Rank and File
A Clerk’s War
A Clerk’s War
Friday 13th to Tuesday 17th June 1941 (Part II)
Patches of clear skies allowed a few bombing missions on Sunday, but most of the Luftwaffe was grounded. On the ground, though, the war continued. Having gained access to Wilno (from Troki) General von Manstein could not wait for infantry to arrive before making an attempt to capture the city. Polen Army Nord instructed Nehring to use 1st PzD to drive out Fomenko and his three divisions. First reports are not optimistic: the enemy are able to use the ample defensive positions that the buildings provide, while our tanks cannot be used effectively in the congested terrain.
Battle of Wilno
The Balkans Army drive for Kiev is going well, with more and more Russian units retreating in near panic. General Phleps is trying to take advantage of the enemy disorganisation by attacking a huge force in Berezne. There are no less than 10 divisions in front of him, but his information is that only two of them are under effective command. Some of the rest are no more than a leaderless rabble. If Rommel can assist 98.ID with another division (preferably a panzer or motorised unit) then the 81,000 Soviet troops could be dealt a savage blow.
Battle of Berezne
The rest of Sunday was remarkable only by the lack of action. The battles of Kaharlyk, Horodyche and Koresten’ were successfully finalised, but until 4PM there was not one report from the Eastern Front. Hopefully a case of “No news is good news”,
Von Bock and 111.Infanterie broke the drought, marching along a narrow access route from Berezan’ into Ivankiv. The Soviet general Zaev has plenty of men, but Österreich Army HQ believes that the Red Army is beginning to suffer supply issues and is confident that resistance will be short.
Battle of Ivankiv
Having called back Curtze’s ill-prepared attack on Ukmerge, von Manstein and Polen Army Nord are now ready to deal properly with the mass of Soviet troops trying to escape through the forest. The job has been given to General Brennecke and 73.ID. Based in Jonava, south of Ukmerge, his supply chain is secure (unlike that of Curtze, whose 20.ID was totally dependent on its internal stocks). To give his attack some weight, he has been given 9th Panzer which is attacking from the north-west (from Kaisiadorys, where supplies are also flowing freely).
Battle of Ukmerge
In a surprising move, Minister von Ribbentrop has approved a trade deal with the USA, which will see us pay 271,000RM per day for 1,700 tonnes of certain rare materials. It is not surprising in itself, as we have more cash than we can use and the only resources we cannot supply ourselves are things like aluminium and pharmaceuticals. What has caused raised eyebrows is that the terms of the contract require us to transport the goods in our own cargo ships. In the past the loss of many of our ships to the Royal Navy has negatively affected morale in the general population. Does von Ribbentrop believe that the risk of British interception has decreased? We will find out in the next few months.
Synthetic rubber plants such as this cannot keep up the demand, and this means our seamen must risk the transatlantic voyage to bring precious stocks from the USA.
Minister Bayerlein also had an announcement, and though it only merited a brief paragraph on page 15 of the daily newspapers, it was of immense interest to every Heer officer to whom I spoke. A study into transportation systems and procedures has come up with recommendations that will lead to a very small saving in costs and wastage, perhaps a single percentage point. Not very exciting you might think, but to a group that is already grappling with the logistics of supplying a million men a thousand kilometres from home this is vital information. After some congratulations on a job well done, the analysts have been set to examine whether we can improve the command structure of our tactical bomber units. If this too is successful, it will decrease organisational degradation when on active missions, allowing more bombloads per rest period.
Work gangs in occupied Poland widening and resurfacing a road
Otherwise a routine day. 3rd Panzer repulsed a tentative attack on Koresten’, we won the battles of Ochakiv, Mal Vyska and Ivankiv, and the Latvian pocket is now reduced to just one province after the fall of Valdemãrpils. The Luftwaffe was also quiet, with only Sperrle’s 1st Kampffliegerkorps able to fly missions. The VVS tried to prevent even that, but while most of our bombers were grounded, Klepke was able to get 600 Messerschmitts in the air to clear Falaleev’s fighters from Baranowicze. (The impact of the fighters on our bombing efficiency can be seen in the bombing reports. Sperrle’s pilots reported inflicting 380, 25 and 332 casualties in its three raids. The second was, of course, the one where the Russian fighters scattered our formations).
Air Battle of Baranowicze
Tuesday the final push into the Latvian pocket began. At the moment it is just one division (von Brauchitsch’s 24.ID) but there is an expectation that as they become available more troops will be sent in. Our information indicates the presence of 4 divisions totalling nearly 34,000 men (319 Strelkovaya, 212, 215 Motorizavannaya and 6 Tankovaya), but this definitely doesn’t include the nearly 50,000 soldiers still making their way back from defeat in Valdemãrpils. Victory here will be the end of resistance in the pocket: we estimate in excess of 100,000 men (13 divisions) will have been either killed or captured.
