of an officer of the Heer.
“Take whomever you require, I am sure your superiors will not object when you explain it is the Führer’s wish – just ensure that you are present tomorrow morning ready to commence work. There is already quite a backlog.”
Then he was gone. No handshake, no good wishes, not even a word of thanks from a grateful nation. I sat down at my recently vacated chair and smiled. It seems I would get my promotion and pay rise, as well as unlimited access to everything I needed to keep my journal up to date and accurate. Then a sigh: Gisela would not be happy at leaving all her friends here.
But that could wait. What had happened overnight?
Hans Lammers, Chief of the Reichskanzlei, signs the movement order for me, Gisela and several of my managers. He is trying to hide his emotions at losing his key Filing Administrator, but you can see his disappointment.
Minister von Ribbentrop had been busy. At midnight our Embassy in Budapest had sent a formal invitation to the Hungarian government: would the Magyar Kiralyi Honvedseg join in the conquest of the Soviet Union? Within the hour the reply was back. The Hungarians would move east as soon as possible.
In the wake of the decision to join the war, Regent Nikolaus von Horthy walks though the streets of Budapest with military leaders
Although it seemed to me this was a comparatively straightforward diplomatic procedure, von Ribbentrop informed the Cabinet it had nearly exhausted his reserves of trained diplomats. He expected to issue a similar invitation to Bulgaria, but to do so he would need more assets. The decision did not take long. For years we have tried to keep the USA apart from the United Kingdom, but recent events made this futile. Some of the resources used in the USA would be kept by von Ribbentrop, the rest would be transferred to the officer corps.
I had wondered why Hungary had not been part of Barbarossa from the start, but an attached document with details of a Cabinet discussion explained this. Our military experts doubted that the Honsved had the equipment to assault prepared positions. Along their border were several hundred thousand Russians who had plenty of time in which to improve the local defences. We had waited until we had firm evidence that the Red Army was moving troops from the border before calling Hungary to join us. Hopefully the lightly armed Hungarians would be able to hit the Russians on the move, thus avoiding the risk that their army was decimated in the first few days.
Next was a copy of a telegraph message (time stamped 1AM) from OKW to Königsberg airfield: 1st and 2nd Fallschirmjäger Divisions were to board their transports aircraft and await further orders. No great powers of deduction to know their destination: not with dozens of troopships steaming through the dark towards Jurmala on the Gulf of Riga.
Then the pile of Luftwaffe reports.
General Ozeryatsin’s counter-attack had attracted an immediate response: Hoffman von Waldau had been able to get his dive bombers over Shats’k during the night and despite the darkness had not only killed 73 Russians but also had been able to identify the units involved. 18 brigades were blocking Bremer’s four divisions: 3 mountain, 3 garrsion, 3 motorised, 2 infantry, 2 tank destroyer and, most alarming for the von Waldau’s Henschels, 3 anti-aircraft regiments. Even the 25mm M1940 guns were deadly to our bombers as they paused before diving on their targets.
A captured Russian 25mm 72-K anti-air gun waiting to be repaired at a rear salvage depot. Despite its small calibre, it is still effective against low-flying bombers, and we may be able to deploy it in a defensive position.
Keller and 7th Kampffliegerkorps have replaced Löhr and 2nd Schlachtfliegerkorps in supporting von Both’s attack on Taurage. His pilots confirmed that Ogurtszov is withdrawing some troops, as indicated in last night’s position report. Instead of the 27 brigades identified yesterday, only 20 brigades remain. 3 infantry, 2 motorised and 2 tank destroyers have left since hostilities began.
The heavy casualties caused by Obukhov’s anti-air meant that Udet and 3rd Schlachtfliegerkorps were not sent back to Slobozia. Their place was taken by Dörstling and 6th Kampffliegerkorps, as it was thought the Junkers would be able to operate above the effective range of the 72-Ks. As it was, the precaution was not necessary. Obukhov had retreated, leaving Levkin’s single division to hold back Hilpert’s advance. Livkin still has 2 anti-air regiments, but they were badly affected by bombing and ground attacks, having lost 20% of their guns the day before.
Müller-Michel continued his operations over Sniatyn, where he reported that overnight Poluetkov received an additional 4 brigades. He now has 3 infantry, 6 motorised and an incredible 6 regiments of Su 6 tank destroyers.2nd Panzer needs to extremely careful though these are not really dedicated tank destroyers, more 76.2 mm guns mounted on a T-26 chassis and cheaply produced. Regardless of performance, 6 regiments contain a lot of gun barrels.
The Su 5: the closest the Red Army has to a tank destroyer (though prisoners tell us the Russians are in the process of re-equipping with the Su 6).
