The Supreme High Command of
the Armed Forces (OKW).
Führer headquarters
Headquarters of the Operations Directorate.
15 August 1941
Department for the Defense of the Country (1st Dept.).
No. 441386/41. Top Secret
Order
After a report by the High Command of the Ground Forces (OKH), the Führer orders:
1. Army Group Center will halt its further advance on Moscow. Organize a defense in sectors whose nature will prevent any possibility of the enemy conducting enveloping operations and will not require air support to repel his offensive operations.
2. The offensive of Army Group North must produce success in the immediate future. Only after this can we think about resuming the offensive on Moscow. Danger has arisen because of the appearance of enemy cavalry in the Sixteenth Army’s rear and the absence of mobile units in the I Army Corps’ reserve, which, in spite of strong air support, has halted the promising offensive north of Lake Il’men’.
Without delay, allocate and transfer as great a quantity of mobile formations as possible from General Hoth’s panzer group (for example, one panzer and two motorized divisions) to Army Group North.
Chief of Staff of the Supreme High Command
of the Armed Forces (OKW)
[signed] Jodl
Source: Sbornik voenno-istoricheskikh materialov Velikoi Otechestvennoi voiny, vypusk 18 [Collection of military-historical materials of the Great Patriotic War, issue 18] (Moscow: Voenizdat, 1960), 240-241. Prepared by the Military-Historical Department of the Military-Scientific Directorate of the Red Army General Staff and classified secret.
To the Commander of 22nd Army, Comrade Ershakov
I generally approve the offensive plan you submitted, with the following corrections:
1) Begin the offensive on 21 August 1941.
2) When the army’s shock group reaches the Lake Siverskoe region, develop a subsequent offensive toward Usviat’e.
3) Protect the main grouping’s blow from the west with an attack by 214th and 126th RDs along the Pozhary, Lake Perech’e, Lake Odgast, and Lake Sorito line.
Bear in mind that, at the present time, the front cannot reinforce the army with artillery and aircraft; count only on your own forces and weapons. 5,000 107mm shells were sent to 22nd Army on 14 August.
The Commander of the Forces of the Western Front,
Marshal of the Soviet Union Timoshenko
The Member of the Military Council of the Western Front, [signed]
Source: “Boevoe rasporiazhenie komanduiushchego voiskami Zapadnogo fronta ot 18 avgusta 1941 g. komanduiushchemu voiskami 22-i Armii o vnesenii popravok v plan nastupleniia voisk armii” [Combat order of the commander of the forces of the Western Front of 18 August 1941 to the commander of the forces of 22nd Army about corrections in the attack plan of the army’s forces], SBDVOV, issue 41, 40.
Combat Order No. 16 at 0345 hours on 19 August
1. Units of the enemy’s 253rd, 110th, 206th, and 86th IDs, with an overall strength of up to seven infantry regiments occupying a non-continuous front, have been determined to be active on 22nd Army’s front.
2. 22nd Army’s units are completing a regrouping, with the aim of a subsequent transition to an offensive.
3. 50th RC (48th TD and 214th RDs) will create a shock group of no fewer than two regiments in the Pronino and B. Im. Bor sector at the expense of the units on 214th RD’s right wing, in readiness to go over to the attack from that line.
The boundary on the left: Grechukhina, Karasets, B. Im. Bor, Konnovo, Melkhovo, and Chertezh.
Headquarters of the corps from 2400 hours on 20 August—Vas’kovo.
4. 29th RC (179th, 170th, 98th, and 126th RD):
a) 179th RD will concentrate in the Vorovo, Taraskino, Shalkovka, and Fedorikha region by daybreak on 20 August;
b) 98th RD, by two night marches, will concentrate in the Vas’kovo, Kondrashovka Farm, Bykovo Farm, and Diatlino sector by first light on 21 August;
c) 170th RD will continue preparations to go over to the attack according to my previous instructions.
d) 126th RD – is in the positions it occupies; and
e) Headquarters of the corps from 2400 hours on 28 August – the forest east of Vatolino Stafe Farm (southeast).
Complete the regrouping and movement of forces only during the night and in no more than regimental and battalion columns.
The boundary on the left: (incl.) Kun’ia, (incl.) Kozhino, (incl.) Podol, Losevo, Shelupnevka, and Siverst (on Lake Siverskoe).
5. 62nd RC will create a shock group of no fewer than four regiments at the expense of 174th and 186th RDs for going a transition to the attack from the Gorki and Kurilovo 1 line on the nights of 19-20 and 20-21 August … ..
The Commander of 22nd Army, Lieutenant General Ershakov
The Member of the Military Council, Corps Commissar Leonov
The Chief of Staff of 22nd Army, Major General Pigarevich
Combat Order No. 17 at 2145 hours on 19 August
1. On 22nd Army’s front, units of the enemy’s 253rd, 110th, 86th, and 206th ID, with an overall strength of seven infantry regiments, have gone over to the defense.
2. On the right, 27th Army’s units have the mission to capture the Kholm region; on the left, 29th Army’s units are developing an offensive, with the aim of destroying the enemy in the Il’ino region … .
3. 22nd Army will go over to an offensive on 21 August.
Immediate mission – destroy the opposing enemy units and reach the Pozhari (on the Lovat’ River, 16 kilometers south of Velikie Luki), Lake Porech’e, Lake Odgast, Lake Siroto, Lake and Lake Ordosno line; and subsequently, while protecting its right flank, develop the attack toward Usviaty … ..
4. 51st RC (366th RR, 48th TD, and 214th RD), with 709th HAR, 2nd Bn, 697th ATR, 1st Bn, 102nd AT Bn, and 3rd Bn, 11th Mtr Bn, while protecting the army’s left flank, pin down opposing enemy units, while defeating them with an active defense by 366th RR and 48th TD, and prevent the infiltration of separate enemy detachments to the east, north of Velikie Luki.
Attack with the forces of no fewer than two regiments from 214th RD and, by attacking with the left wing, reach the Rozhakovo, Lake Kupuiskoe, and Lake Sekui line, with a FD [forward detachment] in the sector along the Lovat’ River … ..
5. 29th RC – 126th RD (without 366th RR), 179th, 170th, and 98th RDs (without one RR), with 545th HAR, 2nd Bn, 56th CAR, 2nd and 4th Bns, 360th HAR, 1st Bn, 730th HAR, and 1st Co., 11th Mtr Bn, while conducting the main attack with 179th, 170th, and 98th RDs’ forces from the Vas’kovo and Mokhoniki Farm and a secondary attack with 126th RD’s forces from the positions they occupy, will destroy the opposing enemy units and reach [the following]: 126th RD – the (incl.) Lake Sekui and Lake Psovo line and, subsequently, the (incl.) Lake Sekui, Lake Porech’e, and Lake Odgast front; and the main grouping – the Orekhovo and Vinogradovo line and, subsequently, while developing the attack toward the southeast, reach the (incl.) Lake Odgast, Lake Orel’e, and Lake Siverskoe front, while preventing an enemy withdrawal south of the indicated lakes … .
6. 62nd RC (174th and 186th RDs), with 390th HAR and 2nd Co., 11th Mtr Bn, while firmly defending 174th RD’s right flank 186th RD’s left flank, will conduct an offensive with the forces of no fewer than four regiments from the Gorki and Kurilovo line toward Savino (2 kilometers west of Lake Ordosno), having prevented an enemy counterattack against the army’s shock group (29th RCs) and its left flank to the southeast. Immediate mission – destroy the opposing enemy units in the Viazoviki, Slepnevo, and Luzhki region and capture Nesterovo and Stolbtsy, while having strong FDs in the Pasika and Bol’shoi and Malyi Potemki region. Subsequently, while developing the attack by the main grouping, reach the (incl.) Lake Siverskoe, Lake Ordosno, and Alekseenki (7 kilometers east of Lake Ordosno) front … .
7. Senior Lieutenant Pervushin’s detachment, with a cavalry squadron from the cavalry division, while continuing to conduct active operations in the lake region, will prevent an enemy penetration between Lake Dvin’e and Lake Zhizhitskoe and on the isthmus between Lake Dvin’e and Lake Velinskoe.
8. 4th RR, 98th RD – the army’s reserve, will concentrate it in the Ushitsy State Farm region in readiness to advance along the [following] axes: a) Ushitsy State Farm, Mokriki, Chudino, and Mulina; b) Ushitsy State Farm, Annino, Bukatino, and Bolychi; and c) Annino, Akhromtseva, and Redkino.
9. Separate Cavalry Division (without one squadron), having concentrated in 366th RR’s sector, will move to the line of contact of our forces with the enemy’s units and, while advancing toward Novo-Sokol’niki, destroy separate enemy units, headquarters, and rear service installations, having disrupted command, control, and communications it his rear … .
The Commander of 22nd Army, Lieutenant General Ershakov
The Member of the Military Council, Corps Commissar Leonov
The Chief of Staff of 22nd Army, Major General Pigarevich
Sources: “Boevye prikazy komanduiushchego voiskami 22-i Armii ot 19 avgusta 1941 g.” [Combat orders of the commander of the forces of 22nd Army of 19 August 1941], SBDVOV, issue 41, 235-237.
5 September 1941
On the basis of information from all types of reconnaissance, the enemy situation before the army’s front seems to be as follows:
1. At the time of army’s front was penetrated on the night of 22 August 1941, the enemy opposite the army’s front included:
253rd ID – consisting of 453rd, 463rd, and 464th IRs and 253rd AR, which were operating on the army’s right wing. According to the testimony of prisoners, the division had 50-60% of its personnel.
