2nd SS PzD Das Reich Original War Diary Pt 6 - Regiment der Führer Breaching the Stalin Line, Hauser

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Episode 117

This nice close combat footage taken during the breaching of the Stalin Line in July of 1941 fits in nicely with part 6 of the series which covers the SS Division Reich that was in the vicinity at that time. Using an original war diary from a Platoon leader and other primary historical sources we’ll follow the unit up through the Winter of 1941/42 when it was all but wiped out during Operation Typhoon and the final desperate attempt to take Moscow. Our author Kurt was one of the few survivors.

This war diary is the highest quality original I’ve seen during my years working as a dealer. Here in part 6, in addition to Kurts translated entries I’ll

show related rare film footage, the German High Command Situational map for July 11th, and another clip from this 1941 training film.

use an original situational map from the German High Command, related rare film footage and at the end of this video I’ll show another clip from this 1941 training film. There’s also a link to the entire series so stick around, it’s worth it.

In contrast to the panzer divisions that had lead the charge cutting through the Soviet lines and the non-motorized infantry that was largely responsible for wearing down the huge pockets of trapped soviet forces, SS Div. Reich to this point had spent most of its time pursuing the enemy and had seen comparatively little action. The taking Hill 215 on July 10, that was covered in Part 5, had been the exception.

July 11, 1941
At daybreak together with our battalions commander SS-Sturmbannführer, or Major Harmel, we are the first to arrive to the Dnjepr River with the task of finding an appropriate location to make a crossing. After carefully approaching raised bluffs lying on the west bank of the river we are able to see an extensively built out network of trenches. At closer look we’re pleasantly surprised to see that the maze is unoccupied, incredible. Throughout the afternoon the troops arrive by vehicle to their designated locations along the bank of the river. With their vehicles parked out in the open they’re able to eat lunch at ease. At this time pioneers are busy preparing the crossing by setting up the inflatable rafts and storm boats. At 17hrs the actual crossing is made without incident, not a single shot is fired.

It was actually during the river crossing that Kurt’s regimental commander Oberführer, or Colonel Keppler, received orders from a special courier. He was instructed to immediately hand over control of the regiment and to head to Führer Headquarters in Rastenburg-East Prussia where he would take over control of the SS-Totenkopf Division. That division’s commander Theodor Eicke, had just been wounded. By the time Regiment Der Führer, Kurt’s regiment, reached the other side of the river in their inflatable rafts they would have a new regimental commander, and that would be Sturmbahnführer, or major,. Kumm.

A few Soviet Ratas appear in the sky but they are quickly chased away managing only to throw out some propaganda leaflets which boldly state that the only German soldiers that will cross the Dnjepr River will be dead Germans.

We continue with our advance and reach a hill. On the far side of the hill is a small forested area and we finally come into contact with weak resistance which is quickly broken. When we enter the area we’re surprised to find the Soviet artillery firebase that had cause us so much trouble during our assault on Hill 215.

With only light enemy contact we are able to move quickly forwards. The combination of heat and dust is almost unbearable. What we really are missing most is something to drink. We can’t make use of the wells that we pass and our supply column is quite a way back. Around dusk we suddenly come face to face with a soviet supply convoy that’s moving towards the Dnjepr, completely unaware that we’d already crossed the river almost 8 hours earlier. Along with trucks that are packed with food supplies is a mobile medical unit, and even a number of tanks. There are also numerous complete sets of Soviet officers equipment.

With a few men, I am the first to reach the Soviet column and quickly take possession of a Soviet officer’s truck for our company which just happens to be towing a field kitchen. Along with other food supplies there is plenty of tea and sugar which we immediately make use of. That evening we park the truck on the side of the road and post rotating guards all night to make sure that none of the precious supplies disappear. Tea is made the entire night.