Panzer III Historical Index

On 1 April 1943 at 05:00 the 6. Pz.Div. takes over command of the remaining sector of the division. Parts of the 11. Pz.Div. that could not be relieved because of the muddy roads (Pz.Gren.Rgt. 111 without its I. Battalion, I./Pz.A.R. 119 and one company of Pz.Pi.Btl. 209, in the Werchne Ssaltow area) are subordinated to the 6. Pz.Div. until further notice. The remaining units are in the eastern and south-eastern part of Kharkov. The planned move to the refit area (Perekopi – Wyssokopolje – Schelestewo – Artemowka – Tschutowo) is interrupted because the roads are completely impassable. Pz.Rgt. 15, le.Stu.Geschtz.Abt. 911 and II./Pz.Gren.Rgt. 110 are already in the new billeting area. On 4 April 1943 the last parts of the division are relieved by the 6. Pz.Div., but must remain in the operations area for the time being. On 6–7 April 1943, after the weather improves, the rest of the division marches by a detour via Krassnograd into the new area, and the divisional staff moves to its quarters at Nowo-Iwanowka.

On 14 April 1943 during an engineer course of Pz.Rgt. 15 and le.Stu.Geschtz.Abt. 911 at Panz.Pi.Btl. 209 in Resunenkowo, a wooden-box mine and a T-mine explode at about 15:00. 25 course participants are killed and 14 wounded.

On 19 April 1943 an order on the division (Aufteilung) of Panz.Jäg.Abt. 61 is issued (no details in the KTB). On 24 May 1943 an order is issued to re-form Panz.Jäg.Abt. 61 with staff and 2.(Sfl.)Kp.: the staff leaves Lehr-Abt./11. Panz.-Division, 1.(Sfl.)/Panz.Jäg.Abt. 61 leaves the le.Stu.Geschtz.Abt. 911 and returns to the Jäg.Abt., and 2.(Rahmen)/Panz.Jäg.Abt. 61 leaves the Lehr-Abt. A staff of Ersatz-Btl. 11. Panz.-Division is ordered to command the Lehr- and Ersatz-Abt.

Completion of the division's refit by the end of the month, in view of its new commitment, is not assured: deliveries of spare parts, weapons and equipment are delayed and a large part has not arrived at all. The division repeatedly reported this to its superior headquarters.

On 23 April 1943, upon receipt of A.H.M. 9. Ausgabe of 7 April 1943, Ziff. 31, Kradschtz.-Btl. 61 is renamed Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 11.

On 25 April 1943 a preliminary conference takes place at the command post of Füsilier-Rgt. "Groß-Deutschland" in Nowo Borissowka; participants: Kdr. XXXXVIII. Panz.-Korps (at the same time Kdr. 11. Panz.-Div.), Kdr. Inf.Div. "Groß-Deutschland", Kdr. Panz.Gren.Rgt. 110, Pz.A.R. 119, Pz.Pi.Btl. 209 and Ia 11. Panz.-Div. Afterwards the Ia of 11. Panz.-Div. establishes contact with 167. Inf.-Div.; reconnaissance of the terrain and of an assembly area in the sector of I.R. 339 of 167. I.D. On 26 April 1943 the reconnaissance results are evaluated; preparations for the march of the combat-ready parts of the division from the refitting area to the intermediate quartering area and the assembly area; difficulties with roads and marching (night marches, shortness of the night).

From 12:00 the division is subordinated for command purposes to Pz.A.O.K. 4 (cover designation „Auffrischungs-Stab Charkow”). Date according to the title page of the KTB (26–28 April 1943); page 10 gives only „ab 12,00 Uhr”.

On 26 April 1943 Heeresgruppe Süd grants 200–300 t of column space from 1 May 1943. On 27 April 1943 Panz.Pi.Btl. 209 improves the roads into accommodation area II; thanks to a diversion road the division can march on 2 roads, but only at night. On 28 April 1943 at 2:30 corps order XXXXVIII. Panz.-Korps Ia Nr. 643/43 Chefs. of 27 April 1943 arrives (already destroyed); the march instructions are consolidated in division order Ia Nr. 108/43 g.Kdos. of 28 April 1943. Panz.Gren.Rgt. 110 (about 2 companies), loaded onto the columns of Kdr. Div.Nachschb.Tr. 61, marches into accommodation area II. The corps announces that the tonnage space (240 t) will arrive on 29 April 1943 at noon; it is allocated half each to Panz.Gren.Rgt. 110 and 111. In the evening Panz.A.R. 119 and Heeres-Flak-Abt. 277 march into area II.

On OKH order, the tactical divisional sign and the divisional traditional insignia are to be removed from all vehicles, signs, etc.

At 00:00 the division is again subordinated tactically to Gen.Kdo. XXXXVIII. Pz.-Korps. Conferences with the chiefs of Pz.A.O.K. 4 and XXXXVIII. Pz.K., the Ia officers of the 167. Inf.-Div. and the Inf.-Div. „Großdeutschland”, and with the commanders of the division's units: planned assembly, conduct of the attack, reconnaissance and assembly areas.

Planned operation (name not given in the KTB): on 30 April 1943 at 02:00 „x-Tag” (the day operations were to begin) is announced; at 16:45 a corps order postpones it by 4 days. On 3 May 1943, by corps order, the start day ordered so far is cancelled; a new x-Tag will be ordered. On 10 May 1943 the commander of Heeresgruppe Süd, at the headquarters of Pz.A.O.K. 4, announces that the operation planned so far is postponed until further notice and will be carried out later, possibly in a changed organisation.

II./Pz.Rgt. 6 (3. Pz.Div.) was to be subordinated to the 11. Pz.Div.: on 30 April 1943 the corps promises the subordination; on 1 May 1943 the battalion commander reports to the divisional command post and the transport of his battalion is delayed by 4 days. On 8 May 1943 the battalion, partly already in the unloading area, is ordered to return to the 3. Pz.Div.; the subordination does not take effect.

On 30 April 1943 the following are placed under the division: Art.-Rgt.-Stab z.b.V. 70 with s.Art.Abt. 101 (s.F.H.), I./A.R. 108 (le.F.H.) and III./A.R. 109 (mortars); they assemble in accommodation area II. Kw.Transport-Komp. z.b.V. 941 is allocated half each to Panz.Gren.Rgt. 110 and 111. Brüko B 22 is placed under Panz.Pi.Btl. 209. On 9 May 1943 the staff of A.R. 70 with s.Art.Abt. 101 departs. On 11 May 1943 the subordination of I./A.R. 108, III./A.R. 109 and Brüko B 22 ends.

On 7 May 1943 a bombing raid on Skorodochowo station causes "considerable losses": in one Heeres-Flak-Abt. 25 dead and at least 50 wounded. During the night of 7/8 May 1943 further raids with flares and bombs on the Rollbahn and the entire accommodation area of the division, minor damage.

On 10 May 1943, after a conference at Pz.A.O.K. 4, each panzer division is to field a reaction group (Eingreif-Gruppe) behind the main line of resistance. At 23:00 the corps announces a reserve: 1 Panzergrenadier regiment, 1 artillery battalion, 1 panzer battalion and 1 engineer company, assembly to be completed by 13 May 1943. On 11 May 1943 at 09:00 the executing order follows: II./Pz.Rgt. 15, II./Pz.A.R. 119 and 2./Pz.Pi.Btl. 209 are subordinated to the commander of Pz.Gren.Rgt. 110 (Eingreifgruppe Henze), march from 19:00. During the night of 11/12 May 1943 II./Pz.Rgt. 15 and II./Pz.Gren.Rgt. 110 reach the intermediate area around Ssenoje; on 13 May 1943 they reach the ordered area north-east of Graiworon.

During the night of 14/15 May 1943 enemy aircraft drop about 40 paratroopers, partly in German uniforms, north-east of the division's billeting area. The counteraction begins immediately and ends on 16 May 1943 after the forest south of Kolontajew has been combed through.

On 17–18 May 1943 Generalmajor Mickl takes over command of the division as deputy for Generalleutnant v. Choltitz, who has been sent on leave to Germany because of illness.

On 19–22 May 1943 the division is assigned one battery of 6 heavy field howitzers (s.F.H.) on Panzer IV chassis.

From 19 May 1943 to 22 May 1943 intensive training of the division's units, geared to its future employment: breaking through a deeply echeloned defensive system, cooperation of the Panzergrenadiers with tanks and assault guns, gas training. On 21 May 1943 Brüko B 22 is temporarily placed under the division for training purposes. On 27 May 1943 a war game is held at the division staff (planned conduct of combat). On 28 May 1943 a commanders' conference at XXXXVIII. Pz.-Korps; new orders arrive on the march into the assembly area and the intended conduct of combat. From 29 May 1943 to 31 May 1943 the division submits a report on the planned conduct of the attack. On 2 June 1943 the division commander and the Ia attend a war game at Pz.A.O.K. 4, on 5 June 1943 at XXXXVIII. Pz.-Korps.

Between 4 June 1943 and 7 June 1943 (the exact date does not follow from the text of the page) 6 heavy field howitzers s.F.H. (Sfl.) ("Hummeln") arrive and are taken over by I./Panz.-Art.-Rgt. 119.

On 14 June 1943 a commanders' conference at the division command post: subject Unternehmen "Zitadelle" and the corps order on the conduct of combat in this operation. On 18 June 1943 at 17:00 a commanders' conference in the casino of the operations section on Unternehmen "Zitadelle"; participants: the commanders of Panz.-Rgt. 15, Panz.-Gren.Rgt. 111, Stu.Geschtz.Abt. 911, Panz.Art.Rgt. 119 and the leader of Panz.Pi.Btl. 209.

On 17 June 1943 at 09:00 Panz.Pi.Btl. 209, on the army's order, carries out a test of firing a lane through minefields using 32 cm Wurfkörper-Flamm projectiles. The result is negative.

In the night of 21/22 June 1943 paratroopers of unknown strength with explosives are dropped in the Kantermirowka area (10 km west of Tschutowo). The counteraction by elements of Panz.-Rgt. 15 and 1./Feldgend.-Abt. 683 leads to the capture of one "bandit" and the discovery of explosive material.

On 22 June 1943 at 16:00 a commanders' conference on the training ground at point 180.6 (north-west of Iskrowka), subject: the exercise of 24 June 1943; all regimental and independent battalion commanders take part, except the commander of Panz.-Gren.Rgt. 110. On 24 June 1943 in the Schewtschenko area an exercise of the reinforced Panz.-Gren.-Rgt. 111 practises a breakthrough of a deeply echeloned system of positions. The commanding general of XXXXVIII. Panz.-Korps, General der Panzertruppe von Knobelsdorff, and the commander-in-chief of Panz.A.O.K. 4, Generaloberst Hoth, attend the exercise.

On 27 June 1943 at 18:10 the chief of staff of XXXXVIII. Panz.-Korps informs the Ia by telephone in advance that the measures ordered under the code word "Bevorraten" are starting; in the evening the Ia briefs the commanders by telephone. At 24:00 the corps orders that the new division command post must be ready for work from 30 June 1943 at 08:00. On 28 June 1943 at 09:00 an adjutants' conference: details of the march, the "Abteilung der Reserven" and the trains are discussed, and a preliminary order for a "Sonderunternehmen" is given.

On 28 June 1943, in accordance with a corps order, the division provides 100 trucks for a "Sonderunternehmen" intended to deceive the enemy about a concentration south-west of Tschugiew in the direction of Isjum. At 19:00 the commander of the detachment is briefed, and at 20:00 the vehicles assemble in Kowjagi.

On 29 June 1943 at 10:00 a corps order places Fla-Btl. (mot) 616 under the division for Unternehmen "Zitadelle". At 13:30 the Ia briefs its commander on the march and employment of the battalion and hands him the march table and times.

On 30 June 1943, on the basis of the latest aerial photo evaluation (the enemy has concentrated the weight of his defence at the road fork SE of Tscherkasskoje, but holds only thin lines in the division's right attack strip), the corps commander orders the division to attack with its main effort on the right. After the Ia points out to the chief of staff that the division has prepared the attack (training, orders, deployment) with the main effort on the left, the corps commander decides: on day x–1 the attack is to be conducted as previously reported, and the decision for day x is left to the division. The corps considers an attack on the right, between the Butowo wood and Hill 237.8, more promising. After a talk between the Kdr. of 167. Inf.-Div. and the division commander, 167. I.D. has no engineer forces for mine clearing; at 18:30 the division therefore orders 1./Panz.Pi.Btl. 209 to be brought forward, also in a daytime march.

On 1 July 1943 the corps orders the division to move off immediately and to reach, by a day's march, the billeting area ordered for that day. The march is to be made in small groups; because the division, after the corps-ordered change of command post, has no communications with the march groups, the corps takes over the transmission of orders. On that day the regimental staff of Pz.Gren.Rgt. 111 arrives in Tomarowka, and Pz.A.A. 11 and Fla-Btl.(mot) 616 reach their billeting areas. On 3 July 1943 at 15:00 a conference of commanders gives the last guidelines for the operation. On 4 July 1943 at 01:30 Stu.Geschtz.Abt. 911 arrives in the assembly area. At 20:00 Pz.Rgt. 15 and Fla-Btl.(mot) 616 are ordered to march into the assembly area as early as 23:00.

On 1 July 1943, in accordance with a corps order, a new tactical sign is to be applied to the vehicles. The corresponding order is issued to the units.

On 2 July 1943 at 1:00 II./Panz.Gren.Rgt. 110 relieves parts of 167. I.D. as planned. The march into the assembly positions continues without incident: marching group B reaches Tomarowka (at 3:00), group C the quartering area (at 2:30), group D (at 4:00) the intermediate quartering area. At 8:15 Fla-Btl.(mot) 616 reports that it has moved into its quarters. By noon all marching groups report that all ordered quarters have been reached. At 15:15 the requested transport registration is sent to the corps. II./Panz.A.R. 119 goes into position and takes over fire protection; I./Panz.Gren.Rgt. 111 reaches the holding area at 22:15.

