leon21 Posted March 6, 2012 Share Posted March 6, 2012 The 87th Infantry Division was the 9th Army Reserve of Field Marshal Fedor von Bock's Army Group Center, who in 1941 was continuing the attack towards Smolensk and Moscow. The 32nd Russian Cossack Division was assigned the mission of disrupting the rear areas of von Bock's Army Group Center. To insert the force in the rear of the Germans, the Cossacks hid in the Pripet Marshes until the attacking German formations passed them by. they moved to the area west of Bobriusk which was mostly marshy and forested. Once in this critical sector of the Germans lines of communications they destroyed road and and railway bridges,mined the supply routes, and ambushed German supply columns and courier vehicles. Occasionally they attacked the supply trains. The most effective tactic used by the Cossacks was laying well camoflagued mines on the primary roads and railroads. this not only destroyed many supply vehicles and rail engines but disrupted the flow of traffic. This had significant effects on Army Group Center's 9th Army, which due to disruptions in their supply lines,had to delay further offensives in support of Guderian's Panzer Group 2's attack towards Smolensk. The 87th Infantry Division was detailed to reinforce security detachments along the railroads.however, this merely caused the Cossacks to change tactics. At the beginning of August the 87th Infantry was ordered to neutralize the enemy in the area by seeking out and destroying them. The commander of the 187th Infantry Regiment assigned this task decided to encircle the enemy and destroy them completely in one operation. The encircling German forces the began to collapse the pocket, the resulting close combat was fierce, requiring the use of hand grenades and bayonets, since mortars and machine guns had little effect in the thick forest. The Cossacks collapsed their positions into a tight defensive enclave and fought until their annihilation by midday on 7th August. Very few made it out of the cordon. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leon21 Posted March 6, 2012 Author Share Posted March 6, 2012 Part Two. The first photo is of Lietenant General Bogislav von Studnitz in charge of the 87th div from 26th August 1939 till 17th February 1942 and again from 1st march 1942 till 22nd August 1942. second photo soldiers being awarded EK2 medals in the field. and three documents signed by von Studnitz. The 87th Division's Composition was 173rd Infantry Regiment 185th 187th 187th Artillery Regiment 1-2-3 Battalions 187th Panzerabwehr Battalion 187th Reconnaissance Battalion 187th Signals Battalion 187th Pioneer Battalion Supply Troops 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fritz Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 No photos? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leon21 Posted January 10, 2022 Author Share Posted January 10, 2022 Sorry to hear that you can't see them, they are showing on the post at my end? Is there anyone else that can't see them? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenny Andrew Posted January 10, 2022 Share Posted January 10, 2022 I can see the photos, in the first post. Colin did you receive the medals we sent you before Christmas, I know the post is taking longer than usual these days? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leon21 Posted January 11, 2022 Author Share Posted January 11, 2022 Yes Thanks they came quite quickly. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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