Graves In Russia

[tigre]

The GR 277 and the encirclement of Welikije-Luki - winter 1942/43.

Hello to all ; little more..............

The GR 277 and the encirclement of Welikije-Luki - winter 1942/43.

Due to the enemy pressure, the Division should be re-organized by mixing others units. The Division was deployed in and around Isotscha with its CP at Penki; together with the 83 ID also were employed there the GR 504, the Pi Btl 743 and the Schw. Art Abt 506 (Petri).

The 291 ID was advancing in order to carry out an attack against Welikije-Luki from the area of Ssenjkina-Gora. Parts of the GR 251, the so-called Group Giehl, should take part in the attack. Group Klatt (GJR 138) should cover the attack from the area of Tschernosem.

In order to furnish fire support to that attack were organized two artillery groups under the AR 183’s CO:

1. Group Petri with the task of furnishing direct support to the attack.

2. Group Pagel (I./ AR 183; 1./ Schw.Art Abt 506 and 7./ Werf Rgt 55) was to protect the attack’s east flank together with Group Klatt.

All of them will be subordinated to the 291 ID.

Source: Geschichte der 83. Infanterie-division, 1939-1945 Escrito por Reinhard Tiemann

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

The GR 277 and the encirclement of Welikije-Luki - winter 1942/43.

Hello to all ; little more..............

The GR 277 and the encirclement of Welikije-Luki - winter 1942/43.

On Dec 10 1942 the 291 ID jumped off from Ssenjkina; during the second day (Dec 11) it was reached Baschmakowo. On Dec 12 1942, the attack was resumed starting out from the lines held so far and went through a heavy fog. On Dec 14 it was seized Gomorowo by Combat Group Kampmann but it was lost during the morning only to be taken again in the afternoon after carrying out two counterattacks.

At Welikije Luki.

Dec 10 1942 was a hard fighting day within Welikije-Luki, after several salvos of Stalin’s organs at 10:00 hours the infantry attack went under way in mass going through the MLR, however it Could be rejected due to a counterattack carried out by the reserve elements. At noon a pause. It began all over in the afternoon but without success. At night, tank attack!!; one T-34 was knocked out by an antitank gun and another T-34 was destroyed by one grenadier who could put a T-mine under its turret. The calm came back after that.

On Dec 11 1942, several and hard aerial attacks on the city, one Aid Station was hit by a direct impact, 20 to 30 men were killed there.

On Dec 13 1942, at dawn the Russian launched the attack with 2-3 regiments against the west sector of Welikije-Luki, hundreds of soviets corpses littered the ground due to the bullets fired by the German machineguns.

At 10:00 hours started the attacks against the south and southeast sectors; Oberstleutnant v. Sass requested aerial support.

At 13:00 hours, breakthrough with tanks on the northwestern. Counterattack in progress.

At 14:00 hours, breakthrough in the 13. Battery’s sector. Aerial support was requested.

At 14:20 hours to Welikije-Luki: hold on, the help was coming.

At 15:15 hours, broad gap in the western sector the enemy broke with tanks, all reserves were already engaged there.

At 22:00 hours, the enemy could not break through yet, it was held by using all the available forces.

The nightfall did not bring any relief.

Source: Geschichte der 83. Infanterie-division, 1939-1945 Escrito por Reinhard Tiemann

Cheers. Raúl M .

[Tora_Tora_Tora!]

Geschichte der 83. Infanterie-division, 1939-1945 Escrito por Reinhard Tiemann


Is there any english translation of this book?
Thanks!

[tigre]

The GR 277 and the encirclement of Welikije-Luki - winter 1942/43.

Hello to all ; Tora_Tora_Tora! AFAIK Nope. Now little more..............

The GR 277 and the encirclement of Welikije-Luki - winter 1942/43.

During the afternoon, on Dec 14 1942, the regiment (GR 277) reported that it had been rejected all the attacks carried out by several soviet divisions. The main strongholds were in German hands yet. The fights at the Lowat’s bridge and the Strong Point Hamburg were hard with heavy casualties: there was mortally wounded Leutnant Albrecht (Pi Btl 183), wounded Ofw Ude, Fw Splitter was killed by grenades’ splinters and Uffz Shymalla distinguished himself in close combat with the butt.

