Tangle at Tolochin ETO (id:#64160)

(Onslaught To Orsha 2 ID: OtO 16)   [next]   [previous]

Tolochin, Belorussia 1944-06-26 (28 others)

Overview:

The 3rd Belorussian Front had penetrated German lines north of Orsha, and committed their cavalry-mechanized group (3rd Guards Cavalry Corps and 3rd Guards Mechanized Corps) which made deep penetrations, capturing numerous towns. Elements of the 5 Guards Tank Army were committed to exploit the cavalry-mechanized group's success, and on 26 June attacked the key town of Tolochin in the German rear, just north of the Orsha-Borisov Highway. The German 4 Army Artillery commander tried to make a defense of Tolochin with any available rear area and artillery forces. At approximately 1200, over 40 Russian tanks were detected attacking toward Tolochin. To meet the threat, elements of the 501 Schwere Panzer Abteilung and Sturmgeschütz Brigade 185 were sent to bolster the defenses and counterattack if necessary.

Defender: German (Elements of 4th Army Artillery and Rear Area Troops; Army Artillery Battery 1/817 and elements of Schwere Panzer Abteilung 501 and Sturmgeschütz Brigade 185)  

Errata (source)