Simultaneously, Rommel’s Balkan Army sent 46 and 386.ID into Kaniv, also hoping to inflict mass casualties on demoralised retreating troops. Although Dippold has 20,000 men it may not be as simple as it appears. General Ratnikov has two infantry divisions that could put up resistance, as well as a cavalry division that is still in moderately good condition. Infact, he has already been able to stage a local counter-attack which is creating some problems for General Dippold.
Battle of Kaniv
Another of our general wants to see how his men perform in mud. This time it is Cochenhausen’s 161.ID (mot) that has the dubious honour of fighting General Absaliamov’s 97 Strelkovaya for possession of Boryspil’. Any reasonable person would let the Russians keep a worthless marsh, but wars are not run by reasonable people.
Battle of Boryspil’
The Russians put up a better fight than expected in Vievis, but they could not resist the strength of von Soderstern’s two divisions. Nevertheless, losses were not too unequal, and the hoped-for slaughter of a routed enemy did not take place.
While more aircraft were able to fly today, the VVS had one victory. “Gold” and “Silber” were intercepted over Ukmerge by Astakhov’s 1st, 3rd and 5th IAD. None of our fighters were able to assist and the mission was a disaster. By the time 5th Schlachtfliegerkorps made it back to Königsberg (having ditched its bombs harmlessly) it had been decimated. It is not clear how many aircraft took off in the morning, but Generalleutnant Weise reported that only 120 planes landed. It could be weeks before these losses can be made up.
Air Battle of Ukmerge
A badly damaged Hs 129 waits for repairs: it will be some time before this aircraft can be used again
The Luftwaffe can point to the fact that it prevented any bombs falling on our soldiers, as Fisser met Sudet head-on over Shereptivka. The Russian mixture of TB-3 and MBR-2 bombers was no match for our planes, and some of the Luftwaffe’s honour was regained – but not much.
Air Battle of Shepetivka
Petzel has the rare opportunity of attacking with a numerical superiority in Horodyche. Considering that the province is supposed to have been under our control for the past two days, how 134 Strelkovaya was able to remain there is a question that General von Kluge will probably put to General Heunert in the next day or so. Heunert claimed victory on Wednesday, but here is a defending division still able to impede our advance. It could be an uncomfortable discussion: I think that von Kluge will require him to attend in person.
2nd Battle of Horodyche
Finally General Glokke has been given a chance to show his skill. 33.ID has been in some heavy fighting (it is down 6000 men) but its general has never commanded an attack himself. His baptism will be moderately hard: just one division but well led and in good shape. As he is the only unit blocking access to Odessa to the Red Army, defeat is not really an option.
Battle of Novo Odesa
Finalised Battles for the period 13th to 17th June 1941
Jonava: 73/19,637: 121/34,549
Semiliskes: 41/19,855: 117/13,846
Berezan’: 328/9,995: 134/24,301
Myronivka: 296/29,981: 326/27,971
Bila Tserkva: 572/10,000: 994/24,559
Berezivka: 223/27,763: 308/9998
Kaptitanivka: 99/19,991: 120/14,549
Korsun’-Shevchenkivs’kyy: 917/19,496: 590/64,883
Korets’: 515/10,000: 484/33,578
Bila Tservka: 57/9,363: 134/33,968
Ukmerge: 199/9,991: 78/68,297
Panevezys: 528/29,986: 559/23,995
Kaharlyk: 182/19,992: 241/43,439
Horodyche: 1,207/19,728: 587/50,805
Koresten’: 71/9,991: 121/17,124
Valdemãrpils: 1,100/9982: 558/47,837
Ochakiv: 390/19,151: 601/28,275
Mal Vyska: 840/19,986: 353/18,935
Ivankiv: 136/9,822: 267/16,697
Vievis: 1,148/31,826: 1,330/48,049
Total Battle Casualties for 13th to 17th June 1941
German: 9,831
Russian: 8,023
Prior Battle Casualties:
German: 137,772
Russian: 149,400
Total Battle Casualties to date
German: 9,831 + 137,772 = 147,603
Russian: 8,023 + 149,400 = 157,423
Baltic Army
Aizkraukle: von der Chevallerie has pushed east from Bauska, giving von Küchler three divisions to Spiridonov’s two. The Russians are dead on their feet after the continuous fighting. (92% complete)
Ventspils: the last battle of the Latvian Pocket is going well. 58.ID is now in position in Valdemãrpils and the Soviets are unchanged, except for the arrival of the routed remnants of 43 Kavaleriyskaya. A desperate counter-attack by the Russians will just serve to exhaust their dwindling ammunition quicker. (60% complete)
