On the 27th October 1944 the last major clash between German and Soviet troops occured in Scandinavia. It took place at the tiny hamlet of Neiden in the far North of Norway between retreating German troops from the 6 Gebirgs Division and the advancing Soviet 126 Light Rifle Corps.
Background
On the 7th October 1944 the Soviet 14th army with the support of the Northern fleet and 7th Ari Army launched a massive offensive against the long held positions of the XIX Gebirgs Korps. The Germans numbered just under 60 000 men whilst the Soviets around 100 000, they also enjoyed a massive advantage in artillery, had armour where the Germans had none and dominated in both the air and at sea. The Germans however were in well built defensive positions which had been occupied for almost 3 years.
The basic Soviet plan was to drive a wedge between the 2 and 6 Geb.Div. surround both, including their attached, support and coastal artillery units and destroy them. In this at least they failed though the Germans were obliged to pull out and retreat Westwards whilst delaying the Soviets for as long as possible in order to allow for an orderly withdrawal. By the 25th October the Norwegian port and town of Kirkenes had been liberated, a distance of roughly 100km from their original start points. Whilst Kirkenes was being liberated, the 126 Light Rifle Corps had hooked around to the South over open country, making for the important river crossing of Neiden. The intent was to cut off some of the retreating Germans but by the time they reached the river on the evening of the 26th they met the dug in rearguard of II./GJR 143 on the opposite bank. The next day they would mount a full assault using the entire corps supported by artillery and aircraft.
This map shows the rough routes travelled by the two opposing formations prior to their clash at Neiden.
27th October
The opposing forces.
II./GJR 143: Hauptmann Eduard Altacher
made up of 5 companies (numbered 6 to 10), strength at the time of the battle unknown but certainly way under it's establishment after 3 weeks of hard almost non-stop fighting.
supported by 8cm mortars mainly, possibly some 7.5cm Geb36 mountain guns and perhaps some heavier guns further to the rear. No reports of air support known.
126 Light Rifle Corps: Colonel V.N. Solovev
made up of two brigades, the 31st Light Rifle Brigade and the 72nd Naval Rifle Brigade. Each brigade consisted of 3 battalions of 715 men, at full strength the corps numbered approx. 9 000 men but would have also been well below this number by the 27th. the infantry were supported by 76mm guns, 82mm and 120mm mortars. Heavier artillery is likely to have been present, the operation was supported by ground attack aircraft.
The rough location of the German defensive line and the movements of the 126 LRC at Neiden.
The Soviet commander decided to mass his available artillery on the high ground to the South of the river and attempt a flanking manoeuver up stream. There they were aided by local Norwegians who ferried around 400 men across the Neiden river.
This the point the Soviets were ferried across, the scene is probably very much as it was in 1944.
looking West from the south bank of the river, the crossing point is in the far distance.
At the crossing point are two memorials commemorating the event. Odd thing to see Soviet war memorials in a NATO country.
more....
Background
On the 7th October 1944 the Soviet 14th army with the support of the Northern fleet and 7th Ari Army launched a massive offensive against the long held positions of the XIX Gebirgs Korps. The Germans numbered just under 60 000 men whilst the Soviets around 100 000, they also enjoyed a massive advantage in artillery, had armour where the Germans had none and dominated in both the air and at sea. The Germans however were in well built defensive positions which had been occupied for almost 3 years.
The basic Soviet plan was to drive a wedge between the 2 and 6 Geb.Div. surround both, including their attached, support and coastal artillery units and destroy them. In this at least they failed though the Germans were obliged to pull out and retreat Westwards whilst delaying the Soviets for as long as possible in order to allow for an orderly withdrawal. By the 25th October the Norwegian port and town of Kirkenes had been liberated, a distance of roughly 100km from their original start points. Whilst Kirkenes was being liberated, the 126 Light Rifle Corps had hooked around to the South over open country, making for the important river crossing of Neiden. The intent was to cut off some of the retreating Germans but by the time they reached the river on the evening of the 26th they met the dug in rearguard of II./GJR 143 on the opposite bank. The next day they would mount a full assault using the entire corps supported by artillery and aircraft.
This map shows the rough routes travelled by the two opposing formations prior to their clash at Neiden.
27th October
The opposing forces.
II./GJR 143: Hauptmann Eduard Altacher
made up of 5 companies (numbered 6 to 10), strength at the time of the battle unknown but certainly way under it's establishment after 3 weeks of hard almost non-stop fighting.
supported by 8cm mortars mainly, possibly some 7.5cm Geb36 mountain guns and perhaps some heavier guns further to the rear. No reports of air support known.
126 Light Rifle Corps: Colonel V.N. Solovev
made up of two brigades, the 31st Light Rifle Brigade and the 72nd Naval Rifle Brigade. Each brigade consisted of 3 battalions of 715 men, at full strength the corps numbered approx. 9 000 men but would have also been well below this number by the 27th. the infantry were supported by 76mm guns, 82mm and 120mm mortars. Heavier artillery is likely to have been present, the operation was supported by ground attack aircraft.
The rough location of the German defensive line and the movements of the 126 LRC at Neiden.
The Soviet commander decided to mass his available artillery on the high ground to the South of the river and attempt a flanking manoeuver up stream. There they were aided by local Norwegians who ferried around 400 men across the Neiden river.
This the point the Soviets were ferried across, the scene is probably very much as it was in 1944.
looking West from the south bank of the river, the crossing point is in the far distance.
At the crossing point are two memorials commemorating the event. Odd thing to see Soviet war memorials in a NATO country.
more....
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