Summer battle for Rzhev

Thanks to the successful conduct of Operation Seydlitz, the 9th Army eliminated a dangerous threat to its rear from the Russian armies that had broken through in the winter. But there was no time for respite. It was necessary to prepare the newly created front for defense: to replenish and put in order the subunits, to deliver weapons, food supplies and ammunition for the upcoming battles. The German command expected, and, as it turned out later, very timely, that a new major Russian offensive would soon begin.

Near Rzhev, the enemy still suffered failures, but did not surrender and continued to pursue its goal - to break through the German front and encircle the emerging protrusion of the advancing units of the 9th Army.

The capture of Rzhev was supposed to help the Russian Southern Front stop the German offensive along the Stalingrad-Caucasus line, destroying German troops that could have been transferred to the south. In the winter battles for Rzhev, the enemy brought in a large number of manpower. Now his task was to replenish his troops with people and equipment and to eliminate the central German front. At the end of July 1942, 41 rifle divisions, 15 rifle and 38 tank brigades with more than 3,000 tanks, thousands of guns and large air formations began a large offensive against Rzhev and Sychevka. It pursued the goal of breaking through the front of the 9th Army and then with a blow to Vyazma and Smolensk to crush Army Group Center.

The order for the Russian Kalinin Front read:

Order to the soldiers of the Kalinin front

The Motherland is going through difficult days now. The German army fiercely attacked the vital centers of our country. Despite the casualties suffered, Hitler's bandit hordes tried to approach the industrial centers on the Volga near Stalingrad, our Kuban wheat and oil sources.

The increased strength of resistance and the organization of the Red Army forced the enemy to throw into the fight not only the main forces, but also reserves.

Comrades soldiers, officers and political workers of the X Army! The enemy is rushing to the south of our country. It must be stopped and destroyed. Each battle with the enemy, on whatever front it takes place, brings the German occupiers closer to complete defeat.

The powerful, energetic battle that we will give to the enemy in our sector of the front will respond in the south and in Voronezh, providing direct assistance to the Red Army in containing the pressure of the German fascist gang.

I order:

1. Officers, soldiers, political workers of all kinds of troops, infantrymen, artillerymen, tankmen, pilots, mortarmen, machine gunners and tank destroyers boldly and quickly attack the enemy, break through the enemy line of defense, destroy its technical weapons and vigorously pursue the bandits before they come to myself.

2. Take the city of Rzhev.

Brave warriors! You have defeated the Germans more than once. You made them flee from Wedge. At the same time, the enemy seeded the escape routes with thousands of killed. You, together with other units of the Red Army, prevented the capture of Moscow. The Motherland believes in you and sets before you a sacred task: to defeat the enemy grouping near Rzhev and thereby help the valiant soldiers in the south to destroy the German invaders. Take revenge on the bloodthirsty beast for the suffering and tears of your relatives and loved ones, for dishonored Soviet citizens, for burnt down cities and villages, as well as for the destroyed happiness of our children. Ruthlessly destroy the soldiers and weapons of the German fascist army. Follow the example of the heroic defenders of Moscow, who destroyed the storming German army in a counterattack. Imitate their courage, courage, and ferocity in the fight against the enemy. Forward for the Motherland! Forward for Stalin! Forward, brave soldiers! Return the ancient city of Rzhev to the country!

Boldly forward to Rzhev!

3. Bring this order to every company, battery, subunit.

Commander of the Kalinin Front

Colonel General Konev

Member of the Military Council of the Kalinin Front

military commissar Leonov

Chief of staff:

Lieutenant General Zakharov

Russian offensive on Rzhev

On July 30 at 8:00, after an hour and a half of artillery preparation, the Russian infantry, supported by tanks and aircraft, advanced to a position north of Rzhev. A few hours later, the enemy's offensive began on the Eastern Front north of the Volga. At night, the Red Army managed to achieve a breakthrough in the northern positions of the 256th and 87th infantry divisions.

Anxiety! The 6th Infantry Division (General Grossman) was raised along it, which on July 24 was withdrawn from its positions in the northeast of Rzhev to a resting place and staffing west of Sychevka. And then - an order to march: back to Rzhev to the 6th corps (General Beeler). The first battalion of the 58th regiment left under the command of Chief Lieutenant Gollinde. He had to overcome the quagmire, which the area turned into after 48 hours of rain, without carts and with so much ammunition that the soldiers were able to carry to the Sychevka freight station. The battalion arrived there on July 31 at 6:00 am, plunged under continuous attacks by Russian pilots, which continued in the future, into carriages and at 11:30 reached Rzhev.

It was already dark (19.45) when the commander of the 58th regiment (Colonel Furbakh), making his way with his 1st battalion to Rzhev, received an order from the 6th corps: to destroy the enemy that had broken through to the east of Galakhovo in the direction of point 195.9 and re-occupy the leading edge the main line of defense. He received reinforcements - two sapper companies, a division of cyclists and two self-propelled artillery mounts of the 256th division (General Danhauser).

