3rd Battle of Kharkov - Report

SUPPORT THE CHANNEL and get access to exclusive film footage www.Patreon.com/Military1945 Episode 97 This footage show elements of the 2. SS Pz Corps operating in the Ukraine during the last week of February in 1943. It fits in with an original 4-page report that I’ll introduce which describes combat in what is now known as the 3rd Battle for Kharkov. Included in the report are captured Soviet documents that describe the situation from their point of view. I’ll also show more combat footage from the battle so stick around, it’s worth it. After beating off General Hoth’s attempt to relieve the trapped 6th army at Stalingrad and that army’s eventual surrender on Feb. 2, 1943, Soviet forces raced West believing that the German lines were disintegrating and that the war could be ended in 1943. In the chaos, Manstein had managed to get operational freedom for Army Group South which was significant. Hitler’s tendency to declare the creation of fortresses severely limited mobility and had lead to the disaster at Stalingrad. In early February the powerful Soviet armored formation Popow sensing a general lack of resistance and noting that Kharkov had been abandoned, moved in which left it badly extended. But General Paul Hauser who was in command of the 2. SS Pz Group had not retreated south haphazardly forced out by a superior enemy. The maneuver had bee carefully organized and controlled; the trap had been set. The report was written by a staff member of the 7th Panzer Division at their field headquarters on February 28. It starts by quoting general news reports as had been transmitted over the radio. I believe that the signatures to the right are from officers that read this report. Between the Donez and Dnjepr Rivers heavy enemy forces were overrun by German armored units. The powerful attack forced them to retreat towards the Northeast in the direction of Jsjum. The German armored wedge smashed through completely destroying the Sowjet columns of the Tank Army Popow. 2 of the Bolshevik Corps were destroyed and another 2 Soviet Corps were badly mauled Since the 22.2.43 German army units have been been involved in offensive operations against strong Soviet formations between the Donez and Dnjepr Rivers. During the enemy’s attempt at achieving a far reaching encirclement, German units counter attacked to their rear and on their flank and managed to cause considerable damage. The 4th and 18th Russian Panzer Corps were destroyed and the 3rd and 10th Panzer Corps were severely damaged. The core of the attacking tank formations was made up of the 11th Panzer-Division under the command of General Balck, the 7th Panzer-Division under the command of General Freiherr von Funck and the SS. Panzer-Grenadier-Division “Wiking” under the command of General Steiner During the last days our tanks and grenadiers have carefully secured the regained territory eliminating all remnants of the enemy formations. They created a bridgehead at an important location in the river and were able to occupy further nearby towns. They pushed the enemy back in the direction of Jsjum. What makes this combat report especially interesting is its inclusion of translated documents that were captured from the Soviets. If you’ve seen my other videos then you know that I always use multiple primary sources to give more of a holistic overview of the history and being able to integrate sources from both sides is really best. We have to thank my Patreon supporters for this report. Without them purchasing these originals and gaining access to the film footage wouldn’t be possible. If you are not yet a Patreon supporter please consider becoming one. As a supporter you gain access to additional film footage that can’t be shown here. There’s an example clip on my website Military1945.com. Create a free account and take a look. Getting back to the report, the German officer finishes off explaining… In addition to a large number of destroyed tanks, over 200 vehicles and plenty of equipment was captured or destroyed. The next two pages are translated messages sent from the Soviet divisional commander to General Popow the commander of the Group and also to General Batutin who was the commander of the Soviet South Western front explaining the situation. We’ll cover these pages in the next video so remember to hit the bell icon so that you stay informed. Thanks for watching.

