Chapter Twenty Three: The Fourth Day: 8th July 1943
Stabsfeldwebel Reiner Fuchs stared down from his cockpit window, grimacing as he saw the dust clouds below, German tanks roaming across the landscape towards the hill ahead. Looking further, he saw the distant explosions, black smoke clouds rising into the clear sky from burning buildings, the Russian defences being pounded by rear artillery.
Flying high over woods and grassland, he smiled as the rays of the early morning sun spread through the cockpit, his body warming to the sensation. Looking upwards and to the sides, he grinned at the sheer volume of aircraft seeming to fill the sky, Stukas above with fighter bombers on either side, his own FW190 even fitted with a bomb underneath, the target hill ahead beginning to rise in the distance.
With gradual initial slopes, the hill then rose more steeply, grassland cut with numerous slit trenches and camouflaged gun positions, the small forests on either side suspected to contain T34s and infantry readying for the German attack.
His hand rose to the microphone, static burbling in his ear as he spoke to his own small group (Rotte) of aircraft, ‘We drop our bombs, then escort the ground attack Stukas…drive off any Russian fighters. Grossdeutschland will take this hill today…’
Leutnant Hausser woke suddenly, the roar of engines breaking his slumber as tracks squealed and whined, the Hanomags preparing to advance. Staring upwards briefly, he realised he was lying at the back of the armoured carrier, Udet’s face abruptly sweeping before his eyes, the young German chuckling, ‘A drink Herr Leutnant? We let you sleep…we are all ready. You were snoring.’
Hausser nodded, smiling as he struggled upwards, turning sleepily to glance across the grinning soldiers in the rear of the Hanomag, all holding their rifles or submachine guns before them, Tatu staring down from the forward MG34 position cheekily, ‘Shall we go and meet these Russians today or leave it until tomorrow?’
The officer grimaced, rubbing the back of his neck wearily as he took the offered MP40 from Udet, ‘It would be rude to keep them waiting…after all we have come so far to see them…you should have woken me…’
Distant explosions filled the air, Tatu stretching and turning to hit the front armoured plate, his head ducking down to shout into the driver’s compartment, ‘When you are ready young Hase…follow the others please.’ He glanced down at Petru next to him, the other Romanian sitting with an MP40 across his knees, ‘We will be cooking tonight…you are in charge, so no spices…’ he chuckled, ‘…we don’t have any anyway…’
Petru grinned as the Hanomag jolted forward, Hausser pushing himself upwards to stare out, his eyes straining against the bright light. The tracks rattled forward as the carrier gained speed, three more Hanomags rumbling from the trees opposite, the vehicles all turning north and accelerating. Before them, dust clouds from churning tank tracks rose into the air, Tatu gesturing forward, ‘They passed earlier…Tigers and a new tank…Panthers, I think you Germans call them.’ He glanced round as Hausser drew level with him, ‘You Germans certainly like your animals and birds…eagles on everything, naming your armour after predators…’ He chuckled once more, shaking his head, ‘Let us hope that bodes well today…the hunt is on!’
The rumble of artillery filled the terrain, the soldiers staring upwards as black dots flew northwards high above, then ducking as the loud roar of fighters swept low overhead, ME109s tearing across the sky to strafe the defences ahead. Hausser looked forward as streams of smoke swept from nearby trees on the right and left, Nebelwerfer batteries firing at the raised terrain ahead, his eyes scanning the nearby mortar positions as the commanders’ arms dropped, their shouts of ‘Feuer’ going unheard as crews dropped the shells into the cylinders, the metallic ‘pings’ as puffs of smoke swirled from the upper openings.
The streams of smoke swept onwards, rising and then falling in the distance, the deadly projectiles tearing the ground where they fell, obliterating any defences beneath as mortar rounds smashed against the landscape. Heavy artillery rumbled behind, Wespe self propelled and static guns firing towards the targeted land, the Russian defences disappearing under a deafening roar of explosions and smoke.
They rumbled onwards through a darkened forest, the cracking and shattering of branches on either side while tanks roamed along smaller tracks, their armoured plate tearing and shattering trees and saplings to either side, distant explosions becoming louder. Hase stared through his observation slit, smoke filling the horizon ahead as they neared the end of the trees.
