Nemesis

by John Schettler

  Chapter 30

  After Orel was secured, the planners at OKW met with Hitler to determine the next move. Halder was full of energy that day, for he had not spent the long hours on the road, fighting from one hamlet and village to another, and slowly seeing the gradual deterioration of the men and machines. His great worry had been lack of fuel, but thus far, supplies had held up well enough. Now the taking of Orel marked the decision point for the question on whether or not to drive on Moscow. Guderian called it the most important decision OKW would have to make in the war, and Halder appeared with a heavy briefcase containing plans for his new operation, well prepared to argue that Moscow should be taken before the roads became impossible. At the same time, Manstein countered by suggesting Guderian should instead turn east to form the northern pincer of a major operation aimed at Voronezh.

  With Hitler unable to decide himself, Guderian was ordered to give his mind on the matter, and deliver a firsthand assessment from the field. After a long flight back to Germany, he gave them an earful, sobering in every respect, telling them that the supply situation was far more tenuous than OKW might believe, and that the condition of vehicles, tanks and prime movers was deteriorating rapidly due to the wear and tear of 10 days continuous heavy fighting.

  “There was an incident at Mtsensk that I found very disturbing,” he said. “4th Panzer Division was ordered to push up the road north of Orel, and they ran into some very tough units. The Russians have deployed a new tank. Thus far we have had our way with their older mechanized corps, and they have largely been destroyed or withdrawn from the battlefield by now. The enemy has been holding on with Rifle Divisions, but no longer. These new Russian tanks were superior to all our Panzer III designs, and even better than our Panzer IV.”

  “We have seen the report,” said Halder.

  “Yes? Well that was not the whole story. I had a close look at one of these new Russian tanks, and it is very impressive—good sloped frontal armor, a gun that outclasses anything on our tanks, and wide treads for excellent traction and cross country performance. That capability was never in the Russian Armored Corps before, and now they are learning how to maneuver. From all reports, the tactics they adopted were just as worrisome as the tanks they used.”

  “Do not be overly concerned, General, we have known about this formation of these new enemy tank brigades for some time.”

  Guderian frowned. “Then you might have given us fair warning!”

  “We were not sure just how soon the Russians would field these units,” said Halder, “but don’t worry, Ivan Volkov sent us the plans for this tank nine months ago. We know all about it.”

  “Nine months?” Guderian was very surprised to hear this.

  “Correct,” said Halder dryly, “and we have not been merely sitting on our thumbs since then, General. Damlier Benz developed a new prototype vehicle from the information we obtained.”

  “Very much like this new enemy tank,” said Hitler. “I found it acceptable, but I was convinced otherwise.”

  “We also decided to use our own design methods in a competing version, and Maschinenfabrik Augsburg-Nürnberg produced a prototype that seemed more promising.”

  “The Damlier–Benz version looked too much like this new Russian tank you are worried about,” said Hitler, “and the issue of friendly fire was raised. The plans are there on the table. You can have a look for yourself. Note the forward deployment of the gun turret. I was convinced that might also cause difficulties when traversing a steep slope.”

  “So the turret was moved further back in the MAN design,” said Halder. “It also has wider tracks for better ground pressure, a larger fuel tank for the diesel engines to deliver better range, and excellent twin torsion bar suspension. Here is the schematic.” He shifted a document under the overhanging light, and Guderian nodded.

  “We are calling this one the Panzerkampfwagen VK-30, the Leopard, the first of the Big Cats. That tank is 35 tons, about ten tons heavier than our best Mark IV tanks. It will have 60mm frontal armor, but note the slope. That will increase resistance to penetration considerably. I am told it is the equivalent of 90mm in vertically mounted armor. Your Panzer divisions will soon be supported by this new design, which is still being modified and improved. At the Fuhrer’s request, the next version will have even better protection, up to 80mm sloped armor, with stopping power equivalent to 120mm of vertical armor. We will call that one the Panther, about 45 tons in total weight. They are coming, Herr General. The first brigades are already on the prowl, so you must be patient.”

