Rocket Launcher Rgt 51 Nr 4 - Nebelwerfer - 3rd Panzer Group - Witebsk - Fedor von Bock - Smolensk

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Regiment 51 first saw action at Minsk, and then at Ulla in support of the 20. PzD and Beschenkowitschi with the 20. Mot. ID, which allowed for the building of this pontoon bridge across of the Dwina river and represented the breakthrough of the Stalin Line.

The infantry and tank men were now excited about their unexpected combat effectiveness. But as the race east continued, supply lines lengthened and not until early 1942 would the regiment be fully resupplied.

Here the 51st has come across Soviet troops that have been bypassed. But all too often the Regiment is fired on by armed civilians and snipers that seem to be lead by Soviet commissars that have been intentionally left behind. Only with MG cover is it safe to bath in the river. Other times these sprung elements are totally harmless and looking for someone to surrender to.

Advancing quickly the Regiment caches up to the lead panzer formations situated in the area around Witebsk and engaged in heavy combat.

Large groups of Soviet forces in the northern section of the city are cut off from those to the south. Only a single rail bridge remains intact and the battle for its position is in full swing.

Pushing the tank and motorized infantry formations forwards meant leaving splintered Soviet elements behind for the following infantry and artillery to deal with. The distances between the motorized units and the following infantry now was often so large that the Soviets had time to regroup and the German foot soldiers actually had to attack through enemy lines for a second time. With increasing frequency, the tank units were forced to turn around and attack west to allow for the catching up of the slower formations. Since Regiment 51 was attached to the lead mobile units most of the rockets fired during the late summer of 1941 were being launched in a westerly direction.

or the Russian civilians that have remained in the city there is chaos. There is a rush on the food stores and the Germans try to keep order but almost everything disappears. Wehrmacht soldiers that take part plundering are also dealt with severely.

Early in the fighting for the bridge this German Panzer was nocked out which made crossing with heavy vehicles difficult. When the fighting died down they managed to push it to the side and out of the way.
This is the entry from the Official War Diary of the German High Command, or Kriegstagebuch des Oberkommando der Wehrmacht, from July 11th of 1941. Bei der Heeresgruppe Mitte, erweitert Panzer Gruppe 2….In Army Group Center, Panzer Group 2 has extended its bridgehead, advancing in the direction of Jelnja. The 2nd and 9th Armies continue moving east towards the Panzer Groups. Panzer Group 3 has been able to fend off Soviet counter attacks and solidify its position to the East of Witebsk.

The Soviet 153rd Rifle Division was lead by Nikolai Gagan. Due to its distinguishing combat record in Belarus and Smolensk, in September it was one of the first Soviet divisions to be awarded Guards status, becoming the 3rd Guards Rifle Division. Soviet Guards units were considered elite and often received higher quality equipment and replacements.

This photograph shows a soviet soldier from a Guards unit in front of his divisional banner. The slogan that can be seen behind him….is similar to that in this propaganda poster. It reads…Смерть немецким захватчикам or Death to the German Occupiers.

As part of Panzer Group 3, Nebelwerfer Regiment 51 was to continue advancing East and take part in the taking of Smolensk. This strategically situated city would be a staging area that would be a springboard for the final push towards Moscow which would end the war. At least that was the plan.

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