Jazeker, hier is nog wat info:
on 30 July, a Russian mechanized brigade reached the Gulf of Riga, thus cutting-off Heeresgruppe Nord from Mitte. Immediately, the Oberkommando des Heeres (OKH) made plans to link both Heeresgruppen again. Several Panzer Divisionen were ordered to assemble in Kurland, to attack in the direction of Mitau, 16. Armee. Two Panzer Korps, XXXIX and XXXX were selected to carry out this relief attack, as Operation "Doppelkopf". The 7. Panzer Division takes part with XXXX Panzer Korps as southern shoulder, attacking in the direction of Schaulen. On 15 August, the division attacks towards Kelme, the assembling area for the real attack, which starts the next day. The total operation lasts until 27 August, and is successful: the two Heeresgruppen reunite and the Russians are turned back from the sea. The 7. Panzer could only gain some 10-15 km ground, because of heavy resistance from 5th Guards Tank Army and 2nd Guards Army.
The two German corps then return to the defense. When the Russians are again planning for another attempt to cut of Heeresgruppe Nord, a second attack is planned. This time 7. Panzer is part of the main strike, together with 2 other Panzer Divisionen and elements of another 2. This attack, as part of XXXIX Panzer Korps, under Operation "Cäsar" takes place from 16 - 21 September, and aims successfully, on improving the link with 16. Armee and spoiling the Russian preparations.
Het komt van een uitstekende Nederlandse site over de 7.Panzer-Division, een van mijn favoriete divisies.
En van Wikipedia:
By early August, the Soviets were again ready to attempt to cut off Army Group North from Army Group Centre. A massive Soviet assault sliced through the German lines and Army Group North was completely isolated from its neighbour.
Strachwitz was trapped outside the pocket, and Panzerverband von Strachwitz was reformed, this time from elements of the 101.Panzerbrigade of panzer-ace Oberst Meinrad von Lauchert and the newly formed SS-Panzerbrigade Gross under SS-Sturmbannführer Gross. Inside the trapped pocket, the remaining panzers and StuGs of the Hermann von Salza and the last of Jähde's Tigers were formed into another Kampfgruppe to attack from the inside of the trap.
On 19 August, the assault, which had been dubbed Unternehmen Doppelkopf (Operation Doppelkopf) got underway. It was preceded by a bombardment by the Cruiser Prinz Eugen's 380mm guns, which destroyed forty-eight T-34s assembling in the square at Tukkum. Strachwitz and the Nordland remnants meet on the 21st, and contact was restored between the army groups.
The 101.Panzerbrigade was now assigned to Armee-Abt Narwa, bolstering the defenders armour strength.
Disaster had been averted, but the warning was clear. Army Group North was extremely vulnerable to being cut off
Dat van Operatie Dopppelkopf heb ik zelf zojuist ge-edit in het artikel.
Dus als Martijn dit bij de codenamen zou kunnen zetten, is het helemaal goed:
Doppelkopf: Duitse operatie uitgevoerd door XXXIX en XXXX Panzer-Korps om het contact te herstellen tussen Legergroepen Noord en Midden nadat deze waren afgesneden in Letland. De operatie was succesvol en duurde van 16 augustus tot 27 augustus 1944.
Cäsar: Tweede Duitse operatie door XXXIX Panzer-Korps om Legergroepen Noord en Midden opnieuw te herenigen in de Baltische staten. De operatie duurde van 16 september tot 21 september 1944.
Alsjeblieft Gerd (en Martijn)
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