  “Yes, yes, they are coming, but they will not be with me on the road to Tula!”

  “I beg to differ,” said Halder. “The first will arrive in a special heavy brigade formations as medium scout tanks.”

  “A 35 ton tank for reconnaissance?” Guderian looked up, quite surprised.

  “Yes,” said Halder, “it is fast enough to do the job. But wait until you see what follows it.” Halder reached for a leather brief on the table, opening it to reveal another set of plans. “Here we have yet another new design. We call it the Löwe, a real Lion, though this one is just the beginning—the Panzerkampfwagen VK-55L. That number designates its weight—55 tons.”

  Guderian was stunned. “That is twice the weight of our Mark IVs!”

  “True, and this is only the Leichter Löwe, the lightest version of this design. Even heavier versions are in the works, one at 76 tons, and a third at 90 tons. Once you see them, I do not believe you will have any further concerns.”

  “That is most encouraging,” said Guderian, “assuming we get the fuel and supplies to keep those Lions hunting. And has it occurred to you that there probably isn’t a bridge between my position and Moscow that can take that kind of weight? Such a heavy vehicle will tear the roads to pieces. Is this the tank I was asked about earlier?”

  “Correct,” said Halder. “We have been working night and day. Krupp had the plans on the drawing board long ago, but development went into overdrive last February when Rommel ran into trouble in North Africa. Our first brigades are only now ready for field deployment. Therefore, the 101st Heavy Panzer Brigade has been assigned to spearhead the second wave behind your Panzergruppe, under Hoth. His 3rd Panzergruppe is coming up now, and it will strongly support your advance.”

  With no time for long development cycles, the Germans had moved heaven and earth to bring this tank into production ready status. It would have 100mm sloped frontal armor and twice the side armor of a Mark IV at 60mm, with a stronger suspension to carry it in good balance. The turret was also well protected, with 80mm of armor up front and 60mm on the sides, and it housed a new weapon, the 7.5cm KwK-L/70, which would also be used on the Mark V Panther, and become one of the best guns in its class during the entire war. It could penetrate almost 90mm of armor at a very long range of 2000 meters, and up close, its maximum penetration was 138mm.

  The heavier versions Halder had hinted at were now being designated the VK-76L, and the VK-90L respectively, with those numbers standing for the designed weight of the tank. They would be super heavy tanks by any measure, designed on all new chassis, though for now, only this preliminary 55L model was ready for combat trials. In effect, it was a design equivalent to yet another model under development, the Tiger.

  Best of all, it was coming on the scene almost a full year early, as the real ‘tank shock’ for the Germans had not come here, but much earlier in the deserts of North Africa, when Brigadier Kinlan’s heavy tanks had completely stopped Rommel’s advance on Egypt. German engineers had been busy ever since, and though nothing they would design would ever match the Challenger II, the Big Cats would come prowling much sooner than they otherwise might have, and it would make a great difference on the Russian Front. The Leopard and Lion would now join two other models that were already in limited production, with names that would become famous in the history Fedorov knew, the Panther and Tiger.

  General Guderian had been consulted, along with Rommel, on ju
st what was to be desired to improve the panzer force, and he was very pleased to hear of this development, though still only cautiously optimistic.

  “Very well,” he said, “with Hoth behind us, I believe we can proceed, with or without these new tanks.” He was more concerned about time and the conditions of the roads than anything else now, and this thought dominated his mind as he finished his report. “The troops will not be well prepared for foul weather, let alone winter temperatures if we delay any further. And the roads will only deteriorate if we get more rain, which will surely come. Whatever we do, it must be done immediately, or you will find those nice new heavy tanks stuck in three feet of mud.”

  “Then you advocate a strong drive on Moscow now?” said Halder, pushing the matter to a head.