On Dec 15 1942 at dawn, the Strong Point Wesel, located 3 kilometers ahead of the MLR and manned by troops of 2./ GR 277 (Oberleutnant Weihe) was lost. Nevertheless, the defenders could reach own lines without casualties.

At noon, temporary cease fire and the Russian requesting the surrendering of Welikije-Luki without success. At 13:15 hours, the time was over and the enemy fired upon with all their guns.

In the evening, the Russian attacked along the entire front, and against the west sector with tanks. New MLR: Lowat – north and west edge of the citadel – western bank of the Lowat – Strong Point Augsburg.

At 23:40 hours the garrison radioed that Welikije-Luki was being held against all odds and the mood was high.


On Dec 16 1942, the Luftwaffe bombed soviet positions on the west sector halting the harassment fires but shortly after the German planes had gone hostile fighters and bombers appeared again over the city.

The Strong Point “Hamburg” burning and destroyed was given up. The Beobachtungs-Abt 17 localized the hostile positions and reported them to Arko 103, who in turn passed the info to the Luftwaffe.

At 20:40 hours, the city’s Commander reported that the new MLR on the west was held against all attacks. The defenses on the south were held against two Soviet divisions. Own losses during last days 700 men counting killed, wounded and missing.

Source: Geschichte der 83. Infanterie-division, 1939-1945 Escrito por Reinhard Tiemann

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

The GR 277 and the encirclement of Welikije-Luki - winter 1942/43.

Hello to all ; little more..............

The GR 277 and the encirclement of Welikije-Luki - winter 1942/43.

On Dec 17 1942, several supply points were destroyed by artillery fire. More fire of harassment. Neither hostile infantry nor tanks could be seen today. The horses that were still alive got the last sprouts. It was a lazy day for the grenadiers. Those articles hard to find were cigarettes, bread and sun. The cold receded a little.

On Dec 18 1942, enemy attacks against the bridgehead and at 12:00 hours on the south sector (Wien). As the last reserve, was employed the Beob. Abt 17.

On Dec 19 1942, all day long hostile artillery fire on the MLR west, southwest, south and southeast. Breakthrough, between Nördlingen and Wien I, and Wien II with almost 50 tanks.

Own troops were worn out. Bad weather. The Luftwaffe could not fly. Attack between the Lowat and Budapest with 30 tanks and between Hamburg and the citadel rejected.

On Dec 20 1942, Oberstleutnant v. Sass was awarded with the Knight Cross for his Iron Cross. Attacks against strong points Augsburg and Wien rejected. The town’s eastern edge, still under heavy fire.

On Dec 21 1942, enemy patrols against Strong Point Bremen. Attacks on the northern garrisons. Breakthrough on the Sich. Btl 336’s sector. Bremen was lost. The Officers, NCOs and enlisted men of the ordnance branch worked day and night in order to repair and maintain in action as much guns as possible.

The batteries fought together with the infantry at the enemy’s sight. The 8. Battery had a duel negotiating every second; the 7. Battery had only one howitzer left; the 9. Battery had more luck because its firing position had been erroneously located. The 13. Battery swept a soviet battery in a heroic close fight.

Source: Geschichte der 83. Infanterie-division, 1939-1945 Escrito por Reinhard Tiemann

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

The GR 277 and the encirclement of Welikije-Luki - winter 1942/43.

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The GR 277 and the encirclement of Welikije-Luki - winter 1942/43.

On December 22 1942, the soviets assailed the garrison in the north with support of heavy artillery; the defensive position was lost at 05:00 hours. A new MLR was established south and east of it. From that position the enemy could reach the periphery of the city in the north and the Commander of Welikije – Luki and the Divisional Commanding Officer were well aware of this fact.

The attacks against the felt factory and the Strong Point Klausenburg were rejected. After hard fights all the strong points along the south edge were retained.

On Dec 23 1942, at 05:00 hours enemy attack against the MLR in the north was rejected by a counterattack.

Strong enemy attack, supported by heavy weapons and 4 tanks, against the felt factory was driven back.

At 09:50 hours the felt factory was captured by enemy troops. At 13:40 hours fell Strong Point Bayreuth.