86th ID – consisting of 184th, 216th, and 176th IRs and 86th AR, was operating on 253rd ID’s left. The division was worn down.
206th ID – consisting of 301st, 312th, and 413th IRs and 206th AR. The division participated continuously in the battles at Polotsk, Nevel’, and Velikie Luki. In view of the heavy losses the division suffered, supposedly, it was relieved by 256th ID. The division was in reserve, where it probably received replacements, thus, it will soon reappear at the front.
110th ID – consisting of 262nd, 254th, and 255th IRs occupying a defensive sector in the Viazoviki region.
256th ID – concentrated in the vicinity of Lake Dvin’e.
Thus, up to 4 infantry divisions are located opposite the army’s front, and a new enemy grouping was appearing in the Lake Dvin’e region.
2. Beginning on the morning of 22 August, the enemy penetrated the army’s front with mobile detachments and, during the second half of the day, captured Kun’ia Station, Velikopol’e, and Ushitsy State Farm. From documents seized – maps and orders for an attack by 19th Panzer Division, it has been determined that 57th Panzer Corps – 19th and 20th Panzer Divisions, reinforced by units from 110th and 206th IDs, and 40th AC, operated in the penetration of 22nd Army’s front.
The Assistant Chief of the Intelligence Department, Major Shabunin
Source: “Spravka razvedyvatel’nogo otdela shtaba 22-i Armii o gruppirovke i deistviiakh protivostoiashchego protivnika s 20 po 23 avgusta 1941 g.” [Information from the Reconnaissance Department of 22nd Army’s headquarters about the grouping and actions of the opposing enemy from 20 through 23 August 1941], SBDVOV, issue 41, 239.
To Marshal Shaposhnikov
1:100,000 scale map
23 August 1941
Combat Report
1. The enemy has penetrated 186th RD’s front along the Klemiatino axis with forces of up to a motorized division with tanks and up to an infantry division and is developing success toward the north and northwest.
At 1200 hours two enemy motorized columns, each with 150 vehicles, were approaching [the following] with their advanced elements – one at Ushitsy State Farm (18 kilometers southeast of Velikie Luki), and the second – at Kun’ia Station. The enemy’s forward units reached Artemovo Platform and Velikopol’e Station, having occupied the latter.
Up to one cavalry regiment is moving along the western shore of Lake Zhiditskoe, and at 1200 hours the cavalry regiment was entering the Pershkovo region.
2. 29th Army’s commander decided to employ 98th Rifle Division and the second echelon 170th [Rifle Division] for liquidating the enemy penetration, having simultaneously protected the northern axis by moving two battalions toward the movement of the enemy motorized columns.
In the event of failure to liquidate the penetration, he intends to withdraw eastward.
3. The front’s commander has decided to destroy the penetrating enemy units with 22nd Army’s forces, about which orders have been given to 22nd Army’s commander.
Simultaneously, the front commander is dispatching a detachment consisting of two motorcycle regiments, reinforced by two batteries, a tank battalion (19 T-26 tanks), and a sapper battalion, to the vicinity of Staraia Toropa, with the mission to occupy prepared positions from Toropets to Staraia Toropa and with the mission to prevent an enemy penetration toward Andriapol’ and Western Dvina.
4. I will report about fulfillment of the liquidation of the enemy.
5. 22nd Army’s forces are insufficient for the complete liquidation and encirclement of the penetrating enemy (Group Blumeng). The front has possesses no reserves on that axis. It is desirable to allocate two divisions, with the active missions of attacking from the Toropets and Staraia Toropa regions to encircle the enemy in cooperation with 22nd Army’s units.
Sokolovsky, Malandin
Source: “Boevoe donesenie shtaba Zapadnogo fronta ot 23 avgusta 1941 g. nachal’niku General’nogo Shtaba o priniatykh merakh po likvidatsii proryva protivnika v polose oborony 186-i Strelkovoi Divizii” [Combat report of the headquarters of the Western Front of 23 August 1941 to the Chief of the General Staff about measures taken for liquidating the enemy penetration in 186th Rifle Division’s defensive sector], SBDVOV, issue 41, 62-63.
1200 hours on 23 August 1941
To Comrade Ershakov
Copy: To Maslennikov
The chief missions on 23 and 24 August – is to hold on to the front you occupy.
The commander of 62nd RC [Major General I. P. Karmanov] and the commander of 186th Rifle Division are personally responsible for closing the penetration that has formed.
Allocate all of your forces and all of your attached aircraft to destroy the penetrating enemy units on 23 and 24 August,
The Commander of the Forces of the Western Front, Timoshenko
The Member of the Military Council of the Western Front, [signed]
Source: “Boevoe rasporiazhenie komanduiushchego voiskami Zapadnogo fronta ot 23 avgusta 1941 g. komanduiushchemu voiskami 22-i Armii o uderzhanie zanimaemogo rubezha” [Combat order of the commander of the forces of the Western Front of 23 August 1941 to the commander of 22nd Army’s forces about holding on to the positions we occupy], SBDVOV, issue 41, 63.
To the Commander of the Composite Detachment, Colonel Antosenko
Individual Combat Order No. 6,
Headquarters, 29th Army, Bentsy,
2350 hours on 23 August 1941
1:100,000 scale map
1. The enemy has penetrated 186th RD’s front with a force of up to two divisions, one of them a motorized division with a tank regiment, and two motorized columns are exploiting success toward Velikie Luki and from the Kun’ia region toward Toropets. Opposite 29th Army’s front, the enemy is stubbornly defending along previously prepared and fortified positions, while trying to conduct an offensive from the Medveditsa, Rumishche, and Dubrovka region.
2. 29th Army is successfully attacking toward Il’ino from the line of the Western Dvina River, while protecting its right flank with one division, which has been transferred to defend the Krivets, Ust’e, Petrovo Farm, and Krasnye Sosny front.
3. On the right, 22nd Army is fighting along the Velikie Luki and Plaksino front and simultaneously organizing the liquidation of the enemy, which has penetrated into the Kun’ia region.
4. The Composite Detachment, consisting of 8th and 9th Motorcycle Regiments, with 45mm and76mm batteries, a tank battalion, and a sapper battalion, after unloading at Toropa Station, will occupy and firmly defend the Toropets, Toropa River, Staraia Toropa, and (incl.) Luk’ianovo line, with the mission to prevent an enemy penetration toward Andreapol’ and Western Dvina.
Organize a defense line along the eastern bank of the Toropa River by creating regimental defensive sectors with combat security along the Terebekhovo, Selishche, Babkino, Zadem’ian’e, Iakovlevo, and Ostashkovo line, with its forward edge along the eastern bank of the Toropa River and with all-round defense of each sector and the detachments as a whole.
22nd and 29th Armies’ forward detachments will operate forward of the Skvortsovo Station and Zhizhitsa Station meridian, with the mission of holding on to the principal road junctions and the protecting the Composite Detachment’s defensive belt. Upon the arrival of the detachment’s units in the defensive regions, 22nd and 29th Armies’ forward detachments will be subordinate to Colonel Antosenko.
5. BEPO No. 53, which is being transferred to the subordination of the Composite Detachment’s commander, will operate along the Zhizhitsa Station and Staraia Toropa Station railroad line.
6. The readiness of the defenses, the tank battalion’s concentration area, and [measures for] cooperation with aircraft – [will be sent] additionally.
7. CP – the operational group of the army’s headquarters – Bentsy; and the [army headquarter’s] 2nd echelon – Staraia Toropa.
8. Send reports: 1) Upon completion of the unloading at Staraia Toropa; 2) Upon the arrival of the detachment’s units in the defensive regions; and 3) About the readiness of defenses in the indicated sectors.
The Commander of 29th Army, Lieutenant General Maslennikov
The Member of the Military Council of 29th Army,
Division Commissar Gurov
The Chief of Staff of 29th Army, Major General Sharapov
The Chief of the Operations Department,
Colonel Massal’sky [signed by Captain Gorbin]
Sources: “Chastnyi boevoi prikaz komanduiushchego voiskami 29-i Armii No. 6 ot 23 avgusta 1941 g. komandiru svodnogo otriada na oboronu rubezha Toropets, r. Toropa, Staraia Toropa, (incl.) Luk’ianovo” [Individual combat order of the commander of the forces of 29th Army no. 6 of 23 August 1941 to the commander of the composite detachment on the defense of the Toropets, Toropa River, Staraia Toropa, and (incl.) Luk’ianovo line], SBDVOV, issue 41, 269.
To Lieutenant Colonel Comrade Orlov and Colonel Comrade Devi
Copy: To the Chief of Staff of 22nd Army
0115 hours on 24 August 1941
Before the forces allocated for defending the Toropa River defense line in the Toropets and Staraia Toropa sector arrive, I order:
1. Organize force and agent reconnaissance along the Nazimovka Station and Kun’ia Station axis, with the mission to determine at all cost enemy concentration regions and also establish the axes along which the enemy is spreading out.
2. Occupy prepared defensive regions with the forces of the Toropets and Staraia Toropa garrisons and, under no circumstance, withdraw, while conducting a struggle until the units allocated to you arrive.
3. Employ subunits and units of soldiers who willfully withdrew from forward positions and send them to the previously prepared defensive regions.