  “At the very least,” said Guderian, “we must take Tula as a preliminary move. There is a decent road from Orel to Tula, and a rail line as well. If I turn east, I have nothing but open terrain and very few good roads taking me to Voronezh. At the moment we are still fighting to clear Orel and the lines of communication from there to Tula will be essential if we are to keep our forces supplied. Every effort must be made to convert that rail line for use before winter. That failing, I will need the airfields at Tula for possible supply by the Luftwaffe. Assuming, however, the order is given to turn east instead, I would still advocate the capture of Tula at the earliest possible opportunity. It is an important arms production center for the Russians, and a major rail hub like Orel. We must take it before we turn east, or the Russians will use it to build up behind our backs.”

  That was just what Halder wanted to hear, and he used it to flog his horse over the finish line. “Both von Bock and Kesselring agree,” he said quickly. “They were bold enough to get in a plane and overfly Moscow last we, and von Bock reports the Russians are erecting several concentric defense lines around the capital. He insists we must take it now, and before the winter sets in.

  Hitler had been listening closely, silent for some time, but then slowly nodded. “You are now ordered to take Tula,” he said, his eye firmly on Guderian. “In the south, the SS Panzer Korps will assemble for an operation to be described by General Manstein. We will use Steiner’s force to push east, but at Tula your troops will simply be too far north to support this movement. I have therefore decided that we can pursue both plans simultaneously.”

  “On divergent courses?” asked Guderian.

  “We have more than adequate means,” said Hitler. “Your task is now to first take Tula, and then consolidate with Hoth for a major offensive towards Moscow.”

  “And what about Bryansk?”

  “That city is nearly cut off,” said Halder. “Army Group Center will continue its kesselschlacht operations against the salients at Smolensk, Byransk and finally Kirov, unless the Russians come to their senses and give it to us first.”

  “That will take a lot of infantry,” said Guderian. “The two divisions I have are already on my right flank, and I will need to secure the flank with my mobile divisions if I drive north. May I remind you that my entire 47th Panzer Korps is forming the northern pincer for the planned operation against Kursk, so it will not be available. And remember, I never received the 46th Panzer Korps.”

  That unit had originally been comprised of the SS Reich Division, Grossdeutschland and the 10th Panzer Division, but it had been parceled out before Barbarossa began. Manstein had the two elite divisions operating in his newly established SS Korps, the dark nemesis of the Russians in the south. And 10th Panzer Division had been sent to North Africa, one small consolation for Rommel, who was still mourning the loss of both Grossdeutschland and the Herman Goering Division that had served him so well.

  Hitler gave Manstein a dismissive wave of his hand. “With Hoth behind you, there should be sufficient forces available. As to the proposal put forward by General Manstein,” the Führer turned slowly, his eyes seeking the General at the other end of the table. “Is Kharkov secured?” That had been the precondition Hitler had imposed on Manstein prior to authorizing the drive east.

  “The city is encircled,” said Manstein. “We estimate ten to twelve enemy divisions are trapped in that pocket. It may be a week or more before we can reduce it, but the city will fall in due course.”

  “Then if Steiner moves east, what is your plan?”

  “I will take Valuki first, my Führer, as the rail lines running into the Donbass pass through that city. Once secured, Steiner will drive due east to Rossosh, about 110 kilometers. That cuts the rail line into Millerovo, which supports a good part of the Southern and Trans-Caucasus Fronts. From there we drive along the southern bank of the Don, through Boguchar, Veshenskaya, and eventually Serafimovich, which is the stated objective of Volkov’s present offensive.”

  “Very well,” said Hitler. “You will be pleased to learn that two new formations will be added to the northern fringe of your planned movement. Halder?”

  “The first is the newly formed Hermann Goering Division,” said Halder. “It was with Rommel, but as he has little prospects for further offensive action at the moment, we recalled that unit and began to refit it three months ago. It will have a battalion of our new VK-55L panzers, and the Leopards as well. Better yet, is the arrival of the 102nd Schwerepanzer Brigade, with another 48 Lions. This should be a good field test!”

  Hitler smiled. “ General Manstein, I authorize this operation to proceed at your discretion.”

