Chapter III
For the German invasion of Russia, code-named Barbarossa, the German Army assembled some three million men, divided into a total of 105 infantry divisions and thirty-two Panzer divisions. There were 3,332 tanks, over 7,000 artillery pieces, 60,000 motor vehicles and 625,000 horses. This massive force was distributed into three German Army Groups. Army Group North, commanded by General Wilhelm Ritter von Leeb, had assembled its forces in East Prussia on the Lithuanian frontier. Leeb’s force provided the main spearhead for the advance on Leningrad.
Army Group Centre, commanded by General Fedor von Bock, assembled on the 1939 Polish/Russian Frontier, both north and south of Warsaw. Bock’s force consisted of forty-two infantry divisions of the 4th and 9th Armies and Panzer Groups II and III. Bock’s army contained the largest number of infantry and Panzer divisions of the three army groups.
Army Group South, commanded by General Gerd von Rundstedt, was deployed down the longest stretch of border with Russia. The front, reaching from central Poland to the Black Sea, was held by one Panzer Group, three German and two Rumanian armies, plus a Hungarian motorized corps, under German command.
The Panzer divisions’ main armour consisted of: 410 Pz.Kpfw.I, 746 Pz.Kpfw.II, 149 Pz.Kpfw.35(t), 623 Pz.Kpfw.38(t), 965 Pz.Kpfw.III, and 439 Pz.Kpfw.IV. This armoured force had to rely on obsolete light tanks to provide the armoured punch.
For the Russian offensive the Panzer divisions had been slightly modified in armoured firepower. They had been in fact diluted in strength in order to form the deployment of more divisions. The planners thought that by concentrating a number of Panzer divisions together they would be able to achieve a massive local superiority.
These new Panzer divisions contained one tank regiment of two, sometimes three abteilungen totaling some 150-200 tanks; two motorized rifle (schützen) regiments, each of two battalions, whose infantry were carried in armoured halftracks or similar vehicles; and a reconnaissance battalion of three companies (one motorcycle and two armoured cars). The motorized infantry divisions accompanying the Panzer divisions in the Panzergruppe were similarly organized, but were dangerously lacking in armoured support. The divisional artillery consisted of two field, one medium and one anti-tank regiment, and an anti-aircraft battalion. These were all motorized and more than capable of keeping up with the fast moving pace of the Panzers.
During the early morning of 22 June 1941, the German Army finally unleashed the maelstrom that was Barbarossa. After a month of victorious progress, the German armies were fighting on a front 1,000 miles wide. The Panzer divisions had exploited the terrain and concerted such a series of hammer blows to the Red Army that it was only a matter of time before the campaign would be over. Yet in spite of these successes the Panzer divisions were thinly spread out. Although the armoured spearheads were still achieving rapid victories on all fronts, supporting units were not keeping pace with them. Consequently, it became increasingly difficult to keep the Panzers supplied with fuel. And without fuel the drive would grind to a halt. Nevertheless, between June and late September 1941, the Panzer and motorized divisions were more or less unhindered by lack of supply, difficult terrain or bad weather conditions. However, on 6 October the first snowfall of the approaching winter was reported. It melted quickly, but turned the dirt roads into quagmires and rivers into raging torrents. The Russian autumn with its heavy rain, sleet and snow, had arrived. The Panzer divisions began to slow. Wheeled vehicles soon became stuck in a sea of mud and could only advance with the aid of tracked vehicles towing them. No preparations had been made for the winter and the Panzer divisions lacked the most basic supplies for cold weather. There were no chains available for towing vehicles, and no anti-freeze for the engines’ coolant systems. Tank and infantrymen alike had no winter clothing either.
In blizzards and temperatures, which fell to thirty degrees below zero, the exhausted Panzer divisions soon ran out of fuel and ammunition, and were compelled to break off their attack within sight of Moscow. On 6 December all plans to capture the Russian capital in 1941 had to be abandoned.
By 22 December only 405 tanks were operational in front of Moscow with 780 out of action (but repairable). By the end of the year, the Germans reported a loss of 2,735 tanks plus 847 replacements since 22 June. The Panzer divisions were now reduced to less than 1,400 operational tanks.
By the end of 1941 the battle-weary divisions of the Panzerwaffe, which had taken part in Operation Barbarossa - were no longer fit to fight. Mobile operations had consequently ground to a halt. Fortunately for the exhausted Panzer crews and supporting units no mobile operations had been planned during the winter of 1941, let alone for 1942. In the freezing arctic temperatures the majority of the Panzer divisions were pulled out of their stagnant defensive positions and transferred to France, to rest, reorganize and retrain.