4. Prepare and improve the defensive works along the eastern bank of the Toropa River in the Toropets and Staraia Toropa sector by using force sappers and the local population. Mine the sector north of Toropets, inclusively, up to the unnamed lake. Also mine the Komlovo and Romanovo sector, having left a passage along the railroad bed.
5. Detain all soldiers who willfully abandon their forward position, organize them into companies, and send them to the eastern bank of the Toropa River south of Staraia Toropa to occupy the prepared defensive works.
The Commander of 29th Army, Lieutenant General Maslennikov
The Member of the Military Council of 29th Army,
Division Commissar Gurov
Source: “Boevoe rasporiazhenie komanduiushchego voiskami 29-i Armii ot 24 avgusta 1941 g. nachal’nikam garnizonov Toropets i Staraia Toropa ob organizatsii oborony etikh punktov” [Combat order of the commander of the forces of 29th Army of 24 August 1941 to the chiefs of the garrisons at Toropets and Staraia Toropa about organizing defenses at these points], SBDVOV, issue 41, 270.
Conversation of Lieutenant General Sokolovsky with the Chief of 22nd Army’s
Operations Department, Nyprianin [Nyrianin],
0400 to 0500 hours on 24 August 1941
Nyrianin – Ershakov left at 1800 hours for the commander of 29th RC, [Major General A. G.] Samokhin.
Sokolovsky – When did you speak with him for the last time?
Nyrianin – The last radiogram was at around 0800 hours on 23 August. Sokolovsky – Up to what hour did you have communications with 29th RC? Nyrianin – Communications with 29th RCs lasted up to 1900 hours on 23 August.
Sokolovsky – Did you receive a telegram?
Nyrianin – A telegram was sent to Ershakov by radio at about 1500 hours on 23 August. A receipt was not received.
Sokolovsky – Have you tried to transmit it for a second time?
Nyrianin – I tried, and a copy was transmitted to the commander of 62nd RC, [Major General I. P.] Karmanov.
Sokolovsky – And did Karmanov confirm receipt?
Nyrianin – It was sent from 18 to 1900 hours, but I have no confidence in its receipt. There would be more confidence that an order was received.
Sokolovsky – Repair your communications with Ershakov and with the formation commanders directly by radio and aircraft.
Nyrianin –Today, at 1800 hours on 23 August, a second detachment numbering 200 men was sent out. Orders have been given to the commander of VVS forces. Apparently, I will receive news by morning.
Sokolovsky – What is known about the enemy and your own forces?
Nyrianin – Ershakov was going to bring 179th RD out at 0800 on 23 August and requested aircraft. 179th RD is being thrown against the enemy’s flank and rear, and [the positions] of 48th TD were unchanged at 1200 hours. They received a radiogram from Sazanov asking, “What should we do?”
The answer is – remain in place, maintain communications with Samokhin, and protect Samokhin’s right flank.
Sokolovsky – What is the enemy doing?
Nyrianin – Infantry, having penetrated to the depth of Kun’ia in the north with forward units by 2100-2200 hours – and with 7 tanks each at three points and the remainder to the west and northwest – an enemy panzer [division] and 110th ID.
110th ID, after entering the penetration, spread out across a wide front. At 16-1700 hours on 23 August, this division’s battalions were moving from Kun’ia toward Nazimovo, Ushitsy, and Peski, and the panzer division was concentrating in the Ushitsy, Peski, and Kun’ia regions. The situation at day’s end on 22 August along the remaining front is [as follows: Zygin (174th RD) withdrew in association with the defeat in Biriukov’s (186th RD) sector. It is stable in the sector of 126th RD and 48th TD, and our units are advancing forward, but slowly. Ershakov, Leonov, and Pigarevich are all right. He is situated in the sector on Sazonov’s right.
An order of the Germans has been seized, according to which 110th ID, 206th ID, SS IB, 59th ID, 112th ID, an armored group, and 19th and 20th PzDs, combined under a corps headquarters, have the mission of striking toward Ushitsy and seizing Velikie Luki. The second mission – the infantry are to create centers of resistance, along with the construction of pillboxes y sappers, in the Kun’ia, Zabolot’e, and Shubkovo regions – to not let our units [withdraw] toward the east. We request aviation support.
Sokolovsky –Was an order received?
Nyrianin – An order was received. Communications are occasional [by chance], in a round-about way, along the northern axis.
Sokolovsky – Check up on your communications. What does Ershakov intend to do?
Nyrianin – 179th and 126th RDs’ units conducted reconnaissance raids toward Ushitsy but without any results. Enemy aviation is strong.
Sokolovsky – Employ aviation and beat the enemy. Have they liquidated [our] penetration toward the south?
Nyrianin – We are protecting it with detached composite detachments. Sokolovsky – The primary mission is to defeat the enemy who is trying to encircle us – pass this on to Ershakov.
Source: “Zapis’ peregovora nachal’nika shtaba Zapadnogo fronta s nachal’nikom operativnogo otdela shtaba 22-i Armii 24 avgusta 1941 g. o polozhenii voisk armii” [Notes of a conversation between the chief of staff of the Western Front and the chief of the Operations Department of 22nd Army’s Headquarters on 24 August 1941 about the positions of the army’s forces], SBDVOV, issue 41, 68-69.
Combat Order No. 18,
CP, headquarters of 22nd Army,
Mikhal’ki [12 kilometers east-southeast of Velikie Luki],
1015 hours on 24 August 1941
1:50,000 scale map
1. The enemy, having penetrated the defenses on the army’s left wing with a force of up to two panzer divisions, reinforced by one infantry division, has been moving into the Kun’ia and Ushitsy State Farm region, and, while having the missions of encircling and destroying our Velikie Luki grouping, is operating from the east and southeast, while protecting the Kun’ia meridian with an active defense.
2. Firmly hold onto 22nd Army’s defensive front in the sectors of 48th TD, 214th RD, and 170th RD until the evening of 24 August 1941, while simultaneously destroying the enemy’s units in the Ushitsy State Farm region and the penetration formed by him toward the east.
Beginning at 1600 hours on 24 August 1941, 22nd Army’s forces will begin a withdrawal to a defensive positions from Zadorozh’e to Mishovo, Pleshkovo, Begunovo, and (incl.) Lake Zhizhitskoe, which they will occupy on 26 August 1941.
Protect the withdrawal with strong groups saturated with automatic weapons and mortars (a company from each battalion).
3. 51st RC (48th TD and 214th RD.
a) 48th TD, while preventing the enemy from entering Velikie Luki on 24 August 1941 and having a barrier force there, beginning at 1600 hours on 24 August, will withdraw its main forces eastward in the [following] belts: on the right – (incl.) Velikie Luki, Novosel’e, Dubrovka, (incl.) Tret’iakov’y Farm, and Iablonitsy; and on the left – (incl.) Kon’, (incl.) Malkina, Grechukhina, Ivanovo, (incl.) Mishovo, and Filiptsevo.
Upon withdrawing, occupy a defensive sector along the Zadorozh’e, Mishovo line.
b) 214th RD will begin withdrawing in close cooperation with 48th TD. Withdraw in the [following] belt: on the right – the boundary with 48th TD and on the left – B. Im. Bor, (incl.) Zadezha north, Taraskino, Fedorikha, (incl.) Gorovastitsa Farm, Grishino, Kun’ia, and Kuznetsovo, while planning going into reserve in the Morozova, Novo-Ivantsova, and Zagoskina region.
4. 29th RC (126, 170th, and 179th RDs):
a) 126th RD, while penetrating to the Ushitsy State Farm region, withdraw to defensive positions from (incl.) Mishovo to Pleshkovo.
The boundary on the left: Lake Ploskoe, Koziulino, Rudneva, (incl.) Monastyrek, Krasnaia Veshnia, Bukhalovo, Kresty, and Pleshkovo.
b) 170th RD, at 1900 hours on 24 August, will withdraw to the Vskuia, Zhukovo, Ushani, (incl.) and Kun’ia River line, which it will firmly hold onto until 48th TD and 214th and 126th RDs arrive behind the Vskupitsa River, after which it will begin a withdrawal in the general direction of Vtorikovo and Zakhartsevo, in 179th RD’s wake, with the mission to occupy the (incl.) Pleshkovo and (incl.) Begunovo line for defense.
Hold on to the crossing at Zelenova until the beginning of the withdrawal.
c) 179th RD will organize a penetration and destruction of enemy units in along the Vtorikovo and Zakhartsevo axis, while operating from the Krasnaia Gorka and Monastyrek front. Protect the withdrawal of the army’s units from the north and southeast with your own detachments. When you reach the army’s defensive line, concentrate in reserve in the Ovechkina, Belodetkovo, Ivantseva, and Fedosovo region.
5. 62nd RC, while operating south of 179th RD, will withdraw in the general direction of Begunovo. When you reach the defensive line, occupy defenses in the Begumovo and (incl.) Lake Zhizhitskoe sector.
6. Complete the withdrawal of detachments left behind to protect the withdrawal only after an order from a senior chief, but no lower than a regimental commander.
7. Division commanders and commissars are personally responsible for the complete evacuation of equipment, rear services, and the wounded.
8. The CP of the army and 29th RC is with 126th RD’s 550th RR in its withdrawal sector.
The Commander of 22nd Army, Lieutenant General Ershakov
The Member of the Military Council, Corps Commissar Leonov
The Chief of Staff of the army, Major General Pigarevich
Sources: “Boevoi prikaz komanduiushchego voiskami 22-i Armii No. 18 ot 24 avgusta 1941 g. na otvod voisk armii na rubezh Zadorozh’e, Mishovo, Pleshkovo, Begunovo” [Combat order no. 18 of the commander of the forces of 22nd Army of 24 August 1941 on a withdrawal of the army’s forces to the Zadorozh’e, Mishnovo, Pleshkovo, and Begunovo line], SBDVOV, issue 41, 240-241.
