Oberleutnant Paul Broschk - 44. Infanterie-Division
As the fighting raged in the Stalingrad throughout September and October, there were significant engagements to the northwest of the city as 6. Armee fought to protect its left flank from Soviet pressure. Among the units fighting in the area during the fall was 44. Infanterie-Division of XI. Armeekorps. Originally formed in Vienna in 1938, the division comprised three main regiments, including Infanterie-Regiment 134 which was a direct descendant of the original Hapsburg Hoch-und Deutchmeister Regiment of 1696. From as far back as the Eighteenth Century, the Regiment was a substantial part of Viennese culture. Its membership was desired for the sake of improving one's stature Austrian society. The regiment fought with distinction through many of the European wars; it fought during the Austro-Hungarian wars against the Turks during the 1700s and later fought during the Napoleonic wars of Liberation. By World War I, the regiment was heavily engaged on the Eastern Front and ultimately suffered significant losses as a result of a major Russian offensive in July 1915. The regiment was rebuilt and transferred to the Italian front where it served for the remainder of the war. Following World War I, however, it lost much of its stature with the demise of the Hapsburgs.
With the incorporation of Austria into the Reich, 44. Infanterie-Division was formed as part of a reorganization of the Austrian military. The division’s first role with the new Wehrmacht was to participate in the march on Czechoslovakia in October 1939. It fought in the Polish campaign and with Army Group B in France before serving with Army Group South in the summer of 1941 in the Soviet Union. As part of the summer offensive of 1942 and the push to Stalingrad, 44. Infanterie-Division fought on the northern flank of 6. Armee. By September, the division was heavily engaged with the Soviet 65th Army, first in the area of the River Chir and later along the River Don northwest of the city. During this fighting, on October 4, 1942, Oberleutnant Paul Broschk, was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class as a commanding officer within II. Batallion, Infanterie-Regiment 134.
During the Soviet counteroffensive of November 19, 1942, 44. Infanterie-Division retreated to a temporary position in the Kalach area in order to hold back Red Army attacks. As Soviet pressure grew and the Germans were ultimately surrounded, the division was ordered to retreat closer to the city where it was to combat and contain Soviet penetrations from the west. As casualty and supply issues grew, the division suffered heavily as it now occupied unprepared positions on the frozen Russian steppe outside the city. On December 2, the first major attack on the surrounded Kessel took place. XI. Armeekorps suffered heavy losses with heaviest casualties among the units of the 44. Infanterie-Division. Among the casualties was Oberleutnant Broschk, wounded on the 2nd and flowed out shortly after.
With the incorporation of Austria into the Reich, 44. Infanterie-Division was formed as part of a reorganization of the Austrian military. The division’s first role with the new Wehrmacht was to participate in the march on Czechoslovakia in October 1939. It fought in the Polish campaign and with Army Group B in France before serving with Army Group South in the summer of 1941 in the Soviet Union. As part of the summer offensive of 1942 and the push to Stalingrad, 44. Infanterie-Division fought on the northern flank of 6. Armee. By September, the division was heavily engaged with the Soviet 65th Army, first in the area of the River Chir and later along the River Don northwest of the city. During this fighting, on October 4, 1942, Oberleutnant Paul Broschk, was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class as a commanding officer within II. Batallion, Infanterie-Regiment 134.
During the Soviet counteroffensive of November 19, 1942, 44. Infanterie-Division retreated to a temporary position in the Kalach area in order to hold back Red Army attacks. As Soviet pressure grew and the Germans were ultimately surrounded, the division was ordered to retreat closer to the city where it was to combat and contain Soviet penetrations from the west. As casualty and supply issues grew, the division suffered heavily as it now occupied unprepared positions on the frozen Russian steppe outside the city. On December 2, the first major attack on the surrounded Kessel took place. XI. Armeekorps suffered heavy losses with heaviest casualties among the units of the 44. Infanterie-Division. Among the casualties was Oberleutnant Broschk, wounded on the 2nd and flowed out shortly after.
The positions of 44. Infanterie-Division on December 2, 1942, the day Broschk was wounded, are shown above. they are west of the city and in the open plains, between 376. Infanterie-Division and 76. Infanterie Division.
Throughout the next two months, the Germans in and around Stalingrad suffered continuously from Soviet pressure, dwindling supplies and the effects of winter. The Kessel collapsed at the end of January and was officially overrun by February 2, 1943. 44. Infanterie-Division, along with various other divisions, independent and headquarters units, was completely destroyed. Broschk’s wound of early December ultimately saved his life.
Following the catastrophe in Stalingrad the division was reformed in February 1943. In June, the newly formed Grenadier-Regiment 134 was added and the division became known as (44.) Reichsgrenadier-Division Hoch- und Deutschmeister. It was among the first of the destroyed divisions from Stalingrad to be reinstated and it was this unit that authorized the commemorative “Stalingrad” cross to be worn on the epaulettes of certain members of the division. Broschk was promoted to Hauptmann and was awarded the Black Wound Badge on July 22, 1943 by a Reserve Hospital in Vienna.
Following the catastrophe in Stalingrad the division was reformed in February 1943. In June, the newly formed Grenadier-Regiment 134 was added and the division became known as (44.) Reichsgrenadier-Division Hoch- und Deutschmeister. It was among the first of the destroyed divisions from Stalingrad to be reinstated and it was this unit that authorized the commemorative “Stalingrad” cross to be worn on the epaulettes of certain members of the division. Broschk was promoted to Hauptmann and was awarded the Black Wound Badge on July 22, 1943 by a Reserve Hospital in Vienna.
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Broschk's Iron Cross Second Class and Wound Badge in Back award documents - note that the Black Wound Badge citation lists the incorrect regimental number. It was not uncommon for hospital personnel to get unit data wrong on award documents during the war.
Sources:
MacLean, French L. Stalingrad, The Death of the German Sixth Army on the Volga, 1942-1943 Atglen: Schiffer Publishing Ltd 2013
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
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