As the operation commenced, the 9th Panzer Division alongside the 16th Panzer Division was included in the XIV Motorised Army Corps (XIV AK (mot))1 of the 1 Armoured Group (Panzergruppe 1 - Pz.Gr. 1), which in turn was a part of the Army Group “South” (Heeresgruppe - HG “Süd”). As of June 22 1941, the following tanks comprised the 9th Division’s assault force:
eight Pz.Kpfw. I, 32 Pz.Kpfw. II, 11 Pz.Kpfw. III with 37 mm cannon, 60 Pz.Kpfw. III armed with 50 mm gun, 20 Pz.Kpfw. IV and 12 Pz.Bef.2
On June 28, the Division departed from Tomaszow and marched through Sokal, trailing the German front moving eastwards. On the next day, the Germans deployed the XIV Motorised Army Corps against the Soviet 17th Army. The 9th Panzer Division was the first to see action, as it was ordered to advance towards Kamionka Strumilowa north of Lviv. The appearance of the German Corps in the rear of the Soviet 15th Mechanized Corps resulted in a Soviet retreat towards the positions held by the reserve units of the Soviet Southwest Front. The withdrawal was covered from the north by the 212th Mechanized Division, the outermost unit of the 15th Mechanized Corps’ east flank. The 15th Corps was already out-flanked by German infantry divisions from the north, while the south was threatened by the 9th Panzer Division, so outright retreat was the only manoeuvre that would prevent the Soviets from being surrounded. As it turned out, the Soviet 8th Tank Division saved the day by engaging the 9th Panzer Division.3
On July 1, the 9th Division took Zolochiv and moved towards Ternopil. The 9th Reconnaissance Battalion was able to make a surprise break into Ternopil on July 2, but then proceeded further east, so the city as a whole was secured by German forces as late as July 8.
Halfway between Zolochiv and Ternopil, enemy tanks were observed on July 4. The 9th Division immediately turned towards the adversary, so the SS-Division “Viking” (SS-Division “Wiking”) gained an unobstructed path towards Ternopil.
Arrival of a motorcycle liaison. The crosscountry personnel car Einheist-Pkw Kfz. 15 (Horch 901) with the general’s pennant most likely belongs to General von Hubicki, commander of the 9. Pz.Div. The Divisional mascot, a Doberman is also noticeable.
A cross-country Wanderer W 23 S at the onset of the Operation “Barbarossa”. The vehicle is missing its spare road wheels.
A group of soldiers next to a Wanderer W 23 S car.
An Austrian made, crosscountry Steyr Typ 250 from 9th Panzer Division vehicle park. A gasoline canister rack mounted to the front fender is of some interest.
From the beginning of the “Barbarossa” Operation until July 6, the losses sustained by the 9th Division amounted to 175 dead, 232 wounded, 36 missing and eight sick, a total of 451 troopers.4
On July 7, the Division forced its way through to the river Buh. Generalstabschef Franz Halder wrote in his “Kriegstagebuch” (Combat Stage Journal): “(….) 9th Pz. Div. is now involved in large scale armour clash near Proskurov.” 5 6 The 197th Assault Artillery Detachment (Sturmgeschütz Abteilung 197 - StuG.Abt. 197) operating in the vicinity of Lahodyntsi near Starokostyantyniv on July 8, received a warning of: “a large tank force attack, which turned out to be the 9th Panzer Division. Unfortunately one tank was destroyed by “friendly fire” from German anti-tank guns”, Leutnant Werner Preusser from the I Company of the 197th Assault Artillery Battalion (I./StuG.Abt. 197) recorded in his journal.7 A photograph presented in this book portrays a victim of this mistake, a Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. G tank. A hole made by the shell that pierced through the 30 millimetre thick frontal plate may be seen in the photograph.
In the days to follow, the Division moved eastward towards Zhitomir. Generaloberst Halder noted on July 11: “Around noon Generalfeldmarschall Keitel calls, voicing Fuhrer’s concerns (…) slow advance of the 9th Pz. Div. and the SS-Division “Wiking”.”8 Generalmajor Felix Steiner, the commandant of the SS-Division “Wiking” explains this in his recollections: “The movement is retarded because of constant scuffles with the retreating enemy rearguard, in which the 9th Pz. Div.is wasting precious time.”9
Up until 11 July the 9th Panzer Division combat losses amounted to: two Pz.Kpfw. I, two Pz.Kpfw. II, ten Pz.Kpfw. III, three Pz.Kpfw. IV and three Pz.Bf.Wg., in all 20 tanks.10
On July 14, Generaloberst Halder wrote: “Besides, the SS-Division “Wiking” is moving behind the 9th Pz. Div. which carries the burden of the onslaught from Zhitomir towards Belaya Tserkov.”11 By the evening of the same day, the 9th Division attacking from Zhitomir was able to capture the town of Skvyra.12
A Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. J tank in a cloud of Ukrainian road dust. Spare track links mounted in the front provided additional protection. Unusual mounting of a spare road wheel is noteworthy.
