2. SS Division Das Reich - War Diary

SUPPORT THE CHANNEL and get access to exclusive film footage www.Patreon.com/Military1945 Episode 109 In this multi-part series we’ll follow a platoon leader from the 2. SS PzD Das Reich from the beginning of Barbarossa up through the end of 1941. This includes his regiment’s positioning at the tip of the spearhead during operation Typhoon, the Wehrmacht’s desperate final attempt to take Moscow. After the Soviet’s brutal counter attack, of the 2000 soldiers that had been active at the beginning of the Russian campaign, only 35 remained. Our platoon leader was one of those men. Using his sensational diary, photographs, personal letters, and other related primary source materials we’ll tell his story. At the beginning of Barbarossa, the formation was designated simply the Motorized SS Infantry Division Das Reich and was made up of the regiments Deutschland, Der Führer and Germania. Our author, named Kurt was a platoon leader in the Regiment Der Führer. This is the Kurt’s Ostmedallia. It reads Winterschlaht I’m Osten 1941/42. Above the Ostmedallia we see an excerpt from AH's April 26 1942 Reichstags speech in which he compliments the soldiers of the Waffen SS and security forces for their exemplary combat bravery and loyalty. It’s likely that he’s referring to their performance during the Winter of 1941/42. The praise was probably important to the author because up until Barbarossa the Waffen SS had been know more for their sharp uniforms and precise marching skills than for combat effectiveness. After performing poorly during the campaign in Poland there was even a question as to whether the units should be dissolved all together. Only by having the Reichsführer-SS Himmler as a benefactor was it allowed to continue. This speech marks that discussion being finally put to rest. 11.6.1941 Our marching orders have arrived! We’ll be leaving beautiful Waizenkirchen where, for the last 6 weeks, we really have been treated as family. Assigned to assist second lieutenant Neumann who is in charge organizing the unit’s movement, I too am heading to Greisskirchen at 22.00 hrs, before the rest of the company. My friends and I meet for a final farewell gathering at the Haus Semper. An ominous feeling has taken grip that neither music nor wine can release. Each of us contemplates the possibility that our time might be coming. None of us want the evening to end. As I stand in front of Uncle Franz all my gear packed and ready to leave, he grasps my hand and tears begin to stream down his face. He grabs me in his arms, and then without a word we turn and we begin the short walk to the market square. Everyone is out and about this evening until late, savoring every remaining moment. Slowly our trucks begin arriving, we go to them, load our equipment and get on. As we pull away I look back and see uncle Franz wearing his hunting hat and waving to me. Quickly the figures on the Market square disappear into the darkness - We’ve left our home behind. We are on the road again, and in spite of our quiet, somber mood we begin to lighten up. We’re back on the move in our beloved truck and finally heading towards action. The rest of the company hits the road at 24.00 hrs. Arriving in Greisskirchen, everything gets efficiently unloaded from the trucks and onto a train with which we will continue our journey. The transfer is so quick that we’re actually hours ahead of schedule. As of now still nobody knows where we are going and our imaginations run wild. It’s generally believed that Russia will open a corridor that that we will be able to travel on through to Iraq! The excitement is almost unbearable. In our part of the train I discover a section that is meant for normal paying travelers which is far superior and we secretly move in and make ourselves comfortable. We travel over Passau-Regensburg - Nürnberg - Plauen - Halle/Salle - Leipzig heading towards Berlin. During the entire journey we continue discussing all our possible destinations. Just past Cottbus our direction suddenly changes and we continue on over Sagan - Glogau - Lissa and at 18.00 we cross the former Polish border. At 1.00 hrs we reach Zgiertz and the order is given to unload everything and prepare for immediate continuation of the journey by truck. At 4.00 hrs our colony departs passing over Litzmannstadt - Brezeny - Rawa - Radom - Pulawy and at 14.15 hrs we arrive to Wola-Osynska which is where we will be quartering. In an open field that is surrounded by birch trees we set up our tents and camp. The following days are used to make sure our weaponry and equipment is in order. The motor vehicles are all checked over down to the last screw and our clothing down to the last button. The intense heat from the sun causes in the entire battalion to spend these busy days wearing nothing but swimsuits. These are happy moments - could they be our last?