2nd Kampffliegerkorps (Schwartzkopff) was given the job of helping 36.Infanterie in their attempts to penetrate the woods of Komonyja. Once again the information gained was vital. Höpner’s tank commanders, moving up from the rear, were grateful to be warned that Aseichev had 5 regiments of tank destroyers available to back up his 2 armour, 5 motorised, 2 infantry, an engineer and an anti-air regiment.
Near disaster struck over Horodenka. Kesselring was again ordered to take 1st Schlachtfliegerkorps to attack any troops in the province, even we knew though Mitrafanov and the bulk of his force had already left. Alexandrov had just 3 infantry brigades and an engineer regiment, and Ruoff with a panzer and a motorised division would have had no difficulty mopping up. There was no need to risk air support. Nevertheless, Guderian sent in the dive-bombers, perhaps hoping to spare his tanks. It was what the VVS had been waiting for.
The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-1: an improvement on the I-16, but nowhere near the match of our latest Messerschmitts.
300 fighters, many of them the newer MiG-1s caught Kesselring’s planes unawares, and soon another 25 aircraft were down or limping home for substantial repairs. Katakhov had taken over from Zhavoronkov but his fighters were just as efficient at their job. The mission was called off as every plane was left to its own devices. Ruoff would have to take Horodenka on his own.
Air Battle of Horodenka: 5AM 20th April
We soon found why Zhavaronkov was not over Horodenka: Muller-Michel came under attack as he returned from Sniatyn. Losses were no too bad, a dozen aircraft, but it was another reminder that our interceptors must destroy the enemy fighters as soon as possible.
The next documents were the first I had seen from Fröhlich’s Langstrecken-Großbomberfliegerkorps. “Boelcke” and “Dortmund” had been sent to the rear of the front lines, to Drohiczyn Poleski, to attack fuel and supply dumps, as well as roads, bridges and rail junctions. It was their first mission, and I would like to report a huge success, but unfortunately it was not to be. The only fuel depots found were empty, but 1600 tonnes of supplies were destroyed, together some slight damage to the transport system. While the bombs were falling, however, 600 fighters under Commander Falaleev of the VVS were making life very difficult for our pilots. It would seem the Soviets are keeping fighters in reserve to protect their cities and infrastructure from attack. 10 planes were lost before Fröhlich could break his formation free and head for home.
Logistical bombing raid: 6AM 20th April
Air Battle of Drohiczyn Poleski: 7AM 20th April
In the west, Sarreguinnes was lost to the French rebels, but we are assured by General von Axthelm that the Frankreich Army will soon have everything back under control.
Sarreguinnes captured by French rebels: note 31.Infanterie hurrying towards Danzig.
As the morning progressed, it became apparent that the Red Army had lost two more battles. Brennecke, having prevented Melandin from carrying out a tactical withdrawal, had forced the Russians to battle and won a close fought tussle in Mosty. Ruoff, as expected, smashed 18 Strelkovaya out of the way with ease.
Katakhov and his MiGs met their match at 10AM. Keen to continue punishing Kesselring’s dive bombers he pursued them back to their airbases around Botosani. Hardly had they come within sight of the airfields when Waber with 9 Jagdgeschwader had the Russian aircraft surrounded. Although Waber struggled to control so many planes at once, sheer numbers meant that the MiGs were severely mauled. It may have been some consolation to Kesselring’s pilots to see dozens of Russian aircraft destroyed, but probably not. They had lost too many good friends to be cheered up by revenge.
Air Battle of Botosani: 10AM 20th April
As if the efforts of 7th Kampffliegerkorps were not enough, at noon Generalleutnant Kitzsinger was sent to add the bomb loads of 3rd Kampfliegerkorps to the rain of devastation pouring on the defenders of Taurage. He reported that despite the continuous bombardment that Ogurtsov’s 20 brigades were staying steady.
The last mission of the day was special: for the first time we were joined by aircraft of the Magyar Kiralyi Honved Legiero. II and III Bombazoosztály together with 5th Kampffliegerkorps were not interrupted as they flew over Sniatyn: for some reason Zhakaronkov and his fighter brigades were nowhere to be found.
I was packing up my office for the last time when the final news of the day was shouted to me from somewhere near the radio room: 1st and 2nd Sturm-Marine Divisions were ashore at Jurmala and 3rd Sturm-Marine Division was covering their flank in Valdemärpils. Barely were they ashore when 1st Marine was ordered to launch an attack on Riga, supported by the 2nd Marines. The troopships were already racing back to Danzig, and the order had gone to Königsberg: the air assault of Riga was on its way.
As you might expect, I was at my new place of work very early: one wants to make a good impression. It wasn’t far from the Reichskanzlei: another fairly new office building requisitioned for use by the military. Gisela, as expected, was not happy. There was nothing I could do now, but I made a mental note to think of something to make it up to her.