  “I will need the infantry currently investing Kharkov,” said Manstein, “as any move east will create a long exposed flank to our north. That is why we need the river as a shield. There are good defensive positions all along the south bank of the Don, and a little infantry can go a long way.”

  “If the Russians are stubborn at Kharkov?” Halder probed to see what Manstein was thinking.

  “There are Rumanian troops that could do the job in the short run,” said Manstein. “Then they can be bolstered by our infantry as it becomes available.”

  “Well enough,” said Hitler. “It is time we got some work out of those Rumanian divisions. Halder, see that the necessary diplomatic overtures are made.” The Führer smiled. “It seems you both will get your way in this decision,” he said, and all seemed settled for the moment.

  The otherwise insignificant encounter at Mtsensk had a much greater effect on the German planning than it should have had, a kind of Pushpoint, as Professor Dorland might describe it. No one present at the table realized how fateful that decision was. Instead of using Guderian’s group as the northern pincer for a vast operation that would be aimed at encircling Voronezh, coordinating with Steiner’s SS in the south, the Germans were now dividing their forces and sending them off in two separate directions. And the long flank Manstein would create as he moved south of the Don would become the launching point for many Soviet counteroffensives in the months and years to come.

  In effect, the Germans were trying to complete Operation Typhoon, while at the same time teeing up objectives that were only assigned much later in the war, during the Operation Blue offensive in 1942. Their desire to make a quick end of the Soviets, hopefully before winter, was driving much of this thinking, and like all divided effort, it would lead to many hard and difficult times.

  Part XI

  Counterattack

  “In war as in life, it is often necessary when some cherished scheme has failed, to take up the best alternative open, and if so, it is folly not to work for it with all your might.”

  ―Winston Churchill

  Chapter 31

  The fighting at Mtsensk had only proved to be a temporary check on Guderian’s advance. 4th Panzer was quickly reinforced by 3rd Panzer, and the Germans simply bulled their way into the town, opening the vital road to Tula. Lavrinenko’s daring ambush could not stop the whole of the advancing tide of Panzergruppe 2, and the 1st Special Rifle Corps fell back to the east, struggling to regroup. 4th and 11th Tank Brigades had taken about 30% casualties, but the Guards Rifle Division suffer
ed the most, its infantry fighting stubbornly for the town, and taking nearly 50% casualties. The second division promised to this corps, the 5th Guards, had arrived too late to take part in the fighting.

  At Chern, the leading elements of the 3rd Panzer Division had rejoined the main road, and now KG Munzel, with the bulk of the division’s panzers, advanced on the town. Rodenhauser’s battalion was in the lead, and he ran right into Mikhail Katukov’s 4th Panzer Brigade, and Dmitri Lavrinenko. A sharp duel ensued, with the Russians breaking formation and falling back in seeming disarray toward the town. As Rodenhauser pursued, however, he ran right into another well planned counterattack by Lavrinenko and Samohin. An hour later he was forced to withdraw, having lost an astonishing 11 Panzer IIIs from his compliment of 36 tanks.

  It was no different than the losses Katukov had inflicted on Eberbach, only this time the Russian tankers did not have the support of the two Para Brigades, nor the stolid 6th Guards Rifle Division. Behind Munzel’s leading detachment, the whole of 3rd Panzer Division was coming rapidly on the scene. And to make matters worse, the 4th Panzer Division was regrouping at Mtsensk and already sending Eberbach back up the road to Chern from that direction. It was soon clear that the brief duel at the village could only be a delaying action, for 3rd Panzer Division was not going to be stopped there that day, as it was led by a most enterprising man with a storied future.

  His name was Otto Walther Model, and he had already taken one Knight’s Cross in this campaign for his dashing advance across the Dnieper, and the breakneck drive to bypass Bryansk that had carried the division here. It was no surprise that his division would be in the vanguard of this bold rush north, for Model prized speed and maneuver above all else when it came to mechanized warfare. A brilliant and dynamic leader, he improvised new tactics to suit each occasion, creating small Kampfgruppen for specific tasks and always hitting hard and fast in anything he did.