Operation Barbarossa, Part 2 - Staraya Russa

Soviet Offensive at Staraya Russa
August, 1941




References

Operation Barbarossa 1941 (2) - Army Group North; Robert Kirchubel; osprey Publishing; Campaign 148

http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=93910&p=1102646

http://operationbarbarossa.net/Brief-Mil-History/Briefmilhistory3.html#an_3

http://www.feldgrau.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=18061

War Journal of Generaloberst Franz Halder, Chief of the General Staff of Supreme Command of the German Army (OBH), Vol VII. Historical Divisions, SSUSA. 1 Aug 41 - 24 Sep 42.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/34th_Army_(Soviet_Union)

http://www.scritube.com/limba/engleza/books/Hitler-moves-east-PART-TWO-Len12258.php

http://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/159076/scenario-3-staraya-russa




Background

On 21 July Hitler, Keitel, two staff officers, some SS bodyguards, and propaganda photographers arrived by air at Heeresgruppe Nord. None of the participants knew it then, but the German high command was in the middle of a five-week debate over strategic decisions on the campaign's future during the prime summer campaigning season.

Hitler issued Directive 34 on 30 July, followed by a Supplement, on 12 August. In them he reasserted the primacy of Leningrad, specifically pushing von Leeb, C in C of Heeeresgruppe Nord, to swing wide right and link up with the Finns.

Most significantly it stated that before attacking Moscow "operations against Leningrad must be concluded".

Meanwhile Vatutin, chief of staff of Northwest Front decides an attack to Army Group North's extended eastern flank, set for 12 August. On the flanks, the 48th Army aimed for Novgorod while the 27th moved on Kholm. In the center, supported by the 11th Army, the robust 34th Army represented the main effort, driving into the 30-mile gap between the X. and II. Armeekorps from 16. Armee.

The Battle

12 August

34th Army attacks 50-mile gap between X. Armeekorps and II. Armeekorps. The 11th (against Staraya Russa) and 27th Armies (Kholm) attack in support.

14 August

SS-Division 'Totenkopf' and 3. Infanterie-Division (motorisiert) move to the area of 16. Armee.

16 August

245th Rifle Division and 163rd Motorised Rifle Division cut Staraya Russa - Dno railroad near Gorki. SS-Division 'Totenkopf' moves out against their left flank. 29th Rifle Corps elements enter Staraya Russa behind withdrawing 30. Infanterie-Division.

19 August

Headquarters of LVI. Armeekorps (motorisiert) and 3. Infanterie-Division (motorisiert) begins counterattack. 30. Infanterie-Division transitions from defense to offenseive stats. II. Armeekorps attacks at Kholm.

20 August

SS-Division 'Totenkopf' and 3. Infanterie-Division (motorisiert) meet near Velykaya Selo and close trap on bulk of 163rd, 202nd, 245th, 262nd Rifle, and 25th Cavalry Divisions.

Order of battle



GERMANS


X. Armeekorps
30. Infanterie-Division
126. Infanterie-Division
290. Infanterie-Division

LVI. Armeekorps (motorisiert)
SS-Division 'Totenkopf'
3. Infanterie-Division (motorisiert)



RUSSIANS


29th Rifle Corps (from 11th Army)
179th Rifle Division
181st Rifle Division

34th Army

245 Rifle Division
254 Rifle Division
257 Rifle Division
259 Rifle Division
262 Rifle Division

XXV Cavalry Corps
25th Cavalry Division
54th Cavalry Division

1st Mechanised Corps
5th Motorcycle Regiment
3rd Tank Division
163rd Motorised division
202nd Motorised division