A burned out Soviet BT-5 light tank equipped with two searchlights, right above its 45 mm cannon. These lights were intended to illuminate, as well as blind the enemy during night-time encounters. The rubber rims of the road wheels have been destroyed by fire. An interesting feature of this tank is a horizontal stripe painted on the turret, its white colour indicated a 2nd battalion vehicle. This marking system was introduced in 1932 according to the Mechanized and Motorized Red Army Unit standards. Some Soviet vehicles still had such markings in 1941, even though by the end of the 1930s the scheme was discontinued.
Another BT-5 destroyed while negotiating a ditch. A direct hit penetrated the turret. The engine cover was probably blown out by an internal explosion.
An abandoned Soviet 76,2 mm field gun M1936 F-22. The angle of barrel elevation is noteworthy. Captured guns of this type were modified by the Germans and used a anti-tank cannons Pak 36 (r).
Soviet 122 mm M-30 field howitzer abandoned by the Red Army.
Group of soldiers next to a cross country Wanderer W 23 S with Divisional symbol painted on the side.
An entry made in the “Kriegstagebuch” on July 15 states: “The 6th Army (AOK 6) and the 1st Armoured Group rearranged their forces west of Berdychiv. From Berdychiv and Zhitomir the troops proceeded towards Belaya Tserkov and came a few kilometres away from their target – 9 Pz.Div. was followed by the two thirds of SS-Division “Wiking”.”13 On the same day, the city was taken. The day of July 15 brought an order from the commander of the XIV Motorised Corps General von Infanterie von Wietersheim moving the SS-Division “Wiking” to the front of the troops advancing east through Belaya Tserkov and Tarashcha towards Luka. The “Wiking” Division along with halted 9th Panzer Division was to change direction towards the southeast, in order to join the battle at Uman. At that time, the German high command noticed an opportunity to encircle and sack a number of Russian divisions, remainders of the 6th, 12th and 18th Armies fighting near Uman. Generaloberst Halder noted on July 17: “The 11th and 16th Pz. Div.from the 1st Panzer Group aligned their units with the 9th Division, so the surrounding operation may commence.”14.
By July 20, the German forces managed to cut off 25 Russian divisions, forcing them towards a front formed by infantry units from German 6th, 17th and 11th Armies (AOK 6., 17., 11.). The destruction of the Uman pocket begun. On July 22, the Russians initiated a break-out attempt southeast of Belaya Tserkov near Tarashcha, in the area guarded by two combat groups from SS-Division “Wiking”. As the German positions came under heavy attack from Soviet infantry supported by artillery fire, the SS troops suffered heavy losses. “The difficult situation was resolved by arrival of the 9th Division’s 33rd Panzer Regiment. The tanks proved invaluable in the fighting conducted over the course of the next two days. Their cannons and machine guns allowed repelling numerous attacks conducted by Russian infantry supported by armour.”15 A Knight’s Cross was awarded to Oberstleutnant Willibald Borowietz from the 10th Rifles Regiment on July 24.16 By July 26, the XIV Motorised Corps with its 9th Panzer Division and SS-Division “Wiking” reached the Ryzyne - Vynohrad - Bosivka perimeter.17 On July 28, Generaloberst Halder wrote: “Major Mueller-Hillebrand reports of his inspection at the 9th Pz.Div. - Combat conditions. - Operations. - Road conditions. - Traffic logistics / regulation”18 On August 6, the Division, still involved in rounding up Russian units sacked at Uman, took the township of Arbuzynka. A Knight’s Iron Cross was received by Oberfeldwebel Alfred Tykiel from the 6th Company of the 10th Rifles Regiment.19 Between August 4 and 6, the German 6th and 12th Army command announced that the Russians had lost 300 tanks and 130,000 soldiers, taken prisoner in the Uman area. The remainder were able to escape east. This victory opened the way toward Krivoy Rog, and consequently to the Black Sea ports of Nikolayev and Odessa.20 The 9th Panzer Division advanced in the direction of Kriovohrad on August 8, captured the town on the following day, and moved on to take Pervomaisk on August 11. The entry in Generalstabschef Halder’s journal, dated that day states: “Keitel from Oberkommando Wehrmacht (OKW) complains to the commander in chief of the land forces, that we did not advance towards Nikolayev, while Hitler considered this of uttermost importance. As to the situation and intentions on the outermost south flank, General von Sodenstern gave Generalmajor Heusinger the following explanation (…) the 25th Motorised Infantry Division (25. Inf.Div. (mot)), as well as the 9th and 14th Panzer Divisions need to march on Krivoy Rog.”21
A Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. G tanks from 9th Panzer Division. Spare track links provide additional protection to the front of the hull. A horseshoe good luck charm is mounted on top of them.