Moscow, to Marshal Shaposhnikov
1:100,000 scale map
24 August 1941
1. According to Ershakov’s more precise definition of enemy forces, which have penetrated into the Kun’ia region, they have been determined to include 2 IDs and 2 PzDs (110th and 206th IDs and 19th and 20th PzDs). The enemy, as a captured order made apparent, have the objective of encircling Ershakov’s group.
On 24 August, the penetrating enemy forces are grouped [as follows]:
a) Forward mobile units seized Artemovo Platform, Borok, and Velikopol’e Station, while protecting the operations of their main forces;
b) The main forces – 19th and 20th PzDs – are concentrated in the Peski, Ushitsy Station, and Kun’ia region; and
c) Infantry with sappers are advancing to organize a screen along the Kun’ia River.
During the course of 23 and 24 August, our aircraft from up to two mixed aviation divisions bombed troop columns and groups of enemy extensively, and inflicted heavy losses on him.
2. As before, Ershakov’s situation along the Velikie Luki and Lake Savinskoe front is stable. The situation on 62nd RC’s left wing is unclear.
Ershakov, having concentrated part of 126th and 179th RDs’ forces, will attack toward Ushitsy State Farm to inflict a defeat on the enemy.
According to unverified information, Ushitsa has been taken by Ershakov at 1115 hours on 24 August, but how subsequent operations are developing is unknown. Ershakov’s intentions:
1) To continue the operations begun toward Ushitsy; and
2) In the event the offensive along that axis is unsuccessful, to concentrate maximum forces on the night of 25 August in order to operate toward the northeast (Ershakov did not report the exact direction of the intended attack variant), while protecting ourselves from the front.
While evaluating the situation with the consideration that Ershakov has no tanks whatsoever, it is unlikely to expect that Ershakov will succeed in defeating so strong an enemy group so saturated with tanks. At the same time, the enemy does not have sufficient forces for simultaneous operations toward the west and east.
On our side, an opportunity exists to encircle the overextended enemy if we strike from Toropets and Staraia Toropa with two-three rifle divisions, with a simultaneous attack by Ershakov from the west.
The reserves the front needs along this axis are absent at this time; therefore, for a second time, I am requesting you transfer, if only temporarily, at least two rifle division from the Reserve Front to the disposal of the Western Front and move them to the Toropets region.
I request you report your decision.
Sokolovsky, Malandin
Source: “Boevoe donesenie shtaba Zapadnogo fronta ot 24 avgusta 1941 g nachal’niku General’nogo shtaba ob obstanovke i plane dal’neishego nastupleniia voisk 22-i armii” [Combat report of the headquarters of the Western Front of 24 August 1941 to the Chief of the General Staff about the situation and a plan for a future offensive by 22nd Army’s forces], SBDVOV, issue 41, 69-70.
Late on 24 August
Sokolovsky – Nyrianin
We have received a report from Ershakov, and it is being retransmitted to you by radio.
The contents are:
The two commands of [Colonel E. V.] Bedin [126th RD] and Dvorkin [unknown command] are to attack Ushitsy. Ushitsy may have already been taken at 1115 hours but this information has not yet been verified.
In the event of failure, I will strike from Ushitsy toward the northeast and assemble a fist [shock force] for that purpose during the night.
I have additional information.
1) A group of 50 tanks and motorized infantry are in Rudnia, Poprishche, and Dedkovo. Our aircraft bombed the group at 0900 hours.
There are 8-10 enemy tanks in Maksimovo.
Today, at 1200 hours, our forces were fighting to capture Maksimovo.
The movement of [the following] vehicular columns were noted at 0830 hours:
The 1st from Annino toward the north – 150 vehicles [and the 2nd] from Khvost – to Kharitonov, with its head at Rozhkovo. Judging by the time, it is one and the same column. There are 300 horsemen moving from the south toward Kun’ia, with its head at Kun’ia.
150 vehicles [moving] from Evstigneevo, Pynki, and the region west of Lake Zhizhitskoe. Today, at 1300 hours, up to 20 tanks at Morozova and Zagriaz’e [moved] south into that region.
Reports from Aircraft
Peski to south of Velikopol’e – infantry and 10 tanks are in place. Gorelovo, Pershino State Farm, and east of Velikie Luki – a gathering of infantry (exactly who is unknown).
According to Ershakov’s assessment, on the basis of an order seized from the enemy, 19th and 20th PzDs, 110th and 206th IDs, regiments of 59th and 112th IDs, a sapper battalion, and 92nd AR are operating against us.
Sokolovsky – Where is Ershakov now?
Nyrianin – With Samokhin (he was at 51st RC from 0400-0500 hours, from which he conducted the telephone conversation).
The rear services of [Major General N. I.] Biriukov (186th RD), Gvozdev (179th RD), and [Colonel D. I.] Iakovlev (48th TD) are approaching Toropets in disorder. They are now being put in order. We have assembled 5,000 men, of which half are armed; including men from penal battalions, and these are being formed into a detachment with transports (ammunition, food, etc.) and are being sent along the northern road to Velikie Luki.
Orders are being given to protect the northern route from the enemy. It has been confirmed to Ershakov that Ershakov’s main mission is to defeat the enemy located in his rear.
The attack axis – will depend on the situation which exists on the spot.
The enemy is now no displaying any special activity opposite the western sector of the front.
Source: “Zapis’ peregovora nachal’nika shtaba Zapadnogo fronta s nachal’nikom operativnogo otdela shtaba 22-i Armii 24 avgusta 1941 g. o reshenii komanduiushchego armiei na nastuplenie i gruppirovke voisk protivnika” [Notes of a conversation between the chief of staff of the Western Front and the chief of the Operations Department of 22nd Army’s headquarters on 24 August 1941 about the army commander’s decision on an offensive and the grouping of enemy forces], SBDVOV, issue 41, 73-74.
Combat Order No. 11, Headquarters, 29th Army,
Bentsy,
0700 hours on 25 August 1941
1:100,000 and 500,000 scale maps
1. The enemy has penetrated 186th Rifle Division’s (22nd Army) front with a force of up to two divisions, one of them a motorized division with a tank regiment, and two motorized columns are exploiting success toward Velikie Luki and from the Kun’ia region toward Toropets. The enemy opposite 29th Army’s front is stubbornly defending in previously prepared and fortified positions, while trying to conduct an offensive from the Medvitsa [should read Medveditsa], Rumishche, and Dubrova [should read Dubrovka] region.
2. 29th Army is successfully attacking from the Tolkachi, Trubniki, and Pesochek line, while protecting its right flank with one division, which has been transferred for a stubborn defense of the Krivets, Ust’e, Petrovo Farm, and Krasnye Sosny front. It is setting about strengthening its forward and main positions and improving positions along the Western Dvina River.
3. 22nd Army is fighting along the Velikie Luki and Plaksino front and, simultaneously, organizing the liquidation of the enemy which has penetrated into the Kun’ia region.
4. 252nd RD will continue to strengthen and improve the defensive positions it occupies along the Western Dvina River in the Krivets, Olenitsa 1, Ust’e, Petrovo, and Bukharikha sector [55 kilometers south of Toropets] and outfit and fortify the ground in the Arestovo, Poliany, Kokovkino, and Zabor’e up to Lake Deviato sector on the isthmus between Lake Zhatko and Lake Dvin’e [50 kilometers southwest of Toropets], having protected road junctions, defiles, and principal heights.
5. 246th RD will continue the destruction and liquidation of the enemy’s Il’ino grouping in accordance with army Order No. 10 and, simultaneously, emplace obstacles and mines on the roads leading from Lake Plovnoe to Mikhailovskoe, from Emlen’ across the Rovnyi Bor River, and the junction of the Mel’nitsa, Ozery, and Zabor’e roads [45 kilometers southwest of Staraia Toropa], having left free passages for the conduct of reconnaissance to the line of the Mezha River by 29th CR. Coordinate the emplacement of obstacles and mining with the commander of the Composite Brigade.
6. 243rd RD, together with the Composite Brigade, will block [with obstacles] and mine road junctions and roads toward Katkovo and Kanat [35-42 kilometers south-southeast of Staraia Toropa] and Khalotomino and Prudok [35-40 kilometers south of Staraia Toropa], while blowing up the bridges, crossings, and roads. Closely coordinate the combined actions and distribution of forces and weapons with the Composite Brigade.
7. The Composite Brigade will improve its positions on the heights and defiles and dig in on 25 August 1941, having employed all necessary obstacles along the front and in the depth, with the mission of subsequently strengthening and reinforcing the fortification on which you will rely, while continuing to fulfill the missions assigned to you by the army commander’s Order No. 10.
