Keystone Before Moscow ETO (id:#59867)

Heat of Battle (Recon by Fire! #4 ID: RBF-42)   [next]   [previous]

Istra, USSR 1941-11-26 (7 others)

Overview:

The Germans wanted to capture Moscow before winter set in, and on 16 November they launched the second phase of Operation Typhoon. Initially the gains were minimal, but Panzergruppe 3 broke through and began to make blitzkrieg like penetrations. The Russians did not want to lose all their forces, and pulled most of 16th Army back to a defensive line closer to Moscow. The 78th Division remained as the rear guard to defend Istra as it was the last keystone before Moscow, and was ordered to fortify the position and hold at all costs. The Germans were able to capture the bridge over the Istra River, and in an aggressive night attack seized a large walled-in area containing several cathedrals. From this position they launched an attack on Istra in the morning that was unsuccessful. After the first failed attack, the SS soldiers regrouped and attacked again around noon. At about the same time the 10th Panzer Division forced a crossing of the Istra River, and attacked the city from the north. Together the divisions fought house to house for the city against a bitter defense.

Defender: Russian (78th Siberian Division)  

Errata (source)