Yelnya - Timoshenkos assault

In late July 1941, Army Group Center concluded a successful offensive, encircling a large pocket ("Kessel") of Soviet troops in and around Smolensk. While the pocket was being systematically reduced, the Soviet High Command ordered the release of fresh troops …

1941-07-01

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In late July 1941, Army Group Center concluded a successful offensive, encircling a large pocket ("Kessel") of Soviet troops in and around Smolensk. While the pocket was being systematically reduced, the Soviet High Command ordered the release of fresh troops to help relieve pressure on the pocket and reinforce counter-attacks. One of the most successful counter-attacks was when Timoshenko's Western Front was unleashed on the narrow, exposed German salient around Yelnya, beginning a fierce six week battle for the town. The Germans wanted to hold the salient because it enclosed a bridgehead over the Desna River and included high ground that would be valuable in launching the final drive toward Moscow. Guderian ordered the two mechanized units that had captured Yelnya (10th Panzer Division and SS "Das Reich" Division) to hold the salient until infantry could be brought up to relieve them. The German reinforcements were delayed because they had to eliminate Soviet units around Smolensk, while the German mobile defenders at Yelnya remained at a disadvantage; their line had been dictated by the limit of the initial offensive advance and was not suited to defense. Fatigued from their earlier offensive drive, denied meaningful air support, and with ammunition and fuel in short supply, the two divisions were repeatedly battered by Soviet assaults. On July 30th alone, thirteen separate Soviet attacks had to be beaten back!

Yelnya, Russia

The First Battle of Smolensk was a battle during the second phase of Operation Barbarossa, the Axis invasion of the Soviet Union, in World War II. It was fought around the city of Smolensk between 10 July and 10 September 1941, about 400 km (250 mi) west of Moscow. The Ostheer had advanced 500 km (310 mi) into the USSR in the 18 days after the invasion on 22 June 1941.

Wikipedia: Battle of Smolensk (1941)

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