8. Colonel Antosenko’s Composite Detachment will fulfill the missions assigned by Individual Order No. 6.
9. In accordance with the Western Front’s Order No. 04/op for liquidating any possibility of an enemy penetration along the Rzhev axis, 29th Army will prepare two defensive lines in timely fashion [as follows]: main – along the Podolina, Toropets, Staraia Toropa, and Elovikovo line; and forward – along the Chernost’ River, Dubrovka, Ivantsevo, Barsuki, Levkovo, and the Lakes Kodosno, Zhizhitskoe, and Velinskoe line, with their fronts facing toward the west, while exploiting the labors of the local garrisons and local population.
a) The chief of the garrison at Toropets, Colonel Devi, will outfit and improve the defensive belts of the main and forward line within the [following] boundaries: on the right – the junction of the Kun’ia and Chernost’ Rivers and Podolino; and on the left – Sharapovo and Lake Sel’skoe, with all of the forces and equipment at his disposal and by exploiting the local population.
b) Lieutenant Colonel Orlov will outfit and improve the defensive belts of main and forward line within the [following] boundaries: on the right – (incl.) Sharapov and (incl.) Lake Sel’skoe, and on the left – Ravon’ and (incl.) Zarech’e with the garrison’s forces and the local population.
c) The army’s Chief of Engineer Forces will outfit and improve the defensive belts of main and forward lines within the [following] boundaries: on the right – (incl.) Ravon’ and Zarech’e, and on the left – Malashaty and Elovikovo, with all of the forces and equipment at his disposal and by exploiting the local population. Anticipate preparing a defensive line on the Lake Velinskoe, Elovikovo, Sevost’ianovo, and Pikrevo front along the northern bank of the Western Dvina River
10. I am appointing an operational group consisting of operational units from 22nd Army’s headquarters and headed by 29th Army’s deputy chief of staff, Lieutenant Colonel Fedorov, for supervising the outfitting and strengthening of the defensive lines.
11. Complete work on the first and second stages by 27 August 1941 and on the third stage and final improvement of the lines by 29 August 1941.
Report on the work plans, along with calculations of the [required] forces, weapons, and time, to me at 1600 hours on 25 August 1941. Begin the work for outfitting the lines immediately.
12. My deputy for Rear Services, Colonel Vishnevsky, will rebase the army’s rear at Zapadnaia Dvina Station, having completed the rebasing on 26 August 1941.
13. The army’s Chief of Engineer Forces will provide the army’s formations with necessary technical means, having fully supplied the divisions with mines in accordance with the calculation of obstacles.
The Commander of 29th Army, Lieutenant General Maslennikov
The Member of the Military Council of 29th Army,
Division Commissar Gurov
The Chief of Staff of 29th Army, Major General Sharapov
Source: “Boevoi prikaz komanduiushchego voiskami 29-i Armii No. 11 ot 25 avgusta 1941 g. ob usilenii oborony na Rzhevskom napravlenii” [Combat order of the commander of the forces of 29th Army no. 11 of 25 August 1941 about strengthening defenses along the Rzhev axis], SBDVOV, issue 41, 270-271.
Conversation of Lieutenant General Sokolovsky
with 22nd Army’s Chief of Staff, Colonel Nyprianin,
1015-1040 hours on 25 August 1941
Sokolovsky –
1. What information do you have today about Ershakov?
2. When did you last have contact with him by radio, where is he located now, and what is he doing?
Nyprianin –
1. There was no radio contact with Ershakov from 1930 hours on 24 August to 0920 hours on 25 August. We have just now received a radiogram from him which is being worked up [de-coded]. I will report soon by enciphered radiogram. The last radio conversation was at around 1600 hours on 24 August, in which he ordered us to provide him information from aerial reconnaissance, chiefly in the Ushitsy region.
2. I do not know his intentions about operations on 25 August.
3. We received a dispatch this evening from the detachment sent to Ershakov. The detachment was in the forests southeast of Velikopol’e Station on the night of 23-24 August, and there was no enemy in that region. Our artillery warehouse was not discovered by the enemy, and the warehouse was intact. I wrote about this in a telegram to Ershakov. A group of soldiers numbering 500-600 men, part armed and part unarmed, under the command of one of the assistant department chiefs in the army’s headquarters, turned up in the forest. According to a report by one of these commanders, the road north of the Velikie Luki-Toropets railroad is only weakly controlled by the enemy, that is, there are sometimes individual groups there.
Sokolovsky – Do you now have radio contact with Ershakov?
Nyprianin – We have just received a radiogram from Samokhin, in the region where Ershakov should be located, and, judging by its contents, it may be his location. The radiogram has yet to be deciphered; therefore, I cannot report exactly whether it is from Ershakov or Samokhin.
Sokolovsky – Immediately ask Ershakov by enciphered radiogram where is he, what is he doing, and, briefly, what is the situation? Decipher the radiogram quickly, and send it to me immediately. What army units have you succeeded in assembling in the Toropets and Staraia Toropa region?
Nyprianin – Of those units which participated in the fighting and which are now still located in combat sectors, we have assembled around 600 men in addition to about 400 armed soldiers that were sent to the sectors yesterday, and, in addition, another roughly 300 men were halted directly along intermediate lines and are now located in combat sectors. The exact number – and how many have weapons – has still not been received. All of the unarmed are being assembled primarily in the vicinity of Skvortsovo Station.
Sokolovsky – Have you organized reconnaissance toward Nazimovo and from Zhizhitsa toward the west?
Nyprianin – Chiefly commandant’s patrols on vehicles have been organized.
Sokolovsky – Report specifically along which axes, which detachments, when were they sent out to reconnoiter, and what information have you received from them about the enemy? What is aviation doing today, who is supporting Ershakov, do you have communications with them, and what missions have you assigned to them at Ershakov’s request or independently based on the intelligence you have about the enemy?
Nyprianin – I repeat – there are no communications with Ershakov, he has not given and cannot give any orders, and I do not know what the situation is there. Reconnaissance has been organized along 12 axes. I will provide you with a detailed report about all of the measures we have taken by enciphered radiogram.
Sokolovsky – Send me the most recent telegram from Ershakov quickly.
Nyprianin – But understand, it is still doubtful whether or not it is from Ershakov.
Sokolovsky – Take measures to establish radio communications with Ershakov.
Authenticated by Andrieko [Major S. S. Andrieko,
Assistant Chief of the Operations Department, Headquarters,
Western Front]
Source: “Zapis peregovora nachal’nika shtaba Zapadnogo fronta s nachal’nikom shtaba 22-i Armii 24 avgusta 1941 g. o polozhenii voisk armii” [Notes of a conversation between the chief of staff of the Western Front and 22nd Army’s chief of staff on 25 August 1941 about the positions of the army’s forces], SBDVOV, issue 41, 79-80.
Combat Order No. 18, Headquarters of the Operational Group,
Toropets,
25 August 1941
1:100,000 scale map
1. Large enemy tank and motorized units penetrated the defensive front on 22nd Army’s left wing and, while developing the attack toward the north and northwest, captured the Velikopol’e Station and Ushitsy State Farm region and occupied the Piatnitskoe (10 kilometers northeast of Kodosno Station) and Nazimova region with forward units.
2. 29th Army (with the OG [operational group] created from those who remained outside of 22nd Army’s encircled units), while continuing an offensive on its left wing, with the mission of destroying the enemy’s Il’ino grouping, is going on the defense with its remaining forces, with the aim of liquidating the enemy penetration along the Rzhev axis.
3. The OG will go on the defense along the Podolina (24 kilometers northwest of Toropets), Toropets, and Lake Sel’skoe [12 kilometers south of Toropets] front, having forward positions on the Chernost’ River, Dubrovka, Pochinok, Barsuki, Piatnitskoe, and Tarasovka line.
4. 709th HAR will defend the sector from Podolina to Khadausova, Hill 179.1, and Ganevo and prevent separate groups of enemy from infiltrating toward Sheino, Moroshkino, and Ganevo.
The boundary on the left: Ivan’kovo, Strel’tsy, Kolotilovo, and Bezova Gora.
5. 196th Automatic Weapons Bn will defend the sector from Karpasy to Hill 191.9, Marker 208.3, and Kamestaia.
The boundary on the left: Kazarino, Hill 19.5, Pershino, and Belorubovo.
6. 137th Sep.AABn, with 13th Sep. ATBn, will occupy the Hill 199.5, Hill 239.5, and Zhelny region for defense and prevent an enemy penetration toward Toropets from the northwest.
The boundary on the left: Hill 255.9, (incl.) Gorka, Nov. Derevnia, Berdovo, and Peschakha.
7. 38th MRBn will defend the Gorka, Iashkino, Hill 199.2, and Martiukhova sector.
The boundary on the left: Beliaevo, Hill 192.2, Dashkovo, and Novo-Troitskoe.
8. 390th HAR, with 179th Sep. ATBn, will occupy the (incl.) Hill 192.2, Lake Zelikovskoe, Kharino, and (incl.) Zarech’e sector for defense, having prevented an enemy penetration to Toropets.
The boundary on the left: Lake Dbshinskoe, Dedino, Toropets, and Tsikorevo.
9. 360th HAR, with 615th HAR, will defend the Shatry, Artiukhovo, and (incl.) Losochi region and create cut-off positions in the Novoe Bridino and (incl.) Mikhali sector.
The boundary on the left: Kruttsy, (incl.) Losochi, and Lake Maslovo.
10. 56th CAR will defend the Losochi, Hill 191.9, Riaslo, and Gal’ianovo sector. The boundary on the left: Tarasovka (5 kilometers northeast of Kodosno), Novinskoe, Perevoz, and Kurbaty.
11. The Major Kadyshin’s composite detachment will occupy separate sectors intersecting the [following] road junctions: at Ekimino and Hill 100.9; and in the vicinity of Hill 153.7, Peski, and Kabanikha, with a reserve group in Ozerets [35 kilometers west of Toropets].