Colonel Furbach was accompanied only by the adjutant (Chief Lieutenant Gütmann, who later died) and several messengers.

Despite the darkness, Furbach managed to collect all the units scattered in this territory in the area of ​​deployment of both self-propelled guns, bring them to their initial positions and attack the enemy that had broken through on August 1 at 0.30. In a drizzling rain, with great enthusiasm, despite significant enemy resistance, these units recaptured three Russian trenches in close combat and closed the gap north of Polunino.

On July 31, a reconnaissance group (Major von Kalben) of the 328th division landed in Rzhev and became subordinate to the 256th division. In the area of ​​Griboedovo, as a neighbor to the right of the 580th regiment, the group entered the battle. Here Kalben fought bravely and fearlessly until he was left with only a small handful of soldiers. After that, on August 15, he received an order to cross to the right bank of the Volga.

Further to the west, on the very first day of the offensive, the battalion of Major Baron von Rekum fought, which, having arrived in Rzhev, on July 31, was attached to the 87th division (General von Studnitz). On the night of August 1, after several conflicting orders, the battalion moved to Martyukovo, joining the 187th regiment. On the march, another company was attached to it and immediately thrown into the attack. Part of Gorbov and all of Fedorkovo were taken. On August 1, the battalion of von Rekum itself, already without a company, at 3.00 began an offensive on Hanino, supported by a battalion of heavy artillery and an assault gun. The battalion occupied the village and, according to the order, handed it over to its successor.

On August 2, the situation at Gora-Kazeki became very dangerous. Six enemy tanks marched through the village where a battalion surrounded by the Russians was fighting desperately. At this time, only about 90 fighters remained in it. Von Rekum received the order: to take Gory-Kazeki with his two assault guns, release the encircled battalion, capture enemy positions at point 201.4, hand them over to suitable units, return to Martyukovo and change the unit fighting on the front line between Gorbov and Bernikov. With reckless courage, the battalion carried out all assignments. He changed the unit on the front line and became subordinate to the command of the 233rd regiment of the 102nd division. This regiment was replaced by the 187th regiment in the evening. The position entrusted to him was now held by the battalion of von Reckum in a very difficult battle, until only one officer and 22 soldiers remained in it. On August 10, he was withdrawn from battle.

The participation in the battles of the three above-mentioned military units shows how critical the situation turned out to be and how, with the scattered formations, it was possible to bring into battle the troops approaching the front line.

Meanwhile, the entire 6th division was in the center of the battle, north of Rzhev, on the strip between the 256th and 87th divisions. The Russians constantly attacked the German positions. On August 4, at 13:45, Russian bombers raided Polunino, the number of which has not yet been established. Monstrous gaps filled the entrances to the dugouts. The village was ablaze, thick clouds of smoke spreading over the positions, virtually destroyed by artillery and mortar shells. Then attacks began (up to seven per day) with ten, and then twenty or thirty tanks (T-34 and KV-1), supported by infantry. But the German soldiers buried themselves in the wet clay soil and withstood the attacks of the Russian infantrymen in their trenches, cutting them off from the tanks. They were reliably assisted by artillery, which did not spare ammunition. Often she thwarted the attacks of the Russian infantry, without waiting for her to start. Without artillery, it would have been impossible to hold positions. Anti-tank and anti-aircraft batteries were deployed behind the infantry trenches. Self-propelled guns fired at and destroyed Russian tanks. So, on August 5, 21 tanks, mainly of the T-34 type, were destroyed in the area of ​​the 58th regiment. On the front edge of the main line of defense, melee groups rushed to the tanks at every opportunity. On the same day, Lance corporal Schulte-Strathaus (58th regiment) blew up two Russian tanks with grenades, non-commissioned officer Zikman (18th regiment) knocked out three T-60 tanks, and Lieutenant Gerber (sapper battalion of the 6th division) - two T-34. On August 7, battles against tanks continued.

Heavy battles were also fought in the 6th division's zone between Polunino and Gory-Kazeki. Despite this, on August 4, she was supposed to transfer the III division of the artillery regiment of the 161st division to the troops fighting in the Zubtsov area - there the enemy also went on the offensive - and on August 6, a cavalry squadron of a reconnaissance detachment to guard the railway north of Osugi.

The 6th division north of Rzhev, the 256th to the right and the 87th to the left repelled the increasing attacks of the Russians. During the day, Rzhev was constantly fired upon by artillery. With the onset of darkness, this shelling was replaced by an ongoing bombardment. The main goal was the Volga bridges, along which the supply of ammunition and food went, reserves were delivered, and the wounded were evacuated. What feats were performed in this hell by simple messengers, scouts, sleds, and truck drivers! It was an imperceptible heroism full of self-denial. To this day, he deserves fame as a brilliant example of selfless service to military duty.