9th Panzer Division troopers inspecting the battlefield in an Ukrainian village. Destroyed Soviet KV-1 tank number “304” with additional turret armour (appliqué armour) and a T-34 are visible.
Captured SchTZ-15/30 agricultural wheeled tractor. These vehicles were often used by Wehrmacht artillery units despite their low speed.
Deserted Soviet field howitzer 122 mm M-30 and its ammunition caisson.
Soviet equipment photographed after the liquidation of Uman pocket. In front of a ZiS-5 truck, three heavy machine guns Maxim M1910, a Mosin rifle with its bayonet stuck into the ground and RGD-33 hand grenades are among other weapons and military gear.
An abandoned Russian Maxim M1910 machine gun. The wire wrapped around the shield was used for securing small branches in order to conceal the weapon.
Group of Soviet prisoners taken in the Uman pocket.
In the middle of August, a war correspondent named Otto accompanied the 9th Division for some time. The photographs he took during a visit show a command tank Pz.Bf.Wg. numbered “R01”, assigned to the commander of the 33rd Panzer Regiment, and another Pz.Bf.Wg. with wicker chairs set up on the engine cover panels. An aerial antenna frame mounted above and around the engine compartment prevented the chairs from sliding away during motion. The images imply that the officers of the 9th Division valued comfort while resting from their planning and command duties.22
On August 16, the Division captured Krivoy Rog. Between August 17 and 25 it advanced along the Dnieper River en route to Nikopol, Zaporozhye and Dnepropetrovsk, clearing the west bank of Red Army units. During August 16 to 18, the Division attacked in the region of Nikopol, taking Zaporozhye on the 18 day of the month. Next day, Generaloberst Halder wrote: “in the Dnieper bend strong air attacks against front line 9 Pz.Div. units, one kilometre west from Zaporozhye dam”.23 By August 21, the Division reached the Dnieper south of Zaporozhye at Nikopol. On August 25 the 9 Pz.Div. captured Dnepropetrovsk or, as may be presumed from archival photographs, just the southern part of the city. Afterwards, it participated in securing the Dnieper bend, then turned back southwest returning to Krivoy Rog on August 31. It stayed at that location for a few days to rest the troops and replenish ammunition, fuel and equipment. Subsequently, most likely on September 4, the units of the Division were directed to the concentration point of the 1st Armoured Group near Oleksandrya. The Ritterkreuz was received by Hauptmann Heinz Unger chief of the 1st Company from the 10th Rifles Regiment.24 As a result of fighting conducted between the start of Operation “Barbarossa” and September 5, the 9th Panzer Division lost six Pz.Kpfw. I, two Pz.Kpfw. II, 14 Pz.Kpfw. III, three Pz.Kpfw. IV tanks and three Pz.Bf.Wg. command tanks.25
In a meanwhile, between the months of August and September German forces managed to establish bridgeheads on the Dnieper River at Kremenchug and Dereivka. The region of Kremenchug was defended by the 300th Rifle Division, three cavalry divisions from the 5th Cavalry Corps - equivalent in strength to one and a half rifle division - and the 47th Tank Division with 34 tanks. Against them, the Germans mustered parts of four infantry divisions, the 125th Infantry Division (125 Inf. Div.), the 101st, 100th, and 97th Jäger (German elite infantry troops) Divisions. On September 2, they were joined by 76th Infantry Division. By that time, as mentioned earlier, the concentration of the 1st Armoured Group including the 13th, 14th, 16th and 9th Panzer Divisions along with the 16th and 25th Motorised Infantry Divisions was well under way, some 40 kilometres southwest form Kremenchug. The German high command’s intention was to move their units across the Dnieper River, advance by the way of Khorol towards Lubny and secure bridges in this town. The next objective was to reach the region between Lubny and Lokhvitsa and link with the 2nd Armoured Group (Pz.Gr. 2) advancing from the north. In this way, another pocket would be created trapping within it four Soviet armies.