SUPPORT THE CHANNEL and get access to exclusive film footage www.Patreon.com/Military1945 Episode 110 This wonderful footage shows German infantry advancing on the Soviet stronghold of Brest-Litovsk during the first days of the attack on the Soviet Union. It fits in well with part 2 of the series which covers the SS Formation Das Reich through the end of 1941 including Operation Typhoon the Wermacht’s desperate final attempt to take Moscow. June 22, 1941 The beginning of an offensive against the Soviet union was announced today on the German radio and it effects us like a bolt of lightening out of the blue. We he hear that German troops have crossed the border and know that we are relatively far from where it is all happening. The topic of heated discussion for everyone is why have they left us behind? It’s incomprehensible why they’ve kept us from where we belong up at the front and our unit’s moral couldn’t be any worse. It seems that mutiny is in the air. Many believe that we’ll certainly be too late, that Moscow will be taken before we get anywhere near the fighting. We’ll certainly miss out on the action again. To a certain extent this kind of reaction from seriously gung ho soldiers being kept away from the action can be understood, however the feeling of disappointment seems to cross over into serious anger. Although most likely an exaggeration Kurt, our author, describes the feeling among the men as mutinous. If I’ve gauged this correctly then it ties in with an inferiority complex that the early Waffen SS units were dealing with that I touched on in part 1 of this series. This rare footage showing an SS unit during the Poland campaign ties in to that theory. This is the War Atlas that was produced by the German High Command for Operation Barbarossa. We are looking at June 22 the day that the invasion began and can see the motorized SS Infantry Division Das Reich situated about 125 km behind the front line. June 23, 1941 We’ve been put on alert being informed that marching orders should be coming in shortly. This calms down the excited tempers somewhat. June 24 Our battalion begins to move passing over Kock, and Radzyn and ending up in Pyzechod. In a forrest we set up our tents and then the everyone is released from further duty for the day. June 27 We continue on passing over Miedzyles, Lachowka, Wolka and Terespol and just past midnight in the darkness we arrive to the outskirts of Brest-Litowsk. Now let’s add the rest of the chess pieces to the situational map for June 26. The arrow with circles markings indicate that Das Reich is traveling by vehicle in a convoy. As we see the 10 Panzer Division on Das Reich’s left flank is also traveling in a convoy. Let’s zoom out and take a look at Army Group Center for this day. To the north east of Das Reich we see the German panzer divisions racing forwards to put the lid on the what would become the Bialystock-Minsk pockets. With this defeat the Soviets lost about 420,000 men and many believed would lead to the quick ending of the war. If you are interested in seeing videos about the individual units taking part in these operations take a look at my channel, there are plenty. Here we encounter the first evidence of the war finding destroyed guns, dead Russians, and plenty of munition and destroyed vehicles lie to both sides of the road. General Guderian, who was in command of the 2nd Panzergroup in Army Group Center, had decided that infantry units would be more suited for assaulting the massive fortification at Brest-Litowsk than his tank forces. The attack had begun on the first day of operations and the city would be quickly cleared of the enemy. In the fortress however, stiff resistance would continue until the end of the month. Soviet propaganda produced during the war claimed that the battle continued until July 23 which most likely isn’t reliable. Occasional pot shots from individuals continued but there was no organized resistance. As we continue with Kurt’s description of his battalion passing through the city we’ll see footage of the combat that was taking place inside the fortress. The city has been cleared but inside the fortress heavy combat continues. On all sides extensive damage from intense fighting can be seen. There is evidence everywhere that the enemy has turned tail and run abandoning hundreds of tanks and guns, many of which are still loaded with ammunition. On the streets and often in rows lie hundreds of dead horse which stink terribly. For us green soldiers these experiences are completely new, we stare mesmerized at by the death and destruction. So this is what war is like! Although there is plenty of small arms fire our columns go right through the city unmolested and continue on into Russia.