On August 10, returning from medical leave, Colonel General Model arrived in the army and found a very difficult situation. He immediately drove out to the front line. With impatient short questions, the Model revealed the very essence of the events that were taking place and made an accurate picture of the situation for itself. He understood perfectly well that the answers to his questions had to be extremely clear. Woe to the commander who did not have a clear idea of ​​his sector.

He abruptly suppressed every attempt to dissuade him. Those who wanted to speak his teeth recognized him at first sight. In crisis situations, Model demanded that the commander personally be in the most dangerous area, as he himself did. Only he could demand from the soldiers to go into battle in dangerous situations, who himself risked for them. His orders were short, clear, harsh, and sometimes even brutal. By nature, soft and warm, he hid this impressionable and delicate soul from outsiders. I was constantly looking for new means and ways out of this situation. And the 9th Army held out.

The entire Northern Front was on fire that day. At 4.30, after a systematic artillery preparation of guns of all calibers, the introduction of rocket launchers and bombers into battle, the Russian fiery shaft began to move. The explosions of the shells could be seen all the way to the horizon. Behind it ledges were tanks, covering each other from anti-tank guns. They fired at individual firing points, which tried to cut off the accompanying infantry, or leveled them to the ground.

Aviation, artillery, armored personnel carriers, anti-aircraft crews, anti-tank and field guns accompanied the attacks of infantrymen, sappers, and cavalrymen. From 5.15 to 18.30 attacks followed one another.

The battles were endless and hard. On August 10, the reconnaissance detachment of the 328th division and other formations located nearby fought on the left flank of the 256th division. German bombers dropped bombs on the enemy troops, who had taken up their initial position. And yet the Russians continued to attack. But their advance met with a counterstrike. It was carried out especially effectively by the 2nd company of the 6th engineer battalion of the 6th infantry division. The battalion commander, Captain Tummes, was killed, but 25 enemy tanks were burned on the battlefield. To the left of the 18th regiment, the battalion of von Rekum and the 3rd battalion of the 37th regiment destroyed 14 Russian tanks in the same battle. The position was held, albeit with the last bit of strength. The enemy did not pass. Once a counterattack was struck by convoy officers and logisticians, and once detained vacationers. The counterstrike was led in one case by the platoon leader with his messengers, in the other - by the company commander with a command group, in the third - by the battalion commander with his headquarters and, finally, by the regiment commander with several hastily assembled soldiers. The defense cost everyone nerves: from the commander-in-chief to the youngest commander. The Russians were overwhelmingly superior. On August 14 at 12:00 in front of the 9th Army there were 47 rifle, 5 cavalry divisions, 18 rifle and 37 tank brigades.

On August 20, the 256th division finally had to yield to the mighty Russian pressure. She retreated to the southern bank of the Volga. On August 21, this forced the 14th Motorized Division, fighting to her right, to leave the northern coast as well. She barely managed to cross with all the heavy equipment and guns at Matyukovo to the other bank along the bridge built between Rzhev and Zubtsovy.

On the north of the Rzhev bank of the Volga, the 6th division together with units of the 129th and the 87th to the left of it fought heavy battles.

While in the south the Eastern Front reached the Caucasus and a German flag was hoisted on Elbrus, a powerful battle took place on August 24 in the Rzhev region.

A fiery hurricane of artillery, mortar and rocket shots, reinforced by a real hail of bombs, hit the 6th and 87th divisions. An armored train also took part in the fight against the German troops. Clouds of smoke and burning rose from the battlefield, pierced by bright lightning from exploding mines and bombs. Exploding, the shells lifted clods of earth into the air to the height of the houses. The thunder of aircraft engines merged with the flapping shots of 88-mm guns like from a whip, with the roar of artillery fire, the crackle of machine guns and the hum of tanks. The explosions from the shells of the heavy guns were intertwined with the crackle of rifles and machine guns. The wire communications were instantly severed. Despite all the efforts of the signalmen, it was simply impossible to repair them under fire.

Tanks were advancing everywhere! The losses multiplied. One attack was replaced by another, one blow - a counterstrike. A German soldier fought in inhuman conditions and still fought off the attacks of the Russians. They only succeeded in one place. Several groups of 60 tanks marched past the weak 2nd Battalion of the 18th Regiment. The battalion commander was paddled under the collapsed embankment of the pillbox, his rifle slots were destroyed by fire or overwhelmed. Heavy and anti-tank artillery, self-propelled guns fired to the last opportunity. Some of them are out of order. German aviation helped the troops. However, the enemy still managed to attack and eventually break through to Rzhev. Captain Raine tried to fix the situation on his own. From his battalion (1st battalion of the 18th regiment) he took some of the soldiers and, together with the rest of the 2nd battalion of the aviation training regiment, launched an attack on the flank of the Russians. However, like the offensive of the 87th Division, it only brought a short respite. The Russians counterattacked on the Volga. The 6th and 87th divisions were separated. Two tank brigades of the Soviets (the 238th, reinforced by units of two tank brigades moving behind them, and the newly introduced 153rd) continued the offensive. At least 64 damaged tanks remained on the battlefield.