Alongside a river bank in April 1941 in the Balkans are Pz.Kpfw.II and a stationary halftrack.
In the Balkans in April 1941 are two Pz.Kpfw.III and a Pz.Kpfw.II, which have attempted to cross the fast-flowing river, but their weight has caused their tracks to sink into the bottom of the riverbed. Several Panzers that saw action in the Balkans had in fact been specially waterproofed for the projected invasion of the British Isles in 1940, although these tanks were obviously not.
In the Balkans the Gebirgsjäger, or Mountain Troops, have hitched a lift on board a Pz.Kpfw.II. This was often the quickest means of transporting foot soldiers from one part of the battlefront to another.
Two Pz.Kpfw.II, either Ausf.A or Ausf.B variants, belonging to the 1st Panzer Division, negotiate a steep gradient during the opening phase of the German invasion of the Soviet Union. During the summer of 1941 the Pz.Kpfw.II demonstrated that this light tank was so seriously under-gunned and under-armoured that it could not fight effectively on the Eastern Front.
An interesting photograph showing an Sd.Kfz.7 halftrack towing a disabled Pz.Kpfw.II Ausf.F across an improvised bridge. Both vehicles carry the markings belonging to Panzer Regiment 24 of the 24th Panzer Division. Note in the background stuck in water a Pz.Kfz.8 halftrack.
Advancing along a dirt track is Ausf.B Pz.Kpfw.II. Note the divisional insignia, an upright ‘Y’ with one vertical stroke, in yellow, on the superstructure front plate next to the driver’s vision port-flap. This was used by the 8th Panzer Division during the invasion of Russia.
Panzers push forward along a road bound for the front during the opening stages of the invasion of Russia. The strongest army group in the German arsenal was Army Group Centre. This army group made a series of heavy penetrating drives through the Russian heartlands, bulldozing through the marshy ground to the main Russian defences. Within days of its first attacks across the frontier both the infantry and Panzer divisions had pulverized bewildered Russian formations, which led to a string of victories along its entire front.
In Russia a Pz.Kpfw.II advances along a typical Soviet road during the summer of 1941. The situation for the Russian defenders looked grim. The ferocity of the German attack was immense and without respite. Within a week of the invasion, almost continuous battle had left the Russian soldiers exhausted. Stalin’s insistence that his troops must fight from fixed positions without any tactical retreat had caused many units to become encircled, leaving German tank units to speed past unhindered and achieve even deeper penetrations.
The crew of a Pz.Kpfw.38(t) pose for the camera onboard a railroad flat car for its trip to the Eastern Front in the summer of 1941. Note the chalk number on the bow plate, which is obscured by the crewman. This is probably the chassis number, which was often applied at the factory prior to issue to the receiving unit.
A column of Pz.Kpfw.II pass through a newly captured Russian town. Watching the spectacle from the roadside are Jews. Unknown to them at the time, their days were numbered. The Germans were to commit wholesale murder, and transport many thousands to ghettos and concentration camps across Europe and the East.
Trundling up a hill is a sIG 33 heavy infantry gun belonging to the 704 Gun company of the 5th Panzer Division. This vehicle’s chassis has been converted on a Pz.Kpfw.I. The canvas sheeting attached to the front of the vehicle’s shield was to protect the gun and the crew from dust, dirt and water. During the Russian campaign a number of sIG heavy infantry guns saw active service, but gradually most of the guns disappeared. Only the 5th Panzer Division retained some of these machines in active service until the summer of 1943.
A line of Pz.Kpfw.38(t) being transported during the early phase of the Russia campaign. They are being ferried across a river using just parts of a pontoon bridge. Provisions are being carried on the engine decks.
A column of Pz.Kpfw.I, probably in southern Russia in the summer of 1941. The tanks still retain their old familiar dark grey camouflage colour.
During a halt in the furious advance a Pz.Kpfw.I has halted in a field. One of the crew members can be seen looking at the engine.
Using a chain hoist attached to a log tripod, these engineers appear to be re-attaching the engine deck to a Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf.A. A standard feature on many Panzers was the removable engine-deck covering.
A column of Pz.Kpfw.38(t) moving towards the battlefront. The German attack along many parts of the Russian front was furious. As a consequence, Russian front units were simply brushed aside and totally destroyed by the Panzers. Red Army survivors recalled that they had been caught off guard, lulled into a false sense of security. Now they were being attacked by highly mobile armour and blasted by heavy artillery. In many places the force of attack was so heavy that they were unable to organize any type of defence. In total confusion, hundreds of troops, disheartened and frightened, retreated to avoid the slaughter, whilst other more fanatical units remained ruthlessly defending their positions to the death.