On 4 July 1943 at 11:15 the adjutant of Pz.Rgt. 15 again reports to the Ia the shortage of tank ammunition, especially 7.5 cm. The Ia then telephones the chief of staff at 11:55, describes the supply situation (apart from the quantities held by the units, only 50 rounds in total are in the ammunition issue point), points to the experience gained at Voronezh (movement brought to a halt for lack of ammunition) and asks once more for relief.

On 4 July 1943 at 13:45 the commanding general of the corps arrives at the divisional command post, shortly afterwards the army commander. At 15:00 the division attacks after Stuka preparation. At 15:10 the first elements of Pz.Gren.Rgt. 111 reach the MTS station on the western edge of Butowo; the enemy is evidently surprised and his artillery defence is weak. At 15:30–15:45 Ju 88 aircraft drop bombs on the division's own troops: 5 dead, 7 wounded. At 16:25 the church and the northern edge of Butowo are reached, and at 17:00 contact is made with Pz.Gren.Rgt. 110. Butowo is defended extremely tenaciously. At 19:05–19:12 both regiments are ordered to go over to the defence. At 22:25 the clearing of the southern part of Butowo is still not complete.

On 5 July 1943 at 05:00 Pz.Rgt. 15 reports that it has occupied its assembly area, and at 06:50 Pz.Gren.Rgt. 111 reports that the clearing of Butowo has been completed since 05:45. At 07:30 Pz.Gren.Rgt. 110 and 111 attack as ordered. Because III./Pz.Rgt. 15 has not yet arrived, the commander decides to commit II./Pz.Rgt. 15 and Panz.Jäg.Abt. 61 already now. At 09:15 the first tanks of Pz.Rgt. 15 reach the anti-tank ditch; enemy resistance is not strong. At 10:12 the grenadiers cross the ditch, and at 10:55 the tanks are 1 km south of hill 237.8. Some of the tanks and grenadiers succeed in bypassing the ditch on the far left, close to the wood, and in finding a crossing; on his own initiative the Ia sends II./Pz.Rgt. 15 by the same route in order to gain the height north of Tscherkasskoje. At 12:15 the height is taken. The enemy does not defend particularly strongly and is still surprised on this day as well.

On 5 July 1943 at 12:25 the chief of staff is informed that the movements of the division have got under way, and he announces that the subordination of the Panthers to the division is being considered, because the Inf.-Div. „Großdeutschland” is not advancing. At 14:10 and again at 15:30 the Ia proposes to the corps to commit the Panther brigade (Panther-Brigade) on the division's route to the north. The corps rejects the proposal: the forest is mined and impassable for the time being, and the I.D. „Großdeutschland” is shortly to complete its crossing. On 6 July 1943 at 07:25 it is reported that the road Butowo – hill 246.0 is free of mines and that the Panthers have set out along it.

On 5 July 1943 at 17:08 Pz.Gren.Rgt. 110 reports a Russian counterattack against hill 237.8 from the north on a front of 800 m. At 18:00 a Russian counterattack in about battalion strength against the left wing of the 167. I.D. and the right wing of the division is repulsed. At 18:30 Pz.Rgt. 15 has not quite reached hill 246 and sets up for defence on the reverse slope south of it. The division assesses that the enemy is withdrawing according to plan, offering delaying resistance, and counterattacks only to conceal his withdrawal. At 21:25 it is announced that the dividing line to the I.D. „Großdeutschland” is being shifted and that the attack is not to begin before about 06:00.

During the night of 5/6 July 1943 strong enemy air activity with bombing and strafing on the positions and on Butowo causes losses in men and materiel. At 03:15 Pz.Gren.Rgt. 111 begins the clearing of Tscherkasskoje. At 05:00 the divisional commander orders Pz.Rgt. 15 (with I./Pz.Gren.Rgt. 110, I./Pz.A.R. 119 and 1./Fla-Btl.(mot) 616 subordinated) to break through the second position at Dubrowa, attacking along the road to the north-east; Pz.A.A. 11 is to follow the armoured group. At 09:10 Pz.Rgt. 15 reports that it has set out to the north-east, but its advance comes to a halt at the road fork north-east of Tscherkasskoje, where the enemy defends with anti-tank guns. At 09:18 Tscherkasskoje and the area south of it are free of the enemy. At 11:00 Pz.A.A. 11 attacks Nowo Tscherkasskoje; at 12:30 the foremost elements of the division reach hill 226.6, and Pz.A.A. 11 with elements of the 167. I.D. takes Olchowka. Because further progress is hampered by the position system at Dubrowa, all elements of the division are set in motion behind Pz.Rgt. 15; owing to difficulties on the ground (swampy places on a bypass road and shared use of the Rollbahn with the Inf.-Div. „Großdeutschland”) they advance only very slowly and reach the area behind the front line only after dusk. At 13:00 the divisional command post is moved to the south-eastern edge of the northern wood south-east of Tscherkasskoje. At 20:00 the Panzer regiment reports that its leading elements have entered the wood south-east of Dubrowa. The division assesses that the enemy did not offer the resistance expected of him in the first position system; the system contained many dummy installations which, even from the air, could not be told apart from strongly developed positions.

On 7 July 1943 at 03:00 the division attacks in a north-easterly direction. The attack gains ground slowly, and by the afternoon the division has taken the height position at point 246.7. The division has the impression that the enemy is trying to hold his position with his last strength; during the day he brought up fresh armoured reserves and attacks with them. For the night the divisional commander orders: Pz.Gren.Rgt. 111 with Panz.Jäg.Abt. 61 subordinated is to hold the northern front of the division against expected enemy attacks, I./Pz.Gren.Rgt. 110 returns to its regiment and is placed with Pz.Rgt. 15 behind the front as reserve, and Heer.-Flak-Abt. 277 is pushed forward to hill 254.5 together with the last anti-tank screen.

On 7 July 1943 at 20:00 the commanding general of the corps telephones the divisional commander and informs him of the development of the situation: XXXXVIII. Pz.-Korps and II. SS-Korps face a total of 3 enemy corps and are given the task of encircling and destroying them. The 11. Pz.Div., with Gren.Rgt. 339 subordinated, is to take Pokrowka (attack on 8 July 1943) and then set up for defence in the general line Pokrowka – Gremutschij; the division itself is to set up at once for defence in the line west edge of Pokrowka – hill 246.7 – Gremutschij. The armoured group (Pz.Rgt. 15, Stu.Geschtz.Abt. 911 and I./Pz.Gren.Rgt. 110 with one third of 3./Pz.Pi.Btl. 209 subordinated) is to be positioned behind the left wing of the division as a striking reserve. To the right of the division SS L.A.H. attacks, to the left the Inf.-Div. „Großdeutschland”, with the aim of closing the pocket at Obojan and destroying the enemy in it. Gren.Rgt. 339 joins the division.

On 7 July 1943 (from 14:00) the division sets up its defence: in the north-east Pz.A.A. 11 with Stu.Geschtz.Abt. 911 attached screens Pokrowka; in the north-west stands II./Panz.Gren.Rgt. 110, and from there to the divisional boundary at Gremutschij Panz.Gren.Rgt. 111 with Panz.Jäg.Abt. 61 attached. At 14:00 the armoured group (Pz.Rgt. 15, I./Panz.Gren.Rgt. 110 and 1/3 of 3./Panz.Pi.Btl. 209) assembles west of Pt. 245.5 (S0455 gives 254.5) at the division's disposal; further reinforcement by Stu.Geschtz.Abt. 911 is expected. At 17:00 the engineer companies remain attached but are to be used only for engineering tasks; the rest of 3./Panz.Pi.Btl. 209 is to be used at Pt. 240.1. Artillery: I. Abt. cooperates with Panz.Gren.Rgt. 111, II. Abt. with Panz.Gren.Rgt. 110 and Pz.A.A. 11, III. Abt. covers the entire divisional strip. Heer.Flak-Abt. 277 and Fla-Btl.(mot) 616 are employed for air protection. The commander of Panz.Nachr.Abt. is ordered to build a telephone network, to be overlaid by radio. The order to Gren.Rgt. 339 is delivered by an orderly officer.

During the night of 7/8 July 1943 heavy enemy air raids, otherwise quiet; the division has regrouped according to the corps order. On 8 July 1943 at 7:30 Gren.Rgt. 339 reaches the centre of Pokrowka and at 8:00 the heights north of it, without enemy resistance. At 8:15 the corps commander orders it to advance further north and, linking up with SS L.A.H., to take over the protection of the northern flank (via 249.3 – 246.1 to the Rollbahn); the forces of the division that become free are to be held ready to be committed behind "Großdeutschland" for forming the pocket. At 8:45 the Ia gives the regimental commander the order to advance to the line designated by the corps. The division's task: not to induce the enemy to withdraw and to make the encirclement possible.

On 8 July 1943 at 11:05 the division's chief of staff relays the order: to relieve Inf.-Div. "Großdeutschland" and the SS-Panzerkorps the division is to advance with its armoured group via Gremutschij to the heights 2 km SW of Pokrowskij; simultaneously with the armoured group the Panzergrenadiers advance from the area west of the road (objective of the attack: Bol. Majatschi – Pt. 246.7 – Rollbahn to 247.0). Pz.Rgt. 15 with I./Panz.Gren.Rgt. 110 and parts of Panz.Gren.Rgt. 111 attack. At 12:08 the corps chief of staff cancels both the security task and the task of an attack with a limited objective; instead the division is given the additional task of continuing to attack north in line with the corps' operational objective.

On 8 July 1943 after 12:08 Pz.Rgt. 15 (with Stu.Geschtz.Abt. 911, I./Panz.Gren.Rgt. 110, I./Panz.A.R. 119 and an armoured platoon of 3./Panz.Pi.Btl. 209) attacks north; Pz.A.A. 11 follows echeloned to the right rear and G.R. 339 further right. The task for all parts: by a swift thrust north to relieve I.D. "Großdeutschland", to smash the Russian IV Tank Corps and the motorized brigade and to gain the crossing over the Psel. The attack advances only slowly because the enemy holds the heights with strong armoured forces, and finally comes to a halt. On the division commander's order the division regroups: Pz.A.A. 11, committed to flank protection, is relieved by Panz.G.R. 111. G.R. 339 makes no progress against 2 enemy tanks. At 19:00 Pz.Rgt. 15 attacks again, but the attack is halted by a strong anti-tank and tank barrier.

On 8 July 1943 at 19:15 the corps commander orders a further attack north alongside SS L.A.H. to the Psel sector for 9 July 1943. Pz.Rgt. 15 (with Stu.Geschtz.Abt. 911, I./Panz.Gren.Rgt. 110, I./Panz.A.R. 119 and the armoured platoon of 3./Panz.Pi.Btl. 209) is to set off at dawn, reach the heights 3 km NE of Nowoselowka and hold them against all attacks. At 21:10 the plan for 9 July 1943 is changed: start at 4:00, first objective the road fork west of Illinskij, from there after a renewed assembly a simultaneous attack with I.D. "Großdeutschland" on the road fork 260.8; from there on together north, with I.D. "Großdeutschland" taking over the protection of the division's left flank. The Ia relays the corresponding orders to the units by telephone or radio.

On 9 July 1943 at 4:00 Pz.Rgt. 15 attacks north; the road fork west of Illinskij is taken against flanking enemy tanks; Panz.G.R. 110 occupies Illinskij and Pokrowskij without a fight and continues the attack north. At 6:31 Pz.A.A. 11 is ordered to advance its reconnaissance to the school at Ssuch Ssolotino to establish where the enemy is and whether roads and bridges are passable. At 8:30 the division with the armoured group on the road and II./Panz.G.R. 110 advances north; the attack gains ground with good Stuka support. G.R. 339 occupies Krasnaja Poljana, Beregowoj and Hill 243.4 without a fight and remains there to secure the line reached; it leaves the division and becomes army reserve.

On the afternoon of 9 July 1943 reconnaissance aircraft detect a withdrawal of the enemy in regimental strength to the north, west of Beresowka. Corps order: I.D. "Großdeutschland" turns west and destroys the enemy west of Beresowka to open the way north for 3. Panz.-Div. and 332. I.D. 11. Panz.-Div. reaches and holds the line Pt. 246.3 – road fork 1 km south of Pt. 244.5 and extends its left wing to the Kurassowka brook. Pz.Rgt. 15 holds the road fork; Panz.G.R. 111 takes the sector from the right boundary up to and including the road, Panz.G.R. 110 from the road to the Malinowoje gully and on to the boundary of Pz.A.A. 11; Pz.A.A. 11, lying in Pokrowskij, is moved to the left wing; the division goes over to defence. As the division commander cannot be reached, the Ia passes on the corresponding orders to the troops; they cross with the orders given by the division commander, so the troops learn of the valid orders only after enquiring, the movements begin only at nightfall and no longer reach the objective. At 20:05 the chief of staff orders the sector Ssalotinka – Kurassowka to be secured, in order to create by holding this line the conditions for I.D. "Großdeutschland" to turn; the new orders cannot be carried out during the night. The enemy defended stubbornly, withdrew during the day and positioned his tanks to cover the withdrawal; his fighter defence and the number of night bombers and ground-attack aircraft are greater; Russian night bombers bomb the advance road and tear the formations apart.

On 10 July 1943 at 2:45 the Ia cancels the attack on Hill 244.8 and orders the regrouping of the division for defence to begin at 3:00; at 3:15 Panz.G.R. 111 with Stu.Geschtz.Abt. 911 attached is to reach the ordered defence line up to Pt. 227.0 and sets off for this at 3:30. At 4:30 the adjutant of Pz.A.A. 11 reports that the battalion has been scattered by an air raid and is assembling in the Nowosellowka area; it is ordered, if possible, to take Pt. 232.2 and with its right wing link up with Panz.G.R. 110, and to build a defensive front to the north to protect the turn of I.D. "Großdeutschland" to the south-east. The capture of Hill 232.2, however, is not possible as the enemy holds it strongly with infantry. At 11:10 the corps orders the capture of this hill because flanking fire from it disturbs the turn of "Großdeutschland" to the SE; Pz.A.A. 11 is given II./Pz.Rgt. 15 attached. At 12:30 Panz.G.R. 111 reports that it has taken the ordered line against a weak enemy retreating NW and goes over to defence. At 13:30 Pz.A.A. 11 attacks Hill 237.2; the attack with tank support quickly gains ground and reaches its objective at 15:30; Pz.A.A. 11 and II./Panz.G.R. 110 set up in the new line for defence (the source gives both Hill 232.2 and Hill 237.2 in the same entry).