September 9th was the starting point of the preparations. The commanding officer of the pioneer units from the XI Army Corps (XI AK) received a directive to construct a bridge of 16 ton capacity near Kremenchug. To achieve that efficiently, the command of the XVII Army Corps (XVII AK) decided that the old bridge near Voroskova could be dismantled. Thus, on September 10, the XI Army Corps ordered Oberstleutnant Hans von Ahlfen, leader of the 617th Pioneer Regiment (Pi.Rgt. 617) to begin work on the old bridge, starting at 15:30 hours. The pioneers were to take the bridge apart, reinforce its segments to carry a 16 ton load and transport them to Kremenchug. The work was performed in the pouring rain by, among others, the 73rd and 74th Pioneer Battalion (Pi. Btl. 73 and 74) and the 107th Group of the National Labour Service (Reichs Arbeits Dienst - Gruppe RAD 107) and was completed on September 11 at 12:00 hours. At this point, the German forces had a new bridge spanning some 200 meters, with 16 ton capacity allowing for passage of all types of equipment. In addition, a provisional ferry crossing was put in place. During the preparations, the area was attacked by Russian aircraft, but without any success. In the meantime, the divisions of the 1st Armoured Group were successively transferred towards the new crossing.
A wreck of a Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. J. The tank received a direct hit in the front of the hull, between the driver and gunner / radio-operator stations. An armour piercing shell shattered the middle section of the plate.
Industrial factory in Krivi Rog destroyed during combat operations.
The “Dneproges” river dam in Zaporozhe district. The 60 meter high and 760 meter long dam was built between 1927 and 1932.
Retreating Soviet units tried to evacuate whatever was possible. An unusual assembly of a 76.2 mm field gun M1902/30 hooked up to a 122 mm field howitzer M1910/30 towed by a STZ-3 tractor, encountered by troops of the 9th Panzer Division.
Soviet 152 mm Schneider M1910 howitzer and limber towed by STZ-5 tractor deserted somewhere in the steppe. The howitzers of this type were obtained from France during the First World War.
A self propelled anti-aircraft cannon Sd.Kfz. 10/4 with a 20 mm Flak 38 gun from the 3rd Company of the 47th Flak Battalion assigned to the 9th Panzer Division.
A rest interval under combat conditions. On the right, a sniper’s ditch with a riflle. In the background there is camouflaged mittlerer Einheist-Pkw Kfz. 15 ( Horch 901).
Soldiers of the Schützen-Regiment 10 are scrutinizing an abandoned command version of a T-37 A amphibious tank. The tank was equipped with radio communication equipment including an frame aerial mounted in a handrail manner around the hull. Only the supports are what remains of the antenna assembly. At the front of each fender there are two angular deflectors meant to protect the antenna frame.
The 9th Panzer Division crossing Dnieper River over a pontoon bridge set up next to the destroyed permanent structure at Kremen-chug.
As of September 10, the 9th Panzer Division had 13 Pz.Kpfw. I, 30 Pz.Kpfw. II, 59 Pz.Kpfw III, 18 Pz.Kpfw IV and nine Pz.Bef.Wg., in all 129 tanks.26 The same night, under the cover of constant rain, the XXXXVII Motorised Corps (XXXXVII AK (mot)) moved its 9th, 13th, and 16th Panzer Divisions along with the 16th and 25th Motorised Infantry Divisions across the Dnieper. The 9th and the 16th Panzer Divisions, now concentrated at the bridgehead, were to press north in order to block the main road between Lubny - Poltava - Kharkov, as it was predicted that the sacked Soviet forces would attempt a breakthrough along this line.
The German offensive began on September 12. On that day, the 9th Panzer Division, through a surprise attack, captured a bridge over the river Psel securing a bridgehead on the opposing bank.27 On the following days, the Division continued its assault towards the towns of Khorol and Lubny. On September 15, the 9th Division took Mirgorod. The very same day, Generaloberst Halder noted: “The forces of the 1st and 2nd Armoured Groups met, sealing the sack, however the situation at the Sencha bridge, south of Lokhvitsa, is still unclear.”28
This episode was described by Paul Carell in his book “Operation Barbarossa ”: “The very next day the 9th Panzer Division with units of 33rd Panzer Regiment, having moved north on the road east of the Sula river after the capture of Mirgorod, linked up with the most forward parts of 3rd Panzer Division by the bridge of Sencha. Now the ring was properly closed and the trap shut behind fifty enemy divisions. ”29
The crossing photographed from the other side. Above, a Junkers Ju 52 transport plane. The planes were frequently employed to drop fuel, ammunition and food rations in order to rapidly supply the spearheading armoured columns with necessary provisions.
Some other destroyed Red Army vehicles. In the forefront a GAZ-AA cargo truck and a T-26 model 1939 light tank. To the left an artillery tractor STZ-5.
In the evening of September 15, Generaloberst Halder wrote: “The loop locking the enemy east of Kiev is now closed. From the outside of it, there is only a negligible counteraction. Now the pocket can be constricted towards the west.”30
The initial contact between both German panzer groups was reinforced in the following days. Units of the 2nd Armoured Group (Pz.Gr. 2), namely 3rd, 4th Panzer Division and the SS-Division “Das Reich” were turning east. The 1st Armoured Group units, including the 9th and 16th Panzer Divisions, the 25th Motorised Infantry Division and the 3rd Infantry Division (3. Inf.Div) from the XVII Army Corps, were redirected in the same manner.