SUPPORT THE CHANNEL and get access to exclusive film footage www.Patreon.com/Military1945 Episode 98 This nice winter footage is from mid February of 1943 and shows Leibstandarte tank formations and grenadiers operating during the 3rd Battle of Kharkov. This clip is from the German newsreel series Descheg Monatsschau. This is my second video covering that battle using an original German combat report which includes translated captured Soviet documents as a framework. If you haven’t seen the first video I suggest you go back and take a look. The report has 4 pages, the first page describes the involvement of the 5. SS PzD Wiking, the 7th PzD and the 11. PzD in an encirclement and then pocket elimination maneuver. To Group Commander Leutnant General Comrade Popow and Commander of the Southwestern Front General of the Army Comrade Batutin During the last 8 days, the 4th Guard Panzer Corps has managed to hold off the continual attacks of a far superior enemy. Everyone in the Corps, myself included, understands that we are out here alone and must rely upon ourselves to accomplish this important task, and therefor must fight to the end. The heroes of our tank formations have been willing to sacrifice for the good of our cause, for the Red Army, determined to hold out until the arrival of the rest of the Army Group. 1943 had not started well for the Germans. After the fall of Stallingrad on Feb. 2, the Soviets surged forward with Operation Star against Army Group South. The operation, which included 4 tank corps and intended to capture the cities of Kharkov, Kursk and Belgograd, was lead by General-Leutenant Markian Popov. On February 16, Manstein pulled out of Kharkov, on the 19th the Soviets moved into that city and advanced to within 30 miles of Zaporizhia which is where Army Group South and Luftflotte or Air Fleet 4 were based. Today, the 18.2.1943, combat operations involving our severely understrength Corps has continued. Under considerable pressure from a heavy flanking attack, the 10th Tank Corps held. As the war progressed it was much less common to see prominent swastika flags being carried, or dropped over vehicles, like this clip from the first video on this battle. The practice, intended to avoid friendly fire accidents was largely stopped because from late 1942 on the Luftwaffe rarely enjoyed air superiority. An important reason the German Wehrmacht was successful during the 3rd Battle of Kharkov was that the ground troops received much more air support than usual. Air Fleet 4, or Luftflotte 4, was operating with Army Group South and was under the command of Wolfram Freiherr von Richthofen. During the battle he had managed to increase the number of sorties from a daily average of 350 in January to around 1000 throughout February. On the 22 it even reached a high of 1500 sorties. Also, just as the ground forces had been focused to attack together to gain local numerical superiority, air power was marshaled in the same way. Less targets were attacked but with much higher intensity and the results were devastating. The enemy, having brought forward considerable reinforcements, focused its pressure at one location but also simultaneously attacked along the broad front. In this way they managed to break through our defensive lines. Our tanks continued fighting in small groups until dusk. Only after the arrival of the first elements of the 10th Tank Corps did I give permission to the staff, which had no capacity all to defend itself, to beging to withdraw. I’d like to take a moment to thank my Patreon supporters who made buying that original report possible. If you are not yet a member I ask you to consider becoming one. In addition to helping this channel grow you also receive exclusive film footage that can’t be shown here. Create a free account on my website at Military1945.com and take a look at an example clip. I think you’ll find it interesting. I assume, that the Guard-Soldiers, that have honorably sacrificed their lives, have fulfilled their duty to the High Command. I ask for permission for the rest of the Corps to be allowed to move out of the area around Motjaschewo-Dobropolje, and to the area Welikoje Pole, Malo-Wassiljewka, Kompany. Since I have no way to communicate the condition of the Corps to Comrade Batutin, I ask that you personally report that information to him. The next video in the series will be uploaded in a few days. I suggest that you subscribe to the channel and hit the bell icon so that you’re informed when that has been done. Thanks for watching.

SUPPORT THE CHANNEL and get access to exclusive film footage www.Patreon.com/Military1945 Episode 99 5 Part mini-series https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W596X4-6Qp4&list=PLxi4lVaXsVVEMI-tjSed7FYuUmTFAEQmU This nice footage shows a German machine gun position defending against an entrapped Soviet unit attempting to break out of a pocket. This is the 3rd video which covers an original combat report describing events which involved the 7th PzD, the 11 PzD and the 5. PzGr Wiking during the 3rd Battle of Kharkov which took place in 1943 shortly after the fall of Stalingrad. Fitting in nicely we’ll see beautiful footage of Regiment Nordland which, as part of Wiking, took part in the battle. The 5. PzGr Div Wiking was made up of 3 volunteer motorized Regiments, Nordland had mostly Scandinavian volunteers, Westland which was Dutch and Flemish and Germania which was German. It also had a regiment of artillery. Felix Steiner was the divisional commander. This is the third page of the report which is a translated document that was captured by elements of the 7th PzD at the Soviet field headquarters To Group Commander General Leutnant Popow After heavy artillery barrages, the enemy attacked with tanks, infantry and artillery on 18.2.1943 at 11:00 hrs, the northern sector of Krassnoarmejskoje. The focus of the enemy’s thrust came from the direction of Nowo-Ekonomitscheskoje, breaking through our resistance and forcing its way into the eastern and central sectors of the city. After engaging in heavy combat, that resulted in suffering many casualties, our troops vacated the central and northern sections of the city. This is extremely rare footage of Regiment Nordland operating in Russia. If you are a Patreon channel member you now have exclusive access to additional footage of the Finnish Volunteer Battalion that was part of Nordland. If you are not yet a member please consider becoming one to support the further development of this channel. The 12th Guard Tank Brigade, defending the western sector of Krassnoarmejskoje, has begun a counter attack and is moving towards the city center. There is little left remaining of the 14th. Guarde Tank Brigade and the 3rd Guard Motorized Infantry Brigade. The commander of the 14th Guard Tank Brigade, Lieutenant Colonel Schibenkow has been killed in action. Lieutenant Colonel Leonow, commander of the 3rd Guard Motorized Infantry Brigade has been seriously wounded. What remains of these two brigades is situated in the southern sector