12. The commander of Captain Latkin’s composite detachment, will defend the Pochinok region and the Barsuki region [25 kilometers west-southwest of Toropets], with a reserve group in the vicinity of Skvortsovo Station [17 kilometers west-southwest of Toropets].
13. The commander of 697th ATR will occupy the Hill 230.6 region, the Raina region, and Tarasovka [25 kilometers southwest of Toropets] for defense, with a reserve group in the Rusanovo and Hill 225.3 region [15 kilometers southwest of Toropets].
14. Prepared the main defensive belt for firing by 1800 hours on 25 August. Complete defensive work in the main belt by no later than 28 August 1941.
15. CP – the woods 2 kilometers east of Podsoson’e.
The Commander of the OG, Colonel Fedorov
The Member of the Military Council, Brigade Commissar Shevchenko
The Chief of Staff, Colonel Nerianin [Nyrianin]
Source: “Boevoi prikaz komandira operativnoi gruppy 22-i Armii No. 18 ot 25 avgusta 1941 g. na oboronu rubezha r. Chernost’, Dubrovka, Pochinok, Barsuki, Piatnitskoe, Tarasovka” [Combat order no. 18 of 22nd Army’s operational group of 25 August 1941 on defense of the Chernost’ River, Dubrovka, Pochinok, Barsuki, Piatnitskoe, and Tarasovka line], SBDVOV, issue 41, 245-246.
Combat Order No. 2/op, Headquarters of the Operational Group,
in the woods east of Stepanovskoe Farm,
0130 hours on 26 August 1941
1:100,000 scale, 1939 g. edition
1. In fulfillment of the order of the Commander-in-Chief of the Western Front to the units of 22nd Army’s Operational Group, I order:
a) Antosenko’s Composite Detachment, with 697th AR in the Kostino region subordinate to it, will destroy the enemy in the Piatnitskoe region and reach the Hill 228.6, Markovo, Sharapova, and Levkovo Farm line for subsequent operations toward the west to destroy the opposing enemy and capture Hills 240.8, 222.6, 226.0, and 230.5, Staritsy, and Efremkovo.
Colonel Antosenko will destroy the enemy in the vicinity of Zhizhitsa Station [30 kilometers southwest of Toropets] with part of his forces (no fewer than 2 battalions) by an attack from Grishino, Tsarevo, and Buraia, together with the detachment of Major Iurlov, and prevent a penetration by him [the enemy] to the east, while firmly holding onto the ground between the lakes in the Zasenovo, Pashivkovo [should read Pashivkino], and Naumovo State Farm sector. Iurlov’s detachment is also subordinated to you.
b) Colonel Nerianin will throw a detachment composed of a force of no fewer than 2,000 bayonets taken from the withdrawing units, into the Lake Sel’skoe, Staraia Toropa, and Semenovskoe defensive region on foot, with the mission to defend this line firmly, having paid special attention to defending the Zhizhitsa Station and Staraia Toropa railroad; (the detachment should not be taken from several units; it would be better if it will represent an entire unit). Deploy the remaining units from the Ozerets, Skvortsovo Station, and Malye Usviaty concentration areas [25-35 kilometers west of Toropets] along the Chernost’ River, Baranenki, Ivantsevo, Barsuki, Kolenidovo, and (incl.) Hill 228.6 line [20-25 kilometers southwest of Toropets], with the mission of firmly defending the indicated line with separate units, while having in mind, subsequently, reaching the Akulino, Chmutovo, Pleshkovo, Maloe Koshkino, and Hill 230.5 line [35 kilometers southwest of Toropets]. Determine the order [sequence] for occupation of the line with these units in accordance with an on-the-spot judgment [inspection] and while fulfilling the order of 29th Army’s commander, which assigned sectors for 48th TD and 126th RD on the line’s right wing.
From the units, which have been holding the forward line, send covering forces: No. 1 – to Gorki and Trostkino Station (5 kilometers west of Nazimovo Station); and No. 2 – to Nazimovo Station and Nazimovo.
Colonel Nerianin is categorically forbidden from moving the approaching units toward Toropets, even if they are unarmed, while bringing them into their own or neighboring units and while pursuing the single goal of accelerating the strengthening of the indicated forward line – in fulfillment of the commander-in-chief of the Western Front’s order.
Colonel Nerianin will assign missions to the units that are situated in the forward line personally and on the spot, based on the order of the Western Front’s commander-in-chief, that is, to hold onto the indicated line, while restoring order in the units and strengthening the forward defensive line with all of the weapons at his disposal for a subsequent advance to the Akulino, Maseevo Farm, and Sevast’ianovo line.
Colonel Antosenko and Colonel Nerianin will confirm receipt and report fulfillment.
The Commander of the OG, Colonel Fedorov
The Member of the Military Council, Brigade Commissar Shevchenko
The Chief of Staff, Colonel Nerianin
Source: “Boevoi rasporiazhenie komandira operativnoi gruppy 22-i Armii No. 2/op ot 26 avgusta 1941 g. na unichtozhenie protivostoiashchego protivnika ” [Combat order no. 2/op of 22nd Army’s operational group of 26 August 1941 on the destruction of the opposing enemy], SBDVOV, issue 41, 246-247.
Combat Order No. 17, Headquarters of the OG,
in the woods 1 kilometer south of Mikhali,
0200 hours on 26 August 1941
1:100,000 scale, 1939 g. edition
1. The Operational Group, fulfilling the order of the Western Front’s commander-in-chief, is defending the Ekimino, Sementsevo, Pochinok, Barsuki, Kostino, and Raina line, with the main defensive positions along the Podolino, Toropets, and Staraia Toropa line.
2. The enemy opposite the OG’s front is striving to spread out farther to the northeast in the general direction of Toropets and Ostashkov with small reconnaissance groups.
The enemy is not displaying special activity in front of the OG’s forward line. Separate enemy reconnaissance groups, while bursting forward, are seeking to reach the Toropets and Staraia Toropa road, up to a company of enemy threw themselves forward from the Terekhov Lug and Piatnitskoe line at 0300 hours on 25 August 1941, and a company of infantry with four tanks captured Kostino after pressing back 697th AR’s subunits.
3. Colonel Antosenko’s Composite Detachment (8th and 9th Motorcycle Regiments, a tank battalion, an engineer battalion, and a sapper battalion) will defend positions from (incl.) Novaia Derevnia, along the eastern bank of the Toropa River, to Staraia Toropa and Semenovskoe with the main part of its forces on the morning of 26 August, while attacking toward Chikhachi, Nikulino, Grudtsy, and Pokrovskoe with one rifle and one tank battalion, together with Polukhin’s detachment (697th AR) to encircle and destroy the enemy in the Kostino region by attacking him on the flank and rear, while developing success toward the west and reaching the Grudino, Lykovo, Hill 218.5,Sharapov, and Levkovo Farm line.
The boundary on the left: (incl.) Lake Griadetskoe, (incl.) Lake Sel’skoe, (incl.) Chikhachi, Peska River, (incl.) Kudenets Farm, and Hill 216.9.
4. For concerted successful operations, subordinate Polukhin’s detachment to Colonel Antosenko, having assigned him initial mission of tying down the enemy in the Kostino region, while subsequently planning to send Polukhin’s detachment to occupy the Grudino, Lykovo, Hill 218.5, Sharapov, and Levkovo farm line and concentrate the composite detachment’s shock group for destroying the enemy in the Kostino region in the woods near Platichino in readiness for active operations toward the west, with the aim of capturing Hills 226.0, 240.9, and 218.4 with the group.
5. CP of the OG – the woods 1 kilometer south of Mikhali.
6. Send reports: 1st – upon occupation and preparation of the defensive sector; 2nd – upon the shock group’s arrival to destroy the enemy in Kostino; 3rd – upon the fulfillment of immediate missions; and 4th – upon the arrival of Polukhin’s detachment at the line indicated.
The Commander of the OG, Colonel Fedorov
The Member of the Military Council, Brigade Commissar Shevchenko
The Chief of Staff, Colonel Nerianin
Source: “Chastnyi boevoi prikaz komandira operativnoi gruppy 22-i Armii No. 17 ot 26 avgusta 1941 g. na unichtozhenie protivnika v raione Kostino” [Individual combat order no. 17 of 22nd Army’s operational group of 26 August 1941 on the destruction of the opposing enemy], SBDVOV, issue 41, 247-248.
2350 hours on 26 August
Lieutenant General Malandin [at 22nd Army’s headquarters] and Lieutenant General Sokolovsky
Malandin – I am reporting: I arrived and began to investigate – the situation is thus:
1. Ershakov’s units are beginning to withdraw, while using the northern route. Biriukov’s division (186th) reached the line of the former forward line – 30-40% [strength], and with three 45mm guns, 3 76mm guns, and 2 155mm guns. It has little organization and requires putting in order. 174th [Rifle] Division just now began withdrawing in broken up groups, but with no equipment. 214th [Rifle] Division, which is also assembling by small groups, is now only the size of a regiment, and there is no news about its equipment.
Major General [A. N.] Rozanov (214th) himself has still not arrived, but his chief of staff is located at Ozertsy.
48th TD withdrew in the best order, with almost up to 70% of its personnel. 179th RD withdrew with no more than 20%, but its personnel are moving, however, nothing is known about its equipment.
170th [RD] appeared in separate disorganized groups and, similarly, 126th and 98th RD. Thus, all have withdrawn, but they do not represent combat capable entities.
