| 001 AngrySwan Mitglied Kloputzer |
Geschrieben am: 27.02.2021, 10:01 Uhr Some last moment changes take place just before the invasion: - 16th motorized infantry division and 603. light flak battalion will be kept in the army group reserve; - in the south advance towards Lwow will be supported by a 88 mm FlaKs from II. battalion of 42. FlaK regiment as separate FlaK battalions have insufficient strength and it is planned to use full regiments in this operation. This unit has not received its trucks by the beginning of the operation, due to logistics issues. - 162. recon battalion is rearmed with 8 wheel cars that have just arrived to the supply base in Chelm. - 54. NbWf regiment is expanded to a brigade keeping the same number. At the beginning of the operation it is located near Chelm. - A separate mobile rocket artillery battalion (rockets mounted on Type 251 halftracks) named ''Training (Lehr) battalion'' also arrives to Chelm; this unit will support the 2 infantry divisions (56. and 62. advancing to Kovel.) - As the Soviets have a large tank force in the area, 77. dive bomber brigade (StG 77) is also sent to the air base of the 5th air corps. This will create some problems for the resupply units, as they cannot handle 4 bomber brigades in addition to a fighter force, and StG 77 is a priority unit because of the small bomb load of Stukas - but in the expected tank battle the 1. panzer group will need air support. The situation in Lwow area is serious and AG South command is aware of possible Soviet tank counterattacks; these tanks may exploit any gaps in the German line and threaten the AG South supply base disrupting the whole operation. After some discussions it is decided to keep 97. light infantry division on front line instead of sending it to the reserve. [Classified: AG South command inspects StG 77 and other reinforcements on June 21, 1941,the day just before the operation.]  |