Stalinogorsk battle: defend the city named after Stalin

History 07/03/20 Stalinogorsk battle: defend the city named after Stalin

the Name of Stalinogorsk now few will say that the majority of citizens of our country. Even many residents of the city of Novomoskovsk (especially young people), hardly know what exactly their city was called from 1933 to 1966, the first year. His appearance Stalinogorsk due to construction of the chemical plant. Due to the impact of this building on a place of village of Bobriki and there was a city.

In the Soviet books describing the period of the great Patriotic war and post-mid 1950-ies, the city is referred to Novomoskovsk. Creating additional confusion. About the fighting in the area of Stalinogorsk actually wrote rarely and sparingly. Details of the fighting in the area of Tula in November 1941, Soviet historians to describe not loved. Not the most successful they have been for the red Army.

Guderian goes to Tula

2nd tank group of General Heinz Guderian in the attack on Moscow went South. And one of the key points of this offensive was the city of Tula. Successfully defeating the troops of the Bryansk front, taking the city of Bryansk, Orel and Bolkhov Mtsensk, Guderian’s division stopped at the turn of the river zushi.

you had a break — first two weeks of the operation “Typhoon” cost the Germans enormous losses. By the 16th of October, five tank divisions of the 2nd Panzer group on the list remained 271 tank (to the beginning of the operation was 344), of which over a third were defective.

25th October, Guderian’s troops broke through the Soviet defenses and already the 30th was on the outskirts of Tula. The Soviet command managed to pull the city all available forces and stop the German offensive. Nov 11, Soviet troops counterattacked from the area of Serpukhov forces cavalry corps of General Pavel Belov and 112th tank division, Colonel Andrei Getman. But the blow gave no results.

And on 16 November began a new offensive of the German troops on the capital. Before 2nd Panzer group stood a very ambitious goal: to bypass Moscow and Rybinsk district to meet with the troops of the 3rd Panzer group advancing from the area of Kalinin.

the Battle for Stalinogorsk

For all ambitious task, Guderian was one hundred and fifty tanks, 50 and 60 in infantry battalions and unapproachable Tula to take that does not work.

it Was decided to bypass the well-defended city from the South-East, and advance to Kashira. Of the five Panzer divisions from Tula has been only three. According to the war diary of the 24th motorized corps, for the attack had accumulated 102 healthy tank.

on 18 November the Germans broke through Soviet defenses of the 50th army in the strip 413 and 299th infantry and 41 cavalry divisions.

to cover the gap at the front, was introduced to battle the 108th tank and 239th rifle division. Unlike other compounds, representing a form of war, poorly trained and poorly armed, 239 division was formed in March 1941. It was formed then, as motorized. Had staff and was well armed by the standards of the time. In the division except the staff parts were further tank company, a reconnaissance battalion, a mortar and anti-aircraft battalion. Together with the division acted 125th tank battalion, which had by the beginning of the fighting tank 31.

According to Yu Aparina in the book “the Harsh truth 1941” the division had 11817 troops, 127 guns and mortars, 19 tanks and 5 armored vehicles.

108th tank division had 2148 personnel, 30 tanks (according to other sources 42), 24 armored cars, 15 guns and mortars. As infantry division have reinforced the 180th infantry regiment of the NKVD of the 69th brigade of the NKVD troops for the protection of particularly important companies.

by Order of the commander of the 50th army was created Stalinogorsk combat phase, which included 108-Panzer, 239-I, 299-I, 413 infantry, 41st cavalry division, the 11th and 32nd tank brigades, 180-th regiment of the NKVD, the 125th separate tank battalion (dowry 239-th divisions), the 36th guards mortar division 336-th separate anti-aircraft artillery battalion. To guide the plot was to be used by the headquarters of the 108th tank division. The task was to defeat the advancing enemy, a severe blow tank units in the flank.

Our troops were opposed by a battle group of 3rd, 4th tank, the 112th and 167th infantry divisions, the regiment “Great Germany”.

From 19 to 21 November the Soviet units were fighting West of Stalinogorsk. 22 Panzer division moved North, covering the direction in Venev, and to defend the city remained part of the 239-th infantry and 41 cavalry divisions, regiment of the NKVD, 336-th separate anti-aircraft artillery battalion, air defense, and six formed the city’s assault battalions.

the German offensive continued, Stalinogorsk stormed part of the 167th infantry division of the Wehrmacht, enhanced 202nd division assault guns, which had 12 StuG III.

Located South of 41st cavalry division retreated, and as a result, 24 Nov part of the 29th motorized divisions reached the city from the South and East. The North ring was closed by the motorized infantry of the 4th armored division.

on November 24, our troops left Stalinogorsk, 25 went to the Germans. All production facilities of the chemical plant and power plant was blown up, all the heavy weapons had to quit. The Germans reported captured in the city of trophies: 44 guns and 20 tanks.

on 26 and 27 November the Soviet units, smashing the rear of the 29th motorized division broke out of the encirclement. And struck unprepared for such an eventuality the Germans substantial damage.

out of Stalinogorsk about 9,000 people.

the Germans, the fighting was very difficult. By November 24, all the 2nd tank group of Guderian had 37 operational tanks. Among other things were constant shortages of fuel, causing even these remnants of the tanks couldn’t use in full.

Kashira

the Loss of Stalinogorsk seriously wowhave adsila the General situation at the front. The command of the 50th army to defend the city Venev created Venev combat phase, part 173, 299 and 413 infantry, the 108th Panzer and 31st cavalry divisions, the 11th and 32nd tank brigades, the 115th regiment of the NKVD and 702-th anti-tank artillery regiment RGK (armed with 85-mm anti-aircraft gun). Was later included additional parts, including the tank. Strength to hold veneva was a lot. On the German side was acting battle group, 4th and 17th Panzer divisions. After several attempts to attack head-on, the Germans November 24, walked around the city, after which Soviet forces were forced to retreat. The path on the Kashira was opened.

25 Nov reconnaissance battalion 17th armored division reached the area 3 km South of Kashira. But the forces for further offensive, Guderian was not. The Kashira came cavalry corps Belova and 112th tank division of the Hetman. Under their impact, the Germans had to retreat.

Guderian even made an attempt to take Tula from the North, but, after the failure in this area, gave the order to move to defense.

And the Soviet troops on 6 December went on the offensive.

December 12 Stalinogorsk was released cavalry corps of General Belov.

Cyril Shishkin

Source:
© Russian Seven

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