History 05/03/20 “the Gypsy Baron” what was the end of major German operation against partisans
From the beginning of the great Patriotic war in the occupied territories unfolded a large-scale guerrilla movement. The German command had to carry out against the people’s Avengers entire military operation. One of them was called “the Gypsy Baron”.
Before the battle of Kursk
the Situation for the Wehrmacht on the Eastern front deteriorated after the crushing defeat at Stalingrad. The German army suffered huge losses, to compensate which were urgently recruited in the Reich reservists.
the First half of 1943 was marked by a surge in guerrilla activity in the occupied territories. She brought considerable inconvenience to the Wehrmacht, restricting its power in the rear. Only at the turn of 1942-1943, the Germans conducted a number of operations against the people’s Avengers: “Triangle”, “birdsong” and others.
However the largest of them, the leadership of the Wehrmacht in anticipation of the summer offensive was planned to take place in Western regions of Russia and adjacent territories of Belarus and Ukraine. Guerrillas there were secured by the deaf in Bryansk forest. The operation was called “the Gypsy Baron”. Why such a name? The Germans considered the partisans hardened bandits that are firmly associated them with Gypsies.
the forces of the parties
the Wehrmacht concentrated in the area of operations for several infantry divisions and a few tank units of the Hungarian allies, artillery battalions, auxiliary police and special forces group. In addition, it was decided to use in fights collaborationist formations – four regiments of the Russian liberation people’s army (RONA) of the Chapter “Lokotskogo Republic” Bronislaw Kaminski. Only the Germans concentrated more than 50 thousand people. From the air the group was supported by the aircraft.
forces of guerrillas were much more modest. Under the command of WTaba United partisan brigades of Colonel Dmitry Emlyutina had 12 brigades totaling about 10 thousand people. However, in favor of folk played a fair knowledge of the area. They parlayed this advantage, preparing ambushes and maneuvering through the woods at the rear of the enemy.
the Germans expected to strike near the village of Suzemka through the woods, cut forces the guerrillas into several parts, to push them to the river Desna, and to destroy. On the forest outskirts of the Wehrmacht command preset defensive squads that have been shot running from the forest partisans.
a Bleak beginning
the operation Began “the Gypsy Baron” may 16. After a few days of hard fighting the Germans and their supporting collaborators Kaminsky deeply penetrated into the guerrillas. In the entourage were several brigades numbering between 500 to 700 people. The next day, took stretch of railway from the village of St. Michael to the city, the enemy had the opportunity to transfer to the area of fighting motorized brigade.
the position of the Soviet soldiers was critical, however, for the next 10 days, they managed to repel the attacks of the Germans, who, in addition to artillery, actively used aircraft. Do not shun the Wehrmacht and psychological methods of influence and propaganda, trying to persuade the guerrillas to surrender or escape. With this aim, the German planes dropped on their position about a million leaflets relevant content.
By may 29, the guerrillas almost spent supply of food and weapons. But the command was able to organize the delivery of 14 tons of flour, 13 thousand cans and other products, as well as grenades, bullets and mines.
Critical time for the partisan defense came may 31, when the Wehrmacht and the allies captured the airfield at Smelih, keeping thus our fighters, as planned, to the Gum. As a result, the area defended by the partisans of the district decreased to six square kilometers.
out of control
this time in Moscow took the decision to change the defense team. Instead Emlyutina it took Colonel Anatoly Gorshkov. He was able to take extra supplies of food, weapons and drugs fighting group. It was decided to get out of the boiler.
Attack the guerrillas began the night of 2 June, the farm Pioneer. The cost of enormous losses the remnants of the divisions was able to emerge from the boiler and spread out. Despite the difficult conditions, communication between the groups has not been lost, their actions are clearly coordinated. After that, the intensity of the fighting declined sharply, and since 6 June operation “the Gypsy Baron” was completed.
a New hope
the German high command reported about the victory. Figures of losses of the partisans: nearly 1,600 killed, more than 1500 taken prisoner, a huge number of seemingly deserted. Overall, about half of the personnel.
Indeed, the loss of the guerrillas was high. However, the Wehrmacht still couldn’t achieve the main goal – the complete destruction of their troops. Though with heavy losses, our soldiers were able to keep the core units. Based on them will soon be formed a new part.
the Germans after “Taganskogo Baron” was not up to the guerrillas. Soon the Wehrmacht suffered a crushing defeat in the battle of Kursk, the German army began to retreat to the West. The guerrillas also received more opportunities for new operations.
Ivan Proshkin
Source:
© Russian Seven
Recommended statesalaska… Share: Comments Comments to the article “”the Gypsy Baron” what was the end of major German operation against partisans” Please log in to leave a comment! br>
Share on Tumblr
