91st Infantry Regiment at Ivanovka

[Bennett]

Can anyone give me information or sources concerning the action near Ivanovka, south of Stalingrad on/about November 20/21, 1942 of the 91st Regt/ the 20th Division? and where the survivors were posted within the Kessel? Thanks Ralph

[Victor]

Reportedly around 50 men escaped from Ivanovka into the Stalingrad pocket.

[Bennett]

Thanks I have read that data before. Do you know of a source for that report? Ralph

[Victor]

Article by Al. Dutu, F. Dobre, M.Stefan - "Cazul general Tataranu" in December 1997 issue of Magazin Istoric.

They state that 2-3 officers and around 40 soldiers escaped from Ivanovka.

[dragos]

On 20 November 1942, 20th Infantry Division was defending a 19 km front. The 91st Infantry Regiment together with the 20th Pioneers Battalion and the 20th Light Battalion held their positions even after being overrun by the attacking forces. They were subsequently relieved by the counterattack of the German 29th Motorized Infantry Division. In December 1942, 20th Division was subordinated to the German IV Corps and was engaged in Agodni region. The 91st Regiment had 50% casualties at that date.

Teodor Breharu, 2nd lieutenant, company commander in 91st Regiment:
"The Division had all regiments in the first line, west and south-west of Ivanovka, having from north to south: 82nd Infantry Regiment, 83rd Infantry Regiment and 91st Infantry Regiment. The 1st Battalion of the regiment was on the right flank, having on its right the 3rd Company which I commanded. In the right of the company there was the pioneers company.
In the morning of 20 November 1942, a strong artillery preparation along the entire front line, after which 10-12 tanks appeared in front of the company, supported by infantry. Emboldening my men, we opened fire with all categories of armament. With our 37mm Bofors anti-tank guns we immobilized 3 tanks, who, having spotted our guns' emplacement, destroyed them with direct fire. The other tanks passed through the lines of 1st Platoon, causing heavy casualties to it, and headed to the interior of our lines. We held the ground all day long, but during night we had to fall back.
To our surprise, right before dusk, the enemy tanks that broke through the 2nd Infantry Division (in our right) appeared from behind. After having destroyed the guns from the artillery emplacements, the enemy tanks headed towards us. We were forced to retreat, but we were captured by the Soviet tank crews."

Tiberiu Talmaciu, 2nd lieutenant in 1st Battery, 39th Artillery Regiment (20th Infantry Division):
"I was with my battery behind the 1st Battalion, 91st Infantry Regiment, with anti-tank mission. For my 75 mm anti-tank guns I had AP ammunition, able to defeat enemy tanks.
After passing through the battalion in front of my battery, the enemy tanks received our fire. Two tanks were immobilized, with their tracks broken, while the others passed through the left and the right of the battery. All of a sudden, the commander of the 4th gun warned me of an enemy tank coming from the rear. I ordered him to turn the gun, but the tank was faster and hit the barrel of the gun, then crushed it. Then the 1st gun hit it in the engine with an AP shell and the tank started to burn. A lieutenant bailed out, and we disarmed it and took him prisoner. The night was falling. In our right enemy soldiers and trucks kept flowing through. Meantime, by chance, we were able to capture 16 Soviet soldiers. With their help, we moved our three guns 500 meters towards north, then we set them free, including the lieutenant.
After that, the battery continued to fight as part of a German battalion."

[Bennett]

Thanks again for your information. On one of my Stalingrad trips we did locate the remains of one of the enlisted soldiers of the 91st Infantry Regiment who survived the action near Ivanovka. He was discovered along with another soldier of the 82nd Romanian Regiment buried near Pitomnik Airfield in winter clothing & with German style ID tags..
The soldier of the 82nd Regiment has not been identified but the Romanian Ministry of Defence was able to identify the 91st Regiment soldier as 'Bogdan Vasile', from Sasciori, Arad. He finished 7 years of school and then became a simple farmer. His surviving two brothers and two sisters were notified of his fate and I sent them a photo of their unmarked graves site at the Russian Reconciliation Cemetery. They never knew of his fate for over 60 years.

[mabadesc]

Bennett,

That was indeed a very kind gesture on your behalf.
As someone who has also had the misfortune of having family members listed as disappeared during the war, I am sure the family of Bogdan Vasile is relieved to finally close the chapter on this unfortunate event. I am also sure they are very grateful for your help.

Thanks again.