battle of rzhev

Overall, the 9th Army toll lay at above 53,000, including in excess of 1,500 officers. The Battle of Rzhev in the Summer of 1942 was part of a series of battles that lasted 15 months in the center of the Eastern Front. Soviet infantry from the 20th Army was pushing past his rear towards Kamanovo, but were thwarted by the arrival of 2nd Panzer Division, which pushed them back and sent tanks and panzer grenadiers to the aid of Gollnick. Актуальная история", Military improvisations during the Russian Campaign, Гудериан Гейнц. [25], The Soviets managed to exploit the earlier victory at the Battle of Stalingrad and create some advantages in the critical sector of the front. Rzhev was occupied by German troops on October 24, 1941. 9th Army report dated 10 September 1942, Geramisova archives, Weather data for Rzhev on ru.wikipedia.org (Russian text), Extracts from the journal of hostilities 16th Guards Rifle Division, July 30 & 31, Heeresarzt 10-Day Casualty Reports per Army/Army Group, 1942, German 10 day casualty reports listed by Army, Articles about the Rzhez battles (Russian Text), Article On the 70th anniversary of the Pogorelov-Gorodyshchens'ka and Rzhev-Sychevsky operations in 1942. The inhabitants were transported to Germany and Eastern Europe. When the Soviet counteroffensive drove them back, Rzhev became a cornerstone of the Germans' defense. These were turned by the Wehrmacht into strongholds, The intense fighting cost the 5th Panzer Division 285 casualties on this day alone,[60] but limited further Russian advance to only 2 miles (3.2 km).[54]. Of course, in this period, many Soviet units still had inadequate strength and equipment, but with the more plentiful reserve force, they managed to somewhat maintain stable fighting capability and prevent the severe fluctuation in manpower. From the German point of view, the most important objective was the Viazma–Rzhev rail line,[22] the loss of which would sever their supply line to Rzhev and render the defense of the whole salient untenable. [54] Nevertheless, on August 11, after a brisk artillery preparation, it struck, advanced 3 miles (5 km) and captured the village of Jelnia. BF1942 - Rzhev. Glantz, Forgotten battles Vol III, p. 150. Geographical Dictionary of the World, entry on Volga, p. 1938. Material losses were estimated at 500 million rubles (1941 value). Плен. Generalmajor Gollnick, the divisional commander, watched the houses of Dolgie Niwuj go up in flames and started to reorganize his defences to cope with what was to be but the first of a series of crises for the division. – Rzhev: 2000 – pp. Historians consider the Battle of Rzhev "one of the bloodiest in the history of the Great Patriotic War" and "Zhukov's greatest defeat". In more detail, David Glantz asserted that Zhukov's command in this offensive was not careful, too ambitious, too clumsy and all these lead to a disaster. The Battle of Rzhev is marked in Soviet history as one of the longest and bloodiest battles of the Great Patriotic War. In the breakthrough sectors the supporting tanks were lagging behind, and many remained mired in the mud; the riflemen had come up against prepared German lines, and upon digging in found their trenches immediately filled with water. It is known in Soviet history of World War II as the First Rzhev–Sychyovka Offensive Operation , which was defined as spanning from 30 July to 23 August 1942. The defensive positions created by the Germans after the retreat from Moscow were well constructed and placed. [11] The Soviet counter-attack had run out of steam and the Germans recovered enough to mount several operations to clear up their rear area. [42] Therefore, Beevor asserted the comments of Glantz about Zhukov's responsibility were not correct.[39]. Also important from the Soviet perspective was the Zubtov–Shakhovskaya rail line, which ran in the direction of their intended advance, and could be used to ferry supplies forward. In all, the 30th Army deployed 390 tanks, 1323 guns and mortars, and 80 rocket launchers for the attack. (data of Ministry of Defence, code name TsAMO RF, shelf 208, drawer 2579, folder 16, volume ll, pp. [39] The frontal attacks of the 31 July set the pattern for the days to come; Soviet commanders did not have the latitude (or sometimes the imagination) to develop flexible tactics and often rigidly executed orders from above, even if it meant attacking head on across the same ground for days or even weeks at a time.