Until September 16, the 9th Panzer Division continued in its efforts to capture bridgeheads over the Sula River. The same day, Oberst graf Theo von Sponeck, the commanding officer of the 11th Rifle Regiment, was distinguished as a recipient of the Knight’s Cross.31
On September 17, the Division begun an assault on Piryatin, followed by the clashes with Soviet units attempting to break out from the area of the Sula River and its eastern tributary the Uday. By September 18, the Germans managed to completely close the pocket trapping five Soviet armies, the 5th, 21st, 26th, 37th and 38th Armies of the Southwestern Front. In response, the Russian command ordered its forces to break out, but their attempts failed for the most part. It was only south of Piryatin, in the section secured by the German 25th Motorised Infantry Division, that solitary units of the 38th Army were able to accomplish the task. Some small groups were also able to penetrate through the German lines along other sections of the front, but most of the Southwestern Front forces remained sacked and were systematically eradicated. The Wehrmacht command had announced that 290,000 Soviet troops were taken prisoner by September 22. The same day, two more officers of the 9th Panzer Division became recipients of the Ritterkreuz, Oberleutnant Hans-Joachim Künzel from the 3rd Company of the 10th Rifle Regiment and Oberleutnant Kurt Speidel from the 2nd Company of the 86thPioneer Battalion.32
The 9th Panzer Division also sustained combat losses. A damaged Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. E, hauled back to the repair facilities by a semi tracked Sd.Kfz. 8 prime mover.
A wreck of a STZ-5 with 122 mm field howitzer M-30 in tow.
On September 24, an attempt to penetrate the enemy lines, undertaken by the Soviet 5th Cavalry Division, was stopped by units of the 9th Panzer Division near Lokhvitsa. On the same day, the Division took the town of Romny. Most of the Soviet troops remaining in the pocket eventually surrendered by September 26, while some small groups continued with the fight, pressing east in anticipation of a breakthrough.
The outcome of the operation was a German success, the high command proclaimed that between August 21 and September 28 some 665,000 Red Army soldiers were taken prisoner. However, the above number also included other sectors of the front. According to Russian estimates, the losses sustained on the Southwestern Front from August 7 to September 26 of 1941 amounted to 585,598 soldiers. Beginning September 25, the Russian forces conducted strong counterattacks in the region of Novhorod-Siversky, Yampol and Glukhov in hope of allowing the escape of the remaining Southwestern Front troops. The 9th Panzer Division was deployed in the region east of Romny from September 26. The plans devised for the offensive towards Moscow, code named “Taifun” (“Typhoon”), changed the assignment of the 9th Panzer Division. It became a part of the XXXXVIII Armoured Corps (XXXXVIII PzK)33 in the 2nd Panzer Army (Pz AOK 2) of the Army Group “Centre” (HG “Mitte”).
On September 27, the Division was visited by the Generaloberst Guderian, who wrote in his memoires: “(….) I visited the XXXXVIII Armoured Corps to verify its condition. After a brief conversation with staff officers at Romny, I proceeded to the township of Krasna (10 kilometres east of Nedryhailiv), where the 9th Panzer Division under Generalleutnant von Hubicki was stationed (…) .”34
The XXXXVIII Armoured Corps advanced on September 30 from the region of Hadyach and Shtepivka through Nedryhailiv towards Putivl. The 9th Division was among the units heading the attack. As recalled by Generaloberst Guderian: “General Kempf 35 informs me that during the fight around Shtepivka the Russians unexpectedly attacked two battalions of the 119th Infantry Regiment (Inf.Rgt. 119)36 and captured their vehicles. The attack was conducted by heavy tanks. It was an unpleasant loss. Some units from the 9th Division had to turn back to resolve the situation.”37
Hauptmann Heinz Unger, chief of staff of the 1st Company of the Schützen-Regiment 10 decorated with the Rit-terkreuz.
Autumn rains changed the Russian roads into impassable quagmires. Somewhere in the steppes, a motorcyclist from the Kradschützen-Batail-lon 59 negotiates a road that has disappeared into mud.
A group of soldiers soldiers just managed to push a truck out of the mud.
The vehicles could not handle the sloughy conditions without assistance of human muscles. Soldiers pushing a captured French made Renault truck.