Then light filled the grassland once more, wide fields leading to the smoke obscured hill, brief bright illuminations in the murk as the vehicles fanned out to the sides. Flashes of shells zipped past, the Russian pak guns firing blindly onto the terrain below through heavy acrid plumes and thick dust, smoke canisters erupting across the landscape as the Hanomags bucked and bounced forward.
Before them, Tigers, Panzer IVs and Panthers roared onwards, their tracks rattling into lanes cleared through minefields the night before, the muzzles flashing as high explosive shells swept towards the enemy positions.
More rockets soared overhead, the soldiers staring upwards in awe as the sounds of battle filled the rear compartment, clanks as stray bullets hit the outer armoured plate. Then the distant sound of mechanical screams, Stukas diving vertically down onto the hill below, bombs dropping from their underneath racks, the FW190s following as they dropped relatively new but deadly ordinance, fragmentation cluster bombs (Butterfly bombs or ‘Devil’s Eggs’ as they were nicknamed by German flight crew), the exploding devices tearing through flesh and bone.
Then T34s rumbled from the nearby trees as pak guns opened fire, red hot shells sweeping across the battlefield, the German Panzers rocking as several were hit, the shells bouncing off the Tigers as two Panzer IVs burst into flames, one Panther grinding to a halt as the track screeched and broke, smoke billowing from the rear hatches as the engine overheated.
Tatu pointed through the long grass to the distant Russian tanks bouncing forward, attempting to narrow the gap with the German tanks. Then his eyes widened, his voice hoarse as he cheered excitedly, the angled wings of Stukas breaking through the smoke on the hill as they neared the back of the Russian tanks, the underwing cannons flashing as projectiles smashed into the weakend rear armour, six machines bursting into flames as the others weaved to avoid being attacked.
One by one the Russian machines exploded, the 75mm Panther and 88mm Tiger guns firing continuously as they charged forward, breaking from the minefield and bouncing across the terrain towards the Russian line. Behind them, armoured cars and Hanomags accelerated through the minefield, explosions and blast waves shaking their hulls and showering the occupants in debris, many soldiers with their hands over their ears. Shells zipped past, two Hanomags bursting into flames as their stunned surviving occupants struggled out of the rear doors, many holding wounds and bloodied.
Bullets clattered against the armoured plate as Tatu ducked back, swearing aloud as he pushed Hausser from the gun position, the officer falling onto the seated men behind as he grimaced. Then the MG34 flashed, Tatu moving it from side to side as he fired, the carrier bouncing further as Hase accelerated, seeing the forward positions nearing, the tanks roaring into the trenches, crushing pak and machine gun positions beneath their tracks.
Leutnant Hausser struggled upwards, gritting his teeth then shouting, ‘Ready!’ Smoke swept over the open compartment, the officer coughing as it caught in his throat, his hand grasping the side of the carrier as it slewed sideways and shuddered to a halt, the right front wheel damaged.
An explosion rocked the armoured sides, dirt flying into the Hanomag’s rear compartment as the soldier rose upwards, Tatu grabbing his PPSH and shouting, ‘Hase…machine gun!’ He lunged upwards, scrambling over the front of the carrier as Petru leapt over the side, Hausser following with Udet clambering through opening back doors, the other soldiers scrambling after him.
Tatu charged into the trenches, his P
PSH raised before him, several Russian soldiers to the left. Crashing against the trench wall, he gasped as they turned, rifles raising in menace. Then they twisted and fell, chests and stomachs perforated as blood splattered against the trench walls, Hausser surging past the Romanian, firing his MP40 from the hip, Petru following as the others jumped into the emplacement.
The officer continued along the trench, firing short bursts as soldiers fell before him, the ammunition clip dropping to the floor as he thrust another into the base of the weapon, the bolt dragged back as Petru fired next to the officer, three more Russian riflemen collapsing at a bend in the trench.
MG34 fire tore into the trenches above them, Hase firing at the helmets he could see through the billowing smoke, Udet glancing round as he glimpsed the surge of fire on either side and heards pitiful terrified screams, German flamethrowers now advancing into the trench system.
Explosions rocked the slope as they progressed, the roar of aircraft engines overhead as they were blinded in smoke, edging forward cautiously as visibility decreased. Panzer engines roared to either side and ahead, muffled firing and frantic shouting filling their ears.