I had worried that being in a military establishment that I would miss out on the economic and other information that I obtained in the Reichskanzlei, but I needn’t have bothered. This is Total War, the Reich mobilised. Everything is potentially interesting to OKW. So the first documents I saw (late in the morning – though I had a lot of keen new assistants and experienced managers there was still some organising to do) related to a completed research project: techniques of delay for ground forces. Hopefully we would not have to use these too soon. When I saw the replacement project I was impressed at Reichsmarschall Göring’s speed. Only hours after our heavy bombers received their baptism of fire yesterday he has immediately moved to improve armament on our strategic bomber force.
During the night there had been an inconclusive air battle over the Gulf of Riga. Von Greim’s He 51s acquitted themselves quite well, though they were faced by Vershinin’s 2 and 24 IAD which have a large number of the outmoded I-15 and I-16 fighters. We lost about 8 aircraft. Most importantly, the Russians fighters were lured away from Riga, where far more valuable targets were soon to appear.
Air Battle of the Gulf of Riga: 21st April: note 1st Truppentransporterluftflotte approaching Riga unopposed while the VVS is distracted by the carrier air groups
While the Russian aircraft were far out at sea, Böttcher was leading his marines into the outskirts of Riga. General Rokossovsky, one of the few Red Army generals of any ability to survive the purges has just one division to hold the city: 212 Motorizovaskaya. With the guns of the Ostseeflotte sending heavy shells into the port areas, Böttcher’s initial reports were promising.
Battle of Riga: the paratroopers are only an hour away
The VVS responded, but not with its TB-3 bombers. Instead, Vershinin’s two fighter brigades appeared over Jurmala. Whether they intended to strafe Böttcher’s troops as they marched along the access roads to Jurmala or if they were aware of the approaching transport aircraft we will never know. Christiansen and 4th Jagdfliegerkorps soon drove them off, the job a bit easier as it was clear von Greim’s bi-planes had destroyed quite a few of the Russians over the Gulf of Riga.
The Luftwaffe was also at work early. Following the success of the joint bombing raid on Sniatyn, Müller-Michels received new orders. At dawn he took 5th Kampffliegerkorps to Edinet to assist General Bader and his three infantry divisions. Bader had probably been feeling neglected: he was one of the few commanders to have not seen the Luftwaffe yesterday and was waiting for a good reconnaissance report. He was a little concerned by yesterday afternoon’s counter-attack, though he had repelled it fairly easily. Any concerns he had would have been lifted when he saw Müller-Michels report. Badanov has just 10 units, 6 of which are infantry brigades. In support he has two cavalry brigades and an engineer and an armoured car regiment.
Although our cavalry are lightly armed, some Russian units have heavier weapons attached. This group are racing a Maxim M1910 heavy machine gun across the plains of Edinet on a Tachanka horse drawn open cart. Luckily there are not many of these, and they are high priority targets for our pilots.
The unfortunate General Slivkin must be cursing the fact that Oburkhov chose his division to act as a rearguard in Slobozia. Dörstling was back again soon after dawn, taking losses from the anti-air brigades but weakening 53 Strelkovaya even further.
Showing the signs of the rough time they had over Slovozia yesterday (30 aircraft were missing), Udet with “Speer” and “Streitkolben”, switched to Chisinau. Volkmann and 1st and 7th Gebirgsjäger had been taking increased losses from the reinforced defenders, and appreciated the assistance of the dive-bombers, but probably were not so happy to hear of the strength of the opposition. From prisoners they knew that General Shavokhin had replaced General Kreizer, but Udet reported sighting 17 separate units: 8 infantry, 2 motorised and 2 cavalry brigades with 2 tank destroyer, a rocket artillery and an artillery regiment.
At 2PM General List, far to the north in Liepaja, reported the first sign the Russians would try to hold their captured territories, though even this was nothing to cause concern. Selivanov and 43 Kavaleriyskaya were moving back into the province, but as they had been unable to hold it against 18.Infanterie there is little danger they can push us out, particularly as List has replaced all the losses he took in the attack.
An hour later, Behlendorff completed the rout of 156 Strelkovaya. Sarata is now secure and we can move closer to the key city of Odessa.
The rest of the day was just a succession of bombing reports. The initial impact is wearing off and we must now force the Russians to retreat.
