Approve Head of BTU GABTU RA Engineer-Colonel Afonin 15 November 1942
Approve Deputy Peoples Commissaar of the Tank industry of the USSR Popov 15
November 1942
Brief Technical Report. About the development of means for tank
protection against sub-caliber and rounds.
During the war, new ammunition types have entered the service of the German
army - sub-caliber and cumulative shells. The test firing of the hull of
T-34 tank from the German 75mm gun and 76mm domestic gun with cumulative
shells have shown the following:
I. The strength of the hull of T-34 tank against the cumulative
shells.
Hull part
Tank bearing angle
Strength of part
75mm German cumulative shells
76mm domestic cumulative shells
Frontal hull plates
0
No penetration
No penetration
Hull sides
90
Penetrated
penetration
Hull sides
60
No Penetration
Penetrated
90
No penetration
Penetrated
Hull rear
180
No penetration
No penetration
Turret
90
No penetration
Penetrated
From the above table it is evident that domestic shells have better
penetration ability than the German ones as the former ones penetrate only
the sides of the hull of a T-34 tank and only from angles that are close to
normal.
The pecularity of these shells is that due to their HE capability they
do not loose their penetrative capabilities with distance. Because of that
the hull sides of a T-34 tank can be penetrated from a large distance.
Regarding the HE capability of these shells, it is quite significant
and is even slightly bigger than that of ordinary HE shells. Moreover,
when impacting to the hull sides near the bottom, Подкрылки? Or transmission
parts, cumulative rounds destroy them and make the tank inoperable. On
impact to the lower part of the turret the roof is bent inwards or even
breaks. When hitting the rear side, the hatches are torn off, exhaust pipe
protection is torn off, bolt joints are destroyed.
REPORT OF THE REPRESENTATIVE OFFICER OF THE GENERAL STAFF OF THE RED ARMY TO
THE DEPUTY SUPREME COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF ON THE REASONS FOR THE DELAY IN THE
CROSSING OF VISLA RIVER BY THE TROOPS OF 8TH GUARDS ARMY
August 3, 1944
to Comrade ZHAROV
Troops of the 8th gds Army during August 2, 1944, the armies fought an
unsuccessful battle on the western bank of Vistula river and continued to
transport infantry, artillery, ammunition and horses.
I consider the reason for the unsuccessful offensive for the expansion of
the bridgehead on the western bank of Vistula river to be:
Indecisive actions of the infantry without appropriate amounts of
reinforcing, namely: absence of tanks and an insufficient amount of
artillery on the western bank of Vistula river and especially in the
morning.
The increase of the resistance of the enemy, since the latter had planned,
according to the testimony of the prisoners, to throw off our units from
the occupied bridgehead with the help of aviation. During August 2, 1944,
enemy aircraft had disabled a large number of crossing facilities, which
slowed down the crossing of troops and equipment.
The absence of a built pontoon bridge and an insufficient number of floating
crossing facilities makes it impossible to transfer divisional mechanically
tracted artillery, tanks and other equipment to the western coast in a
timely manner.
By 20.00 2.8.1944, in two days, the following were transported in total:
of the 29th gds rifle corps fully: infantry of the 27th and 74th guards
rifle division, 82-mm mortar units and 45-mm guns, 2, 76{mm} regiment
artillery - 7, 76{mm} divisional artillery - 2.
of the 28th rifle corps fully: infantry of the 79th, 39th gds rifle
division, 76-mm guns of regiment artillery - 20; 76 mm divisional
artillery - 33; 45 mm - 26; 82-mm mortars - 83; 120-mm mortars - 12;
self-propelled regiment 1061 - 7 guns.
In the 4th Guards. sk in full: 57th, 35th gds rifle division, all 45-mm
and 76-mm horse-drawn regiment artillery, 82-mm mortar units and 28 76-mm
divisional artillery guns, self-propelled guns. regiment 1087 - 20 guns.
In addition to infantry and equipment, horses were transported to the
western bank of the Vistula - 2 horses for each gun and the necessary amount
of ammunition.
An attempt to transport tanks to the western bank of the Vistula river under
water did not give any result: the first 2 KV tanks to attempt that remained under water.
After this underwater crossing attempts were stopped. For the crossing of
heavy equipment (tanks, wheeled artillery), it is necessary to speed up the
construction of a heavy pontoon bridge.
General Staff Officer Lieutenant Colonel Drabkin
Source: Печ. по: ЦАМО РФ. Ф. 233. Оп. 178503. Д. 2. Л. 98–99. Подлинник.
LIST OF MILITARY INTELLIGENCE REPORTS ON THE PREPARATION OF GERMANY FOR WAR
AGAINST THE USSR (JANUARY - JUNE 1941) *
Nr
Source
Message time
Reported Attack time
Contents of the report
1
Max
2.11.40
After defeating England
The attack is expected from two flanks. Flanking from the north
(Finland) and from the Balkan Peninsula. He doesn't talk about
reasons.
2
Skornyakov VAT
12.25.40
Spring of 1941
Anonymous. The offensive plan: from Lublin along the Pripyat
River to Kiev; from Romania - between Yasen and Bukovina to
Teterev; from East Prussia
3
Vkh.891ss (1 det.)