Leutnant Hausser crept into a mortar pit, glancing down at the many torn bodies as he lowered to one knee, shouting as Tatu dropped next to him, ‘Gather the men here…then we move further…’ Petru was shouting behind, Udet running into the opening with Peter and Kurt, their rifles raised and jerking from side to side nervously. Several more soldiers ran in from behind, all at half crouches, their camouflage covered helmets moving back and forth as they raised their weapons further.
Hausser pushed himself upwards, indicating to the trench opening ahead, ‘Stay together…’ Another explosion nearby, dust and dirt sweeping over them as flames surged on either side, frantic screams and shrieks as several of the Russians turned to run, terrified of the flamethrowers.
Leutnant Hausser advanced at a half crouch into the next trench, the incline becoming steeper as they advanced upwards, stepping over bodies and discarded equipment, empty bullet casings cracking under their boots. Three figures emerged from the smoke before him, the MP40 shuddering against his shoulder as he fired, the screams filling his ears as the enemy soldiers crumpled and fell, one sliding down the trench wall shrieking in pain.
He stepped past, Tatu kicking the weapons from the twitching and moaning soldier, the Leutnant firing again as another figure burst from the billowing smoke, the man’s uniform smouldering and face blackened as the frame jolted violently from the impacts, the bayoneted rifle falling from his hands as he slumped backwards.
Then they emerged into another mortar pit, the metal tubes twisted and crumpled, the ground smouldering. Numerous torn bodies lay across the position, several with limbs missing, a direct shell hit ending their lives. The floor was soaked in blood, splatters all across the walls as Hausser slowed and stopped next to the trench opposite, hearing eruptions above them on the slope, his voice hoarse and dry, ‘They are retreating…we advance slowly…check for traps and all bodies. Shoot at them if need be…I am not losing men to suicide fire!’
Choking black smoke swept across the position, fires burning furiously higher on the hills as the Panzers and engineers advanced, machine gun fire from the tanks tearing across the upper heights. On the other side of the hill, the Russian infantry and gunners were running, sprinting down the slope and into the open land below, eager to escape to the next defensive position.
Leutnant Hausser stared through binoculars, shaking his head as handed them to Tatu, the two men stood in a scorched trench at the top of the hill overlooking the land to the north, the officer’s voice low and tired, ‘Well, there is our open road to Oboyan…’
Tatu sniffed, panning the glasses across the terrain, his eyes straining as he glimpsed the lines of trenches and pak gun positions, several Russian soldiers still hastily retreating with some lorries and armoured cars through a minefield. Lowering the binoculars, he rubbed his moustache nervously, ‘Damn Russkies…they really do not want us to win this time…’ He grimaced, reaching to his tunic pocket for a cigarette as he lowered to crouch in the blood stained trench, several bodies lying across the walls and lower slopes. Hausser dropped further with him as Udet approached at a crouch, Tatu offering the officer a smoke as he flicked his lighter and drew on the flame, ‘We should never have joined this unit…all Wolff does is want to advance.’ Tatu grinned, ‘Soon there will be just his little armoured car left…’
Hausser chuckled as Udet dropped next to them, the younger German grinning as the two older men laughed. He pointed to their grimey and blackened faces, ‘You two are very dirty…Major Wolff has asked you to join him once the defences are secured and fully manned…he says tomorrow morning at the latest.’
Tatu’s eyes widened as he blew smoke upwards, ‘Good…let’s see where he wants us to go now…’ Hearing the rumble of artillery filling the terrain from the north, he stiffened, ‘They really do not like us…damn Russkies!’
Situation Report:
Army Group Centre:
An early counterattack by the Red Army drove the Wehrmacht from Ponyri, the battle for this village and a nearby hill (designated 253.5) continued until July 10th, proving of immense attrition for both sides, the battlefield eventually resembling one from the previous war rather than World War 2. The objectives changed hands several times, neither side able to exploit their gain before facing the inevitable counterattack.
