20th Panzer Division - Commissar Order - Kommissarbefehl - Horst Stumpff - Einsatzgruppen

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That’s footage from private reels of a recon unit attached to the newly formed 20th PzD from the beginning of operation Barbarossa in June of 1941. Today we’ll be looking at some of this material as I introduce the history of the unit. Then we’ll see the intentional ambiguity of the Commissar Order the soldiers received on June 21. Finally the invasion starts and we’ll follow the division during that first day of battle.

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The 20. Pz Div was one of the new motorized units that came together after the successful campaign in the West. In Nov of 1940 it received the 59th IR from the 19th Pz. Div. and was expected to ready for action on 1.5.1941. Its equipping, especially in regard to receiving their allotted vehicles, was far behind schedule and many of those that did arrive were of French build and random vehicles from other German formations. On May 1 the division only had 50% of what it was supposed to receive and it was a colorful mixture. In spite of the deficiency, in May the 20th moved to East Prussia which would be their staging ground for the coming campaign against the Soviet union. Only days before the invasion did they finally receive their full allotment of vehicles.

Here we are looking at the units positioning on June 21, 1941 the day before Barbarosa started.

The border reconessaince encountered a lookout tower and reported that the situation was better than expected as the Soviets had only just begun to prepare their defenses. The planned advance routes should be easily traversed. To keep the element of surprise, advance to the border would only occur with the begin of the invasion. On June 21 the division received the definitive time for the attack which was set for June 22, at exactly 3.05 am.

In addition, the troops received orders that were titled Do you know your enemy? This was the infamous Kommissarbefehl that had been prepared by Hitler on June 6th.

Section two clearly states that all Soviet Commissars are to be immediately separated and then executed on the battlefield.

Then in Section three it goes on to say that if the Commissars are not guilty of any enemy action that they should not be killed but rather handed over to a Sonderkommando unit - (I believe the Einsatzgruppen are being referred to here).

So should all Commissars be immediately killed or not? These orders were not quickly written and issued, there was at least two weeks of contemplation. The vagueness was intentional.

Continuing, the Sonderkommando units - or special units - were nothing more than motorized firing squads; I’ve never heard of an instance of the Sonderkommando units doing anything other than kill. They didn’t have the authority to judge.

If I’ve missed something here please let me know in the comment section.

Around midnight on June 22, the artillery set up in its position near Budziska. Shortly after and still under the cover of night, the bulk of divisional forces occupied the forested area along the border. Just before 3 am the first sound of German bombers flying in from the west could be heard.

By 6:30 the unfinished fortified defenses and anti-tank obstacles that were situated to the South West of Kalvarja were reached and taken. The city was quickly cleared of enemy and together with the 7. PzD. the units began advancing East from Kalvaria along the road towards Simnas that lead to the city of Olita.

But with the two armored divisions intending to travel along the same stretch of road without a well timed logistical plan a terrible traffic jam ensued that cost precious time.

That the recon unit is stuck in a traffic jam and has time to film bomb craters being filled in shows just how bad the congestion was.

With this map from June 22 we can see exactly how the divisions advanced and where they were faced with worst of the traffic congestion.

With this situational map from June 22 we can see the extent that the 20th PzD has been able to advance, racing forwards with the 7th panzer division to its flank. We’ve got a number of videos up on that division so go take a look. We’ll be starting part two of the series covering the 20th at this point so if you haven’t yet subscribed please do that.