Das Reich, the unit the farthest east on 26.7.41 - platoon leader's war diary, man versus tank Pt 13

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Episode 136

n part 12 the division found itself under considerable pressure as the enemy counter attacked from the east and the west. In part 13 we’ll see how the unit reacted to attacks by powerful tank formations while under continual artillery bombardment. These days confirmed that the Soviet’s were not an enemy to be taken lightly.

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The scale of the Russian attack becomes clear on July 26th when word comes down from division that 54 Russian tanks have been destroyed so far. Most of these were taken out by individuals in Man vs tank combat. Gradually it’s developed into an impressive hunting expedition with each soldier hoping to bag his own enemy tank. I think back on the motorcycle messenger who raced after a tank that had broken through our lines, mounted it, broke open the top hatch with his sidearm and threw in a hand grenade. He also managed to kill the Russian crew as it tried to escape.

In spite of the incredible power of the Soviet artillery, which we’ve grown somewhat accustomed to, we’ve learned to sleep in our trenches during the barrages, even during the day. We’ve also managed to suffer relatively minor losses. Our positions are now so well built that even a rabbit’s work pales in comparison.

As an example, in part 12 of this series I showed a clip of some nice Waffen SS footage that left the video unmonetized for more than a week. My Patreon members will have access to the complete first reel from that footage in a few days.

This is the official war atlas for Operation Barbarossa. We’re looking at the situational Map for July 26, 1941 which gives us a great overview of the front for the day that Kurt describes the defensive battle that the motorized Waffen SS infantry division das Reich was engaged in. On this day, along with the 10th PzD which was operating just to their south, Das Reich was the farthest unit east on the entire eastern front and it seems to have been performing well.

Here we’re looking at the entry from Official war diary of the German high command for July 26.

Army Group Center:
Further enemy attacks against Pz.Gr.2 and Smolensk. The Smolensk Pocket in the east has been closed.

If you are interested in seeing content related to the closing and reducing of this pocket take a look at the different play lists which cover the 7th PzD and the 20th Mot. Inf Div.

Kurt’s entry for that day continues

My platoon specifically was unlucky on this day. Through a single direct hit, Sergeant Stepaneck and mortar crew members Bischoff, Lamp and Wiecourek were all killed in action. This incident was all the more tragic because usually the men were divided one man to a hole. Only in order to receive their morning rations had they gathered together and at precisely that moment the direct hit landed. The explosion blew me off my feet and showered the area with clods of dirt creating an immense dust cloud. Someone yelled “medic”. Sergeant Siegfried Weiher jumped into my fox hole. Distraught horror was etched Into his face; he only managed to repeat the phrase They are all dead! They are all dead! over and over.