On October 1, Generaloberst Halder wrote: “The 2nd Armoured Group is experiencing difficulties in aborting the defence of its flank (…). The 9th Panzer Division also had to engage the enemy one more time, thus its transfer north was delayed.”38
In October, the 9th Division had four Pz.Kpfw. I, 14 Pz.Kpfw. II, 31 Pz.Kpfw. III, six Pz.Kpfw. IV and seven Pz.Bf.Wg. tanks at its disposal.39
On October 5, the Division advanced north of Rylsk. According to the Soviet account,40at 1 o’clock at night, a Soviet tank regiment from 150th Tank Brigade broke through the lines and reached the headquarters of the 9th Panzer Division. A T-34 tank commanded by Lieutenant Korinienko supposedly destroyed 15 staff vehicles. In the later hours of the day, the Division took the town of Krupets.
The night of 6 and 7 of October brought a first snowfall. The snow melted quickly but it turned the roads into impassable quagmires. Generaloberst Guderian wrote “The XXXXVIII Armoured Corps on its way to Dmitriyev marched on foot through the mud.”41 On October 7, the 9th Division captured Dmitrovsk while continuing the advance towards Orel.
In the first half of October, the 9th Panzer Division was involved in the encircling operation against the Soviet 13th Army between Sevsk and Dmitrovsk. On October 9th the Russians attempted a breakout from the pocked, thus the XXXXVIII Armoured Corps already dispatched by the Army Group “Centre” towards Kursk and Livny at the time, was ordered to return with all its forces to the Sevsk region.
The snow kept on falling through October 12. The XXXXVIII Corps could barely move on its way to Fatezh due to muddy roads. Two day later, the Corps, aided by the 18th Panzer Division’s units, readied its troops for the assault on Fatezh. After that objective was achieved, the Corps was to attack Kursk from the northwest. On October 25, the units of the 9th Panzer Division captured Fatezh. On the same day the Division, along with most of the XXXXVIII Armoured Corps troops, was assigned to the 2nd Army (AOK 2).
9th Panzer Division quartermaster vehicles passing by a destroyed Soviet column. An artillery tractor ChTZ-S65 “Stalinec ” with damaged driver’s cabin is visible.
The assault towards Kursk commenced on October 26, as a result, the city itself was taken on November 3. After a few days of rest and troop rearrangement, beginning on November 8, the 9th Panzer Division begun an attack on Tim, Yelec and Efremov.
On November 16, probably somewhere near Tim, one of the Pz.Kpfw. II light tanks led by Fahnenjunker Ludwig Bauer received a direct 152 millimetre hit from a Russian KV-2 heavy tank. The driver and the radio operator were killed. The commander survived, although he was wounded.
November 20 1941 marked the 152nd day of the Russian Campaign, at which time Generaloberst Halder wrote: “The 2nd Army is successfully moving ahead The 9th Pz. Div. took Tim. Enemy defences are weak in some places, nonexistent in others.”42
From November 22, the Division established a defensive perimeter east of Shchigry town. A Soviet counterattack had to be repelled on November 23. Oberleutnant Georg Grüner, chief of the 1st Company of the 33rd Panzer Regiment received the Ritterkreuz.43 The same medal was awarded to Hauptmann Franz Kohout, commander of the II Battalion of the 33rd Panzer Regiment on December 4.44 The defence perimeter taken by the 9th Division at that time was facing the Soviet 2nd Guards Rifle Division from the 40th Army. On December 5 the Soviet counter offensive at Moscow begun, and although the main thrust of the Soviet forces was directed towards the Moscow region, the supporting assaults of Red Army (RKKA) units were conducted in the area guarded by the 9th Panzer Division.
Divisional vehicles, amongst them a horse drawn “Panje-wagen”, passing by obliterated Soviet artillery column in autumn of 1941. In the centre, Soviet 152 mm howitzer M1939 type M-10. On the right, a partial view of German Steyr Typ 250.
The “Panje-wagen”, often just ordinary four wheel farm carts, were under certain weather conditions the only reliable form of transport. Even tracked vehicles were often helpless during the mud season.
Wounded soldiers from Schützen-Regiment 10 ready for evacuation in autumn of 1941.
Divisional vehicles in a village near Kursk during the winter of 1941. A cross country Mercedes - Benz Typ 170 VK may be seen.