SUPPORT THE CHANNEL and get access to exclusive film footage www.Patreon.com/Military1945 Episode 114 This Waffen SS combat footage fits in nicely with part 3 of this series covering the unit which would be come the 2. SS Panzer Division Das Reich. In part 2 of this series, we saw how the motorized SS Division Reich was champing at the bit for being temporarily held back. Finally on June 26 they were ordered to cross the Soviet border and quickly reached the fortress of Brest-Litowsk. Although fighting inside the fortress continued, Reich passed through the city without incident. The green soldiers had, however, seen evidence of the destruction of the war and were duly impressed. But this would prove to be a mild prelude as what was to come. Our author, named Kurt, continues in his diary… We still haven’t fired a shot at the enemy ourselves. Traveling on to the east we pass through Kopek, Hrozow, Puchowiczi and continue all the way up to the Berisina river where we finally stop. We spend the night under the cover of a thick Russian forest. Our only enemy so far has been the Russian flies, which come out in force during the night and drive us nearly crazy. We wrap ourselves in any kind of light cloth including bandages, curtains whatever we can find trying to keep them from our bodies. July 6th, 1941 We are woken suddenly by the thundering sound of a mighty barrage of German artillery firing salvos over our heads into the Soviet positions on the other side of the river which really represents the beginning of our combat duty. At the town Beriosino, which is completely shot up and a mess, we cross the river in order to relieve a German infantry unit which frees them to continue with their attack. We are looking at the situational map for July 6th, 1941. The SS Division Reich was part of Army Group Center in the 46 Army Corps that was under the command of General Heinrich von Vietinghoff. Army Corps was positioned here near the city of Pogost on July 6th. The muscle in the Army Corps was the 10th PzD which had been advancing on the SS Div. Reich’s left flank since the beginning. That division seems to be confronted by a large contingent of enemy formations but the truth is that most were remnants of units that had been badly mauled and were in full retreat. Now the Remains, or Reste, of the Soviet divisions were being squeezed against the Dnjepr River to the east. Their orders were to attack and keep as much of the enemy from escaping to the east bank of the Dnjepr as possible. The red arrow to their north represents a desperate Soviet armored counter attack which was meant to relieve pressure on the retreating Soviet units. In order to allow the 10th PzD to continue its attack, the SS Division Reich was ordered to divide. Part of the division would continue east towards the Dnjepr and Kurt’s Regiment would advance on the morning of July 7th into the marshland and protect the 10th PzD’s left flank. It wasn’t possible to travel in the trucks because of the marshy terrain. We can also see that the soviet 185. and 67. parachute divisions were dropped behind German lines to the south east of Minsk which which is evidence that the counter attack was meant to be more than a relieving action. The Soviets intended to break through the German ring and release the remnants of the 10-12 Soviet divisions that remained the Minsk pocket. Kurt continues During the day in pursuit of the enemy we march 40km on foot in the blazing heat through a maze of unending Russian forested and marshy lands. In spite of our rapid pace we’re unable to catch up with the retreating enemy which seems to be moving away as fast as they possibly can. July 8th Finally our motor vehicles catch up. We pile in and continue the pursuit up to Oarawonka. The following morning at 2.45 hrs the Russians suddenly attack. Our carefully focused counter fire stops them in their tracks and at 4.00 hrs we go over to the attack. This is the first time the Russians have made me feel uncomfortable. When SS Unterscharführer, or Sergeant, Starik and I pass over a hill looking to make contact with our lead company, a Soviet anti tank gun fires a round just over our heads. The round passing right next to us making a tremendous whistle and we dive to the ground to take cover. When I lift my head to peer out trying to locate the enemy’s firing position another round wizzes by so closely that my helmet feels as though it’s being sucked right off my head. That must have been really close. A third shot less well aimed rushes past and we quickly decide to turn tail and scamper on hands and knees back to cover. Safe, we both burst out laughing nervously and light cigarettes. The 30 photographs that the author put into the bound collection are not in chronological order. Clearly the Wehrmacht had no panther tanks in 1941. I have a feeling he just mixed them in with the text and his medals wherever he felt that they would look good.

SUPPORT THE CHANNEL and get access to exclusive film footage www.Patreon.com/Military1945 Episode 115 This Waffen SS combat footage fits in nicely with part 4 of this series covering the unit which would be come the 2. SS Panzer Division Das Reich. It’s based on an amazing original diary which follows the unit up to the gates of Moscow in the Winter of 1941/42 where our author, Kurt’s, regiment was almost completely wiped out. So far during the campaign in Russia, the SS Division Reich hod to a large extent been pursuing a chaotically retreating enemy and seen little combat. By early July as the division began reaching the Dneiper River the Soviets had their backs against the wall and began to fight back more aggressively. In early July of 1941 the SS Division Reich So far they’d been . was making it’s way towards the Dneiper River Kurt continues with his July 8, 1941 entry Carawonka is soon taken. During further attacks towards the forests, which lie behind the town, we’re able to destroy our first Russian tank. Actually it’s only a Russian armored car but we’re still content. The destroyed vehicle goes up in a mighty blaze and the ammunition cooks off causing a terrible noise. July 10th Our motorized advance continues towards the Dnjepr until we reach the last obstacle, Hill 215 which is near Chotemka. The Russians have built up a fantastic defensive line and seem intent in holding the position at all cost. They understand the significance of what a German breakthrough would mean here. Advancing out of a forest area that we are using for staging is made difficult by a steep incline that extends all the way to the Russian positions. In addition to direct fire, the Russians continually bombard this