15.2.41
In 2-3 months
Germany does not have food and therefore seeks to seize the
Ukraine. The attack will take place through Romania.
4
Vkh.0356ss O VS
6.3.41
After defeating Greece
The Military Attache of Czechoslovakia Smakovich is convinced that the capture
of Greece precedes the attack on the USSR. The exit of the Germans
to the Dardanelles is an act against the USSR.
5
A.G.
February 1941
After signing peace with England
The USSR will be fully prepared for war in 1942, and Germany may
be exhausted by this time.
6
Alta
17.1.41
In the spring of 1941
The Aryan said that the war with the USSR was not just rumors,
but Hitler's order, which is known to a limited circle of
people involved in preparing for a war against the USSR.
7
Doj
17.1.41
March 1941
It is said in military and diplomatic circles that after the
defeat of England or conclusion of peace with her, the USSR
will be Germany's closest enemy.
eight
Khlopov, mil. attache assistant
8.1.41
An assistant to the American mil. attache in Germany, in a conversation
with our assistant to the mil. attache, said: “We now have
information from very reliable sources that Germany is preparing
to start a war against the USSR. The exact date is not indicated,
but it is emphasized that the information is reliable.
9
Vkh.751ss (1 det)
7.2.41
In the spring of 1941
The Aryan repeats once again that in the spring there will be a
clash between Germany and the USSR. It is believed in military
circles and the Foreign Office that the war will bring about the
end of the National Socialist regime.
10
Savva
26.2.41
German troops in Romania are intended for action against the USSR
... The flow of "tourists" to Finland and military
transports to Slovakia and Galicia (mechanized units) has
increased.
eleven
Dixon, mil.attache
2.3.41
The envoy in Belgrade was informed at the Foreign Office that the
Nazi Party and the army had agreed on the expediency of launching
an offensive against the USSR soon. The envoy assesses it as
German propaganda fabricated for the Balkan governments.
12
Sophocles, mil.attache
9.3.41
April - May
It is known from the Minister of the Court in Belgrade that the
German General Staff has refused to attack the English Isles. The
immediate task was set - the capture of Ukraine and Baku. Hungary,
Romania and Bulgaria are now preparing for this.
thirteen
Yeshchenko (1 division)
15.3.41
In 3 months
Lawyer Sakar said that the Germans allegedly have completely changed
their plan and are going to attack the USSR. We, the Germans say,
will take grain, coal and oil from the USSR. The main headquarters
of the Romanian army, together with the Germans, is developing a
plan for a war against the USSR.
14
Savva, mil.attache
22.3.41
According to officials of the Ministry of Trade, on March 20 the
Germans issued a secret order to suspend the fulfillment of orders
for the USSR by the industry of the Protectorate. The attache of
the Yugoslav trade agency Tserovych showed the stamps of the
Ukrainian People's Republic.
15
Yeshchenko (1 det.)
24.3.41
May 1941
ABC data: when Antonescu met with Goering, they discussed the
role of Romania in the upcoming war with the USSR. Rumors about
the inevitability of war are widespread in Berlin. It is asserted
here that the Red Army is weak, that an invasion as far as Moscow
and the Urals will not present any difficulties for the Germans.
If there is a war, England will not help the USSR. At present, a
huge amount of weapons is being transferred from France to the
border with the USSR.
sixteen
Savva, mil.attache
24.3.41
April 14, 1941
According to unverified information, the deadline for speaking
out against the USSR is April 15. The termination of our orders in
the Protectorate is confirmed.
17
Bart (1 division)
24.3.41
Here they openly talk about the war with the USSR. The conscripts move towards our border. Recently, people under the age of 50 are conscripted. New troops arrive in Koenigsberg from the West.
18
Tomasz (1 det.)
24.3.41
April 15, 1941
Over the past week and a half, the masters are
brazenly pursuing. Instructions were received to delay the
shipment of equipment on orders from the USSR. By April 15, the
question of the German campaign to the East must be finally
decided.
nineteen
Tomasz (1 det.)
26.3.41
The acceptance of all cargoes to Peremyshl was stopped, with the
exception of equipment, food and fodder. They confirmed from
another source the preparation of the German campaign to the
East.
twenty
Yeshchenko (1 det)
25.3.41.
On March 24, Antonescu had a meeting at which the latter offered
his services to fight against the USSR. German officer Herbert
said: “Reds are dogs. Soon we will have an account with
them. We will take Ukraine away from them.”
21
Yeshchenko (1 det.)
25.3.41
May
ABC: "Hoffmann said that he had a conversation with
Antonescu a few days ago, who said that back in January of this
year he was privy to the German war plan against the
USSR."
22
Yeshchenko (1 det.)
25.3.41
May
The USSR is the behind-the-scenes enemy of Germany.
The USSR is trying with all its might to prolong the war, and
there is a danger that the advance of the German armies to the
southeast will be subjected to a flank attack by the Red
Army.The food crisis is forcing Ukraine to be taken away. The main
reason for the war is the possibility of the USSR joining England.
23
Yeshchenko (1 det.)
