Anti-partisan actions on Eastern Front

[dragos]

Here are some anti-partisan actions undertaken by Romanian mountain troops in Crimeea during 1943-1944:

During 29 December 1943 - 4 January 1944, the Romanian Mountain Corps executed an ample operation of liquidation of the partisans in central Yaila Mountains, 20 km east of Simferopol. Three tactical groups were created:

1st Tactical Group (Colonel Balan): 8th, 10th and 16th Mountain Battalions from the 2nd Mountain Division, one battalion from the 3rd Mountain Division, one communications detachment, one pioneers platoon from the 2nd Mountain Division, 2nd Mounted Company, three artillery batteries from the 2nd Mountain, four 120-mm mortars, one anti-tank battery, one military police platoon from the 2nd Mountain, and one battery from the 3rd Mountain Division.

2nd Tactical Group (Colonel Mavrichi): 2nd Mountain Battalion from the 1st Mountain Division, one German battalion, 2 120-mm mortars from the 1st Mountain, four German 20-mm motorized guns, one communications detachment from the 2nd Mountain, and one pioneers platoon from the 1st Mountain Division.

3rd Tactical Group (Lt.-Col. Borislavski): two battalions from the 3rd Mountain Division, one artillery battalion (less one company), one pioneers platoon from the 3rd Mountain, and one communication detachment from sub-units of 3rd Mountain Division and Mountain Corps.

In reserve (Major Gherman): 58th Military Police Company, one alarm company from the 1st Mountain, one alarm company from the 8th Communications Battalion, one anti-tank platoon from the Military Police Company and 103rd AA Battery.

The 1st and 2nd groups were subordinated to the 2nd Mountain Division, General Ion Dumitrache.

The operation started on 29 December 1943, 5 AM. Heavy fights took place at Hills 1004 (east Angara), 1279 (Bg. Tirke), 909.3, 884 (south Bg. Kalan Bayr). On 1st January 1944, the tactical groups were reorganized as following: 1st Tactical Group subordinated to General Ion Dumitrache, 2nd and 3rd subrodinated to General Leonard Mociulski (3rd Mountain Division). On 4th January, the group of partisans was surrounded and liquidated. In the 7 days of fighting, the Soviet partisans suffered the following losses: 1,147 killed and wounded, 2,559 prisoners. The Romanian losses were: 43 killed and 189 wounded.

[johnny_bi]

Any excesses recorded (villages burned, etc)?

[Victor]

See here: http://www.worldwar2.ro/operatii/?article=14

The partisan camps in the mountains were all burned down.

[D13-th_Mytzu]

Uhmm.. I don't think buirning down a partisan hideout can be considered an excess - they are a paramilitary organization and burning down their camp is a justified action in my opinion.