Sonderkommando Benesch ETO (id:#61815)

(March Madness 2013 Commissar Pack ID: MM28)   [next]   [previous]

Saaremaa Island, Estonia 1941-09-14 (0 others)

Overview:

After the fall of Tallinn, the Germans moved to mount an attack against the Baltic islands. The islands blocked access to the Gulf of Riga and provided the only point from which the Russians could laucnh an attack on Berlin – which they did in August and early September. Operation Beowulf II began on 10 September with an attack against Vornsi Island. Starting 13 September, German and Finnish naval units began diversionary operations off Saaremaa and Hiumaa Islands to pull Soviet forces away from the primary target of Muhu Island – which was amphibiously assaulted by the 61st Infantry Division early on 14 September. The same day commando teams, composed of elements from the Brandenburg Regiment, were launched against Saaremaa Island with the mission to neutralize Soviet long-ramge naval guns on the Kuebassare Peninsula that could interdict the 61st Infantry Division's landing zones. The airborne assault was brought in by glider and made by a Sonderkoammdo formed from 16. Kompanie, Brandenburg Rgiment led by Hauptman Benesch. After consolidating, the commandos moved out toward the gun positions.

Defender: Russian (Kuebassare Battery 43)  

Errata (source)