26.3.41
After 2-3 months
The Romanian General Staff has accurate information that 80
divisions are being prepared on the territory of East Prussia and
Poland for an offensive against the Ukraine. At the same time, the
Germans will also enter the Balkan countries, where they hope to
raise an uprising against the USSR. The Romanians intend to
participate together with the Germans in the war against the USSR
in order to get Bessarabia.
24
Arnold
27.3.41
May - August 1941
Romanian conveyed to Yugoslavia that Germany would oppose the
USSR, if not in May, then in August 1941.
25
Yuri (Tokyo)
25.3.41
The German offensive against England may fail. In this case,
there is a second plan of attack in the Middle East. Germany will
not reckon with the USSR, since the Red Army has demonstrated its
weakness in Poland and Finland.
26
Maro
27.3.41
The grouping of troops created by the Germans in the Balkans is
directed mainly against Ukraine, which should become the food and
oil base of Germany in the event of a protracted war with
England.
27
Skornyakov
11.3.41
Within 4-6 months
Assessment of the situation by the Chinese mil.attache: “1. An
invasion of England is now presented as a very difficult
undertaking.2. The Red Army does not have sufficient combat capability.3. The Russians do not have any plan for a broad offensive
against Germany, and their opposition will be reduced to holding
back the German offensive.
28
Doj
First half of March 1941
War between Germany and USSR is inevitable
Hitler justifies the plan to seize the Ukraine with the following
motives: The creation of a 50 million Ukrainian state would solve
the problem of feeding Europe. This plan is supported by
Hitler's adherents - the old National Socialists.1. The military does not approve of such a plan, as this will
lead to a bloody war, which will end in no one knows how.2. Some reliability of the existence of such a plan is confirmed
by the support of the Ukrainians in the General Government.
29
Khlopov, vkh. 1651
13.3.41
Statement by mil.attache Sweden: "The danger of a German attack on the USSR
is growing: the transfer of German troops to the border of the
USSR continues. Propaganda against the USSR intensifies in
Germany. Contradictions between Germany and the USSR on the Balkan
question are escalating."
thirty
Likhterov, vkh. 1590
12.2.41
The press officer of the Romanian embassy in Budapest said that
he had spoken to a prominent German officer who said that if
Germany needed oil during the war, she would extract it by force
from the Soviet Union. The war of Germany against the USSR is
inevitable.
31
Mars
4.3.41
A high-ranking Hungarian official heard from German officers that
already this year Germany would oppose the USSR.
32
Yeshchenko
12.3.41
It was planned to transfer the Germans to Bulgaria on February
27-28, 1941, but there was an order from Berlin that part of the
troops that were scheduled for transfer to Bulgaria should be sent
to Moldova. There is a large concentration of Germans in Moldova
and Bukovina. In German circles they say: "We will defend
Romania and Bulgaria from England and the USSR."
33
Yeshchenko
24.3.41
May 1941
During the meeting between Antonescu and Goering in Vienna, the
question of the role of Romania in the upcoming war of Germany
against the USSR was discussed. Goering gave Antonescu a number of
instructions to coordinate the plan for the mobilization of the
Romanian armies with the plans for the mobilization of the German
army, referring to the general plan for the war with the USSR. It
is believed that the war should begin in May 1941.
34
Yeshchenko
26.3.41
There are rumors of an upcoming conflict between Germany and the
USSR. Antonescu, when visiting Berlin on January 1, 1941, was
personally privy to the German war plan against the USSR, and this
was discussed in detail when Antonescu met Goering in
Vienna.
35
Yeshchenko
26.3.41
After 2-3 months
Germany is expected to attack Ukraine in 2-3 months, at the same
time the Baltic countries will act, where the Germans expect an
uprising against the USSR.
36
Alta
25.3.41
Between May 15 and June 15, 1941
To secure his food base and maintain his authority, Hitler would
oppose the USSR. Facts to support this:
120 divisions are concentrated in Poland.
Western airfields in Poland are occupied by bomber
squadrons.
There is an intensive construction of air defense facilities in
the East of Germany. Three army groups are formed:
a) under the command of Field Marshals Bock, Rundstedt and Ritter
von Leeb;
b) the 1st army group "Kenigsberg" is moving in the
direction of Leningrad;
The 2nd Army Group is moving towards Moscow;
The 3rd Army Group "Posen" is moving in the direction
of Kiev.
37
"X"
5.2.41
After the end of the war with England
1. On the border with the USSR there is such a number of German
troops that is more than necessary to protect the border.
2. Immediately after the war with France, Hitler gave the order
to build eastern fortifications.
3. In the eastern cities of Germany, an enhanced installation of
air defense systems is underway ...
38
"X"
27.3.41
In early March, a press conference was convened in Berlin, at
which Hitler forbade writing anything about the USSR. Hitler
declared that not everything was in order with regard to the
friendship treaty with the USSR, and that public opinion should be
prepared regarding a change in Germany's policy towards the
USSR. In the circles of the NSDAP, the opinion prevails that if
Germany does not achieve a decisive victory over England in the
near future, then Germany will oppose the USSR in order to seize
Ukraine. Others believe that Germany should oppose the USSR in
June.