On August 25, the 6th division and the newly created Kolberg division formed a weak defense line that held back enemy attacks. On the night of August 26, the 6th division, with the units attached to it, took a position close to the city of Rzhev. On August 26, the Russian attacks were aimed primarily against the 87th division. Here the enemy managed to recapture a small bridgehead on the southern bank of the Volga at Znamenskoye. The enemy's attempt to advance further crashed against the staunch defenses of the 87th Division, which was preparing for the transition to the southern coast. Further west from August 27, strong Russian attacks were repelled by the 251st Division. Day after day there was a struggle for Rzhev! Aerial photography reflected the full force of mortar and bomb fire. Four weeks later, it was impossible to recognize either houses or streets in Rzhev. As in the First World War, on the Somme, a landscape of solid craters emerged on the site of the city. Thus ended August and began September. Every day, in the early morning hours, after a powerful artillery preparation and bombing, Russian infantry and tanks went to the Rzhev bridgehead. Here they fought stubbornly and fiercely: the 428th regiment (6th division) and the 1st battalion of the 430th regiment (129th division), the remnants of the 1st and 2nd battalions of the 18th regiment, as well as 37- 1st regiment (6th division) and 473rd (253rd division), artillery heavy batteries (2nd battalion of the 57th regiment, 808th and 848th regiments), 189th division of self-propelled guns, 561st anti-tank division, combat crews of the 4th anti-aircraft regiment and the 2nd battalion of the 49th regiment. Sappers and aviation actively entered into a heated struggle.

Motorcycle battalion "Great Germany" under the command of Captain Vetien, who is still in reserve, on September 21, established contact with the 6th division stationed in Rzhev, receiving the necessary information from it. On the evening of September 22, he took up a position on the northern city outskirts of Rzhev. The bombing continued throughout the night.

All the days after September 21, the attacks of the Russians continued: infantry and tanks, armed with flamethrowers, were advancing. German infantry and sappers fought with fierce fury, letting the enemy pass through their line, and then counter-attacks from the rear. Chief Feldwebel Schnitger of the 18th regiment was especially brave. He often attacked the enemy with only a handful of soldiers and knocked him out of the trenches. All units fought in this death ring to their last strength. So the 1st battalion of the 18th regiment, the 1st battalion of the 37th and the sapper of the 6th division, which was sent here from the 2nd battalion of the 252nd regiment of the 110th division, quickly received reinforcements and were again thrown into battle.

The battles of September 27 were particularly intense. At 4.00 the Russians managed to break into Rzhev. After many hours of bloody battle, the reserves of the 473rd regiment and the motorcyclists of "Great Germany", supported by tanks and self-propelled guns of the 189th division, were able to push the enemy back. Many enemy positions were destroyed by German artillery. The Russian attempt to invade Rzhev in the northeastern sector, despite the energetic attacks of the enemy, was eliminated, but it was not completely eliminated. The enemy, in spite of heavy losses, threw more and more forces onto this ledge. Russian soldiers dug in with lightning speed. Enemy tanks were hiding in the craters from the shells. They were barely visible and difficult to deal with. The tanks fired as if out of the ground and produced a devastating effect, forcing the assault groups to crawl on their bellies on the ground. However, the Russians never managed to achieve decisive success. Ju-87 dive bombers dropped bombs, heavy artillery hit with pinpoint fire, anti-tank and self-propelled guns rained down on the enemy. And yet it could not be destroyed.

On October 2, at 05:05, the 14th Tank Infantry Regiment, the 3rd Battalion of the 31st Tank Regiment of the 5th Division, the Great Germany tank company and part of the 189th Self-Propelled Guns Division launched an attack against the emerging breakthrough in the northeastern outskirts cities. Despite the most thorough reconnaissance and artillery preparation of the artillery of the 126th division, the 6th division and Langenbeck's group from the 256th division, it was not possible to complete the attack. The vanguard reached its goal, but the center encountered particularly strong resistance from a deeply echeloned, heavily fortified enemy position with buried tanks and a densely occupied defensive front. Another enemy counteroffensive from the north and northeast prevented the German attack. There was a ledge here that was blocked. According to prisoners of war, the Russian attack was unexpected for them and did not allow them to concentrate their forces for a new counteroffensive. The following figures indicate the strength of the enemy: 113 prisoners were captured from five different divisions (52nd, 215th, 220th, 369th, 375th) and two brigades (30th motorized rifle and 32nd anti-tank) ... The enemy also had losses in tanks and anti-tank guns (12 tanks and 9 guns). Unfortunately, the German losses were also very high, especially in the tanks, which moved too slowly along the terrain pitted with shells from the shells.

In mid-October, the Russian attacks ceased. The city of Rzhev still remained in the hands of the Germans.