The enemy attacked the German line along the north edge from the west and the line in the south frontally. By nightfall, 3 hostile regiment deployed no more than 300 – 500 meters beyond own lines.

The attack against Stettin and Falkenauge and the assault against the 24 ton bridge over the Lowat were rejected.

On Dec 24 1942, hard enemy’s attacks with tank support on the north edge. The Russians were attacking with storm-troops of 100 – 150 men, tanks, antitank guns and mortars. The tanks stood out of range of own antitank weapons shelling one strong point after another. Hence within one defensive position on the north edge out of 74 men, 40 were casualties. The defenders were lacking ammunition of light and heavy artillery; light and heavy rocket launchers, mortars and infantry weapons.

Source: Geschichte der 83. Infanterie-division, 1939-1945 Escrito por Reinhard Tiemann

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

The GR 277 and the encirclement of Welikije-Luki - winter 1942/43.

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The GR 277 and the encirclement of Welikije-Luki - winter 1942/43.

On Dec 25 1942, the sky was clear hence the aerial supply was available. The enemy brought dead and destruction all over the line with Stalin’s organs and flamethrowers. By nightfall, heavy attack with artillery, tanks and infantry; they could break through Brünn and Nördlingen but were later driven back.

The sky had gotten cloudy again, no ammunition supply so far. Around 30 tanks and behind them two soviet divisions went to the attack, the Strong Point Preussisch-Berlin could not match the assault this time. They fought to the last grenadier. The Germans pilots went through the antiaircraft fire only to fell under artillery fire when landing. A glider carrying an antitank gun was shot down in the no man’s land and 16 comrades were killed.

At 10:00 hours, some bombs containers (versorgunsbomben) were dropped by the Luftwaffe. Before Brünn, the soviets put into the line flamethrowers for the first time. The last antitank cannon of 50 mm was by now out of action. One He-111 was shot down over the city and two men of its crew bailed out. One ammunition depot was destroyed by the bombardment.

On Dec 26 1942, the Commander reported that: in spite of the Strong enemy attacks all of them were rejected so far. The assaults were carried out from the south and southwest even from the west by two Estonian divisions and coming from the northwest by Russian troops supported by at least 30 tanks of the newest type (T-34?).

The Strong Point Würzburg was blocked by soviet tanks. To Wien and Nördlingen heavy enemy assaults. In front of Strong Point München 7 hostile tanks had taken position on the MLR. Around 2000 casualties counting KIA, WIA and MIA.

Source: Geschichte der 83. Infanterie-division, 1939-1945 Escrito por Reinhard Tiemann

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

The GR 277 and the encirclement of Welikije-Luki - winter 1942/43.

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The GR 277 and the encirclement of Welikije-Luki - winter 1942/43.

On Dec 27 1942 at 00:45 hours Oberstleutnant v. Sass was given freedom of action according an order issued by the Army Corps. One hour later the enemy was before the fire position of the 9. Battery. In the south the Strong Point Würzburg was lost and its crew destroyed (either killed or captured) by hostile tanks.

At 14:00 hours, the Commanding Officer radioed that the positions on the east edge of the city were to withdraw due to shortage of manpower and weapons; new MLR between the strong points Braunschweig – Klausenburg. The situation in the northwest was still uncertain.

New attack on the northwest, the Strong Point Stettin was lost. Attack in the south and breakthrough towards the Jahrmarktplatz. Around 40 supply bombs were dropped. New landing zone for gliders at Kolberg. hence the city’s center was abandoned, in order to cover that movement, the 6./ GR 277 (Oberleutnant Ritter) carried out a counterattack towards the Marktplatz and the northern garrison.

Here a story told by a Fw of the 6./ GR 277: On Dec 28 1942, by nightfall, came the withdrawal’s order; it meant one thing for us: counterstroke. The Russians had already reached the city’s center; the city HQ, the post office, the Jahrmarktplatz and the garrison in the north were in enemy’s hand. Oberleutnant Wehrmann brought the order to Oberleutnant Ritter: to drive the enemy back from the Jahrmarktplatz and establish liaison with group of Hauptmann Knauf at the bridge of 24 tons and group of Major Dabelstein. Readiness area at the old post office.