39
"X"
5.4.41
May 15-June 15, 1941
Government adviser Thode from the German Ministry of Economy
declared that the most responsible circles in Berlin were
convinced of the impending war against the USSR. The dates are
called May 15, 1941, but due to the events in the Balkans, the
speech was postponed to June 15, 1941. Berlin circles believe that
the Red Army is easy to defeat, since it has concentrated its main
forces on the central sector of the front. The Germans are going
to drive several wedges into these units in the south and north,
driving them into a hollow, and prepare the second Kutno. The
initial attacks will be made in the south and in the north.
40
"X"
17.4.41
At present, the majority of German representatives of firms,
frightened by persistent rumors about the upcoming war with the
USSR, have left Moscow. Judging by the ongoing preparations (the
concentration of troops in the east, especially in East Prussia),
a war with the USSR is not excluded in the very near future. Up to
100 divisions are concentrated on the borders with the USSR.
41
"X"
29.4.41
Schulenburg was not accepted by Ribbentrop. Only on April 23,
1941, Hitler suddenly summoned him. Timm, a correspondent for
German newspapers, was given the task of urgently reporting about the
quality of the Moscow-Minsk highway. Colonel Krippe stated that the
Germans expect to carry out the entire operation against the USSR
up to the occupation of Moscow, Leningrad, Kiev and Odessa in a
maximum of 4 weeks. The Hitlerites are quite openly preparing
German public opinion for a war against the USSR.
42
"X"
29.4.41
In 6 weeks
Schulenburg was not received by either Hitler or Ribbentrop,
which is analogous to the position of the German ambassador Moltke
in Warsaw, who was summoned to Berlin six weeks before the start
of the German attack on Poland. Hitler's refusal to accept
Schulenburg means that the question of war with the USSR is
finally resolved.
43
"X"
29.4.41.
15 May 1941
The Germans intend to transfer all the rubber from Asia to
Germany before May 15, 1941, or leave it in Asia altogether.
Embassy employees urgently send valuables to Berlin.
44
"X"
7.5.41
June 1941
Göring's adjutant reported that the adventure with the
concentration of German troops in the east had gone over the edge
and threatened with serious consequences for Germany. The High
Command gave the order to complete the preparation of the theater
of war and the concentration of troops in the East by June 2. The
number of troops after concentration: East Prussia - 2 million,
former Poland - 3 million, Romania, Hungary and the Balkans - 2
million. Thus, up to 7 million troops should be concentrated
against the USSR.
45
"X"
7.5.41
June 2, 1941
The war with the USSR has already been decided. Facts: In Warsaw
and other cities there are schools for infirmaries. The German
population from the General Government must be evacuated.
The Baltics, Russians and Ukrainians must be gathered for
military training. The order was given to complete all
preparations by June 2, 1941.
On the coast of the Baltic Sea, the Germans concentrated a large
number of ships intended for landing. It is possible that Hitler,
at the same time as making a move on the land borders, will try to
land troops in the Baltics in order to leave the army defending
the borders in the rear and turn the front from the north.
46
"X"
23.5.41
June 1941
Soldiers in the General Government openly talk about an imminent
war with the USSR. Up to 2 million soldiers are concentrated in
Poland.
47
"X"
29.5.41
Tippelskirch decided to send important classified material to
Berlin.
48
"X"
5.6.41
June 20, 1941
Most of the embassy workers sent their families to Berlin. In the
embassy, the general situation is assessed extremely
pessimistically. They believe that in the next three weeks they
should finally decide the situation that has arisen, that is, if
the war between Germany and the USSR does not begin before June
20, then it will not happen at all.
49
"X"
10.6.41
June 20-June 23, 1941
The days before June 20 or 23, 1941 are, according to Schieber,
decisive. Hitler invited Stalin to come to Germany. The answer
must be given before June 12, 1941.
If Stalin does not come to Berlin, then war is inevitable.
Germany made demands on the USSR: a) additional supplies of 2.5
million tons of grain, b) free transit to Persia and military
occupation of Soviet grain warehouses for 4-5 million tons. The
deadline for accepting proposals is June 23, 1941. I am convinced
that in a few weeks after the start of the war, the most important
parts of the USSR will be occupied by the Germans. Unprecedented
in the history of preparations for this campaign.
50
"X"
10.6.41
Hilger declared that he was aware that German military circles
were afraid that the Red Army might concentrate its main forces
inside the country. Then the Germans would have been able to
occupy most of the country's territory, but they would not
have been able to defeat the Red Army even in the first phase of
the war.
51
"X"
14.6.41.
First half JUNE
In the German embassy in Moscow, anxiety and uncertainty reign.
Information from Berlin indicates that military preparations are
continuing and the ministries are convinced that the war will
begin in the first half of June this year.
52
"X"
19.6.41
June 1941
The embassy is firmly convinced that Germany is facing an attack
on the USSR within the next few days. The deadlines are June 15,
June 20 and June 24. Adviser Shiber stated that he believed the
attack would take place in the coming days, namely June 23 or June
24. There is an order that heavy artillery on June 19 be
transferred from Krakow to the border with the USSR. Tippelskirch
believes that some kind of border conflict on the Soviet-Romanian
border will be the reason for the war. Mobilization has been
announced in Romania and Finland.