Battle northeast of Sychevka

Only at the end of July 1942, on the orders of Army Group Center, the 46th Panzer Corps took over the defense of a calm 100-kilometer section that stretched east from Samoilovo to Gridino - and was occupied by the 342nd, 161st and 14th motorized divisions. There was no operational reserve. Until now, the enemy had not launched an attack, but the situation soon changed. Already on July 25, it became known about movements in the enemy's sector, which the Russians, unlike their previous tactics, did not even disguise. On July 29, twice over the loudspeaker, the Russians openly announced an offensive on July 30 against the VI Corps. On the same day, attacks began on the left wing of the tank corps north of the Volga, which led to only a slight advance of the Russian troops by 100 meters. The next day, a German counterattack returned them to their former positions. In the early morning of August 4, the Russians launched a decisive attack with forces even more significant than in the Rzhev area. Numerous tank formations took part in it, opposing the 161st and the left wing of the 36th motorized divisions on both outskirts of the Pogorely Gorodishche. Each division of the enemy had a front width of one or two kilometers and moved in waves in three regiments one after the other. In total, about two tank brigades with 80-100 tanks took part in the offensive. The rest of the divisions were behind in full combat readiness. On the German side, each sector of one or two kilometers was defended by only one company.

Heavy artillery fire, mortars, Katyusha rocket launchers, as well as bombs dropped by aircraft, fell on the German soldiers. One group of tanks rushed after another and easily overcame the weak line of German trenches, which were swept off the face of the earth by a hail of mines and shells. In the afternoon of August 4, two directions of enemy strikes were determined: one - north of Pogorely - was aimed at Zubtsov (Russian 31st Army) and the other - to the south, in the direction of Sychevka (20th Army). Despite the selfless defense of all combat arms, the enemy's attack could not be stopped. The situation has become critical. The front was broken.

On August 5, the enemy's northern group approached Zubtsov, its other units cut the important road Karmanovo - Zubtsov and thereby interrupted the communication of the tank corps with the 161st and 14th motorized divisions. The corps was no longer able to command these divisions, which came to the disposal of a neighboring unit. To defend the flank of the southern wedge, the Russians turned four or five divisions and a tank brigade south against Karmanovo, the command post of the 46th Panzer Corps, and pushed forward. The 36th Motorized Division under the command of General Golnik firmly held the position. On August 5, the 2nd Panzer Division began to approach the front line, which was supposed to engage in battle as soon as all the tanks approached. But she was never able to connect with the 36th Motorized Division. Aviation was called in to help; she destroyed the accumulation of enemy troops, but was never able to hold back the Russian advance. The bravely fighting 36th Motorized Division continued to hold an important point of defense - the village of Voskresenskoye - until the evening of August 7. On the same day, with the introduction of three infantry divisions, three infantry and about four tank brigades (consisting mainly of new American tanks) into battle, the Russian offensive began on the right flank (342nd division and a tank corps). A few days later, it became clear that the Russian 5th Army was about to launch an attack on the left wing of the 342nd Division.

The Russian breakthrough threatened to cut the supply routes along the Sychevka-Zubtsov highway and the Sychevka-Rzhev railroad. It was necessary to urgently send troops to this sector.

The 84th Infantry Regiment of the 102nd Division plunged into Olenino on 31 July and went to the aid of the 4th Army. On the way, the 5th and 8th companies were taken away from the regiment in order to bring them into battle in the area east of Rzhev. Both company commanders were killed. Their further fate is unknown. On August 2, the 84th regiment landed on the line south of Bezdon - Spas-Demensk. On August 3, after a 40-kilometer march, the regiment was ordered to return. In Spas-Demensk, the regiment was loaded onto Ju-52 aircraft and sent to Sychevka.

The first to land in Sychevka was the 1st company of the 84th regiment under the command of Chief Lieutenant Bivald. She received an order from the chief of staff of the 9th Army: to take the station in Osug and approach Markovo (12 km north of Osuga), or, if this village is already occupied by the enemy, to gain a foothold on the edge of the forest west of Chashnikovo. The fulfillment of this order was very important, because with the loss of the Osuga railway station, the supply of the units fighting in Rzhev was interrupted. Seven kilometers north of Markovo, the battle group of Bülowius was defended; further south there were no troops.

At one o'clock in the morning, the 1st company of 105 people set off from Sychevka and reached the Osuga railway station at dawn. Russian soldiers began to come across from time to time. It turned out that the station was guarded by separate groups of Cossacks. At 9.00 the company reached the edge of the forest west of Chashnikovo and took up a perimeter defense. Intelligence has established: the enemy has occupied Markovo. Already in the middle of the day, the enemy attacked the company with weak forces, but, having received a rebuff, retreated. During the night, the company dug trenches. The lack of horse-drawn transport and tools made her position much more difficult. The next day promised fierce battles. And so it happened. The enemy began shelling and mortar shelling in the morning, followed by seven attacks. Then the soldiers of the company attacked the Russians in the enemy trenches, and close combat ensued. The signalmen of the Bülowius group received a radio signal from the company, in which she asked for support with heavy weapons. At 19.00, a 20-mm quadruple anti-aircraft gun arrived at her, which successfully hit the observation post located in the Chashnikov church and other important targets, providing significant assistance to the company. Unfortunately, the anti-aircraft gun had to go back at nightfall. In battles, the company suffered such heavy losses that it could now remain as a reserve. As a result of direct hits of shells, many machine guns were out of order. The company commander considered the further intentions of the enemy and decided whether the company would be able to withstand tomorrow. The ammunition was running out. They had to be protected. Each shot had to find its target. Left only to itself, the company fought hard.

