The Fraternal Grave ETO (id:#61627)

(Schwerpunkt #18 ID: SP206)   [next]   [previous]

Andreevka, Russia 1943-07-13 (13 others)

Overview:

18th Tank Corps attacked with the 170th Tank Brigade as the spearhead along the SS Totenkopf divisional boundary, south of the Psel River to clear the Germans from the villages of Mikhailovka and Andreevka. The second echelon consisting of Major Plissev’s Churchill tanks of the 36th Guards Heavy Tank Breakthrough Regiment, supporting the 127th Guards Rifle Regiment had fought its way to the edge of Andreevka, but found itself in a bitter fight with anti-tank guns and several panzers, including at least one Tiger tank. Equipped with Churchill IVs, the Russian crews referred to it as the “Fraternal Grave” for good reason. At 1600, the 32nd Motorized Rifle Brigade and the remaining Churchill tanks continued their attack westward toward the SS Totenkopf Panzer Division that was awaiting them at Vasil’evka.

Defender: German (SS) (Elements 1st SS Panzer Recon Btn & 2nd SS Panzer Regt., 1st SS Panzergrenadier Division Leibstandarte)  

Errata (source)