53
"X"
19.6.41
June 20, 1941
The embassy is convinced that from June 20 the possibility of the
outbreak of hostilities between Germany and the USSR should be
taken into account every day. The embassy was instructed to
immediately send all children and women. I received an order to
leave Moscow from the German naval attache along with the staff.
Hilger received a conditioned telegram that the war had been
decided. Hilger stated that it was now perfectly clear that war
was inevitable.
54
"X"
20.6.41
June 23, 1941
The departure of the naval attache and the children has been
made. Regular diplomatic couriers were instructed not to leave
Berlin. Representatives of industrial firms in Moscow were
instructed (telegrams) to immediately leave for Berlin.
55
"X"
21.6.41 in the morning
In the next 48 hours
The Embassy received a telegram from the Foreign Office in
Berlin. From 4 o'clock in the morning there is a meeting at
the Tippelskirch. The source is convinced that the war will begin
in the next 48 hours.
56
"X"
21.6.41 19.00
Immediately
The embassy in the morning was instructed to destroy all secret
papers. All employees of the embassy were ordered to pack their
things before the morning of June 22 and hand them over to the
embassy. Living outside the embassy - move to the embassy. It is
believed that the coming night will be a decision. This solution
is war.
* Most likely, the document was prepared on June 28, 1941, when Golikov, together with Timoshenko and Zhukov, was summoned to report to Stalin, where he stayed for 1.5 hours.
Source: "Military intelligence informs. January 1939 - June 1941." International Fund "Democracy", Moscow, 2008. Pp. 701-713
Below I report the results of test firing the AT rifles and AT grenades
against the "Tiger" tanks.
Test firing conducted on 13-14 November this year under the supervision of
invention inspector of the military preparation detachment of the 3rd
Bielorussian front. From a distance of 200-300 meters and at impact angles
of 90 and 45 degrees the following results were achieved:
= Anti-Tank Rifles =
AT rifles from a distance of 200 - 300m can penetrate the caterpillar at 90
and 45 degrees angles. The links and rod joint places are also penetrated.
Both for 90 degrees and for 45 degrees the effectiveness of the AT rifle is
much lower that of 45mm cannon. The holes made by bullets are very small,
the diameter is equal to the AT rifle bullet diameter. To break the
caterpillar, around 4-5 hits must be placed next to each other in the same
link.
Conclusion: it is feasable to use AT rifles to fire at caterpillars.
= Anti Tank Grenades =
AT grenades were thrown at a caterpillar one by one and also tied together
by two. A single grenade, when thrown accurately can tear half of the
caterpillar [link], the tank cannot move in this case. Two grenades tied
together can rip the caterpillar entirely. Also AT grenades were thrown on
the . When a single
grenade explodes it bends the plate. The explosion of two grenades have
broken the plate. Two grenades tied together were thrown from a dugout from
a distance of 10m.
The division commander has ordered: Get the officer staff acquanted with the
reusults of tests.
Deputy Chief of staff of the 10th breakthrough artillery division of the
Supreme Command Reserve Major Ilyin.
Printed 8 copies.
copy 1 to case. copy 2 to the rear. copy 3-8 to the
brigades.
Report off the military prossecutor of the 1st Bielorussian Front
To the military council of the front regarding the fulfilment of the directive [11072] of the Supreme
Command Stavka and Military council of the Front directive about the change
of attitude towards the German population.
2 May 1945
Upon receiving the directive of the Stavka of the Supreme Command and the
directive of the Military Council of the Front, the military military
prosecutor's office has issued a directive requiring the prosecutors of each
army and unit to take under personal control the fulfillment of these very
important instructions and by all means guarantee their fulfillment.
After that the entire operational staff of the military prosecutor's office
of the front has departed to the armies and divisions to carry out this
work. Separately, the forces of the military prosecutor's office of the
front and the rear, a check of numerous military commandant's offices both
in army and in front rear was initialized with the aim to provide a
practical help.
The entire mass legal work of the military prosecutors was switched to the
topics, connected to changing the attitude towards the German population.
Special plans to carry out the msive law activities were developed and
agreed with political agencies.
Overall based on the materials gathered by the military prosecutors, in
several armies orders containing facts of the incorrect treatment of the
German population were issued. The decisions were made to put the guilty
persons under trial.
This approximately is what the organizational work of the military
prosecutors office is about, regarding the fulfillment of the Stavka of the
Supreme command directive and the directive of the Military Council of the
front.
Regarding the attitude of our forces towards the German population,
significant progress was achieved. Facts of meaningless and [unmotivated]
shootings of the Germans, looting and raping have significantly reduced.
However even after the issue of the directive of the Stavka and the Front
council, several such cases still were registered.
While shootings of the Germans almost never happen now and the cases of
robbery are extremely rare, the raping cases still happen. Looting also does
occur in the form of our soldiers walking around the abandoned flats,
gathering various things.