Major General [B. A.] Pigarevich [22nd Army’s chief of staff] reached and is located in Ozertsy.
Ershakov is not yet there, but a vehicle has been sent for him.
The situation indicates that the encirclement was not complete, and the northern part is open and permits a planned withdrawal. Almost all of the formation commanders have lost command and control. Given these conditions, I note the following:
1. This evening the former forward line will finally be occupied in an organized fashion. Orders have been given to occupy [the following]: on the right – 48th TD will occupy the sector to Kabanikha, to the south – 179th [Rifle Division], on its left – Kadyshev, together with the remnants of 214th RD’s units, to the south, Biriukov [186th RD], with Latkin’s detachment, and these commands have already occupied the sectors given to them and are reforming organizationally. Given the almost total absence of artillery, orders have been given by me to create mobile batteries from on-hand artillery on the basis of two-three in each division sector along main axes.
Antosenko’s detachment is just now moving from the Staraia Toropa region to Lake Zhizhitskoe; it had been given the mission to reach the entire former forward line in order to close off the main Toropa axis, but is apparently late in fulfilling the order. To fulfill these instructions, the commands designated for each chief of sector will send out strong forward detachments no later than 0100 hours during the night, with the missions, while destroying enemy groups, to move forward to the forward line and dig in there. At first light tomorrow, we will organize the main forces’ movement into the forward line. They have been categorically ordered not to occupy it in linear fashion, but instead to construct it with deeply echeloned strong points and with the presence of reserves. Tomorrow, at first light, I will go down to the sectors in order to check the course of movement personally.
I forgot to say that Kuznetsov – in the right sector, is, in fact, directing the organization of the defense on the right wing.
I request you report to the commander-in-chief [Timoshenko] that, by tomorrow morning I will, apparently, have the combat composition of those who withdrew, and no-one will leave for the rear.
Question [Sokolovsky] – What information do you have about the enemy?
Answer [Malandin] – According to information from ground reconnaissance, the enemy – includes separate groups along the axis of the routes in front of our unit’s front, totals up to one and one half regiments in all. Air reconnaissance has established the movement of columns from the Nazimova region northward and northeastward, apparently, with the aim of cutting off our withdrawal routes.
The report by the front’s Intelligence Department that the column reached Ozerets was incorrect. Ozerets is ours, but we must expect that the enemy will turn his forces toward the east in so far as he is tied in with no-one to the west.
Question [Sokolovsky] – Have heavy losses been inflicted on the enemy?
Answer [Malandin] – According to the reports of those who withdrew, the enemy has suffered heavy losses, but I cannot answer in more detail until I verify things tomorrow.
Sokolovsky – Good, verify and report, especially in regard to the withdrawal of equipment. I say we need to track it down in order to occupy a seriously prepared defense and organize a rebuff, and we need to supply the forces with individual antitank means such as flammable bottles and grenades and do this as soon as required.
Tomorrow we need to protect our operations with 47th MAD and, second, order mines and antitank mines to be sent, and there are also insufficient shovels.
Source: “Zapis’ peregovora zamestitelia nachal’nika shtaba Zapadnogo fronta ot 26 avgusta 1941 g. s nachal’nikom shtaba Zapadnogo fronta o polozhenii voisk 22-i Armii” [Notes of a conversation of the deputy chief of staff of the Western Front on 26 August with the Western Front’s chief of staff about the positions of 22nd Army’s forces], SBDVOV, issue 41, 83-85.
Conversations of Lieutenants General Malandin and Sokolovsky
Time: 0340 hours on 28 August 1941
Malandin – First. According to our information, the enemy is conducting an offensive with his main forces along the Toropets axis. Two of his columns were noted operating toward the northeast: one was approaching Skvortsovo Station by evening, and the other – Kostino. The northern axis – up to two infantry divisions are operating toward Ozerets. The enemy is trying to cut off the Toropets-Velikie Luki route and, apparently, toward Staraia Toropa, with the enemy’s forward units. Along the Skvortsovo and Kostino axes, our units, which were protecting these axes, have withdrawn to the Ozerets, Skvortsovo, and Kostino line. A counterattack was repelled at Ozerets, but, to the west, the enemy succeeded in cutting the route to Velikie Luki.
Sokolovsky – I do not understand where our detachments protecting the Skvortsovo axis divide, and also toward Ozerets. Are not Ershakov’s units there?
Malandin – Second. 170th RD withdrew with up to 300 men on 28 August. It has no commander and headquarters and also no equipment. [Other strength reports include]: 174th RD – up to 400 men but no headquarters, and its equipment includes one 122mm gun. 186th RD – up to 2,000 men, three 76mm guns, two 45mm guns, two 122mm guns, and nothing else. 214th RD – up to 2,500 men, but no equipment. 48th TD – up to 2,500 men and two 76mm guns, and 98th RD – up to 300 men, but no equipment and headquarters. 126th RD – up to 3,100 men. It appears better than the others. Equipment, two 76mm guns and 17 machine guns. 179th RD – up to 300 men but no equipment. RGK [Reserve of the High Command] equipment – only two guns of 360th HAR. There are personal weapons. The information is being verified.
Today, of the commanders, [the following] arrived: the commander of 186th RD, Biriukov; the temporary commander of 112th RD, Gavrilov; the commander of 29th RC, Samokhin; the commander of 214th RD, Rozanov; 22nd Army’s chief of staff, Pigarevich; and the chief of artillery, Nichkov.
The [following] have not yet arrived: the commander of 174th RD, Zygin; the commander of 62nd RC, Karmanov; the commander of 170th RD, Colonel Laskin; and Colonel Bunin. Of the commissars, [the following have arrived]: Udolov, Evseev, and Osadchev. Up to this time, Ershakov and Leonov [have not arrived].
Third. The withdrawn commands do not represent full value because of losses in personnel and equipment, and also in light of the considerable disorder in their command organs.
Fourth. We cannot fulfill the orders in regard to occupying the army’s forward line due to the difficult situation. The forward detachments sent out on 26 August were pushed back to their jumping-off positions by the enemy, and the units dug in along the main line with adjustments made as a consequence of the fighting on 27 August.
Fifth. The missions of the commands supplied by Maslennikov [29th Army] are being sent to me by enciphered telegram.
Sixth: Measures are being taken for strengthening protection along the Rzhev axis. The Toropets axis is being reinforced at the expense of 126th RD’s units. The rear line is being brought to readiness.
Seventh: It is necessary to strengthen the army with equipment and replacements, and communications means are absent. It would be expedient to restore order in 22nd Army’s command and control and entrust Pigarevich with command until Ershakov’s arrival. At this time, simultaneously with the operations to repel the enemy offensive, work is being conducted on the organization and restoration of order in the command. It would not be bad if, while this work is being done, we could have one command in reserve in the vicinity of Zapadnaia Dvina.
Authenticated by Major Andrieko
Source: “Zapis’ peregovora nachal’nika shtaba Zapadnogo fronta s nachal’nikom operativnogo otdela shtaba Zapadnogo fronta ot 28 avgusta 1941 g. o polozhenii na pravom kryle fronta” [Notes of a conversation of the chief of staff of the Western Front of 26 August with the chief of the Operations Department of the Western Front’s headquarters about the situation on the front’s right wing], SBDVOV, issue 41, 88-89.
Combat Order No. 12, Headquarters, 29th Army,
Bentsy,
Late morning on 28 August 1941
1:100,000 scale map
1. The enemy opposite 29th Army’s front are continuing to strengthen their defense, while created pillboxes and bunkers, and are simultaneously concentrating significant forces in the Il’ino region. Groupings of units are continuing to concentrate against the army’ right wing in the Khlebanikha region and against the army’s left wing in the Bol’shaia Zheleznitsa and Kanat regions. Small groups of enemy with tanks are occupying the Fatievo, Ivantsevo, and Trubnino line, and we have noted the approach of new enemy columns from Nazimovo Station toward Ozerets.
2. 29th Army will go over to a firm defense along the lines it has reached on 28 August 1941, with the mission to prevent an enemy penetration along the northeastern and northern axes toward Staraia Toropa, Toropets, and Rzhev.
3. On the right, 22nd Army in going over to the defense along the Chernost’ River, Pal’tsevo, Barsuki, Lake Kodosno, Naumovo State Farm, and Lake Zhizhitskoe line.
On the left, 30th Army is attacking toward Shelepy and Zarech’e. The boundaries are as before.
4. 252nd RD, with 309th Sep. ATBn and 4th Btry, 644th CAR, will continue to strengthen and improve the defensive line it occupies in the Krivets, Olenitsa 1, Ust’e, Petrovo, and Bukharikha sector along the Western Dvina River and the ground in the Arestovo, Poliany, Kokovkino, Zabor’e sector on the isthmus between Lake Zhatko and Lake Dvin’e up to Lake Deviato, having closed down the isthmus and the roads in the Uzmen’ region, with the mission to prevent an enemy penetration toward the north.
The boundary on the left: Lake Neretto, Bol’shaia Griada Farm, and Sinichino.
5. 246th RD, with 6th Btry, 644th CAR, will immediately go over to a firm defense in the Beliankin Farm, Pavlova Luka, Trubniki sector and further along your occupied line, with the mission to prevent an enemy penetration toward the north.
The boundary on the left: Sharapovo, Malaia Gorovakha, (incl.) Salovo, and (incl.) Masiagino.
Long-range artillery group 246 – 1st Bn, 644th CAR.