Three Panzers advance across rough terrain passing one of the many small villages that spread across the vast hinterland of the Soviet Union. The tank leading the advance is a Pz.Kpfw.38(t). Following closely behind is a Pz.Kpfw.II, and behind that is a Pz.Kpfw.IV.
An interesting photograph showing a dusty stationary Pz.Kpfw.II on a road somewhere in Russia. The sudden speed and depth of the German attack was a brilliant display of all-arms coordination. The Soviets were quite unprepared for the might of the German attack. In some areas along the front, units were simply brushed aside by the Panzer divisions and totally destroyed.
A Pz.Kpfw.38(t) has been blown on its side by anti-tank shelling. The hole next to the Panzer is evidence of an explosion. A halftrack has arrived, probably to help salvage the machine.
A Pz.Kpfw.35(t) moves across a field towards the front line. Although this vehicle was under-gunned, during the early phase of the attack against Russia they proved relatively successful. As for the Red Army, in many places its force was unable to organize any sort of defence. In total confusion, thousands of troops, disheartened and frightened, retreated to avoid the slaughter, whilst other more fanatical units remained ruthlessly defending their positions to the death.
A Pz.Kpfw.II gives a helping hand with tow cable to help a stricken wheeled vehicle out of the mire during the early autumn of 1941. By this period of the year many roads had become boggy swamps. Although tracked vehicles managed to push forward through the mire at a slow pace, trucks and other wheeled vehicles were hopelessly stuck up to their axles in deep boggy mud. Within months the Soviet operation had gone from a rapid drive to a slow crawl.
A photograph of Pz.Kpfw.I stuck in mud. The mud produced from a few hours of rain was enough to turn a typical Russian road into a quagmire. Often halftracks were called to help tow out stricken Panzers that had become mired. The halftrack was undoubtedly the workhorse on the Eastern Front, especially along the terrible road system that plagued seemingly endless miles of terrain. Its effective towing capability ensured that troops and ordnance often got through when they otherwise might not.
Two Pz.Kpfw.38(t) on a muddy road in Russia. The Soviet Union proved to be a completely alien environment to the Panzerwaffe, and the distances travelled soon proved to be more of a problem than ever imagined. Russia would not only test the endurance of the Panzer crews’ physical stamina, but also their machines and supplies.
Locals, together with German soldiers, and crew are seen with a stationary Pz.Kpfw.38(t) in the winter of 1941.
A Pz.Kpfw.I supports an MG34 machine-gun crew advancing along a mountain road.
A Pz.Kpfw.II belonging to the 10th Panzer Division enters a newly captured Russian town in the early winter of 1941.
A Pz.Kpfw.II advances along rough terrain in the winter of 1941.
A column of vehicles, including Pz.Kpfw.38(t), on a snowy road bound for the front. The extreme winter of late 1941 had caused the German Army serious delays. As a result much of the front stagnated until the spring thaw of 1942, delaying the conquest of Russia by months. Barbarossa had been a success in terms of the vast distances in which the Wehrmacht had travelled but, coupled with growing enemy resistance and the Russian winter, it had failed to achieve its objective.
On a training ground in the snow, and a newly whitewashed Pz.Kpfw.I can be seen stationary next to a standard grey camouflage Pz.Kpfw.II. Note how the whitewashed vehicle is concealed against the snow terrain. At first virtually none of the German vehicles fighting on the Eastern Front received any type of winter whitewash paint and retained their original dark grey camouflage scheme, making them more susceptible to attack in the snow.
A Pz.Kpfw.II can be seen in a Soviet village in the winter of 1941. The vehicle has received a crude application of winter whitewash.
A Pz.Kpfw.38(t) that has received an application of winter whitewash is seen moving along a road. Horse carts can be seen passing. In Russia the bulk of all motive power was undertaken by animal draughts, and thousands of caissons and other pieces of equipment were required to support the drive east.
The crew of a Pz.Kpfw.I pose for the camera in the winter of 1941. The men wear their standard army issue greatcoat with woollen toque, which was a popular winter item during this period of the war. Scarves were sometimes worn with the toque for additional insulation.
In a Russian town are a line of parked Panzers comprising Pz.Kpfw.I, II, III and IV.
Total destruction on a road in Russia. These Pz.Kpfw.38(t) have more than likely been attacked by Soviet aircraft. On the road to Moscow alone, the Panzerwaffe reported the complete loss of 86 per cent of the Pz.Kpfw.38(t) force. These losses were so high that this model of Czech tank was never able to recover, and consequently they were phased out the following year.