Polen Army Nord
Ukmerge: While we are growing stronger (20.ID is now attacking from Seduva and 56.ID is in reserve) the Russians are already retreating (33 Belorusskaya has moved out of the rear areas with 38th Corps HQ). (79% complete)
Wilno: Nehring has made a breakthrough along one of the main access roads, and is aware that 3rd Panzer is in reserve, ready to move into action at any moment. (50% complete)
Polen Army Sud
Soleczniki: Gallenkamp’s 87.ID which began the battle is nearly exhausted. Felber’s 62.ID which moved up shortly afterwards is still fighting well, and it has been reinforced by 44.ID from Orany. 88.ID is in the rear of 44.ID, waiting for a chance to relieve Gallenkamp. The Russians have also brought up fresh troops. 209 Motorizavannaya has left the area, replaced by 3 Tankovaya (which is not really capable of much without some rest). 318 Strelkovaya has joined 209th Motorised in reserve. (74% complete)
Bereznica: No change, but our men are getting tired and morale is dropping as so little progress is being made. This could turn out badly unless we are lucky. (48% complete)
Baranowicze: 7ya Armiya HQ has made good its escape, leaving the almost defenceless mountain troops of 95 Moldavaskaya to hold off Keppler’s panzers. Their role is even more critical as survivors of the battle of Slonim (107 and 313 Strelkovaya) are streaming through the rear areas, totally unready for combat. (56% complete)
Pinsk: Although 103.ID is supporting the attack from Janów Polaski, the defensive combination of terrain and overwhelming numbers has made this battle a potential catastrophe. (13% complete)
Balkans Army
Korets’: 5.ID has also attacked from Polonne, and though Aseichev now has 190 Strelkovaya in reserve, he has lost control of 163 Motorizavannaya. (75% complete)
Boryspils’: Both sides have reinforcements moving up: 4th leichte Panzer for Cochenhausen and 17 Gorno-Kavaleriyskaya for Absaliamov. A breakthrough has been made by 161.ID, but it is too soon to say if this will impact the battle in a decisive way. (55% complete)
Österreich Army
Kaniv: The Russian counter-attack is over, but it served its purpose. 5 Soviet divisions have been extricated, with 117 Strelkovaya left to cover the retreat. Its commander, General Osade, has been promised reinforcements in the form of 14 Kavaleriyskaya, but it has not yet made it to the front. Osade is one of the most able Red Army generals we have met so far, so Dippold should be cautious. (92% complete)
Novo Odesa: No change (67% complete)
Horodyche: No change (84% complete)
Voznesens’k: Kirponos has lost 156 Strelkovaya, while 5th Gebirgsjäger Division is assisting their fellow mountain troops. (69% complete)
Bombing Summary
Luftwaffe
Ochakiv: Udet with 3rd Schlachtfliegerkorps: 115, 211, 140, 133 (599)
Seneliskes: Kitzinger with 3rd Kampffliegerkorps: 34 (34)
Jonava: Löhr with 2nd Schlachtfliegerkorps: 21 (21)
Mala Vyska: Udet with 3rd Schlachtfliegerkorps: 176, 145, 45, 74 (440)
Horodyche: Kesselring with 1st Schlachtfliegerkorps: 182, 185, 228, 44 (639)
Zhytomyr: Schwartzkopff with 2nd Kampffliegerkorps: 258 (258)
Lida: Gruaert with 4th Kampffliegerkorps: 209, 311, 222, 226 (968)
Vievis: Kitzinger with 3rd Kampffliegerkorps: 246, 291, 365, 232 (1,134)
Vievis: Löhr with 2nd Schlachtfliegerkorps: 140, 203, 183, 178 (704)
Vievis: Keller with 7th Kampfffliegerkorps: 224, 202 (426)
Vosnesens’k: Udet with 3rd Schlachtfliegerkorps: 217, 175, 183, 51, 136, 114, 202, 141 (1,219)
Baranowicze: Sperrle with 1st Kampffliegerkorps: 380, 25, 332 (737)
Wilno: Kitzinger with 3rd Kampffleigerkorps: 273, 330, 300, 224 (1,127)
VVS
Jánow Poleski: Zhigarov with 23rd and 46th ShAD: 88
Total Bombing Casualties for the period 13th to 17th June 1941
German: 88
Russian: 8,306
Prior Bombing Casualties
German: 1,458
Russian: 95,838
Total Bombing Casualties to Date
German: 88 + 1,458 = 1,546
Russian: 8,306 + 95,838 = 104,144
Total East Front Casualties for the period 13th to 17th June
German: 9,831 + 88 = 9,919
Russian: 8,023 + 8,306 = 16,329
Prior East Front Casualties
German: 139,230
Russian: 245,238
Total East Front Casualties to date
German: 9,919 + 139,230 = 149,149
Russian: 16,329 + 245,238 = 261,567
East Front at end of 17th June 1941
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