On 10 July 1943 after 15:30, by estimate 20–30 tanks and 2–3 battalions of infantry stand in front of the division; reconnaissance to the Psel finds weak infantry occupation of the heights and positions on the northern bank. At 16:00 the corps, after the good advance of I.D. "Großdeutschland" and 3. Panz.-Div. to the south and given the impression that the enemy in front of the division has no intention to attack but is only pushing forward strong reconnaissance, considers the capture of Hills 244.6 and 244.3 necessary, feasible and practicable for the continuation of the overall operation; the division commander drives forward to reconnoitre. At 17:15 the Ia informs the chief of staff of the reconnaissance results; the chief considers an advance of the division to the Psel on 11 July 1943 possible after parts of "Großdeutschland" are withdrawn to the northern front, freeing Pz.A.A. 11. At 18:30 corps order: the division is to take Hill 207.3 with an advance detachment today and hold it; a battalion of Panz.G.R. 111 with Stu.Geschtz.Abt. 911 attached takes possession of it. At 20:00 Panz.G.R. 111 reports the first parts of II./Panz.G.R. 111 advancing north; Panz.G.R. 110 reports that the enemy is continuously reinforcing on both sides of the road, with about 40–50 tanks and a battalion brought up. The division expects attacks on 11 July 1943; the Ia draws the chief of staff's attention to the objections against an excessively wide divisional front.

On 10 July 1943 at 21:30 the corps commander personally orders the capture of Hill 244.3 on 11 July 1943 and the occupation of 209.3. At 21:55 the chief of staff gives advance notice of the order for 11 July: the division is to attack north on both sides of the Rollbahn and if possible gain Hill 244.3. The Ia points out that an attack against 40–50 enemy tanks, with an own tank strength of 35–40 vehicles, will bring bloody losses; the chief rejects the objections and proposes a carefully prepared attack with Stuka support. At 22:05 Panz.G.R. 110 reports an enemy assembly. According to the division the enemy has reinforced especially on both sides of the Rollbahn at Pt. 244.3, has gathered about 40–50 tanks in this area, mined the terrain and brought up infantry; the division considers an attack with its own forces across the land bridge at 244.3 very costly, considers an attack from 207.3 to the Psel promising and proposes to the corps, if possible after freeing Pz.A.A. 11, an attack to the Psel; the corps adheres to taking the block of heights at 244.3. At 23:50 Panz.G.R. 111 reports that II./Panz.G.R. 111 set off at 20:30 with its foremost parts. At 1:30 on 11 July 1943 II./Panz.G.R. 111 occupies Hill 207.3 with one company; the commander of Panz.G.R. 111 points out that if the assault guns do not stay, he cannot keep the company on the long ridge.

On 11 July 1943 at 3:10 Panz.G.R. 110 repels 5 enemy tanks that thrust against the regiment's left wing; the enemy loses 3 tanks. At 4:15 Stu.Geschtz.Abt. 911 is sent to the assembly area at the division's disposal and placed directly under the division. At 6:15 order to Pz.Rgt. 15, Panz.G.R. 110 and 111 and Panz.A.R. 119: the division attacks Hill 244.3 with part of its forces, breaks through to 244.9 and holds the block of heights against all attacks; I./Panz.G.R. 111 with Stu.Geschtz.Abt. 911 on the right at Hill 239.6, supported by Pz.Rgt. 15 on both sides of the road at Pt. 244.8; II. and III./Panz.A.R. 119 and Art.Gruppe Palm support; start of the attack at 8:00 with Stuka support. Because of a thunderstorm the start is postponed, as the corps Ia has promised Stuka support when the clouds break. At 6:25 Panz.G.R. 110 reports enemy tanks infiltrating into the Malinowka gully; parts of Panz.Jäg.Abt. 61 and Pz.Rgt. 15 are committed against them. The division reports to the chief of staff that without Stuka preparation it cannot attack because the hill is strongly occupied and a frontal attack appears hardly feasible. At 7:45 the corps commander orders the immediate execution of the attack even without Stuka preparation. At 8:00 parts of II./Panz.G.R. 111 on Hill 207.3 are attacked by weaker infantry forces and shelled by heavy artillery from the northern bank of the Psel.

On 11 July 1943 Hill 207.3 comes under heavy artillery fire and Stalin organs. The commander of Panz.G.R. 111 considers that the hill can only be held with the entire battalion and at the risk of heaviest losses. Pz.A.A. 11 had already reported an attack against the middle of the battalion at 6:00, and at 8:10 a new attack is repulsed. At 8:17 Pz.Rgt. 15 reports that the ground is soaked and passable for tanks only on slopes of up to 11%. At 8:20 Panz.G.R. 111 receives the order to take Pt. 239.8 immediately (in later KTB entries: 239.6); Stu.Geschtz.Abt. 911 is placed under the regiment, and Panz.A.R. 119, Panz.G.R. 110 and Pz.Rgt. 15 are informed accordingly.

On 11 July 1943 at 9:00 the chief of staff of the corps arrives at the command post. The Ia presents the situation: the division's attack with a limited objective over a front of 16 km brings no operational or tactical gain of ground and leaves the division in a much worse and longer main line of resistance than the present one; combat strengths have fallen, the terrain is difficult, an attack north while simultaneously holding Hill 207.3 is not possible (the hill has been under artillery fire, now also Stalin organs, since the early morning); an attack on Hill 244.3 is hard and possible only with Stuka support. The chief demands that the Arko neutralize the artillery and Stalin organs on the northern bank of the Psel. After a talk between the chief of XXXXVIII. Panz.-Korps and the chief of VIII. Fliegerkorps Stuka support is promised for 11:00 and the attack is ordered for 11:00. At 9:40 Panz.G.R. 111 reports that 6 enemy tanks are hard pressing II./Panz.G.R. 111. The corps commander decides that the division attacks only after Stuka preparation. At 10:30 the division commander informs the Ia that Hill 207.3 is occupied by enemy tanks and II./Panz.G.R. 111 had to give way; at 10:32 the Ia learns that Stuka support will be possible from 12:00; at 11:25 the regiment reports that Pt. 207.3 is occupied by 6 light tanks while Pt. 209.3 is still in own hands.

On 11 July 1943 at 12:00 the corps Ia reports that Stuka support, if at all, is not to be expected before 16:00. The regimental commanders jointly describe that the enemy is continuously reinforcing. The tanks that have infiltrated into the Malinowka gully can be destroyed neither by tanks nor by anti-tank guns (self-propelled); thanks to their flanking position they form the most serious threat to the intended attack. The enemy has considerably reinforced his Flak at Orlowka, which alone shows that he has brought new forces into his positions south of Obojan. At 12:20, after all reasons have been presented, the corps commander agrees if the enemy is kept occupied and the division tries to gain ground north; the division commander decides on a reconnaissance thrust by the division alone, attempting to take the "Handschuhwald" in order to link up with II./Panz.G.R. 111. At 12:30 the corresponding order goes to Panz.G.R. 111, with Stu.Geschtz.Abt. 911 placed under it. According to a captured map a new tank corps has appeared in front of the division's left wing, and the enemy plans a thrust into the rear of I.D. "Großdeutschland" to take Werchopenje at the seam between I.D. "Großdeutschland" and 11. Panzer-Division; the corps is informed. At 13:10 Pz.A.A. 11 reports a reconnaissance thrust by 2 T 34.

On 11 July 1943 at 13:55 the corps chief of staff states that the division has undertaken nothing since the morning and, after consulting the corps commander, relays the order to attack Pt. 239.6 despite the Ia's renewed objections. At 14:00 the commanders of Pz.Rgt. 15 and Panz.A.R. 119 are briefed accordingly; the commander of Panz.G.R. 111 personally repeats his objections to the division commander: the attack brings no shortening or improvement of the front, only a militarily quite insignificant gain of ground which can be won and held only at high cost. The division commander decides the attack is to be carried out: Panz.G.R. 111 with Stu.Geschtz.Abt. 911 attached, Pz.Rgt. 15 (minus one company) and II./Panz.G.R. 110 advance north from the former line and take the woods in front of the main line of resistance; assault guns thrust north between the woods while the tanks try to get as close as possible to Hill 239.6. At 17:15 the start is reported; on the right the attack advances well and is halted at the northern edge of the eastern wood, on the left it stalls; the tanks have to withdraw to their starting positions before superior tank and anti-tank fire, are then committed anew, bypass the "Polypenwald" from the east and carry the attack forward. At 18:21 the chief of staff agrees to halting the movement if the attack should cost too many casualties. At 18:55 I./Panz.G.R. 111 enters the southern spurs of the "Polypenwald", enemy pressure, especially mortar fire, has eased, the tank attack advances well; the corps agrees that the division halts the attack without taking 239.6. At 20:50 Pz.Rgt. 15 reports reaching the objective and is ordered to leave one company each with I. and II./Panz.G.R. 110 and keep the rest at the division's disposal; at 21:45 the corps is informed of the objective reached.

On 11 July 1943 at 18:21 the chief of staff informs the Ia of the corps' intentions: after the successful attack of I.D. "Großdeutschland" and 3. Panz.-Div. to the south, both divisions are to attack north the next day, parts of both relieve parts of 11. Panz.-Div., and all three divisions together are to take the last height before the Psel; regrouping in the morning. Orders from the Ia to the commanders for the regrouping of the division on the morning of 12 July 1943: Pz.A.A. 11 is relieved by parts of 3. Panz.-Div. and then (dispensable parts first) moved to the right wing; Panz.G.R. 110 is relieved by parts of "Großdeutschland" and then shifts into the area of I./Panz.G.R. 111; Panz.G.R. 111 shifts I./Panz.G.R. 111 to the right to free parts of II./Panz.G.R. 111. According to the division the enemy has become soft before its own attack; taking into account the captured map and aerial reconnaissance, the impression is that the enemy is shifting west; continuation of attacks on 12 July 1943 is expected.

On 12 July 1943 at 2:15 the corps order for 12 July arrives. At 3:30 a quiet night is reported to the corps; during the night the enemy has pushed forward across the whole front. At 4:35 a report of particular pressure on Pz.A.A. 11 – Pz.Rgt. 15 is ordered to send three tanks to Pz.A.A. 11. At 4:40 Panz.G.R. 110 reports an attack by 1.5 companies from the wood east of the Rollbahn southward. At 5:05 the commander of Panz.G.R. 111 reports an attack by an enemy battalion from Hill 207.3 in the gullies to the SW and asks for the release of 3./Stu.Geschtz.Abt. 911; the division cannot grant the request as the situation on the left wing is not yet clear and further attacks are expected. At 5:45 Panz.G.R. 110 reports that an attack from the wood east of Hill 244.8 southward has been repulsed; at 6:50 Panz.G.R. 111 reports that, after repulsing the attack and its own counterthrust, the enemy has withdrawn to the NE. After talks with the Ia of I.D. "Großdeutschland" and the 01 of 3. Panz.-Div. it can be expected that the relief will proceed as planned, unless the relief proves impossible during daytime.

On 12 July 1943 at 8:40 Panz.G.R. 111, and subsequently 110 and Panz.A.R. 119, report that the enemy is continuously reinforcing from the north; at 9:10 the chief of staff is informed of the continuous enemy reinforcement in the Orlowka area; at 9:12 Arko 122 discusses artillery fire support for the attack at 14:00. At 10:04 Panz.A.R. 119 reports an enemy attack on Hill 207.3 and east of it in the gully; Hill 209.3 has been evacuated. At 10:10 Pz.Rgt. 15 and Panz.G.R. 111 are ordered to move a tank company behind the right wing to strengthen it. At 10:20 the commander of Pz.A.A. 11 reports that the battalion cannot be relieved during the day; it must stay until the attack of 3. Panz.-Div. rolls over it. At 10:30 the situation on the right wing stiffens, the enemy now also attacks with tanks; at 10:45 the chief of staff is informed: the commander of Panz.G.R. 111 reports that the enemy has taken the "Handschuhwald" and is advancing on Hill 235.9; at 11:15 Hill 235.9 is in enemy hands. At 11:30 the staff of Fla-Btl.(mot) 616 is ordered to build a blocking front facing SE, with all light Fla and Flak batteries, adjoining the NE corner of the "Kastenwäldchen".

On 12 July 1943 at 11:45 Pz.Rgt. 15 is ordered to assemble with the whole regiment behind the right wing for a counterthrust. At 12:00 the O.B. and the K.G. discuss with the division commander the conduct of the attack in the further course of the operation. At 12:35 1./Panz.A.A. 11 is placed under II./Panz.G.R. 111 (in the source "II./Panz.G.R.11") to block the Ssalotinka brook sector. At 13:35 the chief of staff again orders Hill 239.6 to be taken, attacking at 15:00. At 13:45 Pz.Rgt. 15 reports that the counterthrust is making good progress; together with Panz.G.R. 110 and 111 it is ordered to attack north at 15:00 in any case; II./Panz.A.R. 119, Panz.G.R. 110 and I. and III./Panz.Art.-Rgt. 119 are directed to cooperate with Panz.Gren.Rgt. 111. At 14:55 the chief orders the attack to be halted, as the enemy has broken through at 3. Panz.-Div. and all forces are committed to clear the breakthrough.

On 12 July 1943 at 15:30 corps order: the enemy has gone over to counterattack along the entire corps front and has broken through at 3. Panz.-Div.; the corps regroups for defence; 11. Panz.-Div. and I.D. "Großdeutschland" take over the northern front (boundary with "Großdeutschland": Wladimirowka gully, with the SS-Panzerkorps: Ssolotinka brook); parts deployed west of the Ssolotinka, relieved partly by "Großdeutschland" and partly by 3. Panz.-Div., are to be relieved again by 11. Panz.-Div.; the new line is to be occupied by nightfall. The Ia asks whether, for reasons of economy of force, a withdrawal to the old main line of resistance is permitted; the corps agrees only as far as absolutely necessary. Orders: Panz.G.R. 110 – the old sector Wladimirowka gully to Pt. 248.0; Panz.G.R. 111 – from the right boundary of 110 to Pt. 277.3 exclusive; Pz.A.A. 11 – from there to the Ssolotinka brook; Pz.Rgt. 15 is assembled SW of the Kastenwald as division reserve; Stu.Geschtz.Abt. 911 is assembled at the Dist. Dolgoje wood at the division's disposal; the artillery regroups; the Flak (heavy batteries) takes up position as a last anti-tank barrier; Panz.Pi.Btl. 209 after mining is assembled and used for engineering tasks; Panz.Jäg.Abt. 61 is placed under Pz.A.A. 11.