[43][44]. [47][48], Series of Soviet Operations in World War II, Rzhev-Vyazma Strategic Offensive Operation, Mozhaysk-Vyazma Offensive (Operation Jupiter), First Rzhev–Sychyovka Offensive Operation, Second Rzhev-Sychyovka Strategic Offensive (Operation Mars), Strengths and weaknesses in the Soviet and German tactics, The Title "City of Military Glory" of Rzhev, Ржевско-Вяземская стратегическая наступательная операция, Сычёвско-Вяземская наступательная операция, Можайско-Вяземская наступательная операция, Торопецко-Холмская наступательная операция, Оборонительная операция в районе города Белый, Оборонительная операция под Холм-Жирковским, Холм-Жирковская оборонительная операция, Первая Ржевско-Сычёвская (Гжатская) наступательная операция, Вторая Ржевско-Сычёвская наступательная операция, Ржевско-Вяземская наступательная операция (1943). [29] Konev took the 6th Tank out from 20th Army and put it back in the line just below Zubtsov utilizing 31st Army's bridgehead. As a result, a salient was formed along the front line in the direction of the capital, which became known as the Rzhev-Vyazma Salient. The Rzhev Memorial to the Soviet Soldier was unveiled by the presidents of Russia and Belarus on 30 June 2020. As long as its citizens, military personnel and government officers paid a large contribution for the Great Patriotic War and expressed great heroism, bravery and patriotism in these contributions, that is enough. [23] After the successful conclusion of the operation the army group shifted many of its offensive-capable divisions southward for its next planned attack against the Sukhimchi bulge, leaving the 9th Army at the end of July with 16 infantry divisions, organised in three corps, with 14 divisions in the line, one in reserve and another in transit. Rzhev and its neighboring towns were completely destroyed. Overrunning a sector which ran across swampy and forested ground, the division in three days fought its way through to the Rzhev airfield on the outskirts of the city. After its initial breakthrough, 31st Army had achieved a steady but unspectacular advance in its sector against German infantry, pushing them back step by step, and inflicting a steady drain on German resources but suffering greatly itself. Battle of Rzhev Upload media ... Media in category "Battles of Rzhev" The following 13 files are in this category, out of 13 total. Defending the salient required 29 divisions. Quân đội nhân dân Publisher. Section 1: the first summer attacks), Кожевников, Михаил Николаевич. The closing stages of the Battle of Moscow saw the formation of the Rzhev salient. [40], The Soviet 30th Army had broken through on a front nine kilometers and a reached a depth of 4 miles (7 km),[36] but already late on the first day its spearheads were brought to a halt by German counter-attacks, and ominous signs of the difficulties ahead started to appear. Such separated and uncooperative assaults failed to achieve their goals and lead to the total failure of the whole offensives. The tank corps had been created between March and May around a kernel of existing tank brigades and new men from the training establishments. [64] There was some improvement in the weather which finally allowed the roads to dry sufficiently to bring up ammunition, and Soviet logistics were further improved by the restoration of the rail line as far as Pogoreloye Gorodishche. The 5th Army had only managed to make a shallow dent in the line on 8 August when its first attack had been rapidly halted by German reinforcements, now rejoined the struggle to add to the pressure on Zorn's XXXXVI Panzer Corps from the east. G. K. Zhukov. Ziemke, Moscow to Stalingrad, (Kindle Locations 8922–8924). After the German 9th Army under General Walter Model retreated from the outskirts of Moscow in late 1941, they took up positions around the town of Rzhev. 15, No. (Mikhail Nikolayevich Kozhevnikov. The 220th Rifle Division, which had been battering away at the stubborn defence of the 256th Infantry Division since 30 July and had lost 877 dead and 3083 wounded in the first four days alone, finally captured the key village of Belkovo on the 12 August. This enabled the Red Army to conduct active defenses and prepare for large-scaled offensives.