Swamps of Bryansk

Early in the campaign, the Germans relied on speed, surprise, and superior tactics to overwhelm or bypass Soviet defenders. Occasionally though, the Germans were forced to fight the Soviets at their own game: positional defense. In this case, the Germans …

1941-07-03

TMFF01

Early in the campaign, the Germans relied on speed, surprise, and superior tactics to overwhelm or bypass Soviet defenders. Occasionally though, the Germans were forced to fight the Soviets at their own game: positional defense. In this case, the Germans must force a Soviet defense of a critical bridge.

Bryansk, Russia

The Battle of Bryansk (2–21 October 1941) was a twenty-day battle during World War II conducted in the Bryansk Oblast as a part of the overall Moscow campaign. Returning from the Kiev operation, Heinz Guderian attacked in an unexpected direction capturing Bryansk and Oryol with few casualties thereby encircling two Soviet formations, the 13th Army and 3rd Army. A third Soviet formation, the 50th Army was encircled by infantry of the German 2nd Army north of Bryansk. However the encircled Red Army units continued fighting, delaying the drive on Moscow for two weeks. This delay, as well as the casualties taken by the Wehrmacht liquidating the pockets contributed to the German collapse at the gates of Moscow. See also: Vyazma and Bryansk pockets. As a result of this battle, the Germans occupied Bryansk until they were expelled by the Red Army on 17 September 1943 as a part of the Smolensk campaign.

Wikipedia: Battle of Bryansk (1941)

German

Russian