hillside and the forest area with heavy artillery which has a devastating effect. An infantry formation before our arrival had tried to storm the position without success. Having realized the importance of this key position there was only one possibility, it had to be taken. In the afternoon at 14.00 hrr, the 2nd Battalion gathered in the forest area in preparation of the attack. At 17.00 hrs, after a 45 minute barrage of our own artillery to soften up the enemy positions, the assault was ordered to begin. But that’s not what happened. The Russians begin to cover us with rolling artillery barrages to the point of losing both sight and hearing. At the same time our own artillery has been forced to stop firing due to lack of ammunition which wasn’t brought up quickly enough to the front. To make things worse, we aren’t able to locate the enemy gun positions which means that there’s really no chance of put them out of commission. The accurate enemy fire into our staging area in the forest causes significant casualties. With our resupply of ammunition still 5km away we are in danger of having a serious problem. SS Hauptsturmführer, or captain Rottach, in charge of the 8th Company, orders me to take a small contingency of men and make our way back and do whatever’s necessary to get the needed supplies up to the troops. Traveling back through the woods and then finally crossing a large open field turns out to be more difficult than expected. We’re under enemy artillery fire the entire time and only able to advance in short spurts of about 10 meters at a time. The forest underbrush is so thick that we are not really able to stay together, it’s every man for himself. An artillery round explodes directly in front of me and a piece of shrapnel knocks my helmet off, luckily I’m uninjured. Eventually we arrive, quickly get things organized and within an hour have managed to set up a location at the base of the forest which we’ve filled with munitions and rations. The heavy enemy fire has made using motorcycles to transport the supplies impossible so we have to carry the heavy boxes by hand. Suddenly the Russians hit the length of the forest edge with their heavy guns, and I’m right in the thick of the barrage. It’s a terrible feeling us lying there pushing my body down into the forest ground hoping to survive. A platoon leader stumbles up to me in the middle of all the exploding shells, completely confused and seemingly expecting to die. . . .Then suddenly everything stops. The Soviets have stopped firing. Shortly after the bombardment stops I’m able to link up with the company and report the successful completion of the order. In Part 5 of the series Kurt describes the assault on Hill 215 so remember to subscribe.

SUPPORT THE CHANNEL and get access to exclusive film footage www.Patreon.com/Military1945 Episode 116 This nice combat footage fits in well with the series covering the unit which would eventually become the 2. SS PzD Das Reich. Following an original war diary we are embedded with the unit up through the winter of 1941/42 where it was the lead element of Operation Typhoon, the attack on Moscow. In Part 5 of the series, In addition to using this sensational war-diary I’ll add footage from this late 1941 German training film. I’ll add original situational maps, and introduce an associated entry from the war-diary of the German High Command. If you like this kind of material please subscribe to the channel. In part 4 of this series Kurt organized the bringing forward of desperately needed supplies through a hail of Soviet artillery fire. Now with the munitions necessary to assault Hill 215, his entry for July 10th continues. At 18hr and without any preparatory artillery fire the battalion begins the attack. After advancing a good way up the incline, the Russians start in again with heavy artillery fire. This in combination with the well focused small arms fire from the enemy’s multiple prepared defensive positions bring our advance to a halt. At this key moment Oberscharführer, or Technical Sergeant, Plauensteiner from the 5th Company sees dug in Russians on his platoon’s flank and orders an immediate, direct frontal attack. We suddenly receive heavy flanking fire from light machine-guns and I am able to make out an MG nest on the hill in the edge of a forested area. I quickly gather three men from the company and we head off in their direction, using obstacles in the terrain for cover. We manage to move in close and after throwing two hand grenades and firing off a salvo from my MP-40 the Soviet nest is silenced. With the way clear our formation storms the enemy trenches, and the enemy, having takien heavy casualties, retreats in disarray. As late afternoon turns to night it begins getting dark. The individual companies are divided up for guard duty and a unit of pioneers sets to work de-mining the road which cuts through the territory and then put it back into usable condition. A truck from the 8th Company that was bringing up munitions to the front passing by a forested area hits a mine but somehow the munition cargo doesn’t explode. None of the 3 passengers are injured, escaping the incident with nothing more than a scare. It turns out to be part of a large Soviet minefield which we somehow miraculously avoided. In part 3, we saw how a Soviet armored counter attack on July 6 lead to the dividing up of the SS Division Reich in order to protect the 10th PzD’s left flank. On July 7 an enemy parachute drop behind German lines showed that the thrust was more than diversionary, intending to spring soviet troops that were trapped in the Bialystok-Minsk pocket. By July 8th the Soviet armor attack had been contained and the airborne troops neutralized. This is an entry in the German High Command official war diary for July 9th. That gives us an overview of how the SS Division Reich fit in to Army Group Center at the time of Kurt’s entries. He continues on July 10th. Around midnight the Russians hit us again with a massive artillery barrage, but this time we’re well protected by their defensive positions and no noteworthy damage is sustained. At sunrise there isn’t a trace of the enemy. it seems that once again the massive artillery barrage was done to cover their retreat. We are able to continue the advance to the river without coming into contact with the enemy. The 2nd and 9th armies continue on with their march to the east. The battle for Bialystok and the area to the west of Minsk has been successfully and decisively completed. In part 6 we’ll cover the units crossing of the Dnjepr River so remember to subscribe and hit the bell icon to receive notifications.