On the afternoon of 12 July 1943 the enemy continuously attacks the division's front (5–10 tanks, massed infantry attacks in the hollows). Against the weak own lines breakthroughs succeed at individual points; some can be cleared, but the regained ground cannot be held by infantry given the continuously falling combat strengths. To seal off a breakthrough reported at 235.0, Fla-Btl.(mot) 616 (1st and 3rd Coys) and 4./Heer.Flak-Abt. 277 are committed on the right wing; at 16:50 the securing task is cancelled. Renewed attacks and breakthroughs lead to the commitment of Pz.Rgt. 15 for clearing. At 18:20 the corps is informed of the situation. At 19:20 the commander of Pz.Rgt. 15 gives his enemy assessment: the enemy is not particularly aggressive even with his tanks, infantry is not coming forward to the extent to be expected, the situation seems to be stabilizing; the counterthrust to disengage succeeds as planned – under cover of tanks and assault guns the grenadiers withdraw; I./Panz.G.R. 110 has reoccupied the positions and relieved "Großdeutschland"; the relief of Pz.A.A. 11 proceeds as planned.

On 12 July 1943 at 21:50 the commander of Fla-Btl.(mot) 616 is ordered to remain, with the 2nd and 3rd Coys assembled at the eastern edge of the Kastenwäldchen, at the division's disposal until 13 July 1943; employment as an assault reserve on the division's right wing is intended. At 22:00 the commander of Pz.A.A. 11 is briefed and ordered to relieve parts of II./Panz.G.R. 111 and to occupy the defence line. At 22:13 the commander of Panz.G.R. 111 reports that the battalions have occupied new positions; at 22:15 Panz.G.R. 110 reports that the main line of resistance is in own hands and quiet. The enemy in front of the division continues to reinforce steadily, now also with new infantry forces; the division expects the attacks to continue on 13 July 1943 and has held tanks and assault guns ready to counter the attack from the outset.

During the night of 12/13 July 1943 quiet, the disengagement from the enemy goes unnoticed. On the morning of 13 July the enemy brings up reinforcements from the north, especially in front of the left wing on both sides of the Rollbahn, with tanks and infantry. At 7:40 Pz.A.A. 11 reports an enemy assembly; the enemy attacks Pt. 227.0 from the north and occupies it. At 8:20 Panz.G.R. 110 reports an enemy assembly of 2 companies with 6 tanks; the attack is halted in concentrated artillery fire. At 8:30 the enemy also attacks westward from 227.0. During the morning enemy reinforcements with tanks and infantry are continuously reported in front of the whole front; the final enemy picture: in front of the division stand 4 full and 2 battered divisions and 5 tank brigades. At 9:35 3./Panz.Pi.Btl. 209 is again placed under the battalion; as deserters state that the enemy is massing on both sides of the Rollbahn, the artillery is ordered to lay concentrated fire there. At 9:55 the enemy gives way to the NE before a counterthrust, supported especially by the guns of Fla-Btl.(mot) 616; at 10:00 Hill 227.0 is again firmly in own hands. At 12:10 the enemy attacks II./Panz.G.R. 110 in regimental strength with some tanks, breakthrough at 6./Panz.G.R. 110, cleared before Pz.Rgt. arrives; at 13:05 the main line of resistance is again firmly in own hands. 2./Panz.Pi.Btl. 209 is again placed under the battalion and directed to cooperate with Panz.G.R. 110. The afternoon is quiet; the enemy suffers extraordinarily high bloody losses in his massed attacks.

On 13 July 1943 at 14:45 all committed parts report that the enemy continues to behave quietly; the grenadiers, greatly tired by the defensive battles, were able to recover somewhat. The low combat strengths force the defensive front to be strengthened with machine weapons: preparations are made to combine tanks and assault guns into 2 mixed groups each, and Fla-Btl.(mot) 616 is positioned behind the main line of resistance so that it can both halt an enemy breakthrough from its positions, block further advance and clear a breakthrough in a counterthrust. From 16:00 the enemy attacks again along the whole front: the first attack by 2–3 companies is directed at the seam between I. and II./Panz.G.R. 111; at 17:00 a battalion attacks the left wing of Panz.G.R. 110; at 17:09 the artillery reports enemy tanks on 248.3; at 17:10 Pz.A.A. 11 reports an attack from the NE on Hill 227.0 and west of it in battalion strength; at Pt. 235.9 the enemy succeeds in a breakthrough with tanks. At 18:55 Panz.G.R. 110 reports that the main line of resistance is again firmly in own hands; at 19:10 the same report comes from the right wing (Panz.G.R. 111).

On the evening of 13 July 1943, summary of the day: the division has been in hard defensive combat the whole day except for a few hours. Prisoners confirm in front of the division 5 full rifle divisions and 2 battered divisions plus 3 tank brigades; these forces, vastly superior in numbers, attack again and again with tank support after strong artillery and Stalin-organ preparation. The front, 11 km long, is held by a total of 15 companies with an average combat strength of 1:4:43 (as recorded in the KTB, at 22:30). The division expects the attacks to continue on 14 July 1943; for this purpose tanks and assault guns are distributed along the entire front to give the grenadiers a last support. The Ia once more draws the corps chief of staff's attention to the enemy concentration in front of the division and again states the inadequacy of its own air reconnaissance.

On 14 July 1943 at 1:10 the corps order for 14 July arrives. The night is quiet apart from artillery fire on both sides; an enemy patrol of 4 men is repulsed on the right wing. At 6:15 the commander of Panz.A.R. 119 reports quiet along the whole front except for movements in the "Polypenwald", which are engaged by artillery. From 7:20 the enemy attacks the whole front of the division incessantly with tank support and strong infantry forces; the fight for the dominating heights, which are lost several times and each time retaken in a counterthrust, rages with particular violence. Despite his massed attacks, conducted in regimental strength against battalion frontages with a combat strength of only about 100 men, the enemy does not succeed in holding parts of the main line of resistance for any length of time. Pz.Rgt. and Stu.Geschtz.Abt. 911, distributed as supports behind the front, clear the breakthroughs in cooperation with the grenadiers. The artillery disperses the enemy assembly areas with concentrated fire and thereby relieves the grenadiers' hard fight.

On 14 July 1943 at 14:30 the commander of Panz.G.R. 111 reports to the division commander that the lines have become so thin that they can no longer be held for long against the massed attacks; the corps is informed of this again. At 15:40 corps order: Pi-Lehr-Btl. 1 (minus 1 company) is placed under the division; to relieve the division, the entire corps artillery is to fire in front of the division's sector. At 16:15 the battalion is placed under Panz.G.R. 111; new boundaries reduce the regimental sectors in order to be able to set aside reserves. At 17:00 all parts report quiet along the whole front. According to the O.Qu. the division will in future receive smaller ammunition allocations; the Ia draws the chief's attention to the difficult situation and the absolutely necessary relief of the grenadiers by the artillery, and requests increased ammunition allocation for the heavy defensive battle.

On 14 July 1943 at 18:30 Pz.Rgt. 15 and Stu.Geschtz.Abt. 911 are ordered to form two armoured groups to increase defensive strength. At 18:45 the leader of Panz.Pi.Btl. 209 is ordered: 1 company placed under Pz.A.A. 11, 1 company under the battalion leader as division reserve, the rest half each to Pz.A.A. 11 and Panz.G.R. 110; all parts are employed to lay mines. In front of the division a mine belt impassable for tanks is to be built. At 20:40 Panz.G.R. 110 reports an enemy assembly, at 20:45 an attack at II./Panz.G.R. 110 and Panz.G.R. 111; the attack collapses in the defensive fire of all weapons. Only the situation at Pt. 248.0 remains unclear.

On 14 July 1943 at 21:45 the chief of staff announces that the division's task for 15 July 1943 is the same; the corps places s. Nebelwerfer-Rgt. 1 under the division for conducting the defensive battle (its commander has been sent ahead). At 22:10 quiet again along the whole front; the Ia assesses that the enemy has been so weakened in his attacking power by the defensive fire, especially of the artillery, that no substantial continuation of his attacks is to be expected. On 15 July 1943: at 4:30 an enemy patrol is repulsed at Pz.A.A. 11; at 8:10 Panz.G.R. 111 reports the regrouping and takeover of the sector; at 8:20 the commander of s. Nebelwerfer-Rgt. 1 reports at the command post and is briefed; the morning is quiet; at 13:55 Panz.G.R. 111 reports an attack by 2 companies against II./Panz.G.R. 111. During the day enemy assemblies are repeatedly smashed by artillery fire; observations show that the enemy is digging in and laying mines, from which it must be concluded that he does not intend to attack further. In the afternoon the commander of Panz.G.R. 111 reports that the layout of the main line of resistance, the depth of the position and the setting aside of reserves have contributed substantially to strengthening the defence, and considers the position tenable given the situation and the enemy's behaviour.

On 15 July 1943 at 18:50 the commander of Panz.G.R. 111 reports the arrival of 3./Pi-Lehr-Btl. Panz.G.R. 110 and 111 receive the following order: the 3rd Company is to be employed, adjoining the parts of the Pi-Lehr-Btl. committed so far, in such a way that the boundary with Panz.G.R. 110 shifts 500 m to the west; the new boundary is to take effect after regrouping during the night. In the evening the Ia gives the chief his assessment of the enemy: the division no longer expects the enemy attacks to continue; the losses inflicted on the enemy in recent days are such that he must forgo further attacks. In the afternoon the army order arrives in which the O.B. expresses his recognition to the division for its defensive success.

On 16 July 1943 at 2:35 the enemy attacks the left wing of Panz.G.R. 111 in strength of 2 companies, and at 3:15 the positions at Pt. 248.3; both attacks are repulsed. 3./Pi-Lehrbtl. has relieved parts of Panz.G.R. 110 and 111 during the night. Apart from slight artillery, Salvengeschütz and mortar fire on both sides the day is quiet. S. Werfer-Rgt. 1 has arrived with 2 battalions and gone into firing position. At 14:00 the corps commander briefs the division commander at the command post on the new situation; the Ia gives the corps the following assessment: the enemy has probably withdrawn forces, in particular tanks; no new attacks against the division's front are to be expected; no enemy tanks have been observed any longer in the entire divisional sector.

On 17 July 1943 at 1:30 corps order: from 6:00 the division is placed under the II. SS-Panzerkorps; the subordination of Brüko 676, Fla-Btl.(mot) 616 and s. Werf.-Rgt. 1 ends with the division's new subordination. At 8:00 a conference of the K.G., Obergruppenführer Hauser, on the employment of the division in Unternehmen "Roland" takes place at the division command post; at 9:30 Unternehmen "Roland" is called off; the order ending the subordination of Fla-Btl.(mot) 616, Brüko 676 and s. Werf.-Rgt. 1 is therefore cancelled. On 18 July 1943 at 14:15 the SS-Panzerkorps orders that from 18:00 the division is again subordinated to XXXXVIII. Panzerkorps.

On 17 July 1943 at 11:45 XXXXVIII. Panz.-Korps orders the withdrawal of Pi-Lehr-Btl. 1; the corresponding orders go to Panz.G.R. 110 and 111, the old boundaries between the regiments take effect again. From 15:50 Panz.A.A. 11, Panz.G.R. 110 (16:45) and 111 (17:00) report enemy assemblies in front of the line, from company to battalion strength; they are smashed in concentrated fire of the infantry weapons, artillery and Salvengeschütze. At 17:20 all parts report that the enemy assembly has been smashed and quiet again prevails in front of the line. At 23:15 Panz.G.R. 110 reports the relief of parts of Pi-Lehr-Btl. 1.

On 18 July 1943 at 0:25 the corps order for 18 July arrives. At 1:00 Pz.A.A. 11 relieved parts of Panz.G.R. 111 at 227.0; at 2:45 Panz.G.R. 111 reports the relief of the last parts of Pi-Lehr-Btl. 1. During the night the enemy's thrust with a strong patrol against Pt. 227.0 is repulsed; own patrols establish unchanged enemy behaviour. At 4:00 enemy movements in the "Polypenwald" are engaged by artillery. At 8:10 an attack in regimental strength from the "Handschuhwald" southward is halted in artillery fire; at 8:15, after strong artillery preparation, an attack against Pt. 227.0 is repulsed. On the east bank of the Bolotinka sector the enemy pressed after the withdrawn wing of SS-Totenkopf and from there flanks own positions on the west bank. At 12:20 the SS-Korps orders parts of Pz.A.A. 11 to be withdrawn to the right bank; at 12:25 the order is passed on. The enemy reinforces along the whole front; up to 40 enemy tanks are counted, marching mainly in a south-westerly direction; as a result Pz.Rgt. 15 is ordered to regroup with its main body at the Rollbahn. At 14:15 the SS-Panz.-Korps orders that from 18:00 the division is again subordinated to XXXXVIII. Panzerkorps. During the afternoon several enemy thrusts against the division's front are repulsed. At 15:10 XXXXVIII. Panz.-Korps orders the trains to be moved to the area of Tscherkasskoje and south-east of it.

On 18 July 1943 at 15:40 the chief of staff informs: after being pulled out, the division will receive no task in the new area in the next days; supply and service units are to march immediately; the division itself is to move during the night of 18/19 July. At 16:00 the units are briefed by orderly officers on the development of the situation and ordered to move the trains and all superfluous combat vehicles at once into train areas designated on the map; the booty collection and destruction action is to continue; nothing about the order is to be passed on by radio or telephone. At 16:50 corps order: the corps disengages from the enemy still tonight; strong rear guards prevent pursuit and withdraw later; an interim reception position is to be occupied near Pt. 260.8 and held the next day; extraction from the new position only on corps order; the movement begins at dusk. At 17:15 new line "E"; the corps orders withdrawal in short bounds, first to Hill 260.6, then further. Werf.-Rgt. 55 and Pi-Btl. 666 are placed under the division; s. Werf.-Rgt. 1, previously attached to the division, is detached and sent to 3. Panz.-Div. At 17:35 decision of the chief of staff: the corps agrees to withdrawing the front to the block of heights 260.8 with the wings bent backward; the division withdraws at 21:00 with its main body, its right flank adjoining SS-Totenkopf, its left 3. Panz.-Div.

