Obergefreiter Herbert Wiessner - 94. Infanterie-Division
Operation Fall Blau commenced on June 28, 1942 with the ultimate goal of eliminating Soviet resistance in the south and conquering the oil fields of the Caucasus region. The city of Stalingrad was a main objective of Army Group B, but only as a pivot point; a place to establish a position on the River Volga and to push directly south in support of Army Group A. The Wehrmacht reached the Volga on August 23rd and it was a forgone conclusion the city would fall in the shortest of time.
The first attack on the city began on September 14, 1942, primarily by way of a two pronged attack on opposite sides of the Tsaritsa, the ancient river gorge that split the city. The two divisions driving into the city immediately to the south of the Tsaritsa were 24. Panzer-Division and 94. Infanterie-Division. It was 94. Infanterie-Division, originally formed in 1939 and a veteran of French Campaign, that saw particularly heavy fighting in its drive to the Volga. As it pushed through the city, it came upon the Grain Elevator, a massive structure of steel-reinforced concrete that dominated the area skyline. The division gained control of the elevator but was soon pushed out by a relatively small contingent of Soviet troops who overran it by attacking its flank and rear. As the Soviets took control, they fortified the entire structure, in particular the upper floor. The Grain Elevator was made into an impromptu fortress that would be the scene of vicious fighting over the next week.
On the morning of September 16th, the division began its effort to regain the elevator and was led, primarily by, II. Batallion, 267. Infanterie-Regiment. They faced a relentless group of Soviet defenders that included regular as well as naval infantry. This group, numbering less than 100 men, inflicted terrible losses on the attacking Germans – a force of more than a battalion of men supported by armor. Soviet resistance was so intense it was seen as practically barbaric by the attacking Germans. Losses amongst the German companies were almost catastrophic. For days, the Germans brought in reinforcements that included tanks, flamethrowers and 88mm flak guns, but the Soviets defended tenaciously. Only by September 21, with help from units of 29. Infanterie-Division (mot.), and deteriorating conditions among the Soviets in the elevator itself, did battle come to a head. The elevator was surrounded and all defenders, with the exception of a small group who escaped, were killed or captured by nightfall. On September 22nd, the elevator was secure and back in German hands.
Among the troops who participated in this vicious fighting was Obergefreiter Herbert Wiessner of 8. Kompanie, Infanterie-Regiment 267. A veteran of the previous winter’s campaign in the southern Ukraine, Wiessner won the Infantry Assault Badge in Silver in March 1942. During the fighting in Stalingrad, he continued to serve with 8. Kompanie and was a participant and witness to the savage fighting for the Grain Elevator. He was awarded the Iron Cross Second Class on September 21, 1942, an award he likely received days after the fighting for the elevator had ended. His award document was signed by Generalleutnant Georg Pfeiffer, commander of 94. Infanterie-Division since 1940. He was among the few generals flown out of the Stalingrad pocket before its ultimate collapse and went on to form the new 94. Infanterie-Division after its official destruction as of February 1943. Wiessner, however, was not so lucky. He is listed as killed/missing in Stalingrad as of January 1943 by German authorities.
The first attack on the city began on September 14, 1942, primarily by way of a two pronged attack on opposite sides of the Tsaritsa, the ancient river gorge that split the city. The two divisions driving into the city immediately to the south of the Tsaritsa were 24. Panzer-Division and 94. Infanterie-Division. It was 94. Infanterie-Division, originally formed in 1939 and a veteran of French Campaign, that saw particularly heavy fighting in its drive to the Volga. As it pushed through the city, it came upon the Grain Elevator, a massive structure of steel-reinforced concrete that dominated the area skyline. The division gained control of the elevator but was soon pushed out by a relatively small contingent of Soviet troops who overran it by attacking its flank and rear. As the Soviets took control, they fortified the entire structure, in particular the upper floor. The Grain Elevator was made into an impromptu fortress that would be the scene of vicious fighting over the next week.
On the morning of September 16th, the division began its effort to regain the elevator and was led, primarily by, II. Batallion, 267. Infanterie-Regiment. They faced a relentless group of Soviet defenders that included regular as well as naval infantry. This group, numbering less than 100 men, inflicted terrible losses on the attacking Germans – a force of more than a battalion of men supported by armor. Soviet resistance was so intense it was seen as practically barbaric by the attacking Germans. Losses amongst the German companies were almost catastrophic. For days, the Germans brought in reinforcements that included tanks, flamethrowers and 88mm flak guns, but the Soviets defended tenaciously. Only by September 21, with help from units of 29. Infanterie-Division (mot.), and deteriorating conditions among the Soviets in the elevator itself, did battle come to a head. The elevator was surrounded and all defenders, with the exception of a small group who escaped, were killed or captured by nightfall. On September 22nd, the elevator was secure and back in German hands.
Among the troops who participated in this vicious fighting was Obergefreiter Herbert Wiessner of 8. Kompanie, Infanterie-Regiment 267. A veteran of the previous winter’s campaign in the southern Ukraine, Wiessner won the Infantry Assault Badge in Silver in March 1942. During the fighting in Stalingrad, he continued to serve with 8. Kompanie and was a participant and witness to the savage fighting for the Grain Elevator. He was awarded the Iron Cross Second Class on September 21, 1942, an award he likely received days after the fighting for the elevator had ended. His award document was signed by Generalleutnant Georg Pfeiffer, commander of 94. Infanterie-Division since 1940. He was among the few generals flown out of the Stalingrad pocket before its ultimate collapse and went on to form the new 94. Infanterie-Division after its official destruction as of February 1943. Wiessner, however, was not so lucky. He is listed as killed/missing in Stalingrad as of January 1943 by German authorities.
The Grain Elevator as seen in 1943 following the surrender of German troops entrapped in the area.
Sources:
MacLean, French L. Stalingrad, The Death of the German Sixth Army on the Volga, 1942-1943 Atglen: Schiffer Publishing Ltd 2013
Mark, Jason D. Angriff, The German Attack on Stalingrad in Photos Sydney: Leaping Horseman Books 2008
Mitcham Jr., Samuel W. German Order of Battle, Volume One, 1st-290th Infantry Divisions in World War II, Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 2007
Walsh, Stephen Stalingrad 1942-1943, The Infernal Cauldron New York: Thomas Dunne Books, St. Martins Press 2000
Lexicon der Wehrmacht http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/inhaltsverzeichnis1.htm
MacLean, French L. Stalingrad, The Death of the German Sixth Army on the Volga, 1942-1943 Atglen: Schiffer Publishing Ltd 2013
Mark, Jason D. Angriff, The German Attack on Stalingrad in Photos Sydney: Leaping Horseman Books 2008
Mitcham Jr., Samuel W. German Order of Battle, Volume One, 1st-290th Infantry Divisions in World War II, Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books, 2007
Walsh, Stephen Stalingrad 1942-1943, The Infernal Cauldron New York: Thomas Dunne Books, St. Martins Press 2000
Lexicon der Wehrmacht http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/inhaltsverzeichnis1.htm