On December 12, according to Generaloberst Halder’s commentary: “The 2nd Army was integrated into the 2nd Panzer Army. The situation of the 2nd Army is very tense. The 9th Pz. Div. will be facing an initial Soviet assault and its subsequent reinforcements.”45
The order issued on the same day reclassified the 102nd Artillery Regiment as the 102nd Panzer Artillery Regiment (Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment 102 - Pz.Art.Rgt. 102). A day later, on December 13, Generalstabschef Halder wrote in his “Kriegstagebuch”: “The attack against the 9th Pz. Div. along the railroad line so far repelled.”46
During the following two days, the 9th Division managed to fend off subsequent attacks. Nevertheless, the situation was serious. A continuous front line did not exist, thus the German defence clustered in villages and townships, while the Soviet units were able to permeate between, often enclosing the defenders in isolated pockets. In “Summary of events of December 12 1941” prepared by Generaloberst Guderian, it may be read: “For example, in the event of penetration of the 9th Pz. Div.’s defences, or infiltration through a serrated resistance perimeter of the 95th Infantry Division (95 Inf.Div.), the present contour of the front, which may not be even considered a continuous line, will be impossible to hold; furthermore, even considering the extreme valour of those units the encirclement will be unavoidable.”47 It seems that Generaloberst Guderian was suggesting to ignore Hitler’s direct order “not a step back”.
A group of soldiers, apparently freezing, by a field kitchen. The outer wardrobe, consisting of greatcoats and woven toques, derivative of balaclava headgear, were the only protection from bitter temperatures.
On January 1 1942, the 95th Infantry Division came under attack by Soviet ski troops. The attack was driven back by the 9th Division with the aid of tanks. Noteworthy is some of the tanks were used as a “stationary gun emplacements” due to lack of fuel.48 Following that period, the 9th Division cooperated with the 3rd Panzer Division. Between December and January, the 9th Division was most likely divided into independent combat groups, due to the nature of operations, comprising of the defence of isolated strongholds established in inhabited areas. One of the groups was named “Kampfgruppe Schmalz” after the commanding officer of the 11th Rifle Regiment, Oberstleutnant Wilhelm Schmalz.
In February 1942, the 9th Panzer Division was still holding positions between Shchigry and Kursk. The Division, along with the rest of the XXXXVIII Armoured Corps was reassigned to the Army Group “South” (HG “Süd”) without any actual redeployment.49
During the same month, the 701st Company of self-propelled heavy infantry guns received two s.I.G. 33 vehicles with steel wheels as reinforcements, as well as five Pz.Kpfw. I Ausf. B transporters as replacements. This weapon system proved itself to be quite versatile, as the Pz.Kpfw. I undercarriage failed or wore out, the s.I.G. 33 gun was dismantled and towed by the Sd.Kfz. 10 - 1t Zgkw. tractor until a new transporter chassis was obtained.50
A MG-34 machine gun emplacement in the Kursk region village. Until more suitable attire could be supplied, the German soldiers utilized Soviet “ushanka” hats obtained as war booty in the occupied territories.
During the Russian winters, horse drawn sleds became an essential means of transport.
In the course of winter fighting, which began in December 1941, the 9th Division managed to hold its defence line. By March, the spring thaw hindered Soviet attacks. The ground turned into impassable flowing mud, walking through it was so difficult that in many German occupied townships wooden planks were laid down to ensure relatively unobstructed pedestrian passage. In March and April, the divisional headquarters was stationed in the village of Okhokchevka.
The orders issued on March 14 dissolved the 9th Reconnaissance Battalion, and its remnants were assigned to the 59th Battalion of Motorcycle Rifles. The 1st Company of reconnaissance armoured cars became the 1st Company of the 59th Battalion of Motorcycle Rifles (1./Kradsch. Btl. 59). One of the other orders received on that day nominated Oberleutnant Hans-Henning Eichert from the 6th Company of the 11th Rifle Regiment as a recipient of the Knight’s Cross rank of the Iron Cross.51
On April 15, Generalleutnant von Hubicki was recalled from his post of 9th Division commander and transferred to the Wehrmacht’s cadre reserve. His farewell celebration was held at the divisional headquarters. The anti-aircraft artillery of the 9th Division fired an honorary salvo. The salute alarmed the XXXXVIII Armoured Corps headquarters to such an extent that urgent telephone calls, inquiring about an ongoing Soviet attack, were made. Generalmajor Johannes Baessler took over command. During April and May 1942, the 9th Division, still stationed near the front, went through a refurbishment stage. The equipment lost or deteriorated during the earlier operations was also replaced.
The month of May brought spring to the Don River region. The intermission in combat activities, caused by thawing snow and the inevitable subsequent muddy road conditions, allowed for some rest of the troops. The recreational activities included concerts performed at the divisional encampments. Noteworthy, even jazz music, officially banned by the Nazi bureaucrats, was publically performed. Coincidentally, it turned out that Oberleutnant Schmalz and Oberstleutnant Gutmann, both from the 11th Rifle Regiment, were very talented percussion players. One of them excelled in playing bass drum, the other one a snare drum.
An order received on May 4 brought further adjustments to the 9th Division structure, the 321st Observation Battery - Armoured was renumbered as 102nd Armoured Observation Battery (Panzer-Beobachtungs-Batterie 102 - Pz.Beob.Bttr. 102).