On 18 July 1943 the further points of the order on the withdrawal to the south: an interim position yet to be reconnoitred is to be occupied around the block of heights 260.8; boundaries according to the situation map. Pz.Rgt. 15 covers the disengagement with one battalion and takes up a reception position at 260.8 with the other. Panz.A.R. 119: I. Abt. cooperates with Panz.G.R. 111, II. Abt. with Panz.G.R. 110, III. Abt. gives overlapping fire protection; they take up the new firing positions in bounds. Pz.A.A. 11, after reaching the interim position and establishing contact with SS-Totenkopf, is detached and moved through to the new position, where it starts building up the positions at once. Panz.Pi.Btl. 209 is again placed directly under the division; it leaves demolition detachments with the rear guards to carry out demolitions of engineering structures and mining. Panz.Jäg.Abt. 61 is placed under Panz.G.R. 111 on arrival at the interim position. H.Flak-Abt. 277 takes over air protection of the interim position at dawn. Fla-Btl.(mot) 616 is employed with 2 companies for ground protection, one company each as backup for Panz.G.R. 110 and 111. At 19:00 the division moves its command post to Distr. Stanowaja and is ready for work there. At 21:00 the corps orders that the rear guards must remain on the enemy until he pursues; the Ia points out to the corps that the movements have started and that carrying out the order will hardly be possible. The withdrawal proceeds as planned, unnoticed by the enemy; the rear guards also disengage from the enemy unnoticed.

On 19 July 1943 at 1:40 the corps order for 18 and 19 July arrives; at 2:00 the main body of the division has occupied the new position, the enemy remains quiet. From 4:00 orders via orderly officers: the further withdrawal takes place in the night of 19/20 July (start still to be ordered) to a position to be reconnoitred by advance parties and built up by reserves; boundaries as marked on the map; for position construction on both sides of the Rollbahn an engineer company is allotted to Panz.G.R. 110 (254.5); Pz.Rgt. 15 supports the withdrawal; one battalion each of Panz.A.R. 119 is directed to cooperate with Panz.G.R. 110, Panz.G.R. 111, Panz.A.A. 11 and Panz.Pi.Btl. 209. At 5:20 the commander of Panz.G.R. 110 is pulled out and given a reconnaissance and construction task, his sector is handed to the commander of Panz.G.R. 111. At 5:40 Panz.A.R. 119 reports the first enemy probing at Pt. 244.8; at 7:10 Fla-Btl.(mot) 616 is ordered to be employed for air protection on both sides of the Rollbahn in the Krassnaja Dubrowa district; at 7:20 the enemy thrusts in company strength over Pt. 248.3 to the south; at 11:30 enemy infantry has advanced to within 1.5 km of the position. At 11:15, in accordance with the corps order, the division is to withdraw today; orderly officers deliver the order: the division withdraws in the night of 19/20 July to the already reconnoitred line; a rear-guard group (one tank battalion, one artillery battalion, one armoured-personnel-carrier company, one engineer company) remains on the enemy until 23:00; the remaining parts withdraw: 20:00 mixed tank and assault-gun battalion "Fischer", 20:30 2 artillery battalions, 21:15 parts of Panz.G.R. 110 minus 3rd Coy, 21:30 Panz.G.R. 111. After disengaging, the rear-guard group halts briefly at Illinskij to give the artillery the chance to withdraw; the armoured group "Fischer" moves at once as armoured assault reserve to the east bank of the Worskla; orders to Panz.Jäg.Abt. 61 by radio.

On 19 July 1943 at 15:40 the commander of Pi-Btl. 666 reports; he is to occupy, build up and hold the new sector as marked on the map; as reinforcement a company of Panz.Pi.Btl. 209 is placed under him. The division changes its command post (from 18:00; ready for work at 20:15 in the wood 2 km east of Olchowka). In the afternoon the enemy presses only on both sides of the Rollbahn at Pt. 260.8 and pushes up with strong infantry masses; his artillery and anti-tank fire on the forward line and the rear area increases. According to an intercepted radio message the enemy has Hill 260.8 as his attack objective. From 19:45 the disengagement proceeds as planned and without incident. During the night of 19/20 July quiet; although the enemy presses hard especially on the left wing, the withdrawal and the movement into the new position succeed as planned; at 4:45 on 20 July 1943 all parts have occupied the new position; at 5:30 the enemy pushes tanks in front of the division.

On 20 July 1943 about 40–50 tanks are counted in the area around Hills 249.3 and 260.0; the corps is informed of the enemy reinforcement: in the course of the morning the enemy has pushed up on a wide front, about 50 tanks are counted by aerial reconnaissance and observation. At 10:05 the enemy attacks I./Panz.G.R. 111 for the first time; at 10:25 Pi-Btl. 666 has to withdraw its combat outpost at Jakowlewa church under superior enemy pressure. At 10:30 the liaison officer of SS A.R. 3 reports; the regiment is committed to support the division's defensive battle. At 11:25 Panz.G.R. 110 is ordered to occupy 230.1 and seek contact with 3. Panz.-Div. At 12:20 the corps orders that 3./Pi.Btl. 666, which joined the battalion on its own initiative, is to be sent at once to 3. Panz.-Div.; in exchange a company of Panz.Pi.Btl. 209 is placed under Pi.Btl. 666. At 12:51 Pz.Rgt. 15 is ordered, in accordance with a corps order, to be ready also for commitment at 167. Inf.-Div.; approach routes are to be reconnoitred. At 14:45 summary situation report: since 10:00 the enemy has been attacking along the whole front in strength up to a regiment; the attacks are supported by tanks and prepared by concentrated artillery, mortar and Salvengeschütz fire; so far the attacks could be cleared in counterthrusts; continuation is expected. According to aerial reconnaissance the enemy keeps bringing up strong forces from the north; up to 70 tanks are counted. The Ia points out to the corps that withdrawing any infantry parts, let alone tanks, to the right wing or to 167. I.D. is not tolerable.

On 20 July 1943 the Ia rejects the corps' claim that the division has sufficient artillery support: he points to the extraordinarily long front, the weak infantry forces (which made the commitment of Pi-Btl. 666 necessary) and the enormously massed enemy forces. At 14:50 Pz.A.A. 11 reports renewed enemy attacks with tank support. At 16:41 Panz.Pi.Btl. 209 is ordered to relieve, with all its parts, the company of Pi.Btl. 666 that is leaving. At 17:10 the Ia informs the K.G.: in front of Panz.G.R. 111 alone three enemy tank groups with 80–90 tanks have formed; at Pz.A.A. 11 a further 61 tanks are observed; the enemy's main effort is expected at the Rollbahn; if the enemy does not attack simultaneously right and left, the division believes it can master the situation. During the afternoon the enemy attacks continuously with tank support; counterthrusts with effective artillery and Werfer support frustrate all enemy attempts to break through the positions; at Panz.G.R. 111 the front has to be withdrawn. At 19:30 the chief of staff appears at the command post and discusses the situation; he considers the defence tenable only through an attack. In the evening the enemy attacks revive. From 21:30 quiet at the front. Pi-Btl. 666 is detached and sent to 3. Panz.-Div. At 23:10: despite strong attacks with tanks the enemy has not succeeded in penetrating the own main line of resistance.

During the night of 20/21 July 1943 generally quiet, slight enemy air activity; mutual harassing fire by artillery and tanks, enemy tanks audible in front of the main line of resistance. The own line, withdrawn in places the day before, is finally occupied and the sectors within the battalions organized. The left wing of Panz.G.R. 110, pushed forward yesterday to the right wing of 3. Panz.-Div. up to 230.1, is withdrawn to the old line, adjoining 3. Panz.-Div., as a result of an enemy breakthrough at 3. Panz.-Div. At 4:20 an attack in battalion strength with tank support in front of Pz.A.A. 11; enemy breakthrough with 6 tanks in this sector. At 5:20 order to Panz.G.R. 110: the two companies of Fla-Btl.(mot) 616 brought up yesterday are to be sent off, one to Pz.A.A. 11, one to Panz.G.R. 111, placed under these units; Fla-Btl.(mot) 616: 1 company division reserve, the staff to move its position close to the division. At 5:30 an attack by an enemy battalion with tanks in front of II./Panz.G.R. 111; breakthrough with 10 enemy tanks, overrunning the Panzergrenadiers at II./Panz.G.R. 110; the breakthrough is cleared. At 7:00 the enemy continues to attack in strength of up to 1 battalion, each time with tank support, at several points of the divisional sector; a renewed attack by an infantry battalion roughly at the seam "11./3. Panz.-Div." (as in the source) affects the left wing of Panz.G.R. 110. The chief of XXXXVIII. Panz.-Korps briefs on his intention to request Luftwaffe support on both sides of the north–south Rollbahn.

On 21 July 1943 the chief of XXXXVIII. Panz.-Korps announces that he will request Luftwaffe support on both sides of the north–south Rollbahn. At 7:15 the situation at Pz.A.A. 11 is clarified again, a company slowly pushes back into the old main line of resistance. A tank battle continues in front of II./Panz.G.R. 110. At 8:10 renewed enemy attacks with tank support at Pz.A.A. 11; ammunition shortage among the supporting assault guns. At 8:40 breakthrough at 230.5, in the centre, while both wings of the battalion fight roughly in the old main line of resistance. At 9:00 the situation in front of Panz.G.R. 110 is cleared; so far in the course of the morning about 25 tanks have been shot up in front of the divisional sector. At 10:00 the attack at Pz.A.A. 11 has come to a halt; a counterattack is initiated to reach a shortened main line of resistance roughly south of the east–west road. No enemy attacks at present in front of the other sectors of the division. At 11:00 renewed attack by a Russian battalion in front of I./Panz.G.R. 111; 17 enemy tanks in front of Panz.Pi.Btl. 209.

On 21 July 1943 at 7:50 the commander/chief of staff of XXXXVIII. Panz.-Korps informs by telephone: Panther-Abt. 52 is placed under the division and brought up for an attack with a limited objective. At 10:00 the commander of Panther-Abt. 52 reports at the command post; the battalion is placed under Panz.-Rgt. 15. Order to Panz.-Rgt. 15: with Panther-Abt. 52 to thrust north on both sides of the north–south Rollbahn and, after the "Verrichtung" [sic in the source] of the Russian observation tanks in the area of 251.2, to turn east (handwritten insertion "nach Osten") to relieve the own front. Arko 144 supports the planned Panther thrust; the division commander, for reasons of terrain, decides to turn west after the thrust to 251.2 (in the text of S0523 "nach Westen"). At 12:15 the planned tank thrust north along the Rollbahn is postponed (reported to XXXXVIII. Panz.-Korps), and Panther-Abt. 52 is committed with 1 company each to clear the breakthroughs on the right and left wings.

On 21 July 1943 at 11:30 9 enemy armoured scout cars break through in the sector of Panz.A.A. 11 up to 243.2; some are destroyed, the rest escape. At 11:45 Panz.Pi.Btl. 209 reports that 20 enemy tanks have broken into the main line of resistance and are already advancing south. At 12:15 renewed enemy attack with tanks in front of Panz.G.R. 110; sensitive own losses at Panz.Pi.Btl. 209. The left wing of I./Panz.G.R. 110 is already flanked by enemy tanks and must be bent back because contact with 3. Panz.-Div. no longer exists. The situation at Panz.Pi.Btl. 209 is still unclear.

On 21 July 1943 at 11:35 the division informs XXXXVIII. Panz.-Korps of its intention to withdraw the front during the night of 21/22 July 1943; preparatory work for moving back the trains and depots; preparations for disengaging the units. An attack by an infantry battalion at Pz.A.A. 11 is smashed by artillery, the enemy is forced to dig in; a loose link between the companies is restored by extending the left wing of 167. I.D.; roughly along the northern edge of the wood the link to the left neighbour is also restored. At 14:10 the corps is informed of the withdrawal of the division through the position of 332. I.D., which has already occupied the line 224.2, 283.6, northern edge of Triretschkoje; the division's rear guards are placed under 332. I.D. with the beginning of the marching movements; start of the withdrawal at 20:30. Enemy ground-attack aircraft activity. At 14:30 the situation at Panz.Pi.Btl. 209 is almost cleared: the company that fell back before the enemy tank breakthrough has almost regained its old position in a counterthrust; some enemy tanks still in front of the battalion's right wing. At 14:55 the K.G. at the command post: details of the withdrawal movements. At 16:00 situation at Pz.A.A. 11: the battalion command post had to give way before an enemy tank and infantry attack and is 1.5 km SE of 243.2; Panther company on Hill 243.2 in combat with enemy tanks; the companies of the reconnaissance battalion form hedgehogs; 6 T 34 still in front of Panz.Pi.Btl. 209; enemy infantry quiet; quiet in front of Panz.G.R. 111. Panz.G.R. 110 is flanked on its left wing by about 30 enemy tanks; contact with 3. Panz.-Div. is not yet established. At 16:30 conference on the withdrawal movements of the night; orders to adjutants and orderly officers of the units.