A Pz.Kpfw.38(t) rolling along a road probably in the early summer of 1942 in southern Russia. In spite of the terrible problems that faced the badly depleted Panzer divisions, back in Germany in 1942 production of tanks continued to increase. In order to overcome the mammoth task of defeating the Red Army more Panzer divisions were being raised, and motorized divisions were converted into panzergrenadier divisions. Although equipping the Panzerwaffe was a slow expensive process, it was undertaken effectively with the introduction of a number of new fresh divisions being deployed on the front lines.
A Pz.Kpfw.38(t) moving across country. By the beginning of the German summer offensive in May 1942, not all the Panzer divisions on the Eastern Front were fully equipped and ready for combat. Some of the older units, for instance, did not have their losses from the winter offensive of 1941 replaced and were not ready for any type of full-scale operation. Worn out and depleted Panzer divisions were therefore relegated to Army Group North or Army Group Centre where they were hastily deployed for a series of defensive actions instead. The best equipped Panzer divisions were shifted south to Army Group South for operations through the Caucasus. It was entrusted to the 1st and 4th Panzer armies to spearhead the drive. By May 1942 most of the Panzer divisions involved were up to about 85 per cent of their original fighting strength, and had been equipped with Pz.Kpfw.III and Pz.Kpfw.IV.
Early evening and a Pz.Kpfw.38(t) advances along a sandy road in southern Russia in May 1942.
Two photographs showing a column of Pz.Kpfw.38(t) tanks advancing across Russia. During the early phase of the Russian campaign the Panzer divisions relied heavily on the lighter tanks, such as the Pz.Kpfw.38(t), to provide the armoured punch necessary to break through enemy lines. This gradually put an increasing strain on the light tanks, and as a result many of them were either destroyed or developed mechanical problems.
A Pz.Kpfw.II advances along a typical Russian dirt road. The distances which the Panzerwaffe had to travel were immense and supply lines were constantly being overstretched, especially by advanced units spearheading far in front of the main column.
A Pz.Kpfw.38(t) rolls along a road. Passing in the opposite direction is a column of Soviet prisoners being led to the rear to hastily erected POW camps. This Czech-built tank was relatively successful during early operations in Russia, however it was already clear that it was no match for the mighty Soviet T-34.
Two photographs showing the devastation caused to a German armoured column by Soviet aerial attack. Both photographs show damaged Pz.Kpfw.38(t). Often these vehicles were salvaged and their parts cannibalized for other tanks.
Early summer of 1942 and the crew of a Pz.Kpfw.38(t) can be seen sitting on the tank. It was quite obvious by this period of the war how lightly armoured these Czech vehicles were when it came to meeting the developing threat of the Soviet army. As a consequence losses grew to staggering proportions. By the time the Germans unleashed their summer offensive in May 1942, this light tank was being relegated to second line duties.
A Pz.Kpfw.38(t) wades across a river in 1942. In 1942 each Panzer Division fielded two motorized infantry regiments with two infantry battalions each.
On a congested road and a column of stationary Pz.Kpfw.35(t) can be seen, along with Horch cross-country vehicles. Note the national flag draped over the engine deck of the tank for aerial recognition purposes.
Climbing through hilly ground is an unidentified Panzer unit comprising Pz.Kpfw.I and II. The tank crews are wearing their special black Panzer uniforms of the Panzertruppen. Across Europe and into Russia these black uniforms would come to symbolize the elite troops armoured troops of the powerful Panzerwaffe.
A column of Pz.Kpfw.38(t) roll along a road. By mid-1942 many of the light tanks were being pulled from the front line and used as training vehicles. The losses in German armour during this period were immense and as a consequence heavier tanks were required to deal with Soviet tanks and guns.
A propaganda photograph showing the versatility of the Pz.Kpfw.38(t). While these vehicles were successful during the early period of the war and on the Eastern Front during the summer of 1941, they never had the status of a main battle tank.
An impressive photograph showing a very long column of Pz.Kpfw.38(t) rolling along the road in southern Russia, watched by bewildered Ukrainian women. Initially, the population of the Ukraine welcomed the German invasion. They saw the Germans as liberators from Soviet oppression.
Inside a square and a German armoured unit has halted. There are various vehicles, including Pz.Kpfw.II and III. A German commander can be seen watching the spectacle.
A crew member of a 15cm sIG33 can be seen relaxing in a seat on the side of a road, eating and drinking. This vehicle has been converted from the chassis of a Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf.B. Note the gun battery designation letter ‘F’ painted either in white or yellow on the side of the superstructure.