As the troops enjoyed their recreation, a bowling tournament was conducted on May 11 at the 1st echelon (I Staffel) of the “Kampfgruppe Schmalz” stationed at the township of Schtschigortschik. Meanwhile, the defensive positions taken up by the 9th Panzer Division in December of 1941 were held until June 28 1942, until operation “Blau” commenced.
An artillery lieutenant in front of troop quarters. An Allge-meinesturmabzeichen (General Assault Badge) distinguishes the officer.
1 Tessin, op. cit., p. 290.
2 Jentz T. L., Die deutsche...Band I, op. cit., p. 191.
3 Domański J., Barbarossa 1941 vol. II, Bitwa pancerna na Zachodniej Ukrainie, Warszawa 2006 , p. 65.
4 Isaiev A., Dubno 1941, Moskva 2009, p. 172.
5 Proskurov became the town of Khmelnytskyij in modern times.
6 Halder F., Dziennik wojenny, v. III, p. 82.
7 Münch K, StuG Abt. 197, Katowice - Speyer 2007, p. 84.
8 Halder F., op. cit., v. III, p. 98.
9 Steiner F, Ochotnicy Waffen SS Idea i poświęcenie, Gdańsk 2010, p.65.
10 Isaiev A., op. cit. p. 171.
11 Halder F, op. cit., v. III, p. 111.
12 Bieszanow W, Pogrom pancerny 1941, Warszawa 2009, p. 263.
13 Halder F., op. cit., v. III, p. 115.
14 Halder F., op. cit., v. III, p. 126.
15 Solarz J., Wiking 1941-1945, Militaria 186, Warszawa 2003, p. 22.
16 Hermann C. H, op. cit., p. 172
17 Bernage G, de Lannoy F., Operation Barbarossa, Bayeaux 1996. p. 241.
18 Halder F., op. cit., v. III, p. 172.
19 Hermann C. H, op. cit., p. 172.
20 Bernage G, de Lannoy F., op. cit., p. 241.
21 Halder F., op. cit., v. III, p. 222.
22 Bernage G, de Lannoy F., op. cit., p. 270.
23 Halder F., op. cit., v. III, p. 241.
24 Hermann C. H., op. cit., p. 172.
25 Jentz T. L., Die deutsche.... Band I, op. cit. p. 206.
26 Bitva za Maskvu, Frontovaya Ilustracya nr 1, Moskva 2002, p. 4.
27 Lucas J., Ostheer Niemiecka Armia Wschodnia 1941-1945, Kraków 2008, p. 244.
28 Halder F., op. cit., v. III, p.293.
29 Carell P., Operacja “Barbarossa”, p. 123.
30 Halder F., op. cit., v. III, p.294.
31 Hermann C. H, op. cit., p. 172.
32 Hermann C. H., op. cit., p. 172.
33 The authors of the website: http://www.feldgrau.com/xxxxviii.html, state that the XXXXVIII AK (mot) was on Jun.22.1941 re-designated as the XXXXVIII PzK, but both designations were used interchangeably until 1942. Tessin states that the (mot.) XXXXVIII AK was re-designated according to the order issued on Jun.21.942 as the XXXXVIII PzK (Tessin G, Verbände und Truppen.... V Band, Frankfurt/Main 1971, p. 148). For the purpose of this publication, XXXXVIII PzK will be used
34 Guderian H, Wspomnienia żołnierza, Warszawa 1991, p. 182.
35 General de Panzertruppen Werner Kempf was the commander of the XXXXVIII PzK
36 Unit of the 25. Inf.Div.
37 Ibidem.
38 Halder F., op. cit., v. III, p. 327.
39 Safronov A., Kurnosov W, Srasheniye za Tulu, Moskva 2008, p 6.
40 Bitva za Moskvu, op. cit., p. 29
41 Guderian H., op. cit., p. 187.
42 Halder F., op. cit., p. 371.
43 Hermann C. H, op. cit., p. 172.
44 Hermann C. H, op. cit, p. 172.
45 Halder F., op. cit., v. III, p. 418.
46 Halder F., op. cit., v. III, p. 419.
47 Piekałkiewicz J., Bitwa o Moskwę, Zamarznięta ofensywa, Janki k. Warszawy 2004, p. 249.
48 Kurowski F., Infantry ..., p. 281.
49 Rosado J., Bishop Ch., Dywizje pancerne Wehrmachtu 1939-1945, Warszawa 2008, p. 91.
50 Jentz T. L, Doyle H. L, Panzer Tracts No. 10, Artillerie Selbstfahrlafette, Boyds 2002, p. 2.
51 Hermann C. H., op. cit., p. 172.