SUPPORT THE CHANNEL and get access to exclusive film footage www.Patreon.com/Military1945 Episode 117 This nice close combat footage taken during the breaching of the Stalin Line in July of 1941 fits in nicely with part 6 of the series which covers the SS Division Reich that was in the vicinity at that time. Using an original war diary from a Platoon leader and other primary historical sources we’ll follow the unit up through the Winter of 1941/42 when it was all but wiped out during Operation Typhoon and the final desperate attempt to take Moscow. Our author Kurt was one of the few survivors. This war diary is the highest quality original I’ve seen during my years working as a dealer. Here in part 6, in addition to Kurts translated entries I’ll show related rare film footage, the German High Command Situational map for July 11th, and another clip from this 1941 training film. use an original situational map from the German High Command, related rare film footage and at the end of this video I’ll show another clip from this 1941 training film. There’s also a link to the entire series so stick around, it’s worth it. In contrast to the panzer divisions that had lead the charge cutting through the Soviet lines and the non-motorized infantry that was largely responsible for wearing down the huge pockets of trapped soviet forces, SS Div. Reich to this point had spent most of its time pursuing the enemy and had seen comparatively little action. The taking Hill 215 on July 10, that was covered in Part 5, had been the exception. July 11, 1941 At daybreak together with our battalions commander SS-Sturmbannführer, or Major Harmel, we are the first to arrive to the Dnjepr River with the task of finding an appropriate location to make a crossing. After carefully approaching raised bluffs lying on the west bank of the river we are able to see an extensively built out network of trenches. At closer look we’re pleasantly surprised to see that the maze is unoccupied, incredible. Throughout the afternoon the troops arrive by vehicle to their designated locations along the bank of the river. With their vehicles parked out in the open they’re able to eat lunch at ease. At this time pioneers are busy preparing the crossing by setting up the inflatable rafts and storm boats. At 17hrs the actual crossing is made without incident, not a single shot is fired. It was actually during the river crossing that Kurt’s regimental commander Oberführer, or Colonel Keppler, received orders from a special courier. He was instructed to immediately hand over control of the regiment and to head to Führer Headquarters in Rastenburg-East Prussia where he would take over control of the SS-Totenkopf Division. That division’s commander Theodor Eicke, had just been wounded. By the time Regiment Der Führer, Kurt’s regiment, reached the other side of the river in their inflatable rafts they would have a new regimental commander, and that would be Sturmbahnführer, or major,. Kumm. A few Soviet Ratas appear in the sky but they are quickly chased away managing only to throw out some propaganda leaflets which boldly state that the only German soldiers that will cross the Dnjepr River will be dead Germans. We continue with our advance and reach a hill. On the far side of the hill is a small forested area and we finally come into contact with weak resistance which is quickly broken. When we enter the area we’re surprised to find the Soviet artillery firebase that had cause us so much trouble during our assault on Hill 215. With only light enemy contact we are able to move quickly forwards. The combination of heat and dust is almost unbearable. What we really are missing most is something to drink. We can’t make use of the wells that we pass and our supply column is quite a way back. Around dusk we suddenly come face to face with a soviet supply convoy that’s moving towards the Dnjepr, completely unaware that we’d already crossed the river almost 8 hours earlier. Along with trucks that are packed with food supplies is a mobile medical unit, and even a number of tanks. There are also numerous complete sets of Soviet officers equipment. With a few men, I am the first to reach the Soviet column and quickly take possession of a Soviet officer’s truck for our company which just happens to be towing a field kitchen. Along with other food supplies there is plenty of tea and sugar which we immediately make use of. That evening we park the truck on the side of the road and post rotating guards all night to make sure that none of the precious supplies disappear. Tea is made the entire night.

