Grossdeutschland Crossing the River Dniepr, 1941

[gdfuseddie]

I am trying to conduct a detailed study of the crossing of the Dniepr River in Russia, by the German Armed Forces in July 1941. I am particularly interested to research the crossing from the experiences of Grossdeutschland, however information regarding other unit is more than welcome to help understand the bigger picture.

Does anyone know of any good sources of in depth information? All possible leads welcome, thanks.

[Larry deZeng]

That will be a bit difficult. Großdeutschland wasn't formed until 1 April 1942.

See:
Hans-Joachim Jung - Panzer Soldiers for God, Honor and Fatherland: The History of Panzerregiment Großdeutschland
James Lucas - Panzer Elite: The Story of Nazi Germany's Crack Grossdeutschland Corps
Johann Pütz, Helmuth Spaeter & Alfred Wiesemann - Die Chronik der Panzeraufklärungsabteilung Großdeutschland Band I & II
Tim Ripley - Grossdeutschland: Guderian's Eastern Front Elite
Helmuth Spaeter - The History of the Panzerkorps Grossdeutschland Vol 1-3
Helmuth Spaeter - Panzerkorps Grossdeutschland: A Pictorial History

[Gary T]

He's referring to Infanterie-Regiment Großdeutschland.

[Larry deZeng]

XXXXVI. AK (mot)/Pz.Gruppe 2
SS “R”
10. Pz.D.
I.R. “Gr.D.”


9-14 Jul 41 - Crossing the Dnieper
I.R. “Gr.D.” was attached to 10. Pz.D. at the time of the crossing, which was made at Shklov/34 km upriver from Mogilev. On 10 July, XXXXVI AK (mot) reported that it had closed up into its jump-off positions on the west bank of the river and was preparing to cross. Just 24 hours later it was already across and its forward elements were moving forward 12 km east of Shklov. The only fighting worth mentioning was light artillery fire as the Korps moved into position for the crossing on 10 July. The actual crossing, apparently, was made without any significant opposition. This is all from KTB/OKW, 1940-1941, Teilband II, Seiten 518-19.

For details, I suggest you get the microfilmed records for 10. Pz.Div., XXXXVI. AK (mot) and Pz.Gruppe 2 for July 1941 from the U.S. National Archives in WashDC.

--Larry

P.S. Gary T., I'm surprised you wouldn't help the guy with some information, since you seemed to know exactly what he was taking about. When "crossing the Dnieper" is discussed, most people think of Central Ukraine, not Belorussia. In Belorussia between Orsha and Mogilev, the Dnieper isn't much more than a large stream. It's in Ukraine that it gets big.

[gdfuseddie]

Cheers Larry.

I take it that the U.S. National Archives in Washington DC are some form of public records office?

I'm from England. Do you know any contact details so I could get in touch with them?

[Larry deZeng]

NARA WashDC:
http://www.archives.gov/
NARA’s guide to captured records is available here:
http://www.sturmpanzer.com/Default.a...1&item=2&sec=1
Guide to buying microfilm records from NARA:
http://www.archives.gov/research/cap....html#virginia

http://www.archives.gov/research/ord...film-pubs.html

Rolls are $65 for US residents and $68 for everyone else, delivery takes around 2 months.

You will need to go to the Sturmpanzer site first and identify what rolls you will need.

--Larry

[gdfuseddie]

Thanks Larry, hope I find what I'm looking for there. Cheers