Situation Map: Polen Army Nord
Liepaja: No change (91% complete)
Marijampol: General Hännicke has ordered a special effort by his two divisions, hoping the shock will reduce casualties and allow him to cross the Memel. Kirponos still has only four divisions at the front, but has the luxury of three fully supplied divisions in reserve. (20% complete)
Taurage: General von Both has also decided that shock tactics may be the best way to effect a river crossing. Other than nullifying Ogurtsov’s delaying tactics, little change. As in Marijampol, the Russians are keeping three divisions at the rear. (29% complete)
Laukuva: Eicke has now launched a furious assault, apparently because Zyrianov managed to extricate his encircled troops without much difficulty. (67% complete)
Situation Map: Polen Army Sud
Brzesc Litewski: The initial power of the assault had waned, and the hard work of forcing the Russians from their redoubts and fortifications has begun. (40% complete)
Shats'k: No change. (85% complete)
Drohobysc: No change. (67% complete)
Lwow: General Schack has been reinforced by Kallenkamp and 87.Infanterie attacking from Niemirów. Antonov has been surprised by this attack, allowing Schack to make a breakthrough deep into the city. (33% complete)
Drohobycz: Frießner has defeated Shlemin’s counter-attack of yesterday afternoon and has turned the table on his opponent, making a breakthrough along the forest paths. (67% complete)
Situation Map: Balkans Army
Sniatyn: General Trubnikov has replaced Poluektov as the commander of Russian forces in Sniatyn, and has managed somehow to ambush von Förster’s lead units on the open terrain. Perhaps we should have expected something like this: he is von Förster’s match in experience and is known to be aggressive. It should not alter the final result which is not far away. Russian morale and supplies are both low. (95% complete)
Edinet: Badanov’s counter-attack has also been decisively repulsed, and with his three divisions across the river Bader has broken the Russian defences, racing towards the rear areas. (74% complete)
Kolomyja: Höpner’s panzers are now at the front but the arrival of 4th leichte, even though it has allowed Bock to cut off some of Asiechev’s men, has not altered the overall course of the battle. Our attack is still bogged down at the River Siret, with little progress made. (12% complete)
Situation Map: Österreich Army
Tiraspol: General Osyska has held Petzel at bay a little longer, bringing 40 Kavaleriyskaya from reserve to the front line to bolster his two remaining infantry divisions. 308 Strelkovaya has arrived and is in reserve, joining 127 and 300 Strelkovaya. (67% complete)
Slobozia: No change, other than 53 Strelkovaya is on the verge of collapse. (97% complete)
Chisinau: The Russian defence is very fluid. General Kreizer has handed over responsibility for the city to General Sharokhin. 129 Strelkovaya remains dug in, but 135 and 315 Strelkovaya have been ordered north. They have been replaced by 24 Kraznoznamennaya Cavalry Division. 13 Dagestanskaya which was being held in reserve has also headed north, but 144 Strelkovaya has been joined by 36 Zabajkal’skaya Motorizovannaya and 8 Minskaya Strelkovaya. (43% complete)
The Fallschirmjägers have landed safely and are already in combat in the city. Rokossovsky, his skill in offensive tactics apparent, launched an immediate counter-attack. (81% complete)
Finalised Battle Casualty Lists for April 20th and 21st
Mosty: 208/29986: 246/47973
Horodenka: 264/19990: 598/50969
Sarata: 175/29990: 741/8995
Total German:
647
Total Russian:
1,485
Prior Battle Casualties
German: 1,385
Russian: 2,303
Total Battle Casualties to Date
German:
2,032
Russian:
3,788
Bombing Summary
Shats’k: Hoffman von Waldau with 4th Schlachtfliegerkorps: 73, 152, 150 (375)
Taurage: Keller with7th Kampffliegerkorps: 121, 288, 270 (679)
Taurage: Kitzinger with 3rd Kampffliegerkorps: 270 (270)
Slobozia: Dörstling with 6th Kampffliegerkorps: 144, 270, 60, 55, 246, 101 (876)
Sniatyn: Müller-Michels with 5th Kampffliegerkorps: 161, 205 (366)
Sniatyn: Müller-Michels with 5th Kampffliegerkorps and II and III Bombazóosztály: 163 (163)
Kolomyja: Schwartzkopff with 2nd Kampffliegerkorps: 96, 313, 80, 232 (721)
Edinet: Müller-Michels with 5th Kampffliegerkorps: 167, 306, 153 (825)
Chisinau: Udet with 3rd Schlachtfliegerkorps: 57, 87, 93 (237)
Total:
4,512
Prior Bombing Casualties
German: 620
Russian: 6,373
Total Bombing Casualties to Date
German: 0 + 620 =
620
Russian: 4,512 + 6,373 =
10,885
Total East Front Losses for 20th and 21st April:
German: 647 + 0 =
647
Russian: 1,485 + 4,512 =
5,997
Prior Losses:
German: 2,005
Russian: 8,776
Total East Front Losses to Date:
German: 647 + 2,005 =
2,652
Russian: 5,997 + 8,676 =
14,673
)