On August 7, at dusk, the Russians launched an offensive. Attacks followed one another. They could hardly be repelled by counterattacks, in which the entire company command, led by Bivald, directly participated. By the afternoon of the company, only 22 people remained. The order came from the 84th regiment: to retreat. But at this time the enemy launched a new brutal attack and forced the company to leave its trenches. She no longer had the strength to fight further. Meanwhile, on August 6, the 1st battalion reached Osugi, then the station was occupied by the entire 84th regiment and, finally, the 102nd division. The company fulfilled its task in a truly heroic struggle and thereby ensured uninterrupted supply of Rzhev.

On August 6, a cavalry squadron of a reconnaissance group of the 6th division made a march from Rzhev to Osuga in order to ensure the protection of a section of the railway north of the station with a length of 9 kilometers. But in this sector, the squadron managed to capture only individual strong points. On August 8, his reconnaissance established that the Russians had left Osugi and moved west. On August 9, already in the first morning hours, the enemy reached the forest west and north-west of Staroselya, four kilometers east of the railway. Soon a battle began on it and to the west of it, near Shalamovo.

The supply of the 9th Army by rail stopped. The cavalrymen had to endure a fierce battle against a large and well-armed enemy. The situation has become critical! A German armored train stationed in Rzhev took part in this battle with great success. On August 11, the surrendered village of Shalamovo was again taken away in fierce close combat. The enemy was destroyed.

The 195th regiment of the 78th division arrived by rail in Osugu at the disposal of the command of the 102nd division (General Friesner). On August 12, the division with the 195th regiment on its left flank attacked the enemy in the forest north of Osugi, threw him back and closed the gap that had formed. On August 14-15, the 195th regiment repulsed strong Russian attacks and destroyed seven enemy tanks.

Let us now return to the actions of the 36th Motorized and 342nd Infantry Divisions.

By August 10, the 2nd Panzer Division managed to build a cut-off position south-west of Voskresenskoye (on the Kryvtsy - Gladkoye - Lebedin line) and, on the left, make contact with the 1st Panzer Division, which had been transferred from the Spas-Demensk area to Gzhat. Here its units fought together with the 85th engineer and construction battalions against a powerful enemy. Every day, the enemy with two or three rifle divisions and the 8th tank corps (about 5 tank brigades, and they were armed with completely new Canadian tanks) attacked the German positions. The losses increased and the line of defense weakened. And this despite the fact that on August 9, only one 2nd Panzer Division destroyed 64 Russian tanks, and parts of the 10th Anti-Aircraft Regiment - even more. The enemy had literally inexhaustible sources of replenishment.

Attacking the 342nd division, the enemy tried to capture the highlands lying north and east of Karmanovo. The situation here was becoming very dangerous. On August 9, German troops were still repelling enemy attacks, but on the 10th the Russians succeeded in a wide breakthrough on the left flank of the 342nd division, which forced it to retreat beyond the Yauza.

Ahead of the 342nd, the 36th motorized division was entrenched, which, with an unprotected left flank, repelled enemy attacks from the north on the 2nd Panzer Division. Large Russian forces there were advancing south and southeast, and the tankers were threatened by the enemy from the rear. The division could be surrounded. She was ordered to withdraw. On the night of August 10-11, she fought her way to the south and left without great losses. The high skill of the tankers, their courage and discipline have been proven in practice. The divisional commander, General Golnik, deserved special praise, whose cool and prudent leadership helped to cope with the difficult task. The enemy's pressure on the 2nd Panzer Division from the north and northwest was withstood, as were the attacks on the 342nd division, which was defending on the Samoilov-Karmanovo line. To the east of Karmanovo, the reinforced II battalion of the 113th tank regiment of the 1st tank division fought. In the course of the hardest battle, he was virtually destroyed. On August 28, only one officer and 12 soldiers returned to their regiment from the entire battalion. The bulk of the 215th regiment of the 78th division and two battalions of the neighboring right corps had to be transferred to this most difficult sector.

