Description:

O.K.H. 'KRIEGSTAGEBUCH' WAR DIARY ENTRIES ON THE FAILING OPERATION 'WINTERSPORT', (II)
Historically important, unique set of O.K.H. war diaries, entries from the 'Kriegstagebuch' being official daily OKH war records for nearly 1.5 million men on the southern front used in the planning of the German 'Operation Wintersport', the unrealized German plan in late 1941-1942 for capturing Soviet oilfields in the Caucasus, later attempted as Operation Edelweiss. The pencil notes, 2pp. 16.5 x 11.5 in., [n.p.], late November, 1941, are written in an unknown hand but original and were stolen from the files by German Gen. FRANZ HALDER (1884-1972) who planned 'Operation Barbarossa', the invasion of the Soviet Union, with the intention of bolstering his position in the face of intense criticism of his performance on the Eastern Front by Adolf Hitler. These KTB / KTB Anlage kept a log of the daily actions/operations at the German High Command. Case Blue/Wintersport would not work, and Halder was correct. The 6th Army entered Stalingrad, Moscow drive was lost and the oil fields were too far for the reach. The review and analysis of the situation reads, in small part: '27.11.Discussion between the Commander-in-Chief of Army Group [von Rundstedt] and the Commander-in-Chief of the 6th Army [Reichenau]. The Commander-in-Chief of Army Group points out the seriousness of the overall situation and urgently demands the execution of the operationally justified measures proposed. Reference: the enemy continues to pull forces away from the front. Army Group South anticipates...that the 1st Panzer Army could again disengage from its sector and be redeployed toward Rostov. The Commander-in-Chief of the 6th Army emphasizes that both the condition of the divisions (strength, combat capability) and the supply situation (urgent need for replenishment of 4,000 casualties at a rate of approx. 250 men per day) make it impossible for the army to undertake further offensive operations. The divisions must be rested and materially replenished. Should the 1st Panzer Army be withdrawn, a breakthrough by the enemy from the northern Donets or a crossing of the Donets from the south would require the commitment of at least three divisions. With the forces available, this is absolutely impossible. He further emphasizes the significance of the sector within the framework of the overall operation, especially the importance of holding the industrial region and thereby preventing the operational freedom of movement of the enemy. Any further weakening of the 6th Army would make its mission impossible. On the basis of the above, the Commander-in-Chief of Army Group orders that, under all circumstances, the front of the 6th Army on the right wing of Army Group South must be held. The 6th Army is to immediately withdraw 21st Division...These divisions are to be transferred to the Peschanskoye bridgehead sector in order to relieve the 17th Army...The supply of the 6th Army is to be ensured. The 1st Panzer Army reports strong enemy pressure along the entire southern wing. Enemy forces repeatedly attacked Rostov. Massed enemy forces of several divisions are supported by heavy artillery and air forces. The Don front is heavily contested. North of Rostov, strong enemy forces are pushing forward. After heavy fighting, the enemy managed to achieve a breakthrough, which, however, was closed again by counterattacks. 28.11. In the western sector, defense against enemy attacks; eastward of Rostov, the enemy attacks with superior forces toward Nakhichevan, Alexandrovka, and Aksayskoye; on the southern Tsimlyansk front, enemy thrusts continue. 28.11....enemy pressure on the southern wing is steadily increasing...Local enemy attacks with strong concentration south of Rostov from the north and south, as well as from the east with massed employment of manpower and materiel. The effective support of the Luftwaffe (4th Air Fleet) is no longer sufficient...the Commander-in-Chief orders the 1st Panzer Army...to pull back the front. The defensive fighting is very costly (losses of approx. 1,000 dead in front of a single battalion sector)...The disengagement from the enemy has been initiated...the framework of Operation 'Winter Sports' it is no longer a question of Rostov, but rather of the increased importance of forming the 1st Army as early as possible in the general direction of Rostov....Army Group Commander-in-Chief must decide whether the order to attack Rostov is to be given or not. The Führer's decision must be obtained...concept of an operational offensive from the Donets sector. This idea is already under review...Clearing of the Donets bend west of Isjum has begun...Army Group South was forced, on grounds of the situation with the 1st Panzer Army, to place the 125th Division under the tactical control of the 17th Army...fighting against numerically superior enemy forces...' Very good. No official war diaries higher than regimental level have ever been offered on the market.

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April 21, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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