FLAME THROWING Sd.Kfz. 251/16 in Guderian's PzG2, SS Div REICH original war diary, Kiev 1941 - Pt 24

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Episode 166

10. September 1941
Um 4.30 beginnt der Angriff und erfolgt….
At 04:30 our attack begins. Surprise is achieved so completely that the enemy is quickly overrun and they break ranks and blindly retreat. By late afternoon we reach Dotg and secure the area. The train station and city in general have been hit so heavily by our Stukas that it’s difficult finding structures in good enough condition for us to stay the night in. My platoon quarters in an area just to the side of the train station that is still in relatively good condition. The heavy rain leaves us satisfied with at least having a roof over our heads. After tidying up the room we begin to prepare dinner. I divide my men up into different groups and send them off in search of pork, chickens, vegetables and fruit. After about an hour and a half they all make their way back and have actually been pretty successful. We’ve been able to bring in 1 large pig, 28 chickens, potatoes plenty of vegetable and fruit and even some honey! Two ovens that are in the building we’ve occupied are brought into working condition.

The 20 of us jump to work cooking the food happily. Later in the evening I’m visited by captain Rattach who has come by to inspect the mens living quarters. I’m actually able to hand him a menu that would make any fine hotel proud. We have on offer chicken soup, clear or with filler, baked chicken cold or warm, pork schnitzel with mixed vegetables and as dessert, potato pancakes with honey, real fresh coffee and fruit.

Here some creative soldiers are preparing potato pancakes in the field

Beginning to complain about my leading him to temptation I cut him short by ordering that the food be brought out and he gives in. For the next few hours he has much less to say but the sparkle in his eyes and his impressive hunger tell us everything. Over the coming days we gorge ourselves to the point that it’s no longer even enjoyable. Everyone is just stuffing their faces doing their best to hold it down basically because we have no idea when we’ll have such an opportunity again.

To top it all off in the evening after a longe expected wait, the field post finally arrives bringing me 150 cigarettes. The only thing missing now is alcohol! Actually it’s better that we don’t have any; we’ve got to keep our wits about uebays. The best weapon is a clear head.

14. September 1941
Suddenly the order for us to get back on our feet arrives, the advance continues to the south. We’ve already penetrated east as far as necessary and the pocket around Kiev is coming into form. Our orders are to continue thrusting into the pocket engaging the groupings of enemy formations, dispersing and then destroying them. Our first attack goes straight for (towards) Priluki, an exceptionally important train hub that serves as the last connection for the Soviet General Budjenny.

So let’s get an overview of this section of the Eastern Front to see how the SS Div Reich was involved in relation to the other German formations. This is the original war atlas of the German High Command for operation Barbarossa. This is the situational map for Sept. 15th, and this is part of the entry for the official war diary of the German high command for that day. The 17th Army has overwhelmed the enemy and broken through their lines. Their advancing attack to the north east, sometimes encountering stubborn enemy resistance, has taken a considerable amount of territory. PzG1 has stormed forwards to the north east and, at Lochwiza, managed to link up with elements of PzG2. After doing battle with strong enemy formation a bridgehead in the area of Sentscha has been established.

The 14th AK is securing the eastern and north eastern flanks of the PzG and have repulsed a strong enemy armored attack. The 6th Army in the vicinity of Kiev hit the enemy heavily with artillery; the Soviets only managed a weak response. The 17th and 51st AK have continued their attack through. and pursuit of the enemy to the south and south east. Enemy formations facing the 17th AK are putting up stiff resistance and inniciating occasional armored counter attacks. The Soviet rail link leading to the east from Kiev is under German artillery fire.

Finally, as part of Guderian’s PzG2, the SS Div Reich is, as Kurt explained in his last entry, advancing into the pocket, eliminating enemy formations and heading straight for the important rail hub at Priluki.

Here on Sept. 16 the situation for the Soviets is getting more desperate as the territory they occupy is compressed and the well defined front lines begin to disintegrate. The bridgehead to the east is clearly established and the advance to the south by the 71st and 51st AK has gained momentum and there’s nothing to slow them down. The SS Reich Div. arrives to the outskirts of Priluki and prepares to assault the important city.