2nd SS PzD Das Reich War Diary Pt 7, Rgt der Führer, German combat training film, Guderian and Hoth

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Episode 119

As a framework, I’m using this sensational original war diary written by a platoon leader named Kurt from the Regiment Der Führer. It follows the division up through Operation Typhoon which was the desperate last attempt to take Moscow in the winter of 1941-42. In addition, I’ve added photographs, related film clips, original OKW situational maps and even an entry from the Official war diary of the German high command. If you haven’t yet subscribed please do that to stay informed.

When we were last with Kurt in episode 6 he explained how an unsuspecting Soviet supply column had been commandeered. Of all the valuable items, the stash of tee and large tee pot were probably the most popular. Taking turns guarding the supply the men drank until the early hours of the morning. Kurt continues with his entry for July 11, 1941.

Putting together some crates and a cabinet I am able to create a platform that serves as a bed. Then at about 02 hrs a Soviet truck carrying two officers and a Commissar abruptly approaches us on the road apparently unaware of the situation. A few hundred meters in front of us they reach a sentry post and the sentries unload open fire. The driver of the truck is killed and, now out of control, the truck continues on straight towards our truck. The entire time the guards continue firing a machine-gun from behind with random rounds impacting with our truck. My men have all taken cover in a ditch to the side of the road and are watching the spectacle however all the while I continue sleeping, undisturbed. The truck crashes into a large box refrigeration unit and smashes off a corner and then comes to a stop much the worse for wear.

A few men run over to the Commissar who is badly injured but still alive, and finish him off with a pistol. The shot wakes me and my astounded men explain everything that I’ve missed. There are various bullet holes in the make shift bed that I’d put together. I guess there really is nothing more important than getting restful sleep.

We stay in the area around Sachody until July 13th denying the enemy of all possible routs of retreat.

Keeping Kurt’s statement in mind about their positioning in mid July lets take a step back and get an overview of the strategic situation for Army Group Center around this time.

When Operation Barbarossa began, the German High Command lacked the specific details on exactly how a decisive victory would be achieved. Huge battles of annihilation were envisioned that would defeat Soviet forces to the West of the Dnieper River and leave the enemy in a position that would make it impossible to continue the war. A metaphors often used was the kicking in the door of a rotten house which would cause it to fall in on itself.

On July 11th the SS motorized division Reich was positioned here near the city that Kurt called Sachody but In the Campaign Atlas is called Schklow. Names of cities are a nightmare in this campaign. Many of the Russian names have been changed since the war, and others are now parts of independent countries that speak different languages and now have different names. If you have any idea where the name Sachody came from please let me know in the comment section below.

If we look at the Soviet movements it seems that many are still in full retreat and their counter attacks are not making headway.

This excerpt from an entry for Army Group Center in the OKW War Diary for July 11 shows the German High Command’s frame of mind.

New thrusts by the armored divisions in PzGr. 3 and PzGr. 2 were underway which were to eventually end with the taking of the important city of Smolensk. Hopefully additional large pockets of Soviet forces would be created and finally break the back of the enemy. The SS motorized Div. Reich was in a holding position to make sure none of the Soviets succeeded in breaking out to the West.

On the 12th we see that a highly fortified western perimeter has been set up in preparation for the holding a new enemy pocket. The progress of the Panzer divisions is swift as the attack develops.

On July 13th we see that the armor continues thrusting through the enemy lines but it’s becoming clear that the Soviets have managed to keep the front intact and avoid allowing large formations to be surrounded.

This tendency continues on the 14th. Swift advance with motorized and armored units is still relatively easy but the knockout battle of annihilation has not materialized. This represents the beginning of a transition to the next phase of the war which would eventually put the SS motorized division Reich in a key position of responsibility. The war was to be ended by the end of 1941 by the taking of Moscow, the Soviet capital, and Reich would be at the spearhead.