Army Group South:
At dawn, the Russian 10th Tank Corps advanced…straight into the antitank fire of 2nd and 3rd SS Divisions, losing most of their armour and attacking strength as they were repulsed. 5th Guard Tank Corps was then also repulsed by 3rd SS Division, the Red Army counterattack proving uncoordinated as the 2nd Tank Corps was also driven back in the afternoon, the 2nd Guards Tank Corps promptly being spotted by German air reconnaissance as it broke from forest cover. The division was then virtually annihilated by German ground attack aircraft, the new cannon from above destroying over 50 tanks and decimating the unit’s ranks…the first time in history an armoured formation had been destroyed from the air.
In the afternoon, Hiwi radio listeners of the 2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich Der Fuhrer Regiment intercepted heated arguments from Russian commanders. Believing the Red Army were beginning to panic, an infantry company was sent forward through a gap in the defences gleaned from the conversation, eventually capturing by surprise the brigade general and his staff and headquarters.
Although unsuccessful in all assaults, the Russian counterattack stalled the SS forces for the day as they sat at an advance of 18 miles (29 kilometres) in four days. In addition, the failure of nearby units forced Hoth to move some of the SS strength to renew their neighbour’s momentum, valuable time for the Red Army to move more units into the defensive lines before the German forces.
Chapter Twenty Four: Morning of the Fifth Day: 9th July 1943
Report submitted to Von Manstein’s Headquarters (early morning July 9th, 1943): Believed intelligence is Von Knobelsdorf’s appraisal, 4th Panzer Army command.
‘Heavy fighting is continuing all across 4th Panzer Army’s front. I have to report that the required breakthrough is currently beyond our reach and even when units are successful, they then seem to face more Russian divisions newly arrived before them.
The Red Army defences have proved impenetrable in places with deep minefields and heavily dug in positions draining our fighting strength and repulsing our attacks. Several units have been simply unable to break through without the requested assistance of stronger neighbouring divisions, their attacks beaten back even with heavy Luftwaffe and artillery support.
Deep minefields and the unreliability of new Panthers have proved decisive in some assaults with the loss of the initiative and possible favourable outcomes. Several units have now moved to defensive operations whilst they face aggressive enemy probes and counterattacks, not only to their front but also on the flanks.
The Red Air
Force is present in high numbers and we are unable to gain overall air supremacy, although successful in local areas and especially with our new ‘cannon’ aircraft which have surpassed all expectations, destroying considerable quantities of enemy armour.
It is of the local command’s opinion that we are now unlikely to complete our objectives due to enemy strength. Our units and soldiers are fighting bravely and are fully committed to victory, but enemy defences are simply too deep and resilient for us to succeed with the forces available.’
Leutnant Hausser shook his head in dumbfounded disbelief and exhaustion, raising his hands wearily to his sides in exasperation, the MP40 sweeping round onto his back, his teeth gritted, ‘What do you mean we are to move west towards hill 243? What about the advance on Oboyan? I have dead men lying on the ground we have taken...young soldiers who believed in us…we are just moving to assist other units that cannot advance? What does that say to the men and their morale?’
Major Wolff raised his voice, staring defiantly into the glaring bleary eyes of his subordinate as he raised his voice, ‘That is an order Leutnant and one I did not want to give...we have to clear the way for 3rd Panzer Division to advance…they are being held by forces they simply cannot overcome.’ He shook his head despondently, ‘The situation is becoming very dangerous Hausser. In the north, we believe the Russians are about to launch a powerful counter offensive that Model will have to withdraw to face. All along the south eastern flank the enemy is launching powerful reconnaissance...1st Panzer Army is apparently struggling to hold their positions and contain the Russkie probes...they are to be reinforced. If the enemy breaks through and drives into our rear, then we will not be withdrawing at all...how will you explain that to your men? There will be many more graves then, and I fear we will never leave this inhospitable country. We seem to lose ground as soon as Grossdeutschland leaves the area…the other units are simply not strong enough to contain the enemy attacks. The 3rd Panzer Division will assume their advance once we clear the enemy before them…once we reach Hills 243 and 247 we will advance once more...concentrate our forces for one last push to break through. The SS Panzers are preparing for an attack in the next couple of days…one that will decide the battle once and for all. We need to be there to join with them…attack along their north west flank.’ He drew breath, his cheeks flushing with anger, ‘I have already told you too much...this will decide it all.’
Bloody Citadel Page 30