CMBB v CMAK

[Nikita]

The only facts I know are actions of brigade recce (2 tank groups with up to a company of infantry) and, possibly, 1btn, which arrived first. Maybe during those initial engagements Germans saw "all-T-34" units, but definitely not of brigade strength. As far as I know, the 4th TBR has arrived completely during night of 6th and full scale engagement was on October 6, 1941, when 4TBR lost 6 tanks exchanged for reported 43 German tanks. The very first contact by Katukov's troops (he was not alone, you will see later) was on 5th, when one of German columns drove in front of one of the Russian forward recce detachments (mixed force, tanks and infantry) and fell victim to fire ambush at close range. Russians reported 10 tanks, 2 guns together with trucks (towed) and 5 trucks with infantry shot up. I can buy argument, that this specific detachment was all-T-34.

During 6th, Katukov claimed positioning his tanks in ambushes on the flanks, with infantry and artillery acting as a roadblock. Germans tried to scout, but rather unsuccesfully, because only infantry position received artillery and air bombardment. When Germans attacked (I am not sure, which units and in what numbers were attacking) the roadblock infantry, it met Germans with arty and small arms fire, knocked out several german tanks, while Soviet tanks were using scoot and shoot tactics and short local counterattacks on German flanks and repelled attacks. I think it was engagement with the German forward detachment. It should be noted, that Katukov was not commanding only his unit. 34th NKVD regiment (comprised of individually well-trained border guard) with its ATGs and regimental guns (batteries of 45mm and 76.2mm) was attached to him and participated in the engagement as infantry. Katukov was also supported by Katiysha's, firing at least one salvo.

Germans were not active on 7-8in front of Katukov, trying to look for weaker spots and took Mtzesk on 10th by outflanking maneuvre). Katukov's brigade was in rather difficult situation and in danger to being cut-off on the 9th and the only remaining bridge saved the day, allowing brigade to retreat.

Germans were not fighting Katukov alone, but entire corp of Leliysheko. langemann was facing units from 4th TBR., 11TBR, 34th NKVD regiment, battalion of kursants, and about 2 airborne brigades acting as infantry. 11th TBR was acting NW from positions of Katukov on the highway and may have been noted by Germans as part of the same force.

This is all I know about this engagement from Russian side. As you see, it was a competent combined arms effort. BTW, I saw reports on shortages of AP ammo under Mtzensk.

Both Katukov in his memoirs and figures from archives confirm the total number of tanks in his brigade. Katukov in his memoirs stated, that one of battalions was fully equipped with BTs. This is also in line with overall stats on the composition of other brigades. Only in very best cases new tanks formed only about a half of total tank strength.