How did the SS-Division "Reich" actually become an elite fighting force? war-diary Pt. 14

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In part 14, with a combination of our author Kurt’s diary to gain detail, a report by his superiors to give context and a situational map to give an overview, we’ll touch on the pivotal experiences which caused the SS Reich Div.’s youthful feelings of insecurity to dissipate as the unit came into its own to become a truly elite fighting force.

The last time we were with the author of our war-diary Kurt it was July 26th, 1941 and the SS Division Reich had just finished fight its first defensive battle at Jelnja.

An unlucky enemy artillery round had landed directly in a foxhole instantly killing Sergeant Stepaneck and 3 members of a mortar crew. Kurt had been blown off his feet by the explosion but had escaped uninjured. Seeing the terrible fate of these men, Sergeant Siegfried Weiher’s body shook in horror and was in shock.

Kurt continues…
Ich halte seine seine Hände and spreche …
I hold his hands and speak to him in a calm voice for a few minutes until he is able to pull himself back together. He sits apathetically at the edge of the foxhole. The sight of the destroyed mortar positions also causes by blood to run cold. Our four men, the mortar and all the equipment is nothing but a formless, bloody mess.

SS Sergeant Weiher will be brought with his men to operate at another location on the front. Determined, after an hour to collect himself, he reports back to duty.

The incomparable levels of duty and loyalty of our men during the heavy combat is best represented the the following report to the Corps dated August 10 of 1941.

From the Leadership of the combat command post
Order of the day Nr. 5

After heavy defensive combat to the north east of Jenlja, the 1./SS-motorcycle Btl. that had been ordered to defend the left flank of the company, and being lead by Förster, was found in this manner:

Sergeant Förster, the group leader, was found gripping the pin of his last hand grenade - shot to the head.

Machine Gunner 1, SS Corporal Klaiber was found with his MG still to his shoulder with a bullet in the chamber - shot to the head.

Machine Gunner 2 SS Private First Class Buschner, and Machinegunner 3, SS Rifleman Sdhyma were found dead in their foxholes.

Motorcycle messenger, SS Private First Class Oldeboerschule, was found dead on his motorcycle, his hands on the handlebars, about to deliver his last message.

Motorcyclist SS Private Schwenk was found dead in his foxhole.

All that remained of the enemy were dead bodies strewn around the defensive position in the form of a half circle, a hand grenade throw away.

This is the definition of the term defense.
We are proud to witness the evidence of such heroism and I have asked that these names be added to the Ehrenblatt des Heeres.

Note:
Right after the German invasion of the Soviet-Union, Hitler introduced in July 1941 the "Ehrenblatt des Heeres" which was an official Journal listing the names of soldiers showing exceptional personal bravery. It’s not clear whether these soldiers were awarded this honor.

Here we’re looking at the official war atlas of the German high command for operation Barbarossa. This is the situational map for July 26, specifically Army Group Center. The SS Division Reich is operating just north of the 10th PzD at Jelnja. The city, specifically the heights just to the east, were of considerable strategic importance and both the Germans and the Soviets understood that. Only about 300 miles from Moscow, the heights look down at what can be considered the approach towards the Soviet capital. After the taking of Smolensk, occupying these heights was considered Army Group Centers most important task.

Kurt continues…
Als unser Divisionskommandeur …
When our divisional commander issued the order to prepare defensive positions, he knew how difficult the tasks in front of us would be. Only troops with the highest moral and the strongest will would be capable of success and we didn’t disappoint him. We stormed the enemy positions and then managed to hold them. The hero’s song from Jelnja has become our battle song that gets sung in the most difficult of situations. From now on, with us, death has lost its terror.

In part 15 of this series we’ll look at an article that goes into the details of the battle of Jelnja and its importance. If you like content made with primary historical sources please subscribe to the channel and give this video a thumbs up. If you’re interested in seeing content that can’t be shown here please consider becoming a Patreon supporter. And now, here’s more of the original 1943 training film Digging in Under Fire.