On 21 July 1943 order for the withdrawal of the main body of the division (times: leaving the position / crossing the start point). Start point Bykowka (east road): A.R. 3 (SS "T.") 19:30/20:15, I./W.R. 55 20:30/21:15, III./Panz.A.R. 119 20:50/21:35, Fla-Btl. 616 (minus 1 company) 20:00/21:50, Panz.Pi.Btl. 209 (minus 1 company) 20:30/22:30, Panz.G.R. 111 20:30/23:15. Start point Olchowka (west road): H.Flak-Abt. 277 19:30/20:15, W.R. 55 (minus I.) 20:00/20:35, Panz.A.R. 119 (minus I. and III.) 20:40/21:15, Pi-Btl. 666 (minus 1 company) 20:30/22:30, Panz.G.R. 110 (minus I., with 2nd Coy) and Panz.Jäg.Abt. 61 20:30/22:30. Marching routes: east Bykowka – Tomarowka, west Olchowka – Dragunskoje – Tomarowka; assembly area for the units as per situation map. Rear guards withdrawing under enemy pressure are placed under 332. I.D.: left group (west of the Worskla) under the commander of Panz.-Rgt. 15 (Panz.-Rgt. 15, I./Panz.G.R. 110 minus 2nd Coy, I./Panz.A.R. 119, 1st Coy Pi.Btl. 666), right group (east of the Worskla) under the commander of Panz.A.A. 11 (Panz.A.A. 11, one tank group, 1 battery of Panz.A.R. 119, 1 Coy Panz.Pi.Btl. 209, 2./Fla-Btl.(mot) 616). With the start of the withdrawal the subordination of W.R. 55, SS A.R. 3, Pi-Btl. 666 and Panther-Abt. 52 ends.

On 21 July 1943 at 17:00 the fighting at Pz.A.A. 11 continues with great violence; the situation here is still unclear; individual groups are still holding stubbornly between the strong infantry and tank forces that have broken through. At 18:00 a tank counterthrust on the left wing of Panz.G.R. 110 succeeds; enemy tanks that had broken through are destroyed or forced to turn away in cooperation with 3. Panz.-Div.; contact between the two divisions is restored here. At 18:30 the command post moves to Domnin, east of Tomarowka; ready for work there at 20:30. The fighting at Pz.A.A. 11 and Panz.Pi.Btl. 209 continues; own troops have to withdraw further; the commander of Pz.A.A. 11 falls. The withdrawal movements of Panz.G.R. 110, 111 and H.Fl.Abt. 277 begin as planned. The corps order on disengaging from the enemy reaches the division only at 22:00 at the new command post; it differs, regarding the march-technical subordination of 10. Panz.-Brig., from the verbal order given by the K.G. in the afternoon (according to which it was to be placed under 3. Panz.-Div.); a corresponding report is made to the corps.

On 21 July 1943 at 24:00 the withdrawal movements of the main body of the division proceed, at least in broad terms, as planned; the withdrawal of the rear guards begins under slight enemy pressure; marching movements so far fluid. According to a report of Pz.A.A. 11 of 20:45 the battalion has assembled about 3 km south of Jakowlewo at the Rollbahn and is securing with support of parts of Panz.-Rgt. 15; it is not possible to rally all parts of the completely scattered battalion; the losses are sensitive. The withdrawal of the rear guards continues with enemy contact. On 22 July 1943 at 1:00 a suddenly setting-in thunderstorm makes the roads, especially the west road, very difficult to pass, slows the marching movements and leads to jams. At 3:00 the withdrawal of the rear guards is completed; standing tank patrols are in contact with the enemy south of Olchowka and Bykowka; the rest behind the main line of resistance of 332. I.D., area 233.6. The marching movements of the main body of the division now advance only slowly or stall completely. At 6:00 parts of the division are moving into the quartering area; Panz.G.R. 110 attacks again at Dragunskoje after the weather improves. At 7:30 H.Flak-Abt. 277 reports its arrival in the quartering area; it is ordered to employ both heavy batteries for air protection, one in the battalion's quartering area, one south-east of Tomarowka.

On 22 July 1943 Fla-Btl.(mot) 616 reports the arrival of the battalion in the quartering area without the company remaining with the rear guards. Panz.A.A. 11 reports its arrival in the quartering area; during the night it was no longer possible to get the companies under command, so the rear-guard leader released the battalion on his own decision and it is assembling in its area in the morning. At 8:00 the armoured rear guard engages enemy tanks at Bykowka. At 10:25 the K.G. at the command post for orientation; advance order of the corps: the division will be moved tomorrow by day march into the area west of Graiworon for new employment, details to follow. During the morning the units report final arrival in the quartering area; strong personnel losses at Panz.A.A. 11 and Panz.Pi.Btl. 209. The subordination of Fla-Btl.(mot) 616 has ended.

On 22 July 1943 at 12:00 the Ia informs 332. I.D. of 50 enemy tanks on its right wing at Bykowka. At the same time 332. I.D. relays an order from Pz.A.O.K. 4 on forming an armoured attack group of the 11. Panzer-Division. The subordination of the previous rear guards to 332. I.D. thereby ends; accordingly the following verbal order is given (by the division adjutant): Panz.-Rgt. 15 with I./Panz.G.R. 110, Stu.-Geschtz.Abt. 911 and I./Panz.A.R. 119 attached is to disengage from the enemy and assemble in the area Strelezkoje – Puschkarnoje. In addition Panz.G.R. 110 (minus I.) is to be held on alert in its quartering area; in the event of commitment Panz.G.R. 110 and the former armoured rear-guard group would come under the command of the commander of Panz.G.R. 110. At 13:00 parts of Panz.-Rgt. 15 are still fighting enemy tanks at Bykowka.

On 22 July 1943 preparatory work and orders for the reconnaissance and division of the division's new assembly area near Graiworon. At 16:00 corps order: the division moves on 23 July 1943 by day march into the announced area west of Graiworon; the extensions of this area already made by the division are approved. On army order the armoured intervention group stays behind the front of 332. I.D. until 23 July 1943, 14:00: Panz.-Rgt. 15, Stu.-Geschtz.Abt. 911, I./Panz.A.R. 119, I./Panz.G.R. 110; until tomorrow 14:00 the group receives its orders directly from the army, to which it is directly subordinated. As the corps does not consider it necessary to hold back an entire Panz.G.R., the intervention group remains in its previous composition and under the command of the commander of Panz.Rgt. 15. Verbal orders on the formation of the intervention group, the division's march, the marching route, quartering areas and their reconnaissance go to orderly officers and adjutants. At 17:00 the division commander returns from the intervention group. In view of the situation the division commander has decided to leave the right tank group on the hill south of Bykowka on the reverse slope, because disengaging from the enemy could result in a flooding in of strong enemy tank forces tied down until now. The tank group on the west Rollbahn has assembled at Puschkarnoje as ordered. The army agrees with this conduct of the battle and authorizes the commander of the intervention group to withdraw the right tank group too, if the situation permits.

On 22 July 1943 at 19:30 the order to the units to march into the area west of Graiworon can only just be stopped, owing to a telephone call from the chief of LII. A.K.: for half an hour 20 tanks have been overrunning the right wing battalion of 332. I.D. to the south, about at 252.4. On order of Pz.A.O.K. 4 11. Panz.-Div. is placed under LII. A.K. with immediate effect; the march of the division to the west planned for tomorrow is cancelled. LII. A.K. orders: the armoured group is to be committed for a counterthrust; the rest of the division is to hold itself ready so that, setting off at daybreak of 23 July, it can be committed to a counterattack along the Rollbahn Tomarowka – Bykowka. The division commander drives to the corps. Order to the armoured intervention group to set off; advance information to the units: the march west on 23 July is cancelled, employment to the north-east is to be prepared. At 20:30 the tank group has set off. Order of LII. A.K.: the main body of the division is to hold itself ready on both sides of the Rollbahn, roughly at the level of H. Strelezkoje – 223.2, so that on 23 July it can be committed early to a possible counterthrust. Telephone contact with 6. Panz.-Div. and 332. I.D. shows that the reported breakthrough has already been largely eliminated; the division therefore takes the position that it is quite sufficient to keep the armoured group ready without the division moving out of its quartering area: the very exhausted troops would then at least get one night's rest. LII. A.K. does not respond to these representations, however, but orders the division to be held ready. Fla-Btl.(mot) 616 is again placed under the division.

On 22 July 1943 at 22:45 individual orders for readiness go to the orderly officers: 1.) Panz.A.A. 11 and Panz.Pi.Btl. 209 remain on call in their previous quartering area. 2.) a) Panz.G.R. 111, Panz.Jg.Abt. 61 and 1 battalion of Panz.A.R. 119 set off on 23 July at 2:30 from their previous quartering areas and take up readiness in the area 223.2 and the woods south of it; b) Panz.G.R. 110 (minus I.) and 1 artillery battalion set off at 2:30 and, marching along the road on the east bank of the Worskla, take up readiness in the area K. Strelezkoje and the gullies east of it; c) Fla-Btl.(mot) 616 takes over air protection in the assembly area. 3.) On 23 July at 4:00 commanders' conference at Hill 220.5 (observation post of the division command post, at the division commander), there combat orders. 4.) The commander of Panz.A.R. 119 reconnoitres observation and firing positions and takes up contact with the commander of A.R. 332 of 332. I.D. 5.) Only the most necessary combat vehicles are to be taken into the assembly areas. 6.) 332. I.D. has been asked for mine-indicating detachments which the units are to await and which are to lead them into the assembly areas.

On 23 July 1943 the armoured intervention group has moved without enemy contact to behind the main line of resistance on the left wing of 332. I.D. and has reunited into one group. At 2:40 LII. A.K. reports a renewed breakthrough of 20 enemy tanks and orders the attack of the armoured group to be accelerated; corresponding order to the commander of Panz.-Rgt. 15. At 4:00 the command echelon moves to a wood east of 227.6, ready for work from 5:00. The division commander at observation post 222.5 at the commanders' conference: 2 T 34 are in the main line of resistance in the Worskla valley, against which some tanks of the armoured group are committed; otherwise complete quiet at the front. The enemy breakthrough has not taken place to the extent reported. The armoured groups of 6. and 11. Panz.-Div. are in visual contact; between the two divisions there is a gap (arisen without enemy action!), which is to be closed by parts of 6. Panz.-Div. At 5:30 this situation is described to LII. A.K.; it is pointed out that, because of the alarming report, the whole division has gone into readiness with considerable difficulty. The corps takes the position that readiness remains necessary as the development of the situation cannot be foreseen. At 6:35 6. Panz.-Div. reports an enemy attack from Bykowka to the south, strength 1 regiment and 30 tanks; the two armoured groups establish contact to combat and destroy the enemy. At 8:00 only 2 companies have so far appeared at the expected point of attack; the two artillery battalions in the assembly area engage the attack.

On 23 July 1943 parts of the armoured group are in combat with some enemy tanks in the Worskla sector; 6 enemy tanks are destroyed. In the further course of the morning several infantry thrusts of the enemy, each with tank support, especially from the gully south-east of Bykowka, are smashed by artillery and tanks. The armoured group of 6. Panz.-Div. announces its decision to attack via 224.2 to the north-east and take Hill 235.3. The commander of Panz.-Rgt. 15 proposes to accompany and support this attack; for this, however, a shift east to south of 224.2 must take place, as a frontal attack with the main body of the tank battalion is not possible because of the own mining of the terrain. The division commander agrees to this planned conduct of the attack and at 10:15 orders the armoured group to attack in a wide sweep via 224.2, together with 6. Panz.-Div. 1 company joins this attack, advancing frontally along the Rollbahn to the north, to bring the wing of 332. I.D., somewhat bent back by an attack of 8 enemy tanks, back into the old main line of resistance. The tank group still standing above the Worskla valley also attacks north and engages the enemy tanks still standing individually in the area. LII. A.K. approves this conduct of the attack. At 12:00 the tank group stands at 224.5 in contact with the group of 6. Panz.-Div., ready to join this attack; at 14:25 corresponding order to Panz.-Rgt. 15.

On 23 July 1943 at 14:45 request to 6. Panz.-Div. to join this attack as well; at 15:05 parts of the own tank group attack. The K.G. at the forward division command post for orientation. Assessment of the division: the conduct of battle on this day suffered from the fact that the main line of resistance of 332. I.D. lies on a forward-slope position, so that the own tanks, attacking against the standing enemy tanks, would be at a disadvantage; experience shows again and again that in this case enemy tanks shoot the own grenadiers out of their holes without the own tanks being able to support them. The K.G. will examine the possibility of a reverse-slope position. In addition, difficult transmission of orders from 6. Panz.-Div. to its tank group made it hard to coordinate the two tank groups. At 16:00 both tank groups are attacking as planned, the attack advancing slowly against strong defence (Salvengeschütze, artillery, tanks and anti-tank guns); about 15 enemy tanks have been destroyed so far. At noon and in the afternoon strong ground-attack and fighter aircraft activity of the IL 2 and Pe 2 types. Enemy resistance against the attack of the two tank groups stiffens. At 17:00, on the K.G.'s personal order, II./Panz.A.R. 119 is moved to the area west of Kasarkoje to take up position against an enemy who has broken through at Butowo; the attack of the tank group has stalled in very strong enemy fire. At 17:30 the armoured group takes up position on the reverse slope ("interhang" [sic in the source]) between the grenadiers, who had likewise taken up position there.

On 23 July 1943 I./Panz.G.R. 110 with I./Panz.A.R. 119 is employed to close provisionally the gap between 332. I.D. and 6. Panz.-Div.; information to 6. Panz.-Div. and 332. I.D., which is to relieve this battalion with its own forces as soon as possible. At 18:00 order to Panz.-Rgt. 15: during the night to secure the main line of resistance and the seam between 6. Panz.-Div. and 332. I.D.; reliable contact with the tank group employed in the Worskla valley must be ensured; main effort of the own defence along the Rollbahn and the Bykowka gully. At 19:40 order to Panz.G.R. 110 (by orderly officer): the commander of Panz.G.R. 110 takes up contact through officers with the commander of I.R. 676 and maintains it, in order to ensure the immediate commitment of II./Panz.G.R. 110 in case of an enemy breakthrough; in this case he is to act independently without awaiting an order from the division; order to Panz.G.R. 111 (verbally to the commander): possibilities for commitment along the Rollbahn to the north are to be reconnoitred. At 19:55 telephone order from the chief of LII. A.K.: the task of the division presumably remains the same for the time being (securing the main line of resistance on the right wing of 332. I.D. and the seam between 6. Panz.-Div. and 332. I.D.). At 20:00 order to H.Flak.-Abt. 277: the battalion goes into position on both sides of the Rollbahn for air protection and secures the assembly area and the artillery position area against air attack; order to Panz.A.R. 119 (by wire): task for the night: surveillance of the main line of resistance, harassing and barrage fire. In front of the line at present only slight mutual fire activity of the heavy weapons. Report of Panz.-Rgt. 15 (by wire): small breakthrough of 1–2 companies of infantry with some tanks along the Worskla valley; the commander of Panz.Rgt. 15 has first committed one company of I./Panz.G.R. 110 there, with the task of clearing the breakthrough together with the tank group posted there. The division orders: responsibility for defence in this sector lies with the commander of Panz.G.R. 110 with the ready II./Panz.G.R. 110; the company of I./Panz.G.R. 110 is to remain for now at the breakthrough point, but will be relieved by a company of II./Panz.G.R. 110 and then returned to its battalion. At 21:45 II./Panz.A.R. 119 reports that it has gone into position 1 km south-east of Staraja Glinka and is helping to eliminate the enemy breakthrough at Butowo. At 23:05 332. I.D. informs on request that at dawn it will relieve the committed parts of I./Panz.G.R. 110 between the Rollbahn and the Worskla with its reconnaissance battalion; however, it asks that parts of I./Panz.G.R. 110 be left in the area between the right boundary and the Rollbahn until noon on 24 July, to maintain contact with the left flank of 6. Panz.-Div.; at 23:10 corresponding briefing and order to Panz.-Rgt. 15. On 24 July 1943 at 0:50 an armoured-personnel-carrier company arrives at the tank group Kamenny-Log.