In early August, the 78th division was transferred from the Yukhnov area (80 km southeast of Vyazma) to the Rzhev area. Its reinforced 195th regiment joined, as already mentioned, to the 102nd division, and the reinforced 215th regiment to the left wing of the 342nd division. The 2nd battalion of the 215th regiment was withdrawn from its composition and, along with the 1st tank division, entered the battle at Gzhati. In the early morning of August 11, about a third of the 78th division reached the area of ​​the 342nd division near Samoilovo. She suffered heavy losses and was forced to retreat. The Russians surrounded three German battalions west of the Yauza River in Shelomki and Krutom. To the north, the 215th regiment (without the 2nd battalion) fought against enemy tanks near the village of Bolshie Nosovye. Here the 1st battalion of the 215th regiment was surrounded. The 78th division immediately dispatched the 178th engineer battalion there. On the same day (August 11) at 16:00, both battalions of the 14th regiment, supported by the battalion of the 178th artillery regiment, set out to break through the cauldron, into which the battalions of the 342nd division fell. The forest roads turned out to be impassable, so that these troops covered three kilometers in only two hours. At about 19.00, battalions of the 14th regiment met with the enemy, attacked him and threw him back. An hour and a half later, the battalions were released. The reinforced 479th regiment (Volkovitz's battle group), allocated by the neighboring right army (3rd Panzer), was brought into battle between the 342nd and 36th motorized divisions. Here the enemy strove especially stubbornly towards Karmanovo. The Russians threw in large forces here (19th rifle and 1st guards rifle divisions, 154th and 161st tank brigades), threatening from the flanks. In this situation, the situation became more complicated for the German formations. Powerful artillery barrage - up to 9,000 rounds per day - destroyed the German fortifications. Russian aviation also operated at the same time. On August 12, 55 enemy tanks were knocked out south of Shelomka. Only one staff sergeant Barth, with his anti-tank crew, destroyed 30 of them.

In the following days, the enemy cut the Samoilovo-Karmanovo supply line. In the battle with him, the 479th regiment especially distinguished itself: it again occupied two villages. In the area of ​​operation of the 36th Motorized Division, located on the arc facing the northeast, the main attack of the Russians was expected by August 15. The 8th Infantry Corps tried to capture Karmanovo from the northeast. Here he attacked the 2nd Panzer Division. The Russians continuously stormed Karmanovo from the north and northwest. Attacks, breakthroughs and counterattacks replaced each other, and the German troops were gradually pushed back to Karmanovo. On August 21, air reconnaissance reported that the enemy was transferring powerful forces from the north (about 700 carts and 40 tanks), the 46th Panzer Corps made a difficult decision: to withdraw, with the consent of the army command, the troops and surrender Karmanovo.

On August 22 and 23, in heavy battles, during which 20 enemy tanks were knocked out, troops were withdrawn. The enemy pursued them, but in the early morning of 24 August the Panzer Corps had already taken up new positions. Thus, the retreat in this sector was completed. But the fighting continued. Subsequent Russian attacks were repelled with the support of artillery and aviation. On September 4, the last enemy attack, involving a large number of infantry and tanks, failed. In front of the 46th Panzer Corps, 460 destroyed enemy tanks remained. Of these, 131 were destroyed by the 78th division, the remaining 77 - by the 10th anti-aircraft regiment.

On August 13, the Russian offensive began south of the deployment of the 3rd Panzer Army. However, the enemy, despite his superiority in men and technology, could not break through to Vyazma. He was stopped by the city's brave defenders, despite their widely stretched positions.

In the second half of August, the "Great Germany" division (General Hoernlein) was transferred by the command of Army Group "South" to the Smolensk region, and then closer to the place of the Russian breakthrough south of Zubtsov. When on September 9, after a powerful artillery barrage, the Russians broke through the front at Cherkasovo - west of Zubtsov, “Great Germany” was immediately alerted in order to counterattack and restore the previous position. With the onset of darkness, the division's formations, despite constant bombing by the light of Russian aviation flares, reached their initial positions. Significant losses did not prevent the two regiments of "Greater Germany" from performing early in the morning of September 10: the 2nd - under the command of Colonel Garski - on the right and the 1st - under the command of Chief Lieutenant Graim - on the left. They were supported by artillery, tanks, self-propelled guns and Ju-87 aircraft. The infantry advanced slowly: the Russians rained unprecedented artillery, rocket and mortar fire on them. Bombers constantly dived from the air. Attack followed attack. Cannon fire and minefields caused losses in the "Great Germany" division, and the swampy soil forced it to operate in a narrow space under enemy fire. His defense of Cherkasovo and Kostonosovo made it impossible to take these villages. However, attacks by one Russian army and one tank corps were repulsed. The shelves began to dig in. 13 aircraft, 19 tanks, 13 anti-tank guns and 2 self-propelled guns of the enemy were destroyed. But “Greater Germany” also got a big hit.

After a relatively quiet night on September 11, the offensive resumed. Just like yesterday, the Russians opened deadly fire.

Again, one attack followed another. Only with great difficulty in a stubborn and fierce struggle did the German soldiers slowly advance. The left neighbor of the 72nd division left Mikhevo. The reserve battalion of the 1st regiment hurried to the rescue.