Here are some facts, recorded in the recent days:
On 25th April iin the city Falkenzee technical unit’s deputy commander of
hte 1st battery oof the 334th guards heavy artillery regiment lieutenant
Enchivatov was drunk and visitedd houses and raped women.
Enchivatov was arrested, the case was completed by the investigation and
handed over to the military court.
Soldiers of the outpost of the 157th separate border guard regiment Ivanov
and Manankov, while in the city Fronau, being drunk have entered a German
house. In this house Manankov has raped an ill German woman Lizelet Lure. On
22nd of April she was raped by a group of our soldiers, after that she has
poisoned her year and a half old son, her mother poisoned herself and she
also tried to poson herself, but was rescued. While in poor condition after
the poisoning attempt she was raped by Manankov. Ivanov in the mean time has
raped another woman Kirhenvic. Both Ivanov and Manankov are arrested, the
case investigation is finished and handed over to the military court.
The commander of the mortar company of the 216th rifle regiment of the 76th
rifle division lieutenant Buyanov has willingly declared himself leader of
the patrol of the city Bernau and while being drunk was stopping all the
Germans that passed by, taking away their valuable items. Buyanov was sent
to military court.
Chief of staff of the 278th infantry regiment of the 175th infantry division
colonel Losev has sent his subordinate lieutenant to the basement to select
a woman for him and bring her to him. Lieutenant has fulfilled the
assignment and Losiev has raped that woman. By the order of the army
council, colonell Losiev was relieved of his position and assigned with
lower rank.
On April 22nd at Schenerlind village a gun commander of the 695th artillery
regiment of the 185 rifle division petty officer Dorokhin while drunk has
raped a 15 year old girl threatening her with a gun and in front of her
parents. Dorokhin was arrested and sent to the military court.
On April 25th head of affairs of the operative staff of the 79th rifle corps
lieutenant Kursakov in presence of kids and husband tried to rape an elderly
German. Criminal prosecution has been initiated against Kursakov.
I consider it necessary to emphasize several points:
The unit commanders and military councils are indeed taking serious
measures in order to prevent the disgraceful behaviour of their
subordinates. However some of them are calming themselves with the fact
that good progress was achieved. They are absolutely forgetting that not
all raping, looting, robbing cases are reported to them. Because several
units pass through the same region, some commanders are trying to blame
the crimes of their subordinates onto other units. This is frequently
spotted when talking to the commanders.
Rapings and especially robberies and looting are widely practiced by the
repatriated or those, proceeding to the repatriation points. Especially
Italians, Dutch and even Germans. They all are blaming our soldiers for
their crimes.
There are cases when the Germans are provoking, reporting a raping case
which did not happen. I personally discovered two such cases. The
following fact presents an interest: whn I was in the 3rd strike army on
April 27th, it was reported that the commander of the 85th tank regiment
Chistyakov while drunk was bringing German women with him and raping him.
But when one of the victims started screaming and attracted the attention
of other soldiers who then tried to enter the building, he ordered the
self-propelled gun to turn around and opened fire, killing 4 people and
injuring 6. I ordered the deputy military prosecutor of the Army and a
military investigator to depart there immediately. On April 29th the
prosecutor of the Army reported me with a ciphered message that this fact
was not confirmed.
It is necessary to briefly analyze the causes of not fulfilling the
directives of the Stavka and the Front council:
Not everyone was made acquainted with the directives. In some small
separate units, especially where the staff is on the move, these important
documents were introduced only formally and many don’t know their content.
In units consisting of a considerable number of national soldiers these
documents were not explained properly. The political leaders and military
prosecutors of the front have established that the 301th rifle division,
which has many Latvians and Moldovans, have heard something about the
mentioned directives, but don’t know what exactly is written there.
The comendants for the settlements taken by our force are assigned very
slowly. Patrolling in these settlements is poorly organized with too few
people assigned for that task and too large territory given to them. They
have to just go along the streets without knowing what is going on inside
the houses and on other streets. This way the patrolling has become a
fiction.
Here are facts:
In Ebersdorf, occupied by our forces on April 21st, on 27nd of April there
were no commendants at Heckfield, Karlshorst, Scheneveide, Adlershof, Rudove
and other settlements didn’t have commendants on 28th of April. It is
necessary to consider the work of comendants separately. The military
prosecutors office of the front has checked the implementation of the
directives of the Stavka of the Supreme Command and the directive of the
Front Council within approximately 50 commandant's offices. This check has
discovered some cases that require attention.
Several commendants do not know about the directive of the Stavka and the
Front council (commandant of Petershagen senior lieutenant Paschenko,
commandant of Friedrichshegen senior lieutenant Nevolin, commandant of Erker
major Lebedev and others), others have heard only rumors about these
documents. As mentioned before, I have already pointed out that comendants
are assigned with large delay. It is necessary to add to this that in many
cases the selection of the comendants is not properly organized.
From the 8th army we have received a notice about the commandant of Ransdorf
senior lieutenant Zinovienko, who together with burgomeister has issued an
advertisement for our soldiers which states that: “From this date the
robbing stops”. The staff of the military unit Nr 70594 has issued a
temporary certification to the former ober-lieutenant of the police Max
Kiper with a note: “Based on general Major Makhalitsin’s order the bearer of
this Max Kiper is assigned temporarily as a commandant of the city
Ezechvalde”. Signed by chief of staff lt-col Anisov.