On 24 July 1943 at 4:35 order of LII. A.K. (by telephone through the Ia): one regiment is to be made ready in the area east of Dragunskoje so that it can be committed to the north-east in the direction 233 or 216.1; as corps reserve it is directly under the corps; reconnaissance is to be undertaken and contact with I.R. 678 established; transmission of orders via 332. I.D. is to be ensured. At 4:45 corresponding order to Panz.G.R. 111; 1./Panz.-Jäg.Abt. 61 remains attached to it for this. At 4:50 Panz.-Rgt. 15 reports that so far only weak parts of the reconnaissance battalion of 332. I.D. have arrived for the relief. At 5:00 telephone call of the Ia of 6. Panz.-Div.: no contact with the right wing of 11. Panz.-Div.; at 5:20 report of Panz.-Rgt. 15: contact exists; the enemy feels forward with weak forces; assemblies of tanks and infantry in the Bykowka area. At 5:40 report of Panz.G.R. 110 (by wire): G.R. 677 is not in a position to guide in the company of II./Panz.G.R. 110; relief of the armoured personnel carriers therefore could not take place. Continuous reconnaissance has established enemy tank and infantry assemblies in front of the own line. At 6:05 order to Panz.-Rgt. 15: to reconnoitre crossing possibilities over the numerous tank ditches left over from the old position, to prevent the enemy tanks from blocking at the Rollbahn. At 6:15 report of Panz.G.R. 111 that it set off at 6:00. At 6:30 order to Panz.-Rgt. 15: it must be ensured that I./Panz.G.R. 110 receives its sector next to the reconnaissance battalion of 332. I.D., not that both units are mixed. At 6:55, on account of the situation, order to Pz.A.A. 11 and Panz.Pi.-Btl. 209: both units move at once, setting off immediately, into the old assembly area of Panz.G.R. 111. At 7:00 Panz.G.R. 110 reports that the situation at Kamenny Log is still not completely clarified; the company of I./Panz.G.R. 110 to be relieved has been found; relief is under way; order: the company is not to be committed in the main line of resistance but secures the own tank group, as Kamenny Log is said not yet to be finally cleared. At 7:15 according to a report of G.R. 677, transmitted by Panz.G.R. 110, the main line of resistance at Kamenny Log is closed again; remnants of broken-in enemy infantry are being destroyed by the own tank group and a company of I., later II./Panz.G.R. 110. At 7:20 the leader of 332. I.D.: the main line of resistance is generally held; he assures that the situation at Kamenny Log will be finally clarified.

On 24 July 1943 at 8:55 order to Panz.-Rgt. 15: examine the possibilities of detaching one tank group and holding it ready as assault reserve. At 9:35 Panz.G.R. 110 reports: parts of I.R. 677 have cleared the Kamenny Log sector, the main line of resistance is finally occupied, the company of II./Panz.G.R. 110 has returned to its battalion. At 9:50 ground-attack aircraft raid with bombs, as yesterday, near the division command post. At 10:00 the O.B. of Pz.A.O.K. 4, Generaloberst Hoth, lands at the division command post and has himself briefed on the situation. The O.B. criticizes the employment of the division as ordered by LII. A.K. (division completely torn apart, no clear sectors, unclear command relationships): panzer divisions can never be committed in the main line of resistance, this task falls to the infantry divisions alone; the present employment of the division is by no means in the army's sense. The O.B. speaks by wire with the chief of LII. A.K. to this effect. After a longer discussion the O.B. orders directly to the division at 11:00: the division's task is solely to beat a tank enemy that has broken through the main line of resistance in such a way as to inflict as much damage on him as possible; reconnaissance for such an attack is to be undertaken at once; the O.B. expressly forbids the commitment of parts of the division in the main line of resistance. At 12:10 meanwhile the reconnaissance battalion of 332. I.D. has arrived and relieved parts of I./Panz.G.R. 110; one company remains committed between the right boundary with 6. Panz.-Div. and the Rollbahn; report of Panz.G.R. 110 by wire: situation at Kamenny Log cleared, main line of resistance occupied by 332. I.D.

On 24 July 1943 old minefields remain in the assembly area of II./Panz.G.R. 110 and greatly hamper movement. At 12:45 an enemy infantry assembly in front of the sector of the reconnaissance battalion of 332. I.D. is engaged by Panz.A.R. 119. At 12:50 order to Panz.Pi.Btl. 209 (verbally to the leader): check the mine situation; clear mines with a main effort, especially in the area of Panz.G.R. 110 and on both sides of the Rollbahn, so that a possible own counterthrust is not tied to the Rollbahn. At noon generally quiet; own artillery engages enemy infantry assemblies in the Bykowka area. From 15:00 to 16:00 strong enemy ground-attack aircraft raids. Telephone advance information from the Ia of LII. A.K.: Panz.G.R. 111 will probably be returned to the division so that it stays together (see O.B.'s order). According to aerial reconnaissance about 180 tanks in front of LII. A.K., the mass in front of our sector; possibly own Luftwaffe support on 25 July. Efforts are being made to return the division to XXXXVIII. Panz.-Korps as soon as possible. LII. A.K. intends first to withdraw the armoured group completely from the main line of resistance; it takes the position that only the commitment of our tanks behind the main line of resistance has prevented enemy breakthroughs; combating a breakthrough far behind the main line of resistance is difficult because of the many mine barrages and difficult terrain. The division asks that Panz.G.R. 111 march before dark and not at night. At 17:00 own artillery engages infantry and tank assemblies in the Bykowka area by fire raids; otherwise no larger movements in front of the line. At 17:50 Panz.-Rgt. 15 reports that preparations for the withdrawal of II./Panz.-Rgt. 15 have been carried out; apart from the assault guns, 8 Pz.III lg and 6 Pz.IV lg of III./Panz.-Rgt. 15 remain committed. Side page: Panz.A.R. 119 with le.F.H.Abt. 108 is placed under 332. I.D.

On 24 July 1943 at 19:00 briefing by the chief of LII. A.K.: the corps strives to reassemble the division. Panz.G.R. 110 reports (by telephone through the commander) that according to G.R. 677 there is enemy pressure from Wosnessenskij at the Worskla brook; G.R. 677 has asked for support. At 19:30 order of LII. A.K. (by telephone through the chief): on the basis of the O.B.'s orders the division is not to tie itself down in the Kamenny Log area by committing infantry forces; support with the armoured parts held ready; observe and report the development of the situation. Advance briefing by the chief that Panz.G.R. 111 will now finally be returned to the division; likewise II./Panz.A.R. 119 together with s. Art.Abt. 108 will be placed under Panz.A.R. 119; the reinforced Panz.A.R. 119 will be placed under 332. I.D. with the express stipulation that it may not change position; written order to follow. At 19:40 order to Panz.G.R. 110: no commitment of parts of II./Panz.G.R. 110 to protect the Worskla bridge, but hold a pioneer group ready for a possible demolition depending on the development of the situation; on the rest of the front, apart from partly lively enemy harassing fire, quiet. At 20:15 the written corps order arrives. At 20:20 order to Panz.A.R. 119 (by wire): II./Panz.A.R. 119 is to move up independently; further orders through Kdr. A.R. 332, with whom contact is to be established. At 20:35 request to the chief of LII. A.K. that Panz.G.R. 111 and II./Panz.A.R. 119 should not set off at once but only at daybreak, because with complete darkness and cloudburst-like rain in the Kasazkoje area the march is extraordinarily difficult; the chief agrees on condition that both units actually set off at daybreak (about 2:30); he announces in advance that it may become possible that the reinforced Panz.G.R. 111 is not returned to the division but, on account of the enemy situation, is moved further east and committed, about into the area of 6. Panz.-Div. or 167. I.D.; final order to follow. At 21:40 final corps order (call from the chief): 1.) Panz.G.R. 111 and II./Panz.A.R. 119 are to be brought up to the division; subordination as ordered in the written corps order. 2.) It is possible that the division will be committed: a) in the area north of Belgorod, at the seam of 6. Panz.-Div. and 167. I.D.; b) at the seam of 6. Panz.-Div. and 332. I.D.; case a) could occur only in the early morning hours after prior reconnaissance; in that case the parts of the division now committed in the main line of resistance would have to be withdrawn. Accordingly order to Pz.A.A. 11 (by telephone to the adjutant): the battalion reconnoitres route possibilities for a march movement of the division east to the Belgorod–Kursk Rollbahn or the Donets sector. Immediately after darkness sets in the enemy air force attacks with heavy bombing.

On 25 July 1943 at 2:15 the written corps order arrives; at 2:30 Panz.G.R. 111 sets off. Quiet at the front until morning, but enemy air activity continues. The armoured group and I./Panz.G.R. 110 (minus 1 company) are withdrawn as planned as the division's assault reserve. At 7:50 report to the corps (by telephone to the chief): in the event of a rapidly required commitment of the division the parts employed in the main line of resistance cannot be pulled out during the day; decision of the corps that these parts are then to remain in the main line of resistance; as the march of the division will in any case take some time because of the roads, the committed parts could probably still be relieved in time by 332. I.D. At 8:30 the commander of Panz.A.R. 119 reports contact with Kdr. A.R. 332; II./Panz.A.R. 119 is committed; proposal of the commander of Panz.A.R. 119: to leave this battalion in the Kasazkoje area and not to exchange it, which would be absolutely necessary when pulling it up, for le.F.H.Abt. 108, so that, when 11. Panz.-Div. is pulled out, the whole area east of the Worskla is not left without artillery. At 9:10 observation post and reconnaissance aircraft report retrograde movements on the road Bykowka – Jakowlewo: guns and tanks; at 9:12 telephone briefing of the corps; the corps does not at first believe it can judge such movements as withdrawal movements. At 10:00 Panz.G.R. 111 has arrived complete in the new area. The rest of the day at the front quiet. Own aerial reconnaissance shows no bringing up of new enemy forces; attack intentions not recognizable. No enemy air activity; own fighter cover. Route reconnaissance by the reconnaissance battalion into the area Donets – Wyssloje – Rollbahn to Kursk – Schurawlinyj has been completed and is being evaluated. Briefing at 332. I.D. on the release of the last committed company of I./Panz.G.R. 110.

On 26 July 1943 quiet at the front during the night, slight enemy harassing air activity; the morning without special events. At 9:55 advance briefing by the chief of LII. A.K. (by wire): 1 regiment of 11. Panz.-Div. will probably relieve 1 regiment of 57. I.D. in the area Dorogotsch – Iwanowskaja Lissiza; at 10:15 corresponding briefing of Panz.G.R. 111; at 11:35 corresponding order of LII. A.K. by teleprinter; at 11:45 briefing of Panz.A.R. 119 (by wire) and order to send advance parties for one artillery battalion (II.) and for 1./Panz.-Jäg.Abt. 61 to be introduced into the sector to be taken over at I.R. 167 (Kosilowo); the order for the departure of the relieving units will follow; relief probably in the night of 28/29 July. At 12:05 the chief of LII. A.K. informs on request about the conditions to be expected at G.R. 164: a wide sector but a well-built position with wire and mines; the enemy shows no tanks; for safety reasons, however, Panz.G.R. 111 is to be given 1 battery of Stu.Geschtz.Abt. 911, attached for the duration of the commitment; at 14:00 corresponding order to the commander of Stu.Geschtz.Abt. 911, who has arrived at the division command post. At 15:00 weak enemy infantry attack with tanks after strong artillery preparation; own armoured parts take part in the defence at 215.4; the enemy attack stalls, his tanks withdraw. At 17:00 renewed enemy attack on a wide front; at 18:00 from the armoured reserve group 10 tanks to 224.2; at 18:05 report to the chief of LII. A.K. by wire: the chief confirms that 6. Panz.-Div. is still responsible for this sector; at 18:55 enemy tanks in the northern part of Kamenny Log in combat with own assault guns; at 19:40 call of the Ia of XXXXVIII. Panz.-Korps: "takes note" that the division has no binding order yet on being pulled out and moved; meanwhile Hill 233.6 has been lost in front of 332. I.D.; at 21:00 the chief of LII. A.K. orders on request that the division is to hold itself ready to march from the morning of 27 July; he is pointed out that for this the relief of 1 company (I./Panz.G.R. 110) is still required tonight; at 21:10 order to Panz.-Rgt. 15 (by wire to the commander): to be able to leave the own tank forces behind the weak main line of resistance of 332. I.D. as long as possible, it is to be reconnoitred how these tanks can also be withdrawn by day unseen by the enemy; at 22:00 renewed briefing of G.R. 677, Panz.A.R. 119 and Panz.G.R. 111; at 22:35 the chief of LII. A.K. by wire: the relief at 215.4 (1 Coy I./Panz.G.R. 111) is to be carried out by 167. I.D.