SUPPORT THE CHANNEL and get access to exclusive film footage www.Patreon.com/Military1945 Episode 119 As a framework, I’m using this sensational original war diary written by a platoon leader named Kurt from the Regiment Der Führer. It follows the division up through Operation Typhoon which was the desperate last attempt to take Moscow in the winter of 1941-42. In addition, I’ve added photographs, related film clips, original OKW situational maps and even an entry from the Official war diary of the German high command. If you haven’t yet subscribed please do that to stay informed. When we were last with Kurt in episode 6 he explained how an unsuspecting Soviet supply column had been commandeered. Of all the valuable items, the stash of tee and large tee pot were probably the most popular. Taking turns guarding the supply the men drank until the early hours of the morning. Kurt continues with his entry for July 11, 1941. Putting together some crates and a cabinet I am able to create a platform that serves as a bed. Then at about 02 hrs a Soviet truck carrying two officers and a Commissar abruptly approaches us on the road apparently unaware of the situation. A few hundred meters in front of us they reach a sentry post and the sentries unload open fire. The driver of the truck is killed and, now out of control, the truck continues on straight towards our truck. The entire time the guards continue firing a machine-gun from behind with random rounds impacting with our truck. My men have all taken cover in a ditch to the side of the road and are watching the spectacle however all the while I continue sleeping, undisturbed. The truck crashes into a large box refrigeration unit and smashes off a corner and then comes to a stop much the worse for wear. A few men run over to the Commissar who is badly injured but still alive, and finish him off with a pistol. The shot wakes me and my astounded men explain everything that I’ve missed. There are various bullet holes in the make shift bed that I’d put together. I guess there really is nothing more important than getting restful sleep. We stay in the area around Sachody until July 13th denying the enemy of all possible routs of retreat. Keeping Kurt’s statement in mind about their positioning in mid July lets take a step back and get an overview of the strategic situation for Army Group Center around this time. When Operation Barbarossa began, the German High Command lacked the specific details on exactly how a decisive victory would be achieved. Huge battles of annihilation were envisioned that would defeat Soviet forces to the West of the Dnieper River and leave the enemy in a position that would make it impossible to continue the war. A metaphors often used was the kicking in the door of a rotten house which would cause it to fall in on itself. On July 11th the SS motorized division Reich was positioned here near the city that Kurt called Sachody but In the Campaign Atlas is called Schklow. Names of cities are a nightmare in this campaign. Many of the Russian names have been changed since the war, and others are now parts of independent countries that speak different languages and now have different names. If you have any idea where the name Sachody came from please let me know in the comment section below. If we look at the Soviet movements it seems that many are still in full retreat and their counter attacks are not making headway. This excerpt from an entry for Army Group Center in the OKW War Diary for July 11 shows the German High Command’s frame of mind. New thrusts by the armored divisions in PzGr. 3 and PzGr. 2 were underway which were to eventually end with the taking of the important city of Smolensk. Hopefully additional large pockets of Soviet forces would be created and finally break the back of the enemy. The SS motorized Div. Reich was in a holding position to make sure none of the Soviets succeeded in breaking out to the West. On the 12th we see that a highly fortified western perimeter has been set up in preparation for the holding a new enemy pocket. The progress of the Panzer divisions is swift as the attack develops. On July 13th we see that the armor continues thrusting through the enemy lines but it’s becoming clear that the Soviets have managed to keep the front intact and avoid allowing large formations to be surrounded. This tendency continues on the 14th. Swift advance with motorized and armored units is still relatively easy but the knockout battle of annihilation has not materialized. This represents the beginning of a transition to the next phase of the war which would eventually put the SS motorized division Reich in a key position of responsibility. The war was to be ended by the end of 1941 by the taking of Moscow, the Soviet capital, and Reich would be at the spearhead.

