Jump to content

The 32nd Cossacks V the 87th Infantry


leon21

Recommended Posts

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.

post-3823-1331068060_thumb.jpg

post-3823-1331068165_thumb.jpg

post-3823-1331068250_thumb.jpg

post-3823-1331068285_thumb.jpg

post-3823-1331068313_thumb.jpg

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 9 years later...

No photos?

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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?

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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?     

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...