After the invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union,part
of the border between the two invaders ran through the middle of the
ancient Polish city of Przemysl along the San river.
The first day of Barbarossa in Przemysl (today - the Polish city of
Przemysl) and the first dead Germans on Soviet soil (the soldiers of
the 101st Division).
end. The assault proceeded seemingly well but before the pioneers
machine guns and rifles. Especially accurate was the sharpshooters
fire. The pioneers took cover as best they could on the bridge and the
firsts cries calling for help could be heard. The hostile fire
increased and the assault Platoon was checked in its tracks.
The bridge's destruction was expected at anytime, but it still lay
there. One wounded Gefreiter went back and said that the mission was
accomplished and that the Platoon Commander fell, among the firsts,
due to headshot. He neutralised the explosive devices shortly before
his arm was hit; this explained why the bridge remained intact. But
yet the Pi Platoon could still be wiped out so the Divisional
Commander, who was observing the assault from the Heavy Artillery
JR 228 was to ford the San and establish one bridgehead between the
road bridge (destroyed) and the railway bridge (intact), once Pi
company was attached to the battalion.
(see accompanying photos)
.....Gefechte im Russland by Hans Kissel
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