![]() The east flank of the beleaguered Soviet 15th Rifle Division in the Arkhangelskoye area, for example, was hit by a battalion of tanks supported by infantry of the 292nd infantry Division. The Ferdinands were in the first line, followed by medium tanks (Pz III and Pz IV) in the second line, and light tanks (Pz II), assault guns (StuG III), and dismounted infantry behind them. With the remaining four B IVs the remaining Radio-Controlled Panzer platoon was only able to clear one lane through the Russian minefield for the 654th Heavy Panzerjäger Battalion (Ferdinand) to pass through.Īfter passing the breaches in the minefields, the Germans attacked in Panzerkeil (wedge) formation. In addition artillery fire struck and detonated one B IV in the assembly area and set two more ablaze. The 313th Radio-Controlled Panzer Company lost four B IV when one of the company’s platoons crossed an unknown friendly minefield when approaching the front line. ![]() The attack of XLI Corps east of the railway was even less successful in crossing the minefields. So despite there being cleared lanes the 653rd Heavy Panzerjäger Battalion lost 37 of its 49 Ferdinands before it reached its objective at 1700 hours, most of the losses being due to mines. The attack stalled at that point because overwhelming artillery fire prevented the pioneers from moving forward through the cleared lanes The numerous artillery explosions on the battlefield also made it impossible for the 653rd Heavy Panzerjger Battalion (Ferdinand) to recognize the cleared lanes as even the B IV tracks were not visible in the thick sod. The attack of XLI Corps west of the railway started when the 314th Radio-Controlled Panzer Company used 12 B IV radio-controlled tanks to breach the first line of Soviet mines. Model had anticipated and led to heavy losses, particularly in infantrymen and tanks. Breaching the Soviet minefields and penetrating the First Defence Belt were considerably more difficult than the Gen. ![]() ![]() The offensive started poorly for the 9th German Army. ![]()
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