of the city. This footage shows German units advancing during the counter attack of the 3rd Battle of Kharkov. Although considered an elite formation, Wiking had had considerable problems dealing with the armor-heavy Soviet formations in Mobile Group Popow. They were also understrength and exhausted due to the heavy fighting they had been engaged in just a few months earlier during the retreat from the last attempt at relieving Stalingrad in the Caucasus. Arriving to the outskirts of Krassnoarmejskoje the Soviets were well dug in. After softening up the enemy with a heavy artillery bombardment, German units moved in close enough to use direct fire to take out the hardened defensive positions. Having concentrated their strength they enjoyed local numerical superiority and overwhelmed the defenders. With serious resistance broken the Germans assaulted the city. The 7th Independent Ski Brigand and the 9th Independent Guard Tank Brigade have cowardly retreated to Sowchos Schetschenko with their commanders leading the way. They will all be sent back directly to the battle. After the battle in April, with the agreed upon 2-year service contract coming to an end, the Finnish authorities withdrew the volunteer battalion and on July 11, of 1943 the unit was disbanded. When the Finns left, they were replaced by the Estonian Battalion Narwa; Regiment Nordland was removed from Wiking to create the nucleus of the newly formed SS Division Nordland. This is an 9-page personal account from a Wehrmacht soldier who managed to escape from the Taman Peninsula over the Kertsch Straight written in February of 1943. At the time Air Fleet 4 was responsible for providing air support to all of Army Group South including those involved in the retreat from the Caucasus. The situation there was made far worse by Hitler’s order to hold the beachhead on the Taman Peninsula for as long as possible. In order to supply German forces on the far bank provisions needed to be carried 6 km over the straight. A gondola system had been set up but that was only capable to transporting 100 tons per day which far less than was needed to sustain the troops. Using this first hand report, official and private film material, maps and photographs I’ll create a series of videos which explains the situation on both a personal and macro level.

I’ve been using this 4 page German report as a framework to which I add other original source historical materials. This includes 5. SS Wiking footage, Soviet combat footage and a comparison of Soviet propaganda before and after the defeat. I’ll also introduce to the Grischino Massacre that was perpetrated by the Soviets. In an attempt to regain control of the situation, the 183rd Tank Brigade, the 11th Tank Brigade, the 11th Motorized Infantry Brigade and what remains of the 1st Assault Brigade were thrown into the battle. At 24.00 hrs the tanks of 183rd Tank Brigade arrived to Krassnoarmejskoje where they combined with those of the 12th Guard Tank Brigade for the attack. This Soviet footage was taken during Operation Star in the Ukraine in 1943. This version was produced with original English tone for export. Soviets cameramen were generally more willing, or possibly forced, to film combat scenes than their German counterparts. They also often filmed enemy soldiers that had been killed in action. The 4th Guard Tank Corps suffered a heavy loss of both men and equipment. The 14th Guard Tank Brigade’s Chief of Staff reported at 24:00 hrs the destruction of his communications station. The same was reported earlier by the 9th Independent Guard Tank Brigade. Support from the 10th Tank Corps was not sufficient due to the fact that Bacharow has failed to provide the promised reinforcement of the 5. Ski Brigade. Ok, so now let’s pivot for a moment and talk about the Grischino Massacre which involves the 4th Guard Tank Corps. The massacre happened in the Ukrainian towns of Grischino, Krasnoarmeyskoye and Postyschewo. The town Krasnoarmeyskoye, mentioned continually in this report, was renamed to honor the Red Army. In Russian Krasnoarmeyskoye means Red Army. After the war the towns merged and in 2016 during a process of decommunization, its name was changed to Pokrovsk. On February 10 of 1943 when the 4th Guard Tank Corps retook the city a number of Germans fell into their hands. When the 5. SS PzGr. Wiking entered on the 18th they discovered 696 corpses, 406 of which were Wehrmacht soldiers. The rest were civilians including female communication personnel, construction workers, nurses and civil officials. There were also 89 Italian soldiers, 9 Romanian soldiers, 4 Hungarians and 8 Ukrainian volunteers. Many of the bodies were terribly mutilated. Of course that’s not to say that the German’s were innocent of committing attocities. This photograph shows two civilians hung in Grischino after retaking the town. As early as December 1943 some Germans would be tried and sentenced for their actions in Kharkov. As would be expected, with the surrender of the German 6th Army at Stalingrad on Feb. 2 1943, Soviet propaganda of the time focused on this event. In the third February leaflet from the series Front Illustrierte which was printed around the 18th, Nr. 6, we see photographs of the 24 Generals that surrendered. At the end of the leaflet they’ve added information describing the success of the Soviet Operation Star which saw a major push to recapture the cities of Kursk and Kharkov. During the beginning of February the first edition, as would be expected, focused on the surrender of the German 6th Army at Stalingrad. Defeat for the German Army in Russia is Inevitable The catastrophe of Hitler’s army in Russia has begun. Soviet troops, expanding their offensive, have pushed the German troops back 600 KM from Stalingrad. They have already cleared the north Caucasus region and are advancing successfully into the Donets Basin. Krasnodar, Rostow am Don, Woroschilowgrad, Kursk, Charkow and hundreds of other Soviet cities have been retaken by the Red Army. Under the powerful blows of the Red Army, over the last few months more than 700,000 German enlisted soldiers and officers have been killed in combat. German Soldiers, take note! If you do not end this senseless resistance, you will never leave Russia alive. The only way to save yourself is by surrendering. Surrender and you’ll avoid the hell that this war has brought otherwise all is lost. Surrender now and your eventual return home to your family after the war is guaranteed. The 600 KM advance in just 2 weeks was impressive. For propaganda to be effective the half truths must be believable to instill fear and motivate decisive action. With the reverses of the 3rd Battle of Kharkov, that city was no longer occupied by the Soviets. Quickly leaflet Nr. 6 "Variant R" which omitted Operation Star gains was mass produced and distributed. Out of interest the normal Edition 6 is much rarer and more valuable. The price rang of individual leaflets range in today’s market from around 75 to 200 EUR depending on the edition and condition.