SUPPORT THE CHANNEL and get access to exclusive film footage www.Patreon.com/Military1945 Episode 120 In part 7 of this series Kurt, a platoon leader for the motorized SS Division Reich, explained in his war diary how, after crossing the Dnjepr River, a Soviet truck had wandered into his regiment position. Fired on by the sentries Kurt somehow managed to sleep through the engagement. His sensational diary which includes his medals continues up through operation Typhoon and the desperate attack towards Moscow. In addition to using his diary, I’ll use these situational maps, associated rare film footage and other primary historical sources. I’ll show two more parts from the German combat training film Digging in under fire so stick around, it’s worth it. We are looking at the original OKW situational map for July 13th 1941 specifically at Army Group Center. We can see the Motorized SS Division Reich situated here After crossing the Dnjepr River. Kurt’s Regiment Der Führer had set up a 5 KM bridgehead which secured the eastern bank from a possible Soviet counter attack. It allowed the SS Pi. Btl. Reich to to build a 16 ton temporary bridge near Schklow which was completed on the 13th. Now, let’s take a look at a clip from the combat training film. At the end of this video there will be another. On July 14th at 22.50 hrs Reich received orders to veer south on July 15th in order to free up the south west flank of the 10. PzD so that they could continue advancing to the North East. This turned out to be a fighting advance as various Soviet divisions and the remains of others were being squeezed to the south west. By the night of the 15th Kurt’s Rgt. Der Führer had reached the city of Mstislawl and just to the east of city limits engaged with the enemy that was supported by heavy artillery. The fighting was of low intensity with neither side suffering much damage however when night fell both sides became disoriented and chaos ensued. Kurt’s Rgt. managed to capture a number of artillery pieces and took some prisoners. Here, Kurt has added the wrong date to the next entry which is evident because of the events he writes about…and also because his next entry is dated July 18. The correct date is July 15th. He continues… Das Bataillon tritt zum Weitermarsch an und.. The Batalion continues with its advance and as it is passing the town of Biry it is fired on from the houses. The 6th Company which is at the front of the formation immediately fans out to attack. I am at the entrance of the town with sergeant Starick, Köstler and three other men rush down the main street. With our limited number of men we’re unable to search and clear each of the houses and so go to the easiest method - fire. The straw roofs light easily and soon the entire town block is engulfed in a sea of flames and the intense heat forces us to retreat. When it dies down we enter the town and move up to the highest point to get a good view. From this vantage point we’re spotted by a German anti tank crew that mistakes us for Russians and begin firing rounds at us. After 3 shots that fortunately miss we fire our last signal flare and they stop firing. In the town we recover one enemy anti tank gun and various machine guns and then continue with our advance. This sort of friendly-fire incident was difficult to avoid when units were not well informed about the movements of neighboring formations. After the war Stubaf. or Major Kumm, who was in command of Rgt. Der Führer at the time recalls a similar situation as the unit was moving east towards Mstislawl on the 15th. As the Regiment approached the city peering over an incline it could be seen that tanks were present although it was unclear whether they were German or Soviet. He ordered the advance to continue cautiously towards the city. It was in fact a group of tanks from the 10th PzD which had taken Mstislawl from the North West under orders to destroy enemy columns in and around the city. As the regiment was advancing, it was spotted and the tank commander asked multiple time for permission to engage the approaching column. Fortunately fire was held. Had the 40 or so tanks opened fire it’s likely that the regiment would have all but wiped out and this war diary would have ended abruptly.

SUPPORT THE CHANNEL and get access to exclusive film footage www.Patreon.com/Military1945 Episode 122 The Wolfsangel, is an ancient Germanic ruin that in the middle ages that was believed to ward off wolves. In February of 1941 when the division Reich was stationed in France the commander, Paul Hausser is said to have declared that the unit needed a recognizable insignia which could be easily written in the field to mark the direction that elements of the division should follow. Looking at his ring he chose the Wolfsangel as appropriate and from that moment on it was the division’s insignia. This Merkblat, or leaflet, was issued by the division on March 13 of 1941 which designated the official dimensions of the insignia. That goes well with part 9 in the series that covers this sensational original war diary written by a platoon leader from the Regiment Der Führer named Kurt who lead during the final assault on Moscow in the Winter of 1941 - 42. In Part 9 we’ll follow the unit from July 15 to the 18th, see associated film footage, and use original OKW situational maps to get an overview of the front. To start off we’ll see part two of the German training film Digging in under fire and at the end we’ll see more of that so stick around. If you like this kind of content based on primary historical sources please take the time to like this video and subscribe to the channel. The last time we were with Kurt was with his entry from July 18th of 1941 which he mistakenly dated it as the 19th. Here on the original OKW war atlas situational map from that date we see that the majority of the SS motorized division Reich was situated at the city of Mstislawl where they narrowly avoided a nasty friendly fire incident with elements from the 10th PzD which could