[28]. Meanwhile, during the first half of 1942, the reserved source of equipment was still not adequate. In addition, the Soviets also started using tanks as a main assault force instead of a mere supporting tool for infantry. Kindle Edition. Fighting in the area remained mostly static for 14 months. (2002). During "the ammunitions famine" at Rzhev salient, on average, the Red Army only had 3 bullets for each rifle, 30 bullets for each submachine gun, 300 bullets for each light machine gun and 600 bullets for each heavy one. Even the victory at the previous battle of Moskva was already a miracle for the Soviet Union. [46] Its divisional commander, Colonel Stanislav Poplavsky, saw that 'the fields were full with the bodies of the dead.' [61] Counter-attacks stabilized the front, and Model allowed [10] Just managing to keep the encroaching Soviet armies away from the vital rail link into Rzhev, the 9th Army, now commanded by General Model, managed to close the Rzhev gap, thereby cutting the Soviet supply lines and reducing their ability to deal a crippling blow to the whole army group. Battlefield 1942 map based on a german attack on the city of Rzhev. Part I: 1942 Summer-Autumn Offensive. The constant attacks exhausted the troops, and break-ins had to be constantly driven back by local counterattacks. — М.: Яуза; Эксмо, 2003. That unreasonable act severely weakened the right wing of the Western Front and lead to the failure of the offensive at the area Olenino - Rzhev - Osuga. It was strategically important for the German Army Group Centre due to the threat it posed to Moscow, and was therefore heavily fortified and strongly defended. [55] Von Vietinghoff, acting 9th Army commander, had already committed what reserves he had against the Kalinin Front's attack and had virtually nothing on hand to stop the new Soviet advance except Army schools, teenage helpers and a few flak guns, which he positioned at strategic points. The losses in men and equipment to Army Group Centre were considerable. Battles of Rzhev from 1941–1943.Chapter 13 'Fight in the swamp'. The high losses and few gains made during the two-month struggle left a lasting impression on the Soviet soldiers who took part. Initial Soviet forces committed by the Kalinin and Western Front included the 22nd, 29th, 30th, 31st, 39th of the former, and the 1st Shock, 5th, 10th, 16th, 20th, 33rd, 43rd, 49th, and 50th armies and three cavalry corps for the latter. (data of Ministry of Defence, code name TsAMO RF, shelf 208, drawer 2579, folder 16, volume ll, pp. 359-368. 20th Army found its headquarters communications not up to the task and had difficulty coordinating its many rifle units and cooperating with the front's mobile group. For example, during January and February 1942, the Western Front only received 55% of needed 82mm mortar rounds, 36% of needed 120mm rounds and 44% of needed artillery munitions. The Battle of Rzhev, a small town in northwestern Russia, was not a victory for the Red Army. American military historian, Colonel David M. Glantz claimed that G. K. Zhukov had to take the main responsibility in the tactical failure of this operation, and this is "the greatest defeat of Marshal Zhukov". The Battle of Rzhev – Corporal Wichard Scholz. [38] However, Antony Beevor disagreed with Glantz's comment. At Rzhev, the soldiers of Das Reich paid homage to the SS accolade “Your honor is loyalty” with their deaths. Rzhevskaya war of 1941–1943. The Battle of Rzhev in the Summer of 1942 was part of a series of battles that lasted 15 months in the center of the Eastern Front. [46], But in other sectors new rifle formations had been brought up. Because of the ongoing logistical problems, resupply was difficult; 8th Tank Corps complained of running low on fuel and ammunition, which hindered its operations. Finally, on 23 August, Kamanovo fell. As heavy as the German sacrifices were, Model had reversed two months of defeats, saved the 9th Army, and in conjunction with the German successes south of … The operations led to disproportionately high Soviet losses and tied down large numbers of Soviet troops. Their neighbors from Toropets, on the other hand, give more credence to Rzhev's first mention in a major chronicle under 1216, when it was in possession of Mstislav the Bold, Prince of Toropets. Incredibly detailed account of the year-long battles in the Rzhev salient west of Moscow with emphasis on the Russian "Operation Mars" in November 1942 and the associated German responses and operations. Its 2nd Battalion became encircled and had to fight its way out, with a supporting tank company losing eight tanks fending off attacks by T34s which seemed to come from all sides. Historians consider the Battle of Rzhev "one of the bloodiest in the history of the Great Patriotic War" and "Zhukov's greatest defeat". [29] The serious lack of ammunition hampered Soviet efforts in neutralizing German strongpoints, leading to heavy casualties in the assaults.