Mounting a Big Blow ETO (id:#61862)

Lone Canuck Publishing (Combat History of the Schwere Panzerjäger Abeilung 653 ID: E)   [next]   [previous]

Zlotnik, Russia 1944-04-09 (1 other)

Overview:

The last remaining rail line, north of the Carpathians, from Odessa to Lemberg was vitally important to the German military leaders. On 25 March the Russians surrounded Tarnopol, upon which Hitler declared a Festung to be defended to the last man. Mounting a big blow was important now and the Germans quickly moved the 367th, 349th Infantry Divisions, the 100th Jager Division and the 9th and 10th SS Panzer Divisions was well as the 653rd Schwere Panzerjager Battalion to the endangered area. The 653rd Schwere Panzerjager Battalion arrived at Brzezany on 6 April. The nest day the 2nd Company, together with SS-Panzer Division 9 began their advance to relieve encircled Tarnopol. The units fought southeat, through Uvsye to Zlotniki where they were to force a crossing of the Strypa and expand the bridgehead. Muddy and mired roads made it impossible to move in an orderly fashion.

Defender: Russian (Elements of 29th Guards Volunteer Rifle Brigade)  

Errata (source)