Défence Élastique (Elastic Defense) ETO (id:#56821)

Casus Belli (Casus Belli hors-série # 9 ID: CB 2)   [next]   [previous]

Magierov, Western Ukraine 1941-06-25 (9 others)

Overview:

For four days, Operation Barbarossa has been proceeding according to the most optimistic forecasts of the German general staff. Within the 17th Army (Army Group South), the 97. Leichte Infanterie Division advances without hindrance towards Lemberg, in Galicia, after having dismantled the minefields and barbed wire of the border. Apart from a few fortified works, it has not yet encountered any serious resistance. At dawn on June 25, the division's reconnaissance finally comes into contact with more powerful Soviet units, in this case the 6th Armored Division. At the forefront of the advance, Jäger-Regiment 204 occupies some heights southeast of the town of Magierov in the late morning and observes enemy regroupings that suggest a counterattack. The artillery fire is then directed very effectively and the first shots cause some panic among the Soviets. The regiment nevertheless sets up its defensive positions and begins to suffer several isolated tank and infantry assaults. In the middle of the afternoon, a strong Soviet counterattack is launched.

Defender: German (Jäger-Regiment 204, 97. Leichte Infanterie-Division)  

Errata (source)