On 26 July 1943 the remarks column of the KTB side page (S0562) states: "Division vernichtet heute seit Beginn des Rußlandfeldzuges durch die der Division kriegsgliederungsmäßig unterstellten Truppenteile den 2001. Sowjet-Panzer" (the division today destroys, since the beginning of the Russian campaign, through the units belonging to it according to its war organization, the 2001st Soviet tank). The remarks column of the next side page (S0564) states: "Der 2001. Panzerabschuß der Division wird in den Erläuterungen zum Wehrmachtbericht um 22,00 Uhr gebracht" (the division's 2001st tank kill will be announced in the explanations to the Wehrmacht report at 22:00).

On 27 July 1943 quiet during the night, slight mutual harassing fire. At 6:30 the relief of 1 company of I./Panz.G.R. 110 by parts of 167. I.D. is completed; the company arrives at its battalion. At 8:45 call from the chief of XXXXVIII. Panz.-Korps: he "takes note" that the division has no binding departure date but that preparations have been made for the march of the parts designated to relieve G.R. 164. In front of 332. I.D. own attack with tank support to regain 233.6. At 10:45 order of LII. A.K. (by telephone through the chief): the division is released from LII. A.K. and is to set off with all parts on the march into the area west of Graiworon; at 10:47 march order for Panz.G.R. 111; at 11:00 order to orderly officers on the march according to the timetable. At 12:15 order of XXXXVIII. Panz.-Korps Ia (by wire): the division is not to assemble in the areas fixed and ordered 5 days ago but now in the area Saretschje – Iwanowskaja Lissiza – Poros – Lugowka; decision of the division commander: as it is no longer possible to stop the orders already given and to order new areas, the movements run out; the division will then be moved from this area into the new area north of the Worskla; corresponding report to XXXXVIII. Panz.-Korps. At 12:30 the division staff moves its command post to Alexandrowka, ready for work at about 18:00. During the evening and night the units arrive in the assembly areas roughly as planned.

Preparations for moving the division again in 2 marching days: on 28 July 1943 Panz.A.A. 11 moves at 10:00, Panz.Jäg.Abt. 61 at 12:00, Stu.Geschtz.Abt. 911 at 10:00, H.-Flak-Abt. 277 at 13:00, San.-Truppen 61 at 18:00, the division staff at 15:00; on 29 July 1943 Panz.-Pi.Btl. 209 at 11:00, Panz.A.R. 119 at 9:00, Panz.-Rgt. 15 at 7:00. On 28 July 1943 the movements of the units initially proceed as planned, but a heavy thunderstorm in the afternoon delays them greatly; it nevertheless succeeds to complete the planned movements essentially by nightfall. The final division command post Duneika is ready for work from 17:00. H.Flak-Abt. 277 receives a reconnaissance order for possible air-protection tasks. Verbal conference with the Ia of 57. I.D. at the division command post: consideration of the possibilities of a rapid relief by the closed commitment of a further artillery battalion of 11. Panz.-Div.

On 29 July 1943 the planned marching movements start again on time. The road reconnaissance completed by Panz.-Pi.Btl. 209 and a road map of the division's new quartering area supplied by XXXXVIII. Panzerkorps show that almost all roads to the north that come into question for a possible commitment are unsuitable, especially for tanks and assault guns, although the corps had earlier described these roads as quite usable; the division divides the area accordingly and reports this to the corps. At 11:30 reconnaissance order to Panz.-Rgt. 15. On enquiry following the conference with the Ia of 57. I.D., the corps agrees to the further commitment of an artillery battalion, as this also speeds up the relief of the own committed parts. At 11:05 order to Panz.A.R. 119 (by orderly officer): III./Panz.A.R. 119 relieves I./A.R. 157 of 57. I.D. and is placed under it; advance parties to Starossellje. The march of the last units into the final quartering area is completed. At 12:12 corps order for the further construction of positions; in the afternoon preparatory work (main line of resistance in the sector of Panz.G.R. 111, second position and artillery protection position in front of the division's quartering area). Conference with the commander of Panz.G.R. 110; he is appointed as leader of a construction staff and, after prior reconnaissance and division of the division, directs the accelerated build-up of the 2nd position. Night without special events. On 30 July 1943 order to Panz.G.R. 111 to build up the main line of resistance; order to the units (by telephone to adjutants) on carrying out position construction; preparatory work and reconnaissance for position construction. On 31 July 1943 reconnaissance for position construction in the western sector completed; digging begins; conference with the corps engineer commander on the employment of engineers in the work on the division's roads to the north-east and north.

From 1 August 1943 to 20 September 1943 the division is subordinated to the XXXXVIII. Pz.-Korps. According to the list in KTB No. 11, in this period: fighting in the Graiworon area, withdrawal to the Boromlja sector, fighting north of Achtyrka, withdrawal to the Olesochnja position, and rearguard fighting west of the Worskla between Achtyrka and Oposchnja.

On 2 August 1943 at 06:00, after the night relief of III./Gren.Rgt.164 (57. I.D.) by II./Panz.Gren.Rgt.110, the division takes over the sector of Panz.Gren.Rgt.111 (II./Panz.Gren.Rgt.110 subordinated to PGR111). 1./Panz.Jäg.Abt.61 and 1./Stu.Gesch.Abt.911 are additionally attached.

On 3 August 1943 at 08:45 the XXXXVIII. Pz.-Korps (the enemy is attacking the LII. A.K.) orders the armoured group (Panz.-Rgt.15), I./Panz.Gren.Rgt.110 and I./Panz.Art.Rgt.119 to be alerted and moved to Striguny at the disposal of the 4. Panzer-Armee. Subordination to the corps remains unchanged, employment by the army only; departure at about 11:30.

From 04:30 on 4 August 1943 the enemy attacks I./Panz.Gren.Rgt.111 with an infantry battalion and breaks in; Panz.Aufkl.Abt.11 counterattacks at Nowo and Russkaja Beresowka. I./Panz.Gren.Rgt.111, defending a 9 km sector with very low strength, falls back to the northern edge of both Beresowka villages; contact with one company is lost.

On 4 August 1943 a battalion of the 332. I.D. (III./Gren.Rgt.678) and the security company of the corps staff are subordinated to the division. The 7. Pz.-Div. arrives in the Potschajewo area; its commander is briefed on the situation at the divisional command post at 16:00.

From 06:25 on 5 August 1943 a Russian attack after heavy artillery preparation; at about 08:30 an attack by about 20 enemy tanks along the Rollbahn to the south. Both battalions of Panz.Gren.Rgt.110 and III./Gren.Rgt.678 are shattered, a 6 km gap opens between PGR111 and PGR110. The 7. Pz.-Div. counterattacks north along the Rollbahn.

On 5 August 1943 the first elements of the armoured group reach Lomnaja at 16:35 and engage enemy tanks. In the evening the corps orders the line 218.5 – Iwanowskaja Lissiza – 213.3 to be held, and the corps Ia demands a thrust to Pokrowka in accordance with the army order.

The KTB mentions the fallen commander of Panz.Art.Rgt.119 (the date of death is not given in the text). On 5 August 1943 at 20:45 temporary command of the regiment by the commander of Heer.Flak-Abt.277 is approved.

On 6 August 1943 Panz.-Rgt.15 clears Golowtschino (09:15); III./Panz.-Rgt.15 is in heavy fighting against strong Pak in Iwanowskaja Lissiza. At 15:40 II./Panz.-Rgt.15 enters the southern edge of Chotmyshsk, but capturing the village is judged impossible and the battalion is pulled back; at about 16:00 15 enemy tanks attack from hill 213.3.

In the afternoon of 6 August 1943 enemy tanks appear in Graiworon (Panz.Pi.Btl.209 takes over the defence). At 19:05 30 enemy tanks break into the northern part of Dorogoschtsch; at 20:00 Panz.Gren.Rgt.110 repels the attack on Dorogoschtsch (about 12 enemy tanks destroyed), scattered units fall back.

On 6 August 1943 Panz.-Rgt.15 reports at 19:05 a lack of fuel preventing the execution of its task and at 19:20 supply difficulties (it cannot disengage from the enemy). At 19:10 Stu.Gesch.Abt.911 is reported as completely scattered and leaderless after the loss of its commander.

On 7 August 1943 Gruppe Lomnaja is cut off by the blocking of the bridges at Graiworon (01:40); Gruppe Buchholz (Panz.Gren.Rgt.110) is temporarily subordinated to the 7. Pz.-Div. (until 09:17). The corps orders Gruppe Lomnaja to be pulled back to the Worskla and a defensive front to be formed. At 12:00 Panz.Aufkl.Abt.11 leaves Lomnaja after a successful counterattack and blows up 3 bridges.

On 7 August 1943 about 20, then 22 enemy tanks and a column of about 50 vehicles are observed (15:00–15:40); about 45 tanks and 1–3 infantry battalions of the enemy stand at Popowka (16:45). At 15:50 the corps orders a withdrawal in the night of 7/8 August 1943 to the line Tarassowka–Dernowoka. The bridges over the Worskla and Worskliza are blown, Panz.-Rgt.15 and Panz.Aufkl.Abt.11 are to fight their way through to Achtyrka (16:45). Divisional command post: 06:00 Jesdozkoje, 13:30 Poshnja, 18:00 Petschiny.

On 7 August 1943 Gruppe Lomnaja is supplied from the air (19:45) and is to reach Trostjanetz. Gruppe Lauchert (Panz.-Rgt.15 with attached units) halts at 23:00 north of Bairak, to continue to Achtyrka.

On 7 August 1943 at 10:45 order to Panz.-Rgt.15: with the remnants of artillery and panzer grenadiers, marching via Golowtschino, to fight its way through to the west.

On 7 August 1943 at 12:35 order to Panz.Aufkl.Abt.11: march under the command of the Kdr. Panz.Gren.Rgt.111 with Panz.-Rgt.15, I./Panz.Gren.Rgt.110 and parts of Panz.Artl.Rgt.119 attached to Bolschaja Pissarewka and north-west of it.

On 8 August 1943 at 05:05 Gruppe Buchholz (Panz.Gren.Rgt.110) is thrown out of Poshnja, a new position is taken at Dernowoje. The Gef.Std. moves to Ljudcha at 13:30 and at about 16:45 is threatened by enemy tanks from the north; evacuation takes place without casualties. Trostjanez is under tank fire and abandoned (17:00), heavy penetration at Panz.Gren.Rgt.110; in the evening the regiment withdraws to Boromlja.

On 8 August 1943 the Ib is tasked with combing the workshop company for serviceable tanks and sending them to the Gef.Std. At 18:50 Panz.Gren.Rgt.110 reaches the Feldlager 2.5 km west of Ljudsha escorted by 3 Panther tanks supplied by the corps.

From 07:00 on 9 August 1943 Panz.Gren.Rgt.110 captures Trostjanez by an attack from east to west. The remnants of Panz.-Rgt.15, Panz.Aufkl.Abt.11, Panz.Artl.Rgt.119, Panz.Jäg.Abt.61 and Stu.Geschtz.Abt.911 have fought their way through to Achtyrka; the armoured group with 20 tanks reaches Trostjanez (08:28). Panz.Gren.Rgt.110 with Panz.-Rgt.15 also captures Ssmorodino.

On 9 August 1943 the commander of the 4. Panzer-Armee, Generaloberst Hoth, is briefed at the divisional command post at 10:00. State of the division according to the KTB: combat strengths have dropped to a minimum, the physical and especially moral condition of the men is “bedenklich” (alarming), cooperation of the arms is impossible. Panz.Gren.Rgt.111 assembles at Klimentoff and must be completely re-equipped and rearmed (shortage of anti-tank weapons and small equipment); signal equipment is lost, staffs have to be re-formed.

On 9 August 1943 at 19:50 the XXXXVIII. Pz.-Korps orders the attack to be halted and a defence behind the Boromlja sector. The division defends the sector from the southern edge of Trostjanez to the mouth of the Belka-Bach into the Boromlja (Panz.Gren.Rgt.110 on the right, Panz.Gren.Rgt.111 on the left); neighbours: LII. A.K. (19. Pz.-Div.) on the right, 7. Pz.-Div. on the left.

On 10 August 1943 the withdrawal to the Boromlja sector proceeds without difficulties, the enemy infiltrates Belka. At 12:20 an attack by a company with tanks at the bridge: the only serviceable Sturmgeschütz destroys 2 and then another 4 T34 tanks. In the evening the operation “Zuckerfabrik” (I./Panz.Gren.Rgt.111, Panz.Pi.Btl.209, all serviceable tanks): the sugar factory is taken, the enemy still holds a small wood west of it, taken at about 22:15; “Eigene Verluste” (own losses). Belka is reoccupied by Panz.Aufkl.Abt.11 (21:15), signs of disintegration and exhaustion.

On 11 August 1943 at 04:00 an attack by a weak enemy infantry battalion north of Stanowa, counterattack. At 12:15 strengths: Aufkl.Abt. about 50 men, I./Panz.G.R.111 about 80, II./Panz.G.R.111 about 100; the Div.-Führer reports to the corps commander that the troops are “am Ende ihrer Kraft” (at the end of their strength) and that there are few officers of the personal calibre needed. At 13:00 the enemy reaches the centre of Belka, at 16:45 Belka is cleared; at 17:10 an attack by a battalion from Trostjanez-Ost (Smorodino) on the sugar factory is repelled by the remnants of Panz.Pi.Btl.209.

On 11 August 1943 at 10:25 the corps tactically subordinates the remnants of the 19. Pz.-Div. (from 16:00). At 10:38 le.F.H.Abt.818 (2 batteries) is attached, at 13:05 a battery of Sturmgeschütze with 10 guns for the destruction of the enemy bridgehead. The sector up to the Worskla is taken over by G.D.; Panz.G.R.74 of the 19. Pz.-Div. holds the main line of resistance from the Worskla to Trostjanez.

From 04:50 on 12 August 1943 the attack “Sandschlucht” on the last enemy bridgehead west of the Boromlja: the enemy is essentially thrown back, enemy losses, booty and prisoners. At 02:00 the railway bridge at Trostjanez over the Boromlja was blown by Panz.Pi.Btl.209. The Gef.Std. moves at 13:50 to the wood 3 km north of Maschtschanka.

On 12 August 1943 at 11:30 the Div.-Führer draws the corps chief's attention to the lack of officers, in particular 4 battalion commanders; battalions are partly led by very young lieutenants.