[28]. [27], After the "manpower crisis" of late 1941, in 1942 the Soviets had gathered enough strategic reserves, and they also began to pay more attention to developing them. Неизвестный Жуков: портрет без ретуши в зеркале эпохи", "ВОЕННАЯ ЛИТЕРАТУРА --[ Мемуары ]-- Белов П. А. За нами Москва", "Film Spurs Russia to Squelch Criticism of Soviet War Tactics - HistoryNet", "Ржевская битва 1941-1943 гг. [67] He decided to launch the 31st and 29th Armies from the south east and 30th again from the north and 'close the encirclement ring around Rzhev'. Rzhev Battles (Russian: Ржевская битва) is a general term for a series of World War II offensives launched during January 8, 1942—March 31, 1943 by the Soviet Red Army in the general directions of Rzhev, Sychevka and Vyazma against a German salient in the vicinity of Moscow, known as the "Rzhev meat grinder" ("Ржевская мясорубка") for these battles' huge losses. The following day, the Soviets broke through from the north with tanks and infantry, swept around and over a battery of divisional artillery, 105 mm howitzers, and reached the tiny community of Dolgie Niwuj, barely a mile and a half from the 36th Motorised Divisional headquarters in Voskresenskoye (Woskresenskoje). The 20th and 31st Soviet Armies had torn a gaping hole in the German front, and by evening their rifle divisions and supporting Tank Brigades had advanced 5 miles (8 km) into the German lines. The Panzer divisions all had lost between 1,500 and 2,000 casualties, and most of the tanks they started the battle with. Another Soviet offensive began near Rzhev. The Germans first blocked the natural breakout route through the Obsha valley and then split the Soviet forces into two isolated pockets. It will cost the lives of some 3 million Soviet soldiers and 500,000 German soldiers. 18, No. von Plato, 5 Panzer Division, pp. The population of the city was decimated, and when it was finally liberated by Soviet troops on 3 March 1943, only 150 residents remained. In the aftermath of the Soviet winter counteroffensive of 1941–42, substantial Soviet forces remained in the rear of the German Ninth Army. 1987. pp. [34] In the movie, the casualties of Soviet forces are given as 433,000 KIA. For the Soviets, the day failed to deliver anything except heavy losses. The Soviet Army suffered terribly from severe deficits in weapons and equipment due to the tremendous losses during the German onslaught in 1941. [40] It has been asserted[by whom?] Grant, The German Campaign in Russia, planning and operations, p. 130. They estimated correctly that many rifle divisions had suffered thousands of casualties, but also noted signs of new men arriving to fill some of the depleted ranks. Total casualties of 20th, 30th, 31st Army and 2nd Guard Cavalry Corps from 21 to 30 November 1942 (first phase of Operation Mars): 7,893 KIA, 1,288 MIA, 28,989 WIA. — Смоленск. Rzhev, Battle of, Rzhev, Russia, 1942-1943 Please provide your name, email, and your suggestion so that we can begin assessing any terminology changes. Battle of Rzhev - 5 August 1942 - Western Front continues attack.jpg 1,240 × 1,555; 310 KB The Battle of Rzhev in the Summer of 1942 was part of a series of battles that lasted 15 months in the center of the Eastern Front. The six rifle divisions in line would strike at the junction of the German 87th and 256th Infantry Divisions and pierce the defenses along a 6-mile (10 km) front. The first operation against the salient began on... Other Soviet attacks. As a results, many Soviet units were trapped in a notable number of "pockets" when the Germans counter-attacked. Media in category "Battles of Rzhev" The following 13 files are in this category, out of 13 total. [26] The Front commanders also got some important experience in commanding and coordinating a combined force. Battle of Rzhev scenario changes The scenario comes with 75 core slots and 130 aux slots. He issued 'not a step back' orders and funnelled in all available reserves, including scratch battle groups thrown together from troops returning on leave trains. The terrain was in places low and prone to swampiness, with the villages constructed on the higher and drier elevations. [21] However, according to Svetlana Gerasimova, German casualties in the battle for the Rzhev – Viaz’ma are uncertain, and the commonly cited 