Operation Herbstwind: Kampfgruppe Grosser

The main objective of Operation Herbstwind (“Autumn Wind”) was simple: achieve a better defensive line while stripping the enemy’s current defensive line of its strategic strongpoints. In some cases the attacking units only had to cover 400-600 meters, depending on …

1942-09-30

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The main objective of Operation Herbstwind (“Autumn Wind”) was simple: achieve a better defensive line while stripping the enemy’s current defensive line of its strategic strongpoints. In some cases the attacking units only had to cover 400-600 meters, depending on the terrain in their sector. After weeks of continuous fighting and ongoing attrition, however, the soldiers of Grossdeutschland were physically battered and suffering low morale. The CO of Infantry Regiment GD 2, Oberst Garski, tried every tactic known in order to dissuade the division commander from the attack. He argued that the operation would serve no real purpose and was extremely risky given the current poor state of the troops under his command. The argument reached all the way up to Ninth Army ... where Generaloberst Model rejected the concerns and ordered the attack to commence as planned. Assigned to the right flank of Operation Herbstwind was “Kampfgruppe Grosser” comprising I and III Battalions of I.R. GD 2 supported by the Panzer Battalion GD. II Bn stood ready to provide flanking cover [off-map]. The troops moved into their jump off areas at 1400 hours despite heavy enemy defensive fire. At 1415 the entire Artillery Regiment GD opened up all along the line. Stukas pounded observed and suspected enemy positions. Advancing rapidly, KG Grosser reached its first objectives. At 1615, however, the Soviets launched a counterattack in reinforced company strength – including two heavy tanks – which temporarily threw back the left wing of KG Grosser.

Gostischka River Valley, Russia

The Battles of Rzhev were a series of Soviet operations in World War II between January 8, 1942 and March 31, 1943. Due to the high losses suffered by the Soviet Army, the campaign became known by veterans and historians as the "Rzhev Meat Grinder". During the Soviet winter counter-offensive of 1941, and the Rzhev–Vyazma strategic offensive operation (8 January 1942 – 20 April 1942), German forces were pushed back from Moscow. As a result, a salient was formed along the front line in the direction of the capital, which became known as the Rzhev–Vyazma salient. It was strategically important for the German Army Group Centre due to the threat it posed to Moscow, and was therefore heavily fortified and strongly defended.

Wikipedia: Battles of Rzhev

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