A Timetable Disrupted ETO (id:#67132)

(HASL 13 - Slaughter at Ponyri ID: SaP CGI)   [next]   [previous]

Ponyri Station, Russia 1943-07-07 (43 others)

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Overview:

On the third day of Operation CITADEL, the first day of the battle for Ponyri, veteran elements of Grenadier-Regiment 507 and 508 from Infanterie-Division 292 and attached annor units (including the elite Sturmgeschtitz-Abteilung 244) were given the important task of seizing a strung out, rural transportation nexus named Ponyri. This was a critical object for the 9. Armee. PanzerDivision 18 was scheduled to support, but due to various mishaps, delays, and Soviet obstruction they arrived late to the battle~ This delay put enormous pressure on Infanterie-Division 292 during the initial days of the battle and halted any hopes of quick seizure of the objectives. Elements of Soviet 1021st and 1023rd Rifle Regiments from the 307th Rifle Division, along with elements of the 129th Tank Brigade and the 1442nd Self-Propelled Artillery Regiment, manned the formidable fortifications east, west, and north of Ponyri. They were well prepared and trained for the kind of combat that would ensue. The Soviet HQ issued their orders for the day: "No retreat-Ponyri must be held at all costs!" The battle for Ponyri would become known in history for its ferocity and for the untold number of men who perished in a fight that would decide the fate of the German Army's ambitious plans to eliminate the "bulge" at Kursk

Defender: Russian (1019th and 1023rd Regiments, 307th Rifle Division and 13th Anti-Tank Artillery Brigade)  

Errata (source)