Forschstadt Bridgehead, Romanian involvement

Hi all,

I'd like to request some data on a grouping that so far I've not been able to track down.

During January - February 1943, the Romanian II. Corps was reinserted into the frontline of the Armee-Abteilung Hollidt at the Forschstadt (Belaja Kalitva) bridgehead. I am looking for the composition of the units of this corps (so far I've been only able to track down an unknown "Aurel Moldoveanu Detachment") as well as any info regarding the battles of this grouping, its commander and its fate.

Any scraps of data would be most welcomed.

Thanks in advance,
Best wishes,

Abel

Hi Abel. Sorry for the late reply.

On 6 January 1943, the 2nd Corps was installed on the Donetsk between Kamensk and the Don. The front was divided between two German Kampfgruppe: Lehman in the north and Ruswurm in the south. The only Romanian elements were the Col. Moldoveanu Detachment and the 41st Motorized Heavy Artillery Battalion. The detachment was made up of remains from the 5th, 6th, 13th and 15th Infantry Divisions and lacked artillery.

On 5 Ferbuary the Romanian corps and remaining troops were ordered to retreat to Rosovska. At the begining of April it arrived in Romania.

Hi Victor,

thanks for the response.

Do You have any info on the composition of the German Kampfgruppen (Lehmann and Russwurm)? Russwurm should be connected with the 403. Sich Div but no clue on Lehmann yet.

Do you have any info on the strength of the Moldoveanu detachment? Was it made up of all survivors of the mentioned divisions, or just elements of them? Who was Colonel Aurel Moldoveanu?

And last but not least: what is the correct Romanian translation for a "detachment" (f.e. Korne Detachment)?

Thanks,
Best,

Abel

Generalleutnant Wilhelm Russwurm was the Commanding Officer of the 403rd Security Division (between 15/05/42-10/04/43).

Could "Lehmann" be the SS-Standartenführer Rudolf Lehmann?
Here's what I found on him:

Finally, the Rumanian for detachment is detaşament.

Dénes

This post has been edited by Dénes on April 17, 2005 02:38 am

Or in this specific case it's Detaşamentul Colonel Moldoveanu.

Hi Dénes & Victor,

I'm sceptical about Rudolf Lehmann being the Lehmann involved - LSSAH didn't arrive to this theatre of ops until the very end of January, and it wasn't deployed in this area. But I haven't got a reasonable alternative to offer.

Thanks for clearing up the Detaşamentul issue.

Best,

Abel

I also doubt the Lehman Kampfgruppe was Waffen SS. Manstein mentions four infantry divisions and two panzer divisions in the Hollidt Group. I think that you would have more luck identifying it on AHF.