SUPPORT THE CHANNEL and get access to exclusive film footage www.Patreon.com/Military1945 Episode 101 This nice combat footage is of the Finnish Volunteer Battalion which was part of Rgt Nordland in the 5. SS PzGr Div Wiking. In addition to more from this reel, we’ll continue with the original German combat report that was written by a member of the 7th PzD at the completion of the 3rd Battle of Kharkov in early 1943. We’ll touch on the Grischino Massacre and see some excellent footage of Felix Steiner, Division Wiking’s commander. Finally I’ll show a 1943 parade of a German tank tank in Norway so stick around. This is part 5 in this series covering the battle. You’ll find links to the other parts at the end of this video Page 1 of the report explains the combat operations of three German divisions, the 7th and the 11th PzDs, and the 5. SS Wiking. It’s covered in part 1 of this series. Page two and three of the report are translated Soviet communications describing the strenuous situation that the powerful Mobile Group Popov found itself in. The content of these pages can be found in Part 2, 3 and 4. The series contains plenty of rare Waffen SS footage that you almost certainly have never seen. This is exquisite early footage of the Rgt. Nordland in Russia. We have the patreon supporters to thank for having access to footage like this and originals like the one we are looking at today. If you are not yet a supporter please consider becoming one. As a token of appreciation supporters get exclusive access to film material that can’t be shown here. Open a free account on Military1945.com and take a look at an example clip. Page 4 of the report begins with the Soviet officer’s final communication to his superiors made on February 19 before being overrun. After that is a concluding detailed list of combat losses inflicted on the enemy written by a German officer. All preparations have been made to regain control of the situation around Krassnoarmejskoje. The Commander of the 4th Gard Tank Corps Guard Major General of Armor Polubojarew Chief of Staff of the 4th Guard Tank Corps Guard Colonel Nagaibakow -- GERMAN REPORT CONTINUES -- In the time period from 7.1. until and including the 27.2.1943 the following has been captured or destroyed by the 7th Pz.Div. 4 Airplanes 144 Cannons (3 of them rocket launchers) 276 Anti-tank guns 354 Tanks 414 Vehicles 70 Mortars 317 Machineguns 114 Anti-tank rifles a large quantity of small arms 1 Russian field hospital with 8 doctors 2902 soldiers were captured During the 3rd Battle of Kharkov the Soviet losses amounted to 45,000 killed in action and around 41,000 wounded. In comparison the Germans lost 4,500 killed and about 700 wounded. In addition, the following German equipment was retaken Locomotives Transport train Communications train Tank repair garage German tanks Tank destroyers 46 German, Italian and Romanian soldiers and civilians were freed by the division from Soviet captivity. This German report includes documents supposedly captured from the field headquarters of the 4th Guard Tank Corps which had allegedly been responsible for the Grischino Massacre. That the Germans freed 46 soldiers and civilians shows that the 4th Guard Tank Corps had evidently not killed everyone. It’s also odd that this intelligence report written by those who arrived first to scene, doesn’t mention the massacre at all. I would have expected that. We’ll certainly be covering the specific war crimes in depth in future videos. Here we see 5th PzGr Div. Wiking’s commander, Felix Steiner, awarding medals to members of the Regiment Nordland. I believe that it is the Finnish Volunteer Btl. You can see he is wearing the Order of the Cross of Liberty that is a Finnish medal that he was awarded in June of 1942. Steiner was a capable leader who was well liked by his troops. After having the charges against him dropped at Nuremberg, in 1953 he was recruited by the CIA.