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The Role of the Soviet Cossack Cavalry in the Rostov Strategic Offensive Operation "Don" in January–February 1943
The article is devoted to the study of the fighting of the Soviet cavalry during the critical period of the Great Patriotic War in the winter of 1942–1943. In the conditions of snowy and frosty winter, fourteen Soviet cavalry divisions took an active part in the
Rostov front-line offensive operation conducted as part of the strategic offensive operation "Don". The personnel of the cavalry formations of the Red Army, acting tactically competently, conducted continuous reconnaissance, used the dark time of day to penetrate between the strong points and nodes of the enemy's defense. In the offensive zone of the cavalry formations of the Southwestern and Southern Fronts and the cavalry-mechanized group of General N.Ya. Kirichenko, nine tank and two motorized divisions of the 1st and 4th tank armies conducted active counterattacking actions Army groups "Don" by Field Marshal E. von Manstein. Among them were elite formations: the SS panzer division "Reich" and the SS motorized division "Viking". Skillfully concentrating a few artillery, anti-tank rifles and machine guns, the Soviet cavalrymen successfully repelled the counterattacks of tanks and motorized infantry of the enemy, captured rich trophies. In difficult weather and climatic conditions, with poor logistical support from the rear services, the cavalry led the offensive at a high pace. In the battles with the elite troops of the Wehrmacht, the 3rd, 4th, 5th Guards,
4th, 8th Cavalry corps made an invaluable contribution to the liberation of the temporarily occupied territories of the Rostov Region.
Rostov front-line offensive operation conducted as part of the strategic offensive operation "Don". The personnel of the cavalry formations of the Red Army, acting tactically competently, conducted continuous reconnaissance, used the dark time of day to penetrate between the strong points and nodes of the enemy's defense. In the offensive zone of the cavalry formations of the Southwestern and Southern Fronts and the cavalry-mechanized group of General N.Ya. Kirichenko, nine tank and two motorized divisions of the 1st and 4th tank armies conducted active counterattacking actions Army groups "Don" by Field Marshal E. von Manstein. Among them were elite formations: the SS panzer division "Reich" and the SS motorized division "Viking". Skillfully concentrating a few artillery, anti-tank rifles and machine guns, the Soviet cavalrymen successfully repelled the counterattacks of tanks and motorized infantry of the enemy, captured rich trophies. In difficult weather and climatic conditions, with poor logistical support from the rear services, the cavalry led the offensive at a high pace. In the battles with the elite troops of the Wehrmacht, the 3rd, 4th, 5th Guards,
4th, 8th Cavalry corps made an invaluable contribution to the liberation of the temporarily occupied territories of the Rostov Region.
the Great Patriotic War, the liberation of the Rostov Region, the fighting of the Soviet cavalr