Hi Guys
I have some problem with one OGIII citation I have and placing action discribed in time and place. The citation is for 47th Gu. RD starshina from gen. Chuikov's 8th Gu. army for the period it fought in Warka-Magnuszew bridgehead in august 1944.
"... In the engagement neat village Studzianki on 20 August 1944 he commited several acts of bravery: following the commander orders with a small group of submachine gunners he went to sweep a forest where German troops were hiding. Adancing deep into the forest, they found themselves surrounded by the enemy. Comrade Molodstov did't loose control of the situation and was first one to rush at the enemy, and thanks to his decisiveness and courage, he manager to take his group out of the encirclement without losses. At the same time they eliminated up to 10 enemy soldiers. Near the dyke he was one of the first to rush into enemy trenches and with grenades eliminated 12 enemy troops…(further part of citation discribes action on 18 August " (Thank You Igor for translating this one "
So what's the problem? The problem is that action described as taking place on 20th August absolutely don't match to this date.
#1-Large Forest On 20th August 1944 Molodstov's 140th regiment fought in the fields between two villages-Emilów and in further part of day advanced in the direction of Rogożek.
"Till 19.00 20th Aug. 140th Gu. RR with 244th Gu.RR from 82nd Gu. RD cleared out Emilów from enemy troops and reached positions 900m south-east from Emilów"
The enly forest in that area was had 150m x 200m wide. Isn't it way too small for described action? Also in the army document's it's described as "grove".
Second thing is that Studzianki were few kilometers NW that 140th positions on 20.8.1944
#2-The dyke The second thing taking place on 20th Aug. was capturing by Molodstov German trench near the dyke. In history in the combat on Warka-Magnuszew bridgehead there was only one "Dyke" in which area fierce fight has been taking place-located in woods east from Studzianki. In the area of operation on August 20th there was no dyke in nearby area.
#3Chronology One more thing-I have never seen a citation where action were described in unchronological order. First- action on 20th and at the end- action which took place 2 days earlier. Strange?
Conclusion-IMHO-the action absolutely mismatch the date described (please look at attached maps). BUT the action matches absolutely the action described in documents with date 13th August 1944. From the after action reports of 47th Gu.RD. for 13.8 : "137th and 140th Gu.RRs are ordered to wipe out forest massif and capture dykeBy 10.00 each regiment with 2 battalions each attacked in ordered areas: 140th-forest 800-1200m SE farm (Studzianki)"
"140th regiment in fierce combat in ordered area brok through enemy defense. By 12.00 with one battalion captured the dyke (dam). Between the first and second (counting from west) forest clearing was wiping out a forest in a direction of a dyke. 3/137 and 2/140 (Molodstov's battalion) was wiping out a forest massif in the area of farm (Studzianki)"
That's my conclusion. I would really like to know what do you think as the matter is strange for me-officer writing a commendation letter would write a wrong date and it would pass through all the levels without correction. I would be sure with this before I'll go out in the mentioned area and try to place it in present landscape. Or maybe you have your own suggestion concerning this citation?
Hoping for you opinions and best Regards
Jacob
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