Kampfgruppe Garski

During operations in the Olym River area on 29-30 June, the 24th Panzer Division – occupying Grossdeutschland’s right flank – came under stiff resistance at the town of Gorschetschnoje. 24th Panzer bypassed the village and resumed its advance to the …

1942-07-02

2

During operations in the Olym River area on 29-30 June, the 24th Panzer Division – occupying Grossdeutschland’s right flank – came under stiff resistance at the town of Gorschetschnoje. 24th Panzer bypassed the village and resumed its advance to the east. During the night of 1-2 July a divisional order was issued instructing the 2nd Infantry Regiment of Grossdeutschland – I.R. GD 2 – to eliminate this ongoing threat to the German flank. Kampfgruppe (“Battle Group”) Garski was thus formed, consisting of I.R. GD 2 (less I Battalion), two of the three batteries of the Assault Gun Battalion, the Artillery Battalion, and support from the Panzer Battalion which would make a flank attack from the northeast. II Battalion of I.R. GD 1 would provide a screening force to the north. Early on 2 July the infantry elements of Kampfgruppe Garski approached Gorschetschnoje from the north. They were met by fire from forward positions outside of town, including Soviet T-34’s and anti-aircraft guns. Major Feucker, commander of II Bn, I.R. GD 2, was killed in this initial barrage. Hauptmann von Lützau, CO of 10th Company, assumed command of the battalion. A tank battle ensued involving the infantry’s escorting assault guns. Artillery and Stuka attacks brought intermittent relief to the attackers but overall the battle was proving tougher than anticipated. As a result of the flanking thrust by Panzer Bn GD, an attempt by the Soviets to leave Gorschetschnoje to the east failed. A total of 51 Russian tanks were eliminated in the engagement, resulting in the destruction of elements of four Soviet tank brigades that had been brought into the area from Stalingrad and the Urals.

Gorschetschnoje, Russia

The Battle of Voronezh, or First Battle of Voronezh, was a battle on the Eastern Front of World War II, fought in and around the strategically important city of Voronezh on the Don river, 450 km (280 mi) south of Moscow, from 28 June-24 July 1942, as opening move of the German summer offensive in 1942.

Wikipedia: Battle of Voronezh (1942)

German

Russian