Beginning on September 12, the Russians, having introduced infantry and tank forces into the battle, tried to break through again into the area of ​​deployment of the "Great Germany" division. They did not succeed, but the German offensive did not take place either. It was like a boxing match with heavy losses on both sides.

Yet on September 22, the situation finally changed. After detailed preparation and support by artillery and aviation, an offensive followed at 17.00, in which the assault sapper battalion "Great Germany" was in the center of the struggle. With bundles of hand grenades and flamethrowers, riflemen and sappers rushed at the enemy and stormed the bastion located in the cemetery. It was a skyscraper adjacent to Cherkasovo in the east. The terrain on the right and left was also cleared of the enemy by an attack using hand grenades. The captured trenches were put in order. The soldiers prepared for the defense. On September 23, the enemy tried in vain to seize the division's position. On September 30, in accordance with the order of the army, "Great Germany", together with its neighbor, the 72nd division, launched an offensive. At first it was successful, but soon the Russians cut off the left wing of Grosser's battle group from the "Greater Germany" with a powerful fire strike. In the subsequent, which brought considerable casualties to the battle, it was still possible to achieve the goal of the offensive and improve the position on the front edge of the main line of defense. However, the division's losses were too great. The commander of the 2nd regiment, Colonel Garski, was mortally wounded. "Great Germany" still continued to hold the position, having the 129th divisions on the right and 72nd divisions on the left. Between 6 and 9 October, "Greater Germany" was sent to rest in the Olenino region. Its place was taken by the 95th division.

In mid-October, Russian attacks in the Zubtsovo area died down. For ten long weeks, the Russians, regardless of human losses and loss of equipment, put pressure on the weakening ranks of the German defense. Very dangerous moments arose, which were averted only thanks to the arrival of three tank divisions and a large number of infantry divisions on the battlefields, which were intended for Army Group South. Enemy planes tried to prevent the transfer of troops. They repeatedly bombed the railway line and train stations. The railroad workers showed the same courage and combat readiness as their comrades in field uniforms.

The Russians suffered heavy losses in manpower and equipment, but threw more and more manpower and tanks into the German positions. Lacking ammunition, they tried to break through to Rzhev. A large role here was played by the aviation brought into battle. The battles went on with varying success. The hardest workload experienced by both the rank and file and the commanders was constantly increasing. The German front held out, although the enemy managed to break through our positions south of Zubtsovo. He was able to push back the German units to the outskirts of Rzhev, to reach the banks of the Volga on both sides of the city. However, he did not achieve his goal - to recapture two important points from the 9th Army - Sychevka and Rzhev. Rzhev remained in German hands. It was staunchly defended by the 6th division with subordinate units of the 129th, 251st and 253rd.

The summer battle in the Rzhev area finally ended with the success of the German troops. Their command was in the reliable hands of Colonel-General Model. The warrior's skill and unusual strength of character inspired all the fighters of the 9th Army. He was her driving force. And not only the commanders subordinate to him felt the power of his will, Model was adamant before Hitler, openly defending his point of view. Hitler was impressed by the fact that Model understood well the current situation on the front line, took decisive measures, if necessary, skillfully improvised and with honor came out of critical situations. He could declare his disagreement with Hitler frankly, without fear of conflict. Once Hitler decided to move a tank corps closer to Gzhatsk. The model believed that it was better to leave it next to Rzhev. Both insisted on their point of view. The argument grew more and more violent, and finally Model shouted:

"My Fuhrer, are you in command of the 9th Army or am I?" Shocked by this harsh response, Hitler decided to confirm his point of view by order. Then Model said loudly: "I have to protest." Confused and frightened, the Hitlerite retinue stood around: no one had ever admitted such a tone in relation to Hitler. To their surprise, Hitler suddenly conceded: "Okay Model, do what you want, but you will answer with your head if you are wrong." Everyone sighed with relief. Hitler respected in the Model a person of great potential. This explains the reason that Hitler did not punish him for his bold speech.

In the summer battle, all parts of the army interacted in an exemplary manner:

infantrymen, cavalrymen and sappers fought on the battlefield with the greatest courage;

gunners, tank destroyers, tankers, anti-aircraft gunners and crews of armored personnel carriers, despite heavy enemy fire, helped the infantry;

signalmen under enemy fire eliminated breaks in the wires; couriers, if communication failed, fled under the bullets, but delivered reports on time;

doctors and orderlies with improvised means rescued the wounded under fire, taking them out of the battle;

veterinarians took care of the fighter's fighting friend - the horse; under a hail of shells and bombs, the trainmen, cooks and supplies delivered everything necessary to the sectors vital for the fighting front;

repair and restoration services day and night repaired weapons and, finally, German aviation at the most decisive moments supported the soldiers during battles and destroyed Soviet aircraft in air battles.

Reliable defense was ensured by self-sacrifice, an unshakable will to victory and perseverance in battle.

Despite the seemingly insoluble tasks assigned to the German soldiers, bad weather, at times a complete lack of food, an unfavorable terrain for fighting, they performed their duty, fighting for life and death.