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.