In the cave were laying 21 seriously wounded under the cares of San. Uffz Heinz Hillmert. After a whole night under attacks with tanks, antitanks and MG the 2 Platoon held its lines; to the right no news on the 1. Platoon.

It was already Dec 30 1942; at 16:00 hours came back Oberleutnant Ritter with the following order: at 19:00 hours break contact and attack eastwards. While trying to find out the way fell under MG fire Oberleutnant Ritter and Uffz Armgardt; Fw Feldman ran there with 11 men. I took command over the rest of the company (18 men) and trying to press ahead we met a Russian blocking position; the way eastwards was cut off. Still in that night we went back towards the citadel and I reported myself to Hauptmann Darnedde with my 18 men.

Source: Geschichte der 83. Infanterie-division, 1939-1945 Escrito por Reinhard Tiemann

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

The GR 277 and the encirclement of Welikije-Luki - winter 1942/43.

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The GR 277 and the encirclement of Welikije-Luki - winter 1942/43.

The citadel had some 100 x 250 meters and during the time of the czars it was used as a prison for that reason in the slang of the “German Landser” it was called “Sing-Sing”; in addition there was a construction of wood and a church with its typical tower ending in a bulb. The citadel had a wall of about 25 meters wide all around. Altogether the crew was of 427 men. The supplying reached for three days; out of the 45 containers sent by air, only 7 arrived at destiny. The ration type consisted of: 10 men 1 bread; 20 men 1 tinned meat; besides soup of horse meat.

The defense was divided in two sectors; the citadel and the environs of the railway station; with the change of year the fight in Welikije-Luki entered a new stage. Five enemy divisions and several others formations fought there suffering serious losses.

Last two weeks.

Between the two defensive zones, the one of Oberstleutnant v. Sass (grounds around the railroad) and the one of the Hauptmann Darnedde (citadel) did not exist no other communication outside a radio link.

The losses produced in the period between the 24 of November and the 16 of December of 1942:

Gesamtstarke (Total strength) am 24. November 1942 : 6875
Gesamtstarke am 26. Dezember 1942 : 4876
Gesamtverluste (Total of casualties) bis 26. 1942 : 1999

Zusammenstellung der Verluste :
Offiziere
Tot - verw.- verm. (KIA - WIA - MIA)
15 11 2

Uffz. und Mannschaften
Tot - verw.- verm.
467 1464 40

Offiziere namenlich :
gefallen : Gren. Rgt. 277
Obl. Flügel
Hptm. Reinhardt
Oblt. Weihe
Lt. v. Rumohr
Lt. Bleskin

Gren.Rgt.257 :
Obl. Siebert

Pi.Btl.183
Major Zoeppritz
Lt. Albrecht

Pz.Jg.Abt.183
Oblt. Dr. Wallstab
Oblt. Lübberg
Lt. Radant

Art. Rgt. 183
Lt. Horsten
Lt. Behrens
Oblt. Grosse

Sich. Btl. 336
Lt. Timhaus

Le. B.Abt.17
Oblt. Helbig

H. Flak 93
Oblt. Niederegger

verwundet: Gren. Rgt. 277
Oblt. Kuhlenkamp
Lt. Schulze

Pz.Jg.Abt.183
Oblt. Dr. Wall

Art. Rgt. 183
Lt. Mülbe
Lt. Carl
Oblt. Günther H.
Oblt. Schwarting

Sich. Btl. 336
Oblt. Jachow

Werfer Rgt
Oblt. Hübner
Lt. Schuhmacher

vermiBt: Gren. Rgt. 277
Lt. Schrader

Werfer-Rgt
Lt. Siegel


Source: Geschichte der 83. Infanterie-division, 1939-1945 Escrito por Reinhard Tiemann

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

The GR 277 and the encirclement of Welikije-Luki - winter 1942/43.

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The GR 277 and the encirclement of Welikije-Luki - winter 1942/43.

Last the two weeks.

On January 03 of 1943, the Russians attacked the North sector of the citadel with about 2 companies supported by two T-34. The attack was repulsed with intense defensive fire and the enemy retired behind leaving 60 KIA. In the following days the assaults and artillery fires followed one after another on the citadel. The sanitary aid station no longer could shelter all the wounded, those with slight wounds returned to their positions.