The commandant of one of the districts of Berlin Tempelhof has assigned as a
burgomaster a person that was a deputy burgomaster in German time. These
facts speak enough about the total lack of preparedness of some candidates
to perform such important tasks. And in the economic sense, a number of
commandants do not correspond to their position.
At a meeting in the 8th Guards. army commandant of Kepennik Lieutenant
Colonel Titov claimed that he had a reserve of bread to feed the population
for 3-4 months. By further questioning it was found that in this settlement
having over 100,000 inhabitants had only 35 tons of food reserves.
During my time in the army, I received an assignment by phone from a member
of the Military Council of the Front, Lieutenant General Telegin, to
establish the structure of local government in Berlin and all localities
that include to the city area.
I consider it necessary to address this issue in this report: I have spoken
to many Germans who are well aware of the principles of functioning of the
local authorities. The scheme is as follows: In charge of Berlin there was a
main president of the city. Ober-burgomeister is subordinated to him. Berlin
and settlements which are included in its area are divided into 20
administrative districts. There was a burgomeister in each of these
administrative regions who was subordinated to the Berlin ober-burgomeister.
Each administrative region united 5-6 settlements. The district
burgomaster's office consists of a number of departments, the main of which
are: the food department, which is in charge of the distribution of food,
card system, etc .; the economic department which controls the provision of
the population with clothing, footwear, utilities; the department for
education of youth, which is in charge of schools, issues of education of
youth in the fascist spirit; department for work among women, etc. These
departments are already directly connected with the population.
This local government was closely linked in its work with the police and
carried out its functions through the police.
The scheme of the police institution is as follows:
The head of the Berlin police is the Chief Police President, who is
subordinated to the chief president of Berlin and is in the same position as
the ober-burgomaster. About 350 police stations are subordinated to him
(according to the number of settlements included in the city zone). Every
police station had 40-50 police staff, at the head of which was lieutenant,
captain or senior officer (depending on the importance of one or another
locality).
Considering the functioning scheme of the judiciary, it appears to be the
following: the main court is subordinate to the Ministry of Justice; the
next judicial link is the regional court, acting within a region.
This is followed by the District Court serving several administrative
districts. Thus, in Berlin and its zone there were several district courts.
After examining this issue and speaking with a number of senior executives
armies, I came to the conclusion that the most slender would be the
following structure.
Berlin should be headed by the military commandant of the city. By his
discretion the President of Berlin should be appointed. In 20 city districts
military commandants must be appointed.
The President of Berlin, in agreement with the Commandant of Berlin and in
accordance with the candidates nominated by the District Commandants,
appoints district burgomasters according to the number of districts;
district military commandants appoint burgomasters of settlements.
Just as the burgomaster of Berlin is subordinated to the military commander
of Berlin, so the district burgomasters and burgomasters of settlements must
be subordinated to the district military commandants.
In each locality, a civilian militia of about 10-20 people should be
organized (depending on the size of the populated area). This militia should
be subordinated to the burgomaster and the military commander.
To communicate with the population in each district, an authorized
representative must be appointed from the population and in each house a
person responsible for fulfilling all the requirements for residents of the
house.
These are the considerations related to the organization of power in Berlin
and its zone.
The military prosecutors of the armies and formations, in accordance with
the instructions of the front military prosecutor's office, continue to work
on checking the implementation of the directives of the Supreme Command
Headquarters from April 20 and the Front Military Council from April 22 of
this year, about changing attitudes towards the German population.
On May 5th I will present to the Military Council of the Front another
memorandum on this matter, in which I will give a detailed analysis of all
the facts of incorrect attitudes towards the German population, which will
be recorded for the period from the beginning of the publication of these
documents.
Military Prosecutor of the 1st Belorussian Front
Major General of Justice L. YACHENIN
On this page of the document there is GK Zhukov's own handwritten
resolution: “. I demand from you: to immediately remove from commandant's work all
commandants who do not correspond to their appointment. Keep in mind that
the Germans, by observing the commandants and their work and behavior, judge
our army. Demand that the commandants do not dishonor the "officer corps of
the Red Army." Zhukov 4.5.1945"
Beginning on this year's 5th of August the forces of the 1st Ukrainian front
are in constant fierce battles aimed at holding on and enlargening the
bridgeheads on the Western bank of Vistula river and Vistloka river.
The enemy considers Krakow direction as very important because it covers the
largest German industrial region in Silesia and has gathered considerable
tank and infantry forces, pulled from the reserves of other fronts. In front
of our bridgeheads the adversary has concentrated 8 tank divisions, 4
separate tank battallions, 2 separate brigades of self propelled guns
(alltogether 600-700 tanks and SPGs), 9 infantry divisions, 1 motodivision,
5 separate infantry brigades, 1 artillery division.
