Diary entry of RAIDING PARTY & CLOSE COMBAT, FilM FOOTAGE - Paul Hausser, 2 SS PzD Das Reich - Pt 20

SUBSCRIBE
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN2UQVe6Xaqz5rLFaWq8-mw?sub_confirmation=1
Open a free account and see example exclusive footage on Military1945.com

This incredible non-staged footage, from the Russian film The Battle for the Gun, fits in well with today’s video. Using Kurt’s first-hand account and associated rare film clips we’ll follow a raiding party as it storms a fortified soviet position in order to destroy an artillery observation post that had been targeting the Reich division. Use the QR code at the end of this video to open a free account and see the rest of the film The Battle for the Gun.

In part 19 of this series we saw how Soviet formations had managed to put the 17th PzD and the 29th ID under considerable pressure. In response the SS Division Reich and the Infantry Regiment Gross Deutschland was rushed north west in support. But here on Aug.10 we see that the 17th PzD was moved back in support of the Reich Div. and the IR Gross Deutschland which took their place on the front line. When possible, the German High Command avoid using Panzer Divisions in defensive attritional battles which could wear them down. They tried to save their strength for offensive operations. The 29th ID having been badly mauled was moved south to a much less active sector.

August 12, 1941

In reaction to our resupply and movement along the road being under constant enemy artillery fire, a raiding party from our second battalion reinforced with light machine-guns and heavy mortars was put together. I was part of this raiding party. Believing that the artillery spotters were positioned in the nearby town of Michailowka, we were ordered to take the town and then burn it to the ground.

The operation progresses quickly up to the outskirts of the town without being engaged by the enemy. Then, there in a large potato field the first resistance is encountered. The Russians lying in extremely well prepared and camouflaged defensive trenches and fox holes allow our raiding party to pass, they then fire on us from behind. We’ve fallen into their trap! All lying in prone position on the ground, any movement seen by the enemy is immediately fired on.

Pinned down with the situation getting more desperate by the second, second leutenant Chemnitz suddenly jumps up and begins firing his Machine pistol into the closest enemy position which is only about 10m away. After firing off a just few rounds, Chemnitz’s weapon jams. He’s hit by two enemy rounds and crumples to the ground in the middle of a path. Another soldier scampers out on all fours trying to reach Chemnitz to pull him out of but gets shot in the head. A second soldier tries to do the same but is hit in the same way. A third soldier carrying an MG jumps forwards but after squeezing off just a few rounds also gets shot in the head.

The Russians maintain their intensity of fire from well protected positions and we’re not able to return fire effectively. We simply see have no targets in front of us. Seeing no alternative the raiding party is divided into two small groups and we creep forwards hoping to out flank the enemy. When in position the signal is given, hand grenades are thrown and we storm forwards. Attacking simultaneously from both sides, predominately using grenades and pistols, we engage in vicious close combat. One fox hole at a time we manage to kill the enemy, none of their soldiers survive.

As instructed we burn the town thus fulfilling our orders however we have taken considerable losses. In addition to the 4 fallen men we also have 4 that are badly injured including sergeant Starick, who while trying to provide cover fire for Chemnitz, received a gunshot wound to the chest.

Over the next few days the Russians attack various times with a strength of 2-3 battalions. Each time we allow them to advance to point blank range and then hit them hard and beat them back. In spite of eliminating their observation posts in Michailowka the enemy continues hitting us up in our elevated position with barrages from its heavy artillery. But again we’ve been able to build out our defensive bunkers and these barrages have little effect. This time we’ve even managed to gather tables and chairs to make our stay more comfortable. In a central area of our camp we’ve set up a fire where we cook. In the evenings we snuggle together comfortably around it and talk. The day before being relieved the Russians hit us again hard with artillery forcing us to remain in our bunkers and we miss our usual dinner of fried potatoes and cucumber salad. That night we go to bed hungry, our stomaches growling in complaint of the injustice.