have wiped out Kurts Regiment. The first large city we reach is Mstislawl. The vehicles are parked in a cornfield in front of the city after the area is carefully secured by our advanced elements and a reconessaince team. It’s a good thing too because they uncover and kill a number of Soviets including 2 officers that were waiting in ambush. Over the next couple of days it’s interesting to see how the battles of encirclement evolved. Early on as the 10 PzD thrust farther east, the Motorized SS Division Reich secured their exposed flank and rear. It looked as though much of the Soviet bulge to the north east could be cut off and eliminated and that Reich and the 10th PzD would play important roles making up the right pincher. The following day the situation remains fluid as the pocket develops just north of Smolensk, along the Minsk-Moscow highway. Already it can be seen that the front has moved on and Reich’s role has become holding in the trapped Soviets to the West. In order to relive Reich from this guard duty so that they could continue advancing in support of the 10. PzD, the Infantry Regiment Grossdeutschland moved into position. I’ve got a category of videos covering that elite unit that I’ll leave a link to to at the end of this video. By the 18th we see that Reich’s presence is no longer necessary as all of the significant Soviet formations have left the area. Advanced elements, or Vorausabteilung of the 10th PzD are advancing on the city of Jelnja where come into contact Soviet defensive positions. At dawn on the following morning we continue on with our advance and begin with a somewhat strange achievement. A Soviet air ambulance plane mistakenly lands in our midst and we’re able to quickly take the crew captive and then destroy the plane. Without a shot fired we are then able to continue forwards. As we see on the situational map from July 18th most of the Reich division remained at Mstislawl with Kurts Regiment, Der Führer moving forwards to catch up with the 10 PzD, but that didn’t happen. On the 18th it was learned that the enemy was unloading and staging troops at Potschino and so the 10th Panzer was rushed forwards to brake up that enemy concentration before it could gain a foothold. This wonderful rare color footage shows tanks on the move during operations in the summer of 1941. At the time, most color film was produced in America and when war broke out privately there was almost no color film available. This is a good place for me to thank my Patreon supporters. Without their support buying these originals to create the content wouldn’t be possible. Patreon Channel members get access to exclusive film footage that can’t be shown here. Open a free account on my website Military1945.com and take a look at some example footage.

SUPPORT THE CHANNEL and get access to exclusive film footage www.Patreon.com/Military1945 Episode 131 The last time we were with Kurt on July 18th his platoon as part of Rgt. Der Führer had been ordered to take the train station at Potschinok where enemy forces were believed to be gathering. Then they were to move to the south and take the nearby lying airport. During our advance along the road, around noon we suddenly began receiving extremely accurate enemy fire which forced our formation to scatter and brought us to a halt. At the time, the 5th company had been in the lead position and their commander quickly ordered a frontal attack with emphasis being put on the taking out of the enemy artillery batteries. We charged over the open land and received only light small arms fire which had little effect. Without much resistance we managed to take the bank of the Ssosh River. While the engagement described by Kurt progressed, this order came in from headquarters of PzG 2. By order of Panzergruppe 2, the Dorogobusch bridgehead should be taken by cooperating battle groups and then secured to the North and East. Division Reich should send a reinforced regiment to the north of the 10th PzD in order to clear the way for that division so that it can begin moving towards Dorogobusch as quickly as possible. At the river there is only 1 small barge which is already half under water so the process of crossing is slow and we’re only able to take the town on the far bank in the late afternoon. Combing through forested area we skirmish with groups of enemy soldiers, take a number of prisoners and uncover stocks of enemy munitions and supply vehicles that are mostly related to the Soviet anti aircraft guns that had fired on us earlier on the road. In the evening we manage to quickly advance and catch up to Battalion HQ. When we make use of multiple primary historical sources, such as Kurt’s wardiary, the OKW campaign maps, and the original unit orders, we begin to get a clearer view of how it all fits together. With the taking of the Dorogobusch bridgehead the Smolensk - Moscow highway would be easily cut in both directions and an approach to the Soviet capital could be opened up. The operational commanders were anxious about these orders as the area had not been adequately reconnoitered by air and enemy strength couldn’t be estimated. That’s why the enemy positions on the map are not marked. Interesting, the question marks, they knew something was there but they didn’t know what. Kurt writes that the next few days are filled with long marches and constant combat with strong enemy forces. In the evenings the division remains busy securing the territory gained from the enemy. So the fears from the commanders going into the operation had not been incorrect. The landscape was far marshier than expected, and it turned out that the German maps were terribly inadequate. Roads that were indicated either did not exist at all or turned out to be little more than dirt paths. Expected bridges were in terrible condition and in many cases completely unusable. The advancing troops were often forced out of formation to traverse the natural obstacles in whatever way they could. Paul Hausser, 2nd SS Panzer Division, Waffen SS