Alltogether there are
8 tank divisions that operate against our front (1, 3, 8, 16, 17, 66, 23,
24),
1 motodivision (20th),
14 infantry divisions (253, 342, 241, 72, 88, 371, 213th protective, 96, 7,
544, 545, 208, 68, 114)
5 separate infantry brigades (1, 1133, 1134, 1135, 1136),
1 artillery division (18th),
4 separate tank battallions,
2 separate SPG brigades,
6 separate infantry regiments,
and up to 50 various separate battalions (reserve, sapper, protective,
builder)
Adversary (for the period from 5th to 22nd August) has created a strike
force on the Western bank of Vistula consisting of six tank divisions, one
motodivision, and seven infantry divisions and others. He has launched four
large counter attacks against our forces with objective (as discovered from
prisoner interrogations and captured documents) to eliminate and throw back
our forces to the Eastern bank of Vistula river.
In fierce battles our forces have broken the offensive intentions of the
advarsary to eliminate the bridgeheads on the Western bank of Vistula and
Vistloka and inflicted massive damage to the enemy in manforce, tanks and
materials.
Over 40 thousand German soldiers and officers killed. Knocked out and
destroyed 678 tanks and SPG, 465 artillery systems, 137 APCs, 119 airplanes,
484 mortars 854 machine guns.
Adversary, as the prisoner interrogations show, plans to continue his
offensives with aim to eliminate our bridgeheads; is constantly reinforcing
his troops and reparing vehicles. We get daily reports about reinforcements
heading towards the front by railroads and highways from Krakow and
Chenstohow in form of tanks, artillery and infantry.
To the Supreme Commander Marshal of the Soviet Union comrade Stalin.
Reporting our views about the following combat activities of the forces of
the 1st Belorussian front and about the estimate of the Warsaw operation
plan.
The front can begin the Warsaw operation after the right wing armies reach
the region of river Narev and capture the bridgehead on its Western bank
near Pultusk and Serotsk.
The combat formations of these armies are around 120km away from river
Narev and it will take around 10 days to cover that distance. This way the
right wing of the front should perform an offensive operation with
reaching Narev from 10th to 20.08.1944.
Within this time on the left flank of the front the 69th army, 8th grds
Army, 7th grds Cavalry Corps and 11th Tank Corps must perform a local
operation with objective to enlarge the bridgehead on Vistula river
Western bank and to reach the region of Varka, Strometz, Radom, Vezhbitsa.
To carry out this operation Katukov's 1st Tank Army must be transferred
from 1st Ukrainian Front to 1st Belorussian Front and send it from Opatuw
through Ostrovetz, Senno with the objective to strike in the Northern
direction and reach the front: Zwoleny, Radom; by this supporting the
69th, 8th grds Army, 6th Cav.Corps and 11th Tank Corps in crushing the
enemy in front of them.
Together with this the current delimiting line between the 1st Belorussian
and 1st Ukrainian fronts must be lifted up to the North until the line:
Krasnostav, river Ilzhanka, Opochno, Piotrkuw. This wil tighten the combat
formations of the left flank of the 1st Belorussian front and increase the
striking force of our forces in the Radom direction.
After carrying out these operations and reaching the Narev river by the
front's right flank and left flank reaching Varka, Strometz, Radom,
Veshbitza, the forces will need at least 5 days to relocate the aviation
and for the rear and artillery to catch up as well as to resupply fuel and
oils.
Taking into account the preparation time needed, then the Warsaw operation
may be started on 25.08.1944 using the entire front strength and aiming to
reach Cehanuw, Plonysk, Vyshogrud, Sohachew, Skernewitze, Tomashuw and
taking Warsaw.
In this operation to advance to the North of Vistula three armies shall be
used, 1st tank corps, 1st cav. crops, as for advancing to the North of
Vistula 69th army, 8th grds army, 1st tank army and 2nd tank army, two
cav. corps one tank corps and one army from the right wing shall be used.
1st Polish Army will advance along the Western bank of Vistula river with
the objective to take Warsaw in collaboration with the forces of right
flank of the Front.
Reporting the above, we ask to accept our considerations and time
estimates about carrying out the furhter offensive operations with the
forces of the 1st Belorussian Front.
At 10:00 the enemy has attacked the 3rd grds tank corps with a force of up
to 85 tanks supported by infantry, moving towards Voloshyn. Another attack
from Zelenka to Ossuw with a force of up to 40 tanks has forced our units to
retreat and at 18:00 of 3.08.1944 is fighting along the line of railway near
Voloshyn.
8th grds tank corps is repelling attacks from East and West is fighting on
its previous position.
Decided to: after the infantry reaches Okunew region, to use the 8th grds
tank corps in the overall direction towards Ossuw, Zielenka, Marki to cut
the Warsaw highway near Strugi, Marki.
3rd grds corps shall go counteroffensive towards Radzymin.
Asking to urgently replace the 16th tank corps with infantry and to allow it
to fall back towards Okunew in order to concentrate the army forces as it is
now scattered and difficult to control.
Radzievsky.
[RESOLUTION]
To the commander of th 2nd tank {army}.
If 3rd tank corps is in danger to be thrown away from the main forces, move
it back to the main forces with objective in mind to not let the enemy to
South and South-East directions.