On January 08 of 1943, two wounded Germans soldiers, who had been taken as prisoners were sent like parliamentarians to demand the surrender of the place which was rejected therefore both soldiers returned to the Soviet lines and then a deadly fire with all the calibers followed until dawn.

The German front line ran southwest at Welikije Luki past for Tschernosem to Nowossokolniki. It had been already tried to push forward from a wedge toward Welikije Luki in December, jumping from Ssenjkina Gora.

Actually a bulge of the front had at that time succeeded, from Burzewa the MLR had closed up to 10 km of the encircled city.

On Jan 09 of 1943, coming from the bulge located between the rail lines running from Welikije Luki to Newel and to Nowossokolniki jumped out to the attack a group of German tanks, with the goal of reaching the citadel.

At 13:25 hours the order was issued. It was unequivocal, clear and hard. There is no doubt: Always drive, do not stop! Spare the tank ammunition! Only fight by the great goals, avoid everything else even the tank’s protection. In case some vehicle be knocked out, non stop. The surviving crew had to jump on another tank! There is only one law: We should pass through!

At 14:10 hours the radio operators of all vehicles received the instruction for beginning. The engines howled under full power. The chains moved. It was faster into the frozen ground. As local well-informed guide Hauptmann Paetzel (II./ AR 183) drove in the foremost tank also. Major Tribukait (CO Jäg Btl 5) was seated with the tank leader at the observation slit. Already after minutes the group pushed into the enemy.

Source: Geschichte der 83. Infanterie-division, 1939-1945 written by Reinhard Tiemann

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

The GR 277 and the encirclement of Welikije-Luki - winter 1942/43.

Hello to all ; little more..............

The GR 277 and the encirclement of Welikije-Luki - winter 1942/43.

The last two weeks.

The first houses of Welikije Luki had been reached. At 15:00 hours the posts on the citadel could be seen, when the tank column zigzagged itself by the rubble of the western suburb. The enthusiasm of the crew did not know borders, when shortly afterwards the first armored vehicle rolled by the gate. The answer to this bold Hussars-type raid did not wait for a long time: A furious antitank and artillery fire hammered from all sides on the citadel.

Thus the remaining vehicles were trapped and became targets for the opponent. The tanks’ crew had fall into a mouse trap. However, the entire group of Hptm. Darnedde was somewhat relieved by the reinforcement of those still rather fresh comrades. Major Tribukait as the senior rank assumed as commander in the citadel.

Also on the group encircled to the east on the railway grouns and the road leading to Toropez the reports read accordingly: from day to day the difficulties increase themselves. Large breaches developed in the cauldron, ever more closely, so that the opponent succeeded in breaking through several times up to nearly to the center.

Also the defender of the East part, Oberstlteutnant von Sass got from the bolchevique commander the request of giving up the position, but here, He got the same answer as given by Hauptmann Darnedde in the citadel also. The answers did not leave the smallest doubt also here.

The enemy waited in vain for the arrival of his parliamentarians. One hour later he drove his infantrymen and tanks against the German positions. The adversary pressed the South front of the German defensive sector.

An artillery second lieutenant (Leutnant) was standing up with his cannon before the hostile waves. Its second howitzer had already failed. A T 34 approached up to fifteen meters. There the shell from the light field howitzer struck it apart . The next attack past the burning tank. Again the artillerymen shot the howitzer and obtained an impact on the frontal wall of the vehicle battle.

At the same moment a projectile shot by the tank exploded against the German weapon. In a fraction of second the tank and the howitzer have shot each other. Now both lay out of action to a few meters one of another. The duel had reached its end. The Lieutenant (Leutnant) and their valiant men were all dead.

Source: Geschichte der 83. Infanterie-division, 1939-1945 Escrito por Reinhard Tiemann

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

The GR 277 and the encirclement of Welikije-Luki - winter 1942/43.

Hello to all ; little more..............

The GR 277 and the encirclement of Welikije-Luki - winter 1942/43.

The last two weeks.

