Into the Factory ETO (id:#63804)

(HASL 10a - Red Factories ID: RB CG I)   [next]   [previous]

Stalingrad, Russia 1942-10-17 (8 others)

Overview:

Following the fall of the Dzherhezinsky Tractor Factory, the Germans turned southwards against the Red Barricades Ordnance Factory. Fighting in the Barrikady Housing Estate and the Silicate Plant, west of the Red Barricades, had been raging since early October. Now the Germans were reinforced by units that had pulverized the Tractor Factory. Elements of Panzer-Division 14 and Infanterie-Division 389 commenced their attack from the north, while elements of Panzer-Division 24, Infanterie-Division 305 and Jäger-Division 100 came on from the west. The Soviet 84th Tank Brigade and 308th Rifle Division struggled to hold the northern and western approaches to the factory. On 15 October, as Major Pechenyuk’s 650th Rifle Regiment (138th Rifle Division) crossed the Volga, vicious fighting raged north of the Barrikady in the Minusinsk area. The next day a combined force of German tanks and infantry, supported by Stukas, advanced south along Tramvanaya Street, striking the 84th Tank Brigade. Dug-in Soviet tanks destroyed a dozen panzers at close range, stalling the enemy infantry. The Germans attacked again, but took frightful losses from a well-placed Katyusha barrage. Both the 84th Tank Brigade and the 308th Infantry Division struggled on, buying precious time for the two remaining regiments (the 344th and 768th) of Col. Lyudnikov’s 138th Rifle Division to cross the fire-swept river. Arriving during the early morning hours of 17 October, the men were ordered to hold the Barrikady at all costs. Later that morning, the Germans attacked again as the newly arrived Soviets were still preparing their position.

Defender: Russian (138th Rifle Division)  

Errata (source)