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21.02.2021, 17:15 Uhr
AngrySwan
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29.05.2020, 14:45 Uhr |
Battle of Lwow, 22.06.1941.
Two FlaK units are initially deployed:
603. Light FlaK Battalion (20 mm FlaKs). After final preparations this battalion is not included in the advancing force.
A battalion of heavy Flaks (88 mm). In some records it is FlaK Battalion 610 but actually II. battalion of FlaK Regiment 42. It is a part of the force attacking Lwow.
22.06 - The battalion moves south behind the infantry lines. However, there is a gap in the German line that Soviet tanks could exploit; the battalion would then receive support of 430. light howitzer battalion.
23.06 - The area sees some an impressive air battle. While the pilots of JG3 ''Udet'' destroy a Soviet unit of I-16 (officially a division, in fact less than a squadron) the FlaK battalion destroys another ''division on paper, a weakened squadron in reality'' of Mig-1.
24.06 and 25.06 - The battalion moves south towards Lwow.
26.06 - The battalion reaches the road from Lwow-East to the bridge across the nearest river.
27.06 - The battle for Lwow begins! The FlaK battalion moves to the city, supported by 262.and 24. infantry divisions on the flanks and also supported by the 430. light howitzer battalion. The Soviets (138. rifle division) attacks the battalion but the FlaKs hold the ground, supported by artillery.
28.06 - Second day of the battle for Lwow; the FlaKs receive replacements just on time as the Soviet infantry continues attacks. Again, the FlaKs with support of the light howitzers hold the ground.
29.06 - Third day of the battle; Lwow is finally encircled with 2 divisions in it; receive the necessary replacements and FlaKs continue to hold their position.
30.06 - Infantry divisions clear the area destroying the remaining defenders of Lwow and another Soviet infantry division South-West of the city.
The FlaKs have proved their ability to fight against air as well as ground units and have also learned to cooperate with artillery. However, battalion size would be insufficient for larger battles, as well as the artillery support of only one light howitzer battalion. Also the transport of the FlaK battalion, while good enough for this operation, would be inadequate if the FlaK unit operated as a part of a panzer group.
Army Group South decides to form FlaK Regiments 6 and 42 mounted on trucks so that they can follow the fast moving panzer group; these units will be ready for the battle of Kiev. They would also need support from every artillery unit the army group will have by then.
Units destroyed by FlaKs: A Soviet fighter unit (squadron size, MiG-1).
A photo for the media taken by a press photographer, showing the last day of encirclement. The infantry divisions are close to the final victory; however, the Soviets fight to the last man and the infantry units as well as FlaKs are running out of ammunition after heavy fighting.
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