Two days later the last German antitank gun in Welikije-Luki was out of action. The situation was desperate but the fight did not stop. All Germany had the eyes put in the soldiers of Welikije-Luki.

Around 1 kilometre of length and about 100 mts of width had the Eastern sector which continued its resistence. In this close space it struck without mercy the enemy artillery. In deeply dug holes and with hand grenades the line of defense resisted in all-round positions organized for perimeter defense and in the individual nests. The Main line of Resistence was held yet. The battle was not diminished in its hardness.

The commander asked for by radio the Iron Cross for all the soldiers of Welikije Luki. On the following day the request was approved.

In the Eastern sector of the fight, the last strongpoints resist against the tanks, flame thrower and the fresh troops of infantry. Without name, the men of uniform in rags, the snow’s jacket done shreds, the Officers and grenadiers alike were standing up together in the life and the death.

The enemy asked for the surrender once again, as much here as in the Citadel. Once again, he received only a quiet rejection. Until 14 January the radio operator of the regiment maintains communication with the outside. Its last phrase was like the last spark of a SOS of a Boat that was shipwrecking: “The Russians try to blow up the CP of the Regiment”.

On January 16, the Commander with his Staff and all his men were taken prisioners.

In the citadel everybody, until the last man without exception, was assigned to the all-round defense against the hard attacks. The enemy suspected his chances. The Commissars pushed the riflemen to the assault. Their superiors demanded messages of successes, numbers and results. In a sector a rupture even took place. Then came the radial message from the Group Whöler : “Order for Major Tribukait. The defenders of the citadel must break through the encirclement by their own means and to fall back towards the west until reaching the German lines”.


Source: Geschichte der 83. Infanterie-division, 1939-1945 Escrito por Reinhard Tiemann

Cheers. Raúl M .

[tigre]

The GR 277 and the encirclement of Welikije-Luki - winter 1942/43.

Hello to all ; the end..............

The GR 277 and the encirclement of Welikije-Luki - winter 1942/43.

The last two weeks.

The wedge of the attack carried out by the 331 ID had pressed in the direction of the city along the highway of Nowossokolniki to Welikije Luki having reached the height of Melenka. Here a group of 100 men arrived before the German lines after a ghostly march. Three Russian positions had been broken and one antitank front annihilated. Seven Russians were caught and two slightly wounded came along with the column.

In another successful rupture, Leutnant Tietjen and Feldw. Kolle had guided 18 wounded men from the citadel and after a risky march of 4 hours they reached the own lines. Here Uffz. Deckmann and Obergefr. Andersen had behaved in shining form, unfortunately shortly before their goal they were caught by a sudden burst of artillery and were killed, several others were hurt.

Out of the 16 men, who left to the southwest of the hangars, and successfully broke through columns of hostile tanks and infantry, only Obergefr. Karl Beik (14. /277 GR.) and latvian reached the German lines. It was not known anything else of the destiny run by the rest of the groups of comrades.

The report of the Wehrmacht said: The soldiers of the citadel of Welikije-Luki with the aid of the attacking battle group managed to break towards the German lines by its own means.

On January 26 of 1946 in the Place Lenin of Welikije-Luki were hanged the following ex- German combatants :

Gen. Lt. van Rappard ex- CO of GR. 277
Obstlt. Frhr. Bon Sass last CO of GR. 277
Major Sonnewald Commander of Welikije-Luki
Hptm. Kulenkamp Leader of the 1. Sturm-Kp. GR. 277
Reichsbahn - Sonderführer (special leader of the railroads) Hahn Reichsbahn ( worker of the railroads) Ausbess.
Obergefreiter Gorsch 5. /GR 277 returned after 25 years of captivity.

Source: Geschichte der 83. Infanterie-division, 1939-1945 Escrito por Reinhard Tiemann

It's all folks. Cheers. Raúl M .

[Serge M.]

What a 'smoke out'.
Thanks Raul. What a gripping account of the battle.

And the Commies had to take the heroic surviving commanders and hang them after the war.


-wagner-

[tigre]

The GR 277 and the encirclement of Welikije-Luki - winter 1942/43.

Hello Wagner ; thanks for your compliments, you're welcome. Cheers. Raúl M .