350,000–400,000 lack substantiation and references to documentary sources. The 9th Army had reluctantly handed over the 54th Motorcycle Battalion, the 14th Motorized Division's only reserve, to fill the hole in the 256th Division's left flank. However, it laid the foundation for the decisive victories at … 184 and Dulag No. Smolensk. As a result, a salient was formed along the front line in the direction of the capital, which became known as the Rzhev-Vyazma Salient. The germans have to attack the city through the entrance and cap out the Russian defenders, while the Russians have to … It was strategically important for the German Army Group Centredue to the threat it posed to Moscow, and was therefore heavily fortified and strongly defended. Once he had taken over, Konev saw that 'troops were dwindling in number and shells were few' and called for a halt to reorganize, restock ammunition, repair tanks and aircraft. Так шли мы к победе", "ВОЕННАЯ ЛИТЕРАТУРА --[ Военная история ]-- Кириченко П. И. Первым всегда трудно", "ВОЕННАЯ ЛИТЕРАТУРА --[ Военная история ]-- Исаев А. Краткий курс истории ВОВ. Beshanov, Year 1942 – "Learning", p. 320. Veterans called this colossal battle, which continued for a total of 15 months, "the Rzhev slaughterhouse" or "the Massacre", while the German generals named this city "the cornerstone of the Eastern Front" and "the gateway to Berlin". Fields denoted with an asterisk (*) are required . [42], The next morning the Soviet attackers expected to be able to resume the advance, but had difficulties coordinating their various arms. The cutting of a major highway to Rzhev by the cavalry signalled the commencement of the Toropets–Kholm Offensive. [10] Rzhev, a strategic crossroads and vital rail junction straddling the Volga, became the northern corner post of Army Group Centre's left wing. Chapter IX: Chief Inspector of Armoured Units), Бевин Александер. [52], The attack by western front, planned for 2 August, was delayed by another two days, mainly for the additional delays imposed by the abysmal weather. They would have limited mobility and reduced combat efficiency, with the greatest gap being the shortage of motor vehicles and horses. 50, 53, 110, 113, 160, 222 rifle divisions 112, 120, 125, 125 rifle brigades 18, 80, 248 tank brigades, 5th, 6th, 8th Tank Corps, 2nd guards Cavalry Corps, This page was last edited on 6 December 2020, at 19:53. (data of Ministry of Defence, code name TsAMO RF, shelf 208, drawer 2579, folder 6, volume 208, pp. Наступление маршала Шапошникова", "ВОЕННАЯ ЛИТЕРАТУРА --[ Исследования ]-- Соколов Б.В. Rzhev, Battle of, Rzhev, Russia, 1942-1943 Please provide your name, email, and your suggestion so that we can begin assessing any terminology changes. The Battles of Rzhev (Russian : Ржевская битва) were a series of Soviet operations in World War II between January 8, 1942 and March 31, 1943. The city had a good fortifications system, but it was mostly abandoned when Red Army was re- grouping near Soviet capital. [69] By 10 September the Soviet armies had been decimated: losses had reduced them to half-strength, with 184,265 men and 306 tanks. the 256th Infantry and 14th Motorised Divisions, whose positions now bulged out into Soviet lines, to pull back across the Volga's western bank. The Journal of Slavic Military Studies: Vol. Rzhev was founded in the Middle Ages and rivals Toropets as the oldest town in the region. A concentration of artillery and mortars along a narrow front rained down shells and bombs on the German positions for nearly one and a half hours, and was followed by a pause in which Soviet aircraft laid smoke along the front line. Veterans called this colossal battle, which continued for a total of 15 months, "the Rzhev slaughterhouse" or "the Massacre", while the German generals named this city "the cornerstone of the Eastern Front" and "the gateway to Berlin". It will cost the lives of some 3 million Soviet soldiers and 500,000 German soldiers. 373rd Rifle Division - Wikipedia LA Sorin, Kondratiev, P. Karintsev, Smirnov, E. Ozhogin . 