6. 243rd RD, with 5th Btry, 644th CAR, will immediately go over to a firm defense of the sector from the positions you occupy to the positions of the Composite Brigade’s 1st and 2nd MRRs and to Borovye and Novye Borovye, with the mission to prevent an enemy penetration toward the north and southeast.
The boundary on the left: Marker 184.9, (2044), Pashkovo, Borovye, Hill 175.3, Lake Putnoe, and Prudok.
7. The Composite Brigade, with one battalion of 1st MRR and an artillery battalion, will occupy and defend the Hills 175.5 and 174.6 region along the Borsovka, Hill 184.6, and Lake Borovny line with company and platoon strong points and centers of resistance in close fire coordination between them, with the mission to prevent an enemy penetration toward the north and protect the army’s left flank.
29th CR will fulfill its assigned mission for providing reconnaissance along the Mezha River.
8. The army’s reserve – the Composite Brigade, without one battalion but with 29th CR’s artillery battalion – concentrated in the Malaia Gorovakha, Svetlyi Ruchei, and the woods southeast of Osinovka region, will prepare a defense along the Bol’shaia Gorovakha and Safronovka line and counterattacks toward: 1) Khvatkovo and Bentsy; 2) Korotyshi, Mikhalevo, and Dedovo; and 3) Romanovo, Salovo, and Andreevskaia.
9. Artillery. Be ready – 1900 hours on 28 August 1941.
Missions:
1) Prevent enemy attacks from the [following] directions: Khlebanikha, Rudnia, the woods west of Sokovichino, Andreevskaia, Katkovo, and Kanat.
2) Prevent the approach of enemy reserves from the Il’ino and Kanat axes.
3) Suppress enemy artillery in the Sokovichino, Andreevskie Farm, and Vysochert.
10. Proceed immediately to strengthen the positions you occupy. In the first instance, complete the work on protecting the forward edge with antitank and anti-infantry obstacles and entrenching work by day’s end on 29 August 1941.
Protect the forward edge and flanks of the main axes with antitank and anti-infantry obstacles and create antitank regions in the depth, while using for that purpose, in the first instance, local and on-hand means. Within their boundaries, the rifle divisions will exploit already created antitank and anti-infantry obstacles along the southern and northern banks of the Western Dvina River.
The army’s Chief of Engineer Forces will continue strengthen [the following] rear defensive lines in an antitank respect:
a) Facing west along the Toropa River; and
b) Facing south – Lake Zadnee, Lake Neretto, Lake Bentsy, Lake Kotovo, Lake Benetto, and Lake Verezhuni.
The army’s formations will outfit all of their trenches with head defensive covers and overhead covers with constructed embrasures and carefully camouflage all defensive structures. Organize defensive regions, strong points, and centers of resistance with consideration for all-round defense of regimental and battalions regions. Create antitank and anti-infantry obstacles in close coordination with firing systems.
The army’s Chief of Engineer Forces will support the equipping of the sectors and lines with necessary materials for anti-infantry obstacles.
11. The defense will be ready at first light on 28 August 1941. Be ready for the first stage of work by 1800 hours on 28 August 1941.
12. CPs of the divisions: 252nd RD – in the Averkovo region; 246th RD – the woods west of Poiarkovo; 243rd RD – in the vicinity of Hill 201.5; and the Composite Brigade – in the vicinity of the woods east of Svetlyi Ruchei.
13. The first echelon of the army’s headquarters – Bentsy
14. Present reports: 1) on the readiness of the defense; and 2) upon completion of work on outfitting the antitank and anti-infantry obstacles.
The Commander of 29th Army, Lieutenant General Maslennikov
The Member of the Military Council of 29th Army,
Divisional Commissar Gurov
The Chief of Staff of 29th Army, Major General Shaparov
Source: “Boevoi prikaz komanduiushchego voiskami 29-i Armii No. 12 ot 28 avgusta 1941 g. na oboronu zanimaemogo rubezha” [Combat order No. 12 of the commander of the forces of 29th Army of 28 August 1941 on the defense of our occupied positions], SBDVOV, issue 41, 272-273.
Combat Order No. 19, Headquarters of 22nd Army,
the woods 1 kilometer east of Stepanovskie Farm,
2300 hours on 28 August 1941
1:100,000 scale map, 1939 edition
Before the withdrawal from encirclement of all of 22nd Army’s units and formations led by 22nd Army’s Military Council, the commander-in-chief, Marshal Timoshenko, entrusted 29th Army’s Military Council with restoring order in the withdrawing units and defending with these units, with the mission of holding onto forward positions at Akulino and Pleshkovo.
Small groups of enemy with tanks are occupying the Fatieva, Ivantsevo, Trubino, and Zhizhitsa Station line [35 kilometers southwest of Toropets]. At 1600 hours on 26 August, air reconnaissance noticed the movement of a column of up to 200 vehicles from Nazimovo Station toward Ozerets.
Enemy operations toward Toropets and Staraia Toropa are likely in the immediate future.
I order:
1. 22nd Army’s units, upon their withdrawal from encirclement, will occupy and firmly defend the Chernost’ River, Pal’tsevo, Barsuki, Lake Kodosno, and Naumovo State Farm line by the night of 27 August, while bringing yourself to combat readiness, with the mission to occupy the Trubitsy, Maloe Koshkino, and Artemovo Platform forward defensive line.
2. 48th TD will secure and defend the Akulino and Hill 201.1 (south of Koptevo) sector.
The boundary on the left: Zarech’e, Vesnitsy, (incl.) Ivantsevo, and Borok. CP – Ogorodtsy.
3. The DD [Destroyer Division] of the commander of 51st RC, Colonel Comrade Sazonov, having combined units (from 179th, 126th, and 214th RDs and Kadyshev’s detachment), will withdraw, having occupied the Kudinovo and Shamarino sector for defense.
The boundary on the left: Mikhali, Ol’khovatka, Hill 216.9, and Mishino-Shamarino, Mishovo.
CP – Plinty.
4. The commander of 186th RD, Major General Biriukov, with Captain Latkin’s detachment, will seize and defend the Tarasy and Fedotkovo sector.
The boundary on the left: Kurbaty, Novaia Derevnia, Grishino, Mishkovo, Peshchanka, and Fedotkovo.
CP – Kornilova.
5. Colonel Antosenko’s Composite Detachment, with Major Polukhin’s detachment, having seized the Fedotkovo and (incl.) Lake Zhizhitskoe line and organized a defense while paying special attention to the Staraia Toropa Station axis, will destroy the opposing enemy by a decisive attack on the morning of 27 August.
CP – Glubokovo.
6. Divisional sectors will construct all-round defenses, with battalion centers of resistance echeloned in depth.
7. For struggling with tanks, have mobile batteries and destroyer detachments in each divisional sector, with large reserves of explosive bottles [“Molotov cocktails”].
8. The army’s reserve: 170th RD – concentrate in the Ivantsevo, Korpeiki, and Martynov region. Be prepared for operations toward Nazimovo.
174th RD –concentrate in the Ogorody, Sokolikhino, and Plotavki region, prepared for operations toward Ivantsevo and Lake Kodosno.
98th RD – concentrate in the woods 1 kilometer east of Zhizhitsa Station, prepared for operations along the railroad to Artemovo Platform.
9. Main Defense Line – Chernost’ River, Ivantsevo, Levkovo Farm, and Karevo; and continue to strengthen and improve this line.
10. Rear Defense Line – the Toropets and Staraia Toropa line.
11. 126th RD will defend the (incl.) Novaia Derevnia, Staraia Toropa, and Semenovskoe line.
12. Formations and units in the main defensive line, within their boundaries, will send out forward detachments 1-2 companies strong and with machine pistols on the night of 6-27 August, with the mission to seize the Akulino, Tarasy State Farm, and Fediunino line.
13. 22nd Army’s Chief of Engineers will continue to fulfill work according to the earlier established plan with two engineer battalions. With the two battalions:
a) Flood the Bol’shie Usviaty, Barsuch’i Gory, and Shepelevka region, mine and create obstacles on the main roads between the forward and main defensive lines, and employ craters, blockages, and road landmines extensively.
b) Direct work on the creation of antitank obstacles along the forward edge of the forward defensive line.
14. CP of the army – the woods 1 kilometer east of Stepanovskie Farm, and subsequently – Skvortsovo Station.
15. Send reports: 1st – upon preparation of the defensive sectors, and 2nd – upon taking possession of the lines with forward detachments and divisional sectors by forward units.
The army’s Military Council obliges the commanders and commissars of formations and units to remind all personnel about the demands of the People’s Commissar of Defense, Comrade Stalin, regarding the conduct of all soldiers in battle.
Our aviation and 22nd Army’s units will inflict serious casualties on the enemy and decisively resist along the defensive lines indicated above to spoil the enemy’s plan.
The Commander of 22nd Army, Lieutenant General Maslennikov
The Member of the Military Council, Divisional Commissar Gurov
The Deputy Chief of Staff, Colonel Fedorov
Source: “Boevoi prikaz komanduiushchego voiskami 22-i Armii No. 19 ot 26 avgusta 1941 g. na oboronu rubezha r. Chernost’, Pal’tsevo, Barsuki, oz. Kodosno, svkh. Naumovo” [Combat order No. 19 of the commander of the forces of 22nd Army on 28 August 1941 on the defense of the Chernost’ River, Pal’tsevo, Barsuki, Lake Kodosno, and Naumovo State Farm line], SBDVOV, issue 41, 248-249.