70 years ago, one of the greatest military podvigs* in Russian history occurred. Boris Gorbachevsky, Through the Maelstrom: A Red Army Soldier's War on the Eastern Front, 1942-1945, by University Press of Kansas, 2008, This page was last edited on 18 January 2021, at 16:39. The Battle Rzhev–Vyazma Strategic Offensive Operation (8 January – 20 April 1942). The Red Army suffered massive casualties for little gain during the fighting,[5] giving the battle a notoriety reflected in its sobriquet: "The Rzhev Meat Grinder". [7] In October, the strategic balance in the centre of the Eastern Front remained essentially unchanged. According to the German reports which are still stored at the Storage Center of National Documents of Germany, from March 1942 to March 1943, the casualties of the 2nd, 4th, 9th, 2nd Panzer, 3rd Panzer and 4th Panzer Army (the latter only having data from March to April 1942) amount to 162,713 KIA, 35,650 MIA, 469,747 WIA. During these battles the Red Army sought to not only evict German forces from a central position not far outside of Moscow, but also eliminate the bulk of Army Group Center. Posts about Battle of Rzhev written by 01varvara. As a special offering for the anniversary of the great battle, RIA-Novosti gives you this Infographic about the legendary battle. The attack was planned for 9 September, when sufficient ammunition had been brought up. The journalist Alina Makeyeva, in an article of Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper which was published on 19 February 2009, wrote: "The number presented by the historian is too low. Until that morning it had been the location of 336 Infantry Regiment's headquarters, which was found abandoned and strewn with staff documents and discarded equipment. [6] The number of soldiers that died during treatment in the hospital are still unknown. [54], Pogoreloye Gorodishche, a battalion stronghold of the 161st Division's 364th Infantry Regiment and one of the Soviet 20th Army's main initial objectives, was quickly outflanked and then cut off by Soviet infantry. On the Website "Soldier" of Russian Military History Institute, Isayev also said that the electronic draft of Krivosheyev was stolen and illegally used by the hackers, hence these drafts were completely deleted from the Institute Website. But according to his description, from 31 July to 9 August, one German battalion at the front line, after being exhausted in the violent battles, only had one commandant and 22 soldiers, and by 31 August there were battalions which had only one commandant and 12 soldiers (equal to one squad). [39], The Russian authors Vladimir Chernov and Galina Yaroslavovna also disagreed with Glantz. Командование и штаб ВВС Советской Армии в Великой Отечественной войне 1941-1945 гг. "; however, Alina could not present any proof. This was achieved in January, and by the end of the month the cavalry corps found itself 110 km in the depth of the German flank. Veterans called this colossal battle, which continued for a total of 15 months, "the Rzhev slaughterhouse" or "the Massacre", while the German generals named this city "the cornerstone of the Eastern Front" and "the gateway to Berlin". Due to the high losses suffered by the Soviet Army, the campaign became known by veterans and historians as the "Rzhev Meat Grinder" ("Ржевская мясорубка"). Which is in itself weird because it is a single scenario and core/aux doesn't matter. During the offensives in January and February 1942, instead of establishing a centralized command and control with tight cooperation between the Fronts, the Soviet Stavka and I. V. Stalin let each Front carry out their own assault without notable cooperation between the Fronts. [52], By the end of the month, the stubborn German defence of Putino came to an end as they finally withdrew under heavy pressure, and took up new defensive positions on the Rzhev perimeter. [64] As additional forces from both sides joined the battle, the intensity of the fighting grew, but the forward momentum of the attackers first slackened, then stopped. and linked by trench lines and defences. Moving on, it captured the village of Michejewo, threatening a complete breakthrough. The Battles of Rzhev (Russian: Ржевская битва), also known by veterans and historians as the "Rzhev meat-grinder" or "slaughterhouse" ("Ржевская мясорубка") due to horrific losses suffered by the Red Army, were a series of Soviet operations in World War II between January 8, 1942 and March 31, 1943. 373rd Rifle Division - Wikipedia Rzhev Battles (Russian: Ржевская битва) is a general term for a series of World War II offensives launched during January 8, 1942—March 31, 1943 by the Soviet Red Army in the general directions of Rzhev, Sychevka and Vyazma against a German salient in the vicinity of Moscow, known as the "Rzhev